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Kyrgyzstan where it’s no mad

7th February 2026 funtime65

With all sporting eyes focusing on the Winter Olympics in Italy what of Kyrgyzstan where it’s no mad?

The former Soviet republic will be gathering Asian itinerants for the World Nomad Games kicks off in August and September.

Who knew… well, our old friend Stans and Asian go-to Wendy Wu.

Who is putting on a brand-new, fully inclusive tour through Kyrgyzstan.

All in good time to coincide with those biennial 2026 World Nomad Games.

Wendy’s Games

Wendy has put together an itinerary which covers a country of towering mountains and red rock canyons to vast alpine lakes.

And another too… in Uzbekistan.

Wendy’s 2 September departure can be combined with an 11-day fully inclusive Ultimate Uzbekistan tour.

The Kyrgyzstan & the World Nomad Games
11-day fully inclusive tour is priced from £3,940pp.

Departing 29 August & 2 September 2026.

Giddy up

You’ll witness the beauty of the alpine heaven Ala-Archa National Park in the Tian Shan mountains

Bishkek is known for its Manas Monument and vibrant bazaar.

And we know you know that Issyk Kul is home to the world’s second-largest mountain lake and you’ll want to go on a boat ride.

You’ll spend a full day at the World Nomad Games.

Where you’ll soak up nomadic sports like horseback wrestling, archery and eagle hunting.

And take in village life in Tup and enjoy a tour and tasting of the region’s Kyrgyz cheese.

Before relaxing in the natural hot springs of Karakol.

Yurt to know better

Go native in the evening in Karakol with a local family for a home-cooked dinner of lagman.

Which we don’t have to tell you is a popular Central Asia noodle dish with stewed meat.

Now you can’t visit Central Asia without spending a night or, in this case, two in a traditional yurt camp.

Yours along the edge of Issyk Kul Lake has, of course, private en-suite facilities.

And how to make your own from a local family in Kyzyl-Tuu village.

You’ll even take part in a hands-on cooking class with a local chef.

That’s all folks

And what about a lunch in Kadji-Sai village with a family of local musicians.

And a lively folklore performance as you dine.

While Wendy also tempts us with a walk in scenic Chon-Kemin Nature Park.

Followed by a hands-on cooking class making Boorsok – a traditional Kyrgyz bread.

Asia, Countries, Deals

Wish Wu were here our Giant Pandas

13th November 202413th November 2024 funtime65

It’s been nearly a year since Yang Guang and Tian Tian waved Edinburgh Zoo goodbye. And how we wish Wu were here our Giant Pandas.

Alas our big pals weren’t able to conceive their very own Scottish wean in their 12 years here.

And let’s hope they have better luck now they’re back in the more familiar surroundings of the Chengdu Panda Research Base.

Where there will be among 80 other big bears.

And where the park is set up to resemble the mountain and forest regions in north Sichuan.

With extensive bamboo trees and large green spaces, mirroring the pandas’ natural habitat.

China in your hands

Pandering to the bears: At Edinburgh Zoo

Not that we’d able to see them, you’d think, now they are thousands of miles away in Northern China.

That though is where our old pal Wendy Wu comes in as she knows everyone in the Far East!

And she has set us up with a nine-day In Pursuit of Pandas tour from €2,840pp.

With return flights, all hotels, all meals, expert guide, all sightseeing and entrance fees and all transport in destination.

Lazing on a Scottish afternoon: Our bear pals

You will journey from the imperial treasures of Beijing through atmospheric Xian, the Great Wall and the enigmatic legions of Terracotta Warriors.

To reach the charming city of Chengdu, where you will meet its most famous residents – the captivating Giant Pandas.

Love is in the air

Now, obviously the pandas and their love lives have precedence in Chengdu.

But not exclusively and the city is also noted for its Matchmaker’s Corner where parents search for worthy suitors for their children.

All of which you’ll get to see for yourself, children or no children, and we have one here we’re especially keen to get fixed up.

But back to our old pals, say hi to Yang Guang and Tian Tian from us and tell them…

Wish Wu were here our Giant Pandas.

Asia, Countries

Wu’s World The Japanese Tour

10th April 202410th April 2024 funtime65

We’ve all benefited from the kindness of strangers on our travels, and ahead of the return of Race Across the World we’re grateful here for the largesse of an old pal, with Wu’s World The Japanese Tour.

Like fellow Glaswegian, Scots psychiatrist Zainib Khan who appeared on the last series, I like to help visitors to my country because of the support when I’ve been away.

And, of course, the ever-giving Wendy works to that mantra too as I know only too well from her annual Chinese New Year festivities in Dublin.

And so as Race Across the World switches destinations for the Far East then Wendy takes us on board too.

After all it is her backyard.

Feast of the Far East

The BBC show will ask its contestants to traverse Japan, South Korea and Vietnam before ending on the Indonesian island of Lombok.

Episode one is on tonight, Wednesday, April 10.

With the contestants travelling from Sapporo in northern Japan to Nara on the main island of Honshu.

And as the teams journey 1,600km through Japan, it’s a real showpiece for the Land of the Rising Sun.

Wendy, as is her way, is offering us extra… with a review show Race Across the World – Take Wu every Thursday at 3pm.

With a panel of super-fans discussing the venues and which racers are whetting our appetite.

Wendy’s on a winner

Wendy is also offering up to £400pp off her Journey through Japan tour following in the footsteps of the contestants as they travel from Hokkaido to southern Honshu.

Journey Through Japan is a 14-day tour from £6,690pp.

And that includes return flights, all hotels, 35 meals, guide, sightseeing, entrance fees and further transport.

Africa, Asia, Countries

The Year of the Tiger

31st January 202231st January 2022 funtime65

Ya dancer… today is the Year of the Tiger.

If you’re a tiger you’re a thrill-seeker, crave attention and are short-tempered but kind.

Although you wouldn’t be saying that if you’d had your carcass ripped apart.

But we’ve seen both faces of the tiger from our childhood films, as hippoty-hoppity Tigger or cunning Shere Khan.

Immerse yourself in the world of the Jungle Book by hopping on board any of a number of travel providers to that other powerhouse of tigers, India.

Yes you Khan

Exodus Travels gives you a 17 days India Tigers Safari from £3,499 including flights.

Where your tiger of choice is of course the Bengal Tiger (and don’t let Shere Khan put you off).

Our old friends at Hayes & Jarvis have a 15-days £4,099pp guide price for their trip around India.

And you’ll obviously get to enjoy the charms of the great cities of Delhi and Mumbai and the Taj Mahal.

They came from Africa

Pussycat, pussycat: Panthers in South Africa

Now we’re not sure why tigers moved from Africa to Asia around 2 million years ago.

But if you’ve been out on a drive and stood in awe at its kin, the panthers and lions, you’ll want to get out to Asia to see the tiger.

Now what of tiger watching in China… well, for everything in the Far East we defer to the expert Wendy Wu.

The Year of the Wu

Wendy and our buddies are holding a week of virtual events all week so we’ll know even more about tigers by Fiday.

And what to do when you’re faced with a tiger (and not one of those paper tigers).

Well our Chinese friends tell us to wear red socks and underwear although by that stage I’d suggest the nearest tree is the answer.

Happy Chinese New Year, the Year of the Tiger.