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Tags: Amazing Race 13 / Amazing-Race-13 / Chasing Racers / Television Travel / TV Travel / → All Tags

I'm Like An Angry Cow

Chasing Racers is back, with a brand new Amazing Race 13 mashup. This map will update the morning after every new episode. Send along tips, rumors, gossip, locations and spoilers to our map editors, become a member and comment on the stories below and add to the Jaunted-Flickr photo pool to get in on the fray.

Remember to zoom in, out and around on the map--with so much happening in each episode, it's easy to miss a map point.

Well, race fans, we're down to only a handful of teams. Having lost Kelly and Christy last week, the remaining pairs must gear up for a very competitive finish. But having claimed four first-place finishes, will anyone be able to stop Nick and Starr?

Ken and Tina made unbelievable gains last week: Will they be able to continue forging ahead, or will they succumb to the bickering and divisiveness that has plagued them in the past? Only five teams remain. Who will have the strength and wits to fight through to the end and claim the million dollar prize? More importantly, who makes it to the end of this episode?

LET'S FIND OUT!

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Tags: Kazakhstan Travel / Borat / Sacha Baron Cohen / → All Tags

Borat’s Bad-Mouthing Still A Boon For Kazakhstan

Proving beyond a doubt that even really bad publicity is good publicity, the previously little-known nation of Kazakhstan is now eternally grateful that nasty ol' Borat said such horrible things about it.

Two years on from the 2006 hit movie "Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan," tourism projects have taken off, with three huge resorts still going strong despite the global economic crisis. In just the last six months, the number of tourists braving a trip into Kazakhstan has increased by 13 percent.

And while Borat might've portrayed Kazakhstan as a poor country to the American market, the Kazakhs themselves have their own ideas of who they should insult. A deputy chairman in the tourist ministry recently said the "Borat" film "was made in Romania--it's a very poor country." There’s nothing like passing the buck.

Related Stories:
· Blundering Borat Boosted Tourism [AFP, via Google]
· Borat Begets Kazakhstan Tourism Boom [Jaunted]
· Kazakhstan Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: sssteve.o]

Tags: Pyramids / → All Tags

Kazakhstan Proves that New Pyramids Can Be Cool Too

We tend to think of pyramids as relics of the ancient world. After all, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt was built some time around 2560 B.C., while Mexico's Pyramid of the Sun was completed in 100 A.D. But there's no rule that says pyramids can't be cool unless they're really old, so the oil-rich government of Kazakhstan decided to get in on the game and create its own. The result is the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a modern, 77-meter high pyramid in Astana designed to house the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions as well as a 1,500-seat opera house, a national center for Kazakhstan's various ethnic groups, and educational facilities. Designed by high-flying architects Foster + Partners and finished in 2006, the concrete, steel, and stained glass structure is at once the most traditional and futuristic shape in the city's skyline, hearkening back to the days preceding the establishment of the Abrahamic faiths while pointing toward a technologically-sophisticated tomorrow. Kazakhstan is a somewhat dicey place to visit these days, but intrepid travelers who are smooth enough to make it to the capital without displeasing the authorities can marvel at the palace from a distance, visit its museum, and even take in an opera performance. And who knows, with the right connections and a few well-placed "gifts," you might find yourself surveying the steppes and mountains of this former Soviet Central Asian republic from the top of the world's newest pyramid.

[Photo: Deputy Dog]

Related Stories:
· Palace of Peace and Reconciliation [Foster + Partners]
· Kazakhstan's Astounding Futuristic Pyramid [Deputy Dog]
· Steppe Pyramid Photos [Flickr/Tienshan]
· Pyramid Coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Movie Set Travel / Kazakhstan Tourism / → All Tags

Borat Begets Kazakhstan Tourism Boom

Looks like Borat is having quite an effect on Kazakhstan tourism:

Post Borat Occurrences:
·Air Astana, the national airline, has added a third weekly flight from the UK.

·Major international chains, including Radisson SAS, have opened slick new hotels in Almaty and Astana.

·There is even talk from recent Kazakhstan visitors, that the country does indeed have the kind of scenery tipsters told Jaunted about way back when.

Oh, and of course, you travelers to Kazakhstan are treated to the kind of quirkiness they are looking for:

At a traditional Kazakh dinner party, the highest-ranking guest is always served a sheep's head -- the least important gets one of the creature's cervical vertebra.

We so called this.  Not the sheep's head thing, but they whole Kazakhstan tourism blowing up thing.

Maybe now the country can re-open borat.kz.

[Photo: irina slutsky]

Related Stories:
· Borat coverage [Jaunted]
· Kazakhstan coverage [Jaunted]
· Borat Boom [The Sun]

Tags: Casinos / Gambling / Kazakhstan Tourism / Borat / → All Tags

Kazakhstan: the Next Gambling Hot Spot?

It's official: President Nursultan Nazarbayev, no longer busy vogueing for his country's tourism commercials, has passed a law requiring all casinos to be located in one of two approved cities: Kapchagai or Shchuchinsk. Kazakhstan is gambling crazed, and though the move reads like a negative blow at first, it could draw in some major dough. Kazakh officials hope to turn the cities into tourist draws, and major investments have been proposed by Chinese companies. Kapchagai could well turn into the Las Vegas of Kazakhstan (that's where the largest Chinese-proposed complex would be based) and Shchuchinsk its Atlantic City--not a bad deal, considering we feel far more comfortable at least trying to pronounce Kapchagai.

Kapchagai is close to Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city and former capital. We've never really felt compelled to visit Macau, but should Kapchagai turn into something better, you might be surprised to learn that you'd be able to reach it fairly easily. Almaty airport is served by several international airlines, including Turkish, KLM, and Asiana and Lufthansa, in addition to those with more highly questionable safety. Start saving those tenge!

[Photo: NYT via IHT]

Related Stories:
· Kazakhstan gambles on casinos [IHT]

Tags: Lonely Planet / Travel Media / Borat / Kazakhstan / → All Tags

Lonely Planet on the Real Kazakhstan

Despite knowing that there's more to the world than the fluffy-moustached alter-egos of British comics, we seem to get a nervous twitch when we go too long without mentioning Borat or Kazakhstan. Luckily for us, Lonely Planeteer John Noble goes inside the real Kazakhstan this week. He's currently working on LP's fourth-generation Central Asia guide.

While Noble reminds us all that nothing in Kazakhstan is exactly like Borat tells it--that Cohen probably chose the country simply because most Westerners knew little about it, that ethnic Kazakhs look nothing like Borat, and that women do ride on the insides of buses there--he also, perhaps unintentionally, does a bit to rub in Borat's stereotypes as well:

Families trace their lineages back to the scions of Ghenghis Khan, and Kazakhs play the wild sport kokpar, a kind of free-for-all football on horseback with an animal carcass instead of a ball.

He also urges visitors to get out into the wilderness, where the people are friendly, the surroundings nearly untouched, and "excellent ecotourism programmes" are popping up all over. You can visit the world's northernmost flamingo habitat, snowy mountains, and the "desert-like" Ustyurt Plateau, all in Kazakhstan. Just watch out for the cops, because they will make your tenge magically disappear.

Related Stories:
· The Real Kazakhstan: Where Borat Never Was [LP]
· The Real Borat? [Gadling]
· Borat coverage [Jaunted]
· Kazakhstan coverage [Jaunted]
· Lonely Planet: Tiraspol Is Creepy [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Movie Set Travel / → All Tags

Movie Set Travel: Borat's Cultural Learnings Arrive

We're hearing raves about Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan and are only sad it's just two hours of hilarity. Seriously, one of IMDB's commenters wrote, "This film lives up to the challenge. Anyone who is a fan of the show will find themselves on the edge of their seats, trying not to spray urine on those close to them." Clear your plans, folks. Perhaps invest in some Huggies.

As you must already know, Borat follows the cross-country trip of beloved Kazakhstani TV newsman, Borat Sagdiyev. He's sent to the U.S. and intent on finding and marrying Pamela Anderson.

Sure, most of the film was shot in LA and Manhattan, but we're not letting that stop us from doing it justice. Today we highlight some places across the country we think Borat would have had a swell old time at - enjoy!

Where To Get a Dose of Home:
Embassy of Kazakhstan to the USA and Canada
Borat should surely make a stop off at his friendly local embassy, located on 16th Street NW in Washington, DC. And you should check out the embassy's webpage and its "reasons the movie will spur increased interest in the real Kazakhstan." Before Borat, who knew (or cared) that Kazakhstan is four times the size of Texas?!

Where To Sport Your Day-Glo Green Butt Floss Bathing Suit:
Will Rogers State Beach
Borat can hop off the Pacific Coast Highway near the intersection with Temescal Canyon Road, and hit the beach where Pam Anderson made too-small red bathing suits and silicone famous. This is where Baywatch was shot (before relocating to Hawaii) and where Borat can soak in the sun, and scare the locals.

Where To Eat Your "Dogs That Is Hot":
Dash Dogs
Borat should head to 127 Rivington Street in NYC for his noted favorite food, hot dogs, at Dash Dogs. Kosher dogs are covered in everything from avocado to chili with Fritos to cilantro-garlic salsa. They're open late for post-bar feedings and midnight munchies. Great Success!

Related Stories:
· Borat coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Kazakhstan / Tourism Boards / → All Tags

Borat on CNN International While Real Kazakhs Keep On Kazakhing

Borat has been making the media rounds lately, and this morning (EST, at least) he made an appearance on CNN International for an interview with Becky Anderson. He refused to shake hands with the female journalist, but opened up a bit about his path to journalism ("I was educate in Astana University," "before this...I was a gypsy-catcher") and reasons for coming to America.

Not that he spoke much about the real Kazakhstan, though he did mention that it borders "assholes Uzbekistan." For a bit of photojournalism to temper the Borat attack, check out this slide show produced by Felix Merino and Nick Easen. It contains pictures of the Tien Shan and Kungey Alatau mountains, "richly decorated" yurts, and urban life in Almaty.

Thanks for the tip McCluskey!

Related Stories:
· Borat coverage [Jaunted]
· Kazakhstan coverage [Jaunted]

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Tags: Borat / Roman Vassilenko / Kazakhstan / → All Tags

Nosy Uzbek Spies Respond to Borat on NPR

Just when you thought the spat between Borat and his opposition couldn't get better, Uzbek operative Roman Vassilenko has turned to venerated NPR to repond to some of Sagdiyev's claims about Kazakhstan. "Jagshemash," he says, is not a Kazakhstani greeting. Instead, it is "salamatsyz ba," for "good afternoon." Kazakhstan makes its money off oil, not "postassium exports." In a Q&A posted along with the audio interview, Vassilenko denies being Uzbek alltogether, claiming he is a "proud patriot of Kazakhstan," and so on.

We are skeptical, but naturally would trust you, dear readers, more than this imposter. Send us your Kazakhstan travel tips, tales, & info. We are especially interested in hearing from anyone who has tried that magical fermented mare's milk drink. Seriously, anyone been to Kazakhastan? From Kazakhastan? What is the real deal like? Let us know.

Related Stories:
· Kazakhstan Embassy Responds to Borat [NPR]
· Borat Coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Borat Press Conference / → All Tags

Borat Holds Washington DC Press Conference

Click the box above to play the clip.

Furthermore, all claims that our glorious leader is displeased with my film is lyings.

According to Borat, there is a screening of Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan in DC tonight, and Donald Rumsfeld, George Walter Bush, Bill Gates, OJ Simpsons and Mel Gibsons are all invited to this screening.

After the screening there will be a party and discussion of the relations between the US and Kazakhstan at Hooters on 825 Seventh Street.

We are just waiting for our MySpace profile to get invited to the screening and Hooter's afterparty.  Kazakhstan, the ball is back in your court.

Related Stories:
· Borat Coverage [Jaunted]
· Borat Video [CollegeHumor]

Tags: Borat / Adventure Travel / Business Travel / Celeb Travel / Movies / → All Tags

Borat and Business Travel in the New York Times

The New York Times loves Borat so much, they're recommending Kazakhstan--specifically Almaty--for business travel. Either the movie is hysterically funny or they've been hitting the fermented mare's milk a bit too hard. We think it may be a little of both.

There are too many pearls of wisdom to recount here, but imagine that you're about to be send on a business trip over there, and you see this:

Central Asia is a land of funny hats, and the traditional Kazakh costume mandates a funnel for women that looks like a witch's hat. Business attire in Almaty is no different from New York.

So, ladies need to bring their witch's hats, and men just need suits. Don't mess up and bring your wizard's hat, men--you'll just make a fool of yourself at that meeting.

Related Stories:
·   Almaty [NYT]
·   Borat [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / New York Times / Sharon Waxman / Kazakhstan Tourism / → All Tags

New York Times on the Meaning of Borat

Today, New York Times scribe Sharon Waxman analyzes the hell out of Borat.

She starts her article describing a few quintessential Borat scenes, that if your read between the lines, appear to have "induced squirming".  However, as the article concludes you get the feeling that even Waxman had a good laugh at a racialist joke or two, thanks to Borat's Kaufman like antics.

In the story we learn a bit more about Kazakhstan, through Borat of course:

·   Borat is not explicitly Muslim, but Kazakhstan has a large Sunni Muslim population along with a sizable contingent of Orthodox Christians.

·   During the shoot Fox ignored numerous protests from the Kazakh Embassy in Washington, whose officials were concerned about the depiction of their country as prejudiced.

We still predict that Kazahkastan will see a spike in tourist interest around the time the movie debuts (Novemember 3rd).

Oh, and Sharon, for the record, Ali G is not a "vaguely Muslim British idiot" he is a black British idiot.  See above clip for clarification.

Related Stories:
·   Equal-Opportunity Offender Plays Anti-Semitism for Laughs [NY Times]