Marzie turns up after lunch. Gosh she's boring and talks way too much. Cab to bus station and minivan to almata. Hasslefree border crossing. Uneventful drive through kazakh flat land. Hot day. Get to almata, bus to center and check in hotel. Stroll around town to find atm to dispense us$. No success after at least a dozen machines. Withdraw tenge and enjoy beer streetside. Spend lots of time online organising next travel destination.