We next traveled to another small town in Xinjiang called Aksu. (Just another hop, skip, and a jump over some more of the Tian Shan mountains!)

 After looking at the desert landscape for the past few days, it was nice to see some lush green trees in a botanical garden.  Some of the trees were over 1,000 years old. 

This area was beautiful but my friend Justine and I had to get off the path.  We climbed up some steep hills mostly comprising of loose dirt and rocks…

…but what a view!

I finished off an amazing day with an amazing find! These are lightly roasted and spiced almonds. These are the best almonds I will ever eat in my life.  I hope one day I can learn how to make them myself.  Considering the fact that I ate 3 lbs. worth, hopefully I will be able to re-create them!