Category Archives: Central Asia

Turkmenistan: A Destination Guide

My Turkmenistan destination guide will hopefully help you plan a visit to one of the most off-the-beaten path destinations in the world. So off the beaten path Turkmenistan is the seventh least visited countries in the world! Turkmenistan is notorious for once being ruled by one of the most eccentric and bizarre dictators the world has ever

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Border Crossing into Iran from Turkmenistan

It was time to leave the strange and bizarre city of Ashgabat and time for my last border crossing in Central Asia. I was leaving behind one of the least visited regions in the world. A region full of domineering and beautiful mountains, endless deserts, stunning blue-tiled buildings, exotic and colourful markets, and a wonderfully

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Ashgabat, The Weirdest City in the World

Ashgabat is far and away the weirdest city I have ever visited in all of my travels. Imagine huge hulking white marble buildings next to more huge white marble buildings lining pristine streets of perfectly manicured gardens and beautiful fountains. The streets are wide, clean and empty of people. Except for the occasional policeman who’s

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Border Crossing Into Turkmenistan and On To Ancient Merv

It was the morning of my border crossing into Turkmenistan, the last ‘stan’ of my Silk Road travels. I was leaving the dazzling blue tiled cities of Uzbekistan behind to head to the land of dictators, bizarre architecture, and one of the strangest countries in the world! My guesthouse in Bukhara had arranged a taxi

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Tracking Down A Turkmenistan Visa

Turkmenistan is a reclusive type of country once ruled by one of the most bizarre dictator’s in history and obtaining a Turkmenistan visa is notoriously difficult. But it is possible! Here’s my first hand experience of tracking down a Turkmenistan visa. Everyone needs a tourist visa to visit Turkmenistan and in order to obtain one

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Unique and Unusual Uzbekistan: A Destination Guide

Ancient cities where brilliant aqua domes push towards bright blue skies, exotic and colourful markets, shared taxi adventures, cashless ATMs and black market negotiations, a fascinating history and locals who greet you with a gold-tooth smile. This is Uzbekistan and it is one of the most unique and unusual countries in the world. In September

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The Markets of Uzbekistan: A Photo Journey

The markets of Central Asia are colourful, fascinating and bursting with life and the markets of Uzbekistan are some of the best in the region.  The fresh produce is astounding. From the famous pomegranates and melons to dried apricots, stuffed dates, nougat, halva, dried cheese and bread, bread, bread, and more bread. The markets of

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Glorious Samarkand – The Ultimate Silk Road City

Samarkand is perhaps the ultimate Silk Road city. A city that once sat at the crossroads of multiple trades routes leading to exotic locations such as China, India and Perisa. A city whose name is full of magic, wonder and romance. A city where brilliant aqua domes push towards clear skies. A city with some

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