2 Travel adventures Turkmenistan

From Amsterdam to Tokyo

1 mei 2016 - 8 augustus 2016 (100 days)

Chamrat tries to avoid the potholes, but he doesn’t always succeed. Sometimes he prefers to drive beside the road in the sand rather than on the broken asphalt. The landscape becomes increasingly beautiful. In the distance, we see the white and red rock formations. Chamrat turns left onto a dirt path. After a few kilometers, we arrive at the top of the Yangykala Canyon. The jagged rocks, red at the base and white at the top, are beautifully lit by the setting sun. What a stunning and unique place. It’s very windy at the top — too windy to pitch our tents. A little further back, we find a more sheltered spot. There’s still wind, but it’s slightly calmer. Just after we’ve set up the tents, I hear a loud bellow. It couldn’t be a camel, could it? But sure enough, a camel pops its head over the edge of the hill and stares at us. It turns out to be an entire herd. More and more heads appear. I estimate there are over 150 camels gathered. Vragen aan ChatGPT

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Turkmenistan

Yangykala Canyon

The beautiful view over Yangykala Canyon in Turkmenistan

Entering Ashgabat

Entering the Turkmen capital Ashgabat

Arch of Neutrality

The Arch of Neutrality with the golden statue of Turkmenbashi on top

Old Trading Post

An old trading post in Turkmenistan

In the Footsteps of Marco Polo

28 april - 1 juli 2012 (65 days)

The entire streetscape gives a fairytale-like impression. To me, it’s a cross between Disneyland and Dubai. I get out at the 10th Anniversary Independence Park. Turkmenistan became independent in 1991. Prominently in the park stands the statue of the first president of independent Turkmenistan: Turkmenbashi. He used the country's gas and oil revenues to build the new Ashgabat. Behind him stands a monument celebrating ten years of independence. Across the street is the "Turkmenistan World of Fairytales"—an amusement park in the middle of Ashgabat. However, the park is often closed. As I continue through the city, Maksat tells me about the buildings. Architecturally, one is more beautiful than the next. Almost all buildings are constructed in white marble.

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