ASHGABAT
A day in Ashgabat. Ashbagat is one of the strangest cities I have visited. It’s like something out of a Hollywood set which sits vacant between sets.
ANY BUILDING I WENT IN I SEEMED TO BE THE ONLY PERSON THERE
The new city is sparse, and many buildings are unoccupied. The distance between buildings could be half a mile, even in the city center.
WHERE IS TURKMENISTAN?
MUSEUM
The state museum had the usual artifacts and pottery. Though not my thing, some pieces being 2000 years old blew my mind! They also have the world’s 5th tallest free-standing flagpole. I thought this record was a stretch.
RECORDS….
- It likes to hold records, one of which is for the largest indoor Ferris wheel in an architectural structure – 156 feet.
- The capital has the record for the most public pools in a single place.
- The most buildings clad in marble.
- The largest architectural star – 34,875ft.
- 25th longest flagpole in the world
CHANGE OF ITINERARY
After visiting the empty new mosque, I returned to the agent’s office to discuss train times. I showed him my itinerary and he said “why are you not going to Bukhara?” I didn’t have an answer for him, it was just how to itinerary worked out. He checked the train times, drew out an itinerary and said there you go, you have time! It’s this sort of costumer service that I never forget!
FOOD
There wasn’t much to see in the city. We stopped at the horse stables, and I enjoyed the food at Pub City, though I can’t recall its name and doubt it’s traditional. This will go on to be the only dish worth eating in turkmenistan After visiting the Russian Bazaar and saying goodbye to my guide we started our journey to Darvaza to visit the Door to Hell.
NEXT UP
Breaking down in the desert on our way to the Gates to Hell. Click to read
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
128/229
This post is part of the Central Asia Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
Question Time
- Have you been to Turkmenistan?
- What did you think, did you explore the new city?
- Did you try the food?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
