We say this again and again… and we are saying it yet again- we hate boring and ‘done to death’ travel trails! So this time we picked Turkmenistan- a fascinating country by the side of Caspian Sea in Central Asia and a former part of the erstwhile USSR, to explore. A fellow traveller who visited this country recently opened our eyes to this part of the world…..and weren’t we impressed! This little known country is every off-beat travellers’ OMG destination and has a lot to offer. Since we have so much to tell you about Turkmenistan, we better start with few compelling REASONS why you have to make it to this place…like now!
Door to Hell
How can travellers be away from drama and this led us to “door to hell” in Derweze that looks and sounds like it comes straight from a Sci-fi Hollywood flick! In 1971 Soviet geologists discovered what they believed to be a huge oil deposit here but as soon as the drilling began they realized it was a gas deposit. A big section of the area collapsed releasing gas from underneath. Geologists assumed it to be poisonous and set the place on fire (Yeah and you thought only you held patent for utterly moronic stunts!). Well, 44 years on and the fire is still burning. This is one sight you will not get to see anywhere in the world so it easily makes the first reason why you should be here! Also, rumors have been afloat that the government of Turkmenistan might order a closure of this crater…. So hurry guys!
From the very new to seriously ancient times - 7th Millennium BC that is! If ever Armageddon came, it would look like the city of Gonur Tepe. Okie so don’t get spooked, this one is a marvellous piece of archaeological discoveries! Gonur Tepe was the center of flourishing trade in Margiana region which covered over 3000 square Kilometres and numerous settlements on the banks of Murgab River. This place is about a three hour long drive from City of Mary. It is believed to be the birthplace of Zoroastrian religion and happens to be the 5th oldest civilisation in the world! Soak in some astonishing sites of old temples, palaces, earthenware, bronze artefacts and stone carvings strewn across this site. It was discovered in 1972 by a Greek-Russian Archaeologist.
Before we came across this one, we did believe that deserts were mostly dead, had a few camels here and there with lovely golden dunes that were always worth a long gaze. Repetek nature reserve changes the way you see deserts. Right in the middle of Karakum desert about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) from Turkmenabat, this reserve is spread over an area of 135 kilometers (84 miles). And with one and half thousand species including invertebrates and other small animals, this place is teeming with life. There is vegetation of shrubs and thorny plants too to spread some colors around the dunes. With such myriad life forms thriving on desert sands this place was accorded the status of Biosphere Preserve by UNESCO in 1979. Shifting sands, dry lake beds and lot of info on climatic history of this region make it worth a definite visit. For us BTW that gazing across golden sand dunes for hours still tops the list!
If you are someone who loves to get a close view of the local culture and lifestyle of natives on your travel then Tolkuchka Basar or Bazaar is a must-visit for you. Tolkuchka Bazaar is full of colour, sounds, smells, aroma and wonder for the first timers. This place is a mix of flea market, fair, pop up bazaar and street shopping – all in one! There is a festive mood to this place and a lot of drama with vendors putting the spread of their goods on the ground and frantic bargaining with the customers. It is also a great place for you to pick sovereigns for your friends! Right from cattle, carpets to clothing, everything is on sale here and everything finds a buyer too! Local traders, men and women dressed in ethnic clothing add to the fervor of Tollkuchka Bazaar.
