turkmenistan

Turkmenistan has a rather strict policy for full visa holders, requiring the use of a guide. For this leg, as for Iran, we’re looking forward to having a local in the car with us. Over ten days or so we’re hitting the major destinations in Turkmenistan before proceeding onwards to Iran.

Such a bizarre yet completely fascinating country. I’m so glad we jumped hoops to be able to visit. Gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, google the president who also heads the country’s one political party and you’ll find the stories summarising his behaviour are unbelievable but true. Considered to be one of the top ten most censored countries only limited visitors are permitted each year, and it was compulsory for us to be accompanied by a guide at all times. If we strayed from the detailed itinerary we submitted, our guide would receive a phone call to ensure we returned to the agreed route. Mostly desert there are a large number of famous archaeological sites existing since the 3rd Millennium BC although largely destroyed by the Mongols, so my husband was a happy chappie with so many piles of very old rocks to clamber over. A number of cafes served up a decent latte though, so I was happy too.