Turkmenistan - Turkmenbashi - Central Asia - people - Ashgabat - food markets - statue - smiles - Azerbaijan - Baku - food - sunset - Caspian Sea -
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While walking along the beach outside Turkmenbashi, we were invited by families to join them for food, drink and conversation. Dan joins this group consisting of several families taking their summer vacation together from Ashgabat to the Caspian Sea coast...This also served as our first encounter with Turkmen vodka. Very smooth. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
A group of kids enjoy their summer break at the Caspian Sea Coast in Turkmenbashi. Soon, this will be a developed tourist area, so enjoy the clear waters and empty beaches soon! Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
The stalls selling pickled vegetables and fish were always colorful...and fragrant. At the main market in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan. Read more about Turkmenistan.
The former president of Turkmenistan called himself Turkmenbashi (leader of all Turkmens) and renamed this town after himself...Turkmenbashi town's wedding cake train station served as the first stop on the Trans-Caspian railway. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
A monument in the town of Balkanabat portrays a scholarly Turkmenbasi holding the Rukhama (the book he wrote that was supposed to have been the guiding light for the nation)Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
Oil rigs dot the horizon on the Caspian Sea (between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan). Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
The remarkable sunset we were treated to on the Caspian Sea (from Baku, Azerbaijan to Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan) took us pleasantly by surprise. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
Not quite what we expected on our first day in Turkmenbashi...Friendly people and invitations for conversation, watermelon and vodka shots were plentiful as we strolled the beaches in Turkmenbashi.
Ashgabat was essentially flattened by an earthquake (measuring 9 on the Richter scale) on October 6, 1948. ..Around 2/3 of the population perished and only a handful of buildings survived. Turkmenbashi lost his mother and brothers during the earthquake. Hence, the gold statue of the boy (young Turkmenbashi) being saved...The earthquake museum that stands below the statue is supposed to house pre-earthquake photos of Ashgabat. Sadly, it's open only one day a year, on the earthquake's anniversary.
A shot of our first meal in Turkmenistan, at Deniz Cafe. Iskender kabab (or yogurt kabab) proved one of our best meals in Turkmenistan. The combination of plain yogurt and grilled meat is delicious. ..A group of Peace Corps Volunteers at the cafe were as shocked to see us (American tourists) as we were to see them. Read more about Turkmenistan.
A camel poses for us in the late afternoon between Balkanobat and Ashgabat. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
These sisters work together to sell eggs at the market in Turkmenbashi. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Our first impressions of Turkmenistan came from the big market in Turkmenbashi (which we visited in order to exchange money on the black market). ..We were all blown away by the smiles, friendly questions and colorful dress of the vendors. We had expected people to be more reserved and afraid of foreigners. Luckily, we were repeatedly mistaken. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
These newlyweds are greeted by a sporty Turkmenbashi statue at the Walk of Health in Ashgabat. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan and impressions of Ashgabat.
The first president of Turkmenistan, known as Turkmenbashi (leader of all Turkmens) stands proud in front of the Independence Monument in Ashgabat. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan and impressions of Ashgabat.
This adorable girl came running up to us with a big smile on her face and an American flag bandana on her head. ..We wondered...was this planned? Maybe Turkmenistan's new public relations department? All joking aside, it was a wonderful welcome to Turkmenistan. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.
Turkmenbashi (rather, his 12 meter-high gold likeness) greets the sun on top of the Arch of Neutrality and revolves throughout the day to follow the sun. Prior to our arrival, we'd had high expectations of this statue. In reality, it's a tad underwhelming. Outrageous nonetheless. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan and impressions of Ashgabat.
Perfectly grilled fish at Deniz Cafe in Turkmenbashi. Read more about Turkmenistan.
Although deceased, Turkmenbashi still smiles upon the Turkmen people all over Turkmenistan.
