27/8 - Turkmenabat to Bukhara

Not many distance planned for the day, therefore a more relaxed kick-off.

First challenge started with finding the way out of Turkmenabat towards the border, however after a couple of U-turns and picking up a Turkmen taxi driver and hitchhiker, we found our way towards the border. We arrived at the border around 1pm, time enough to enjoy a tasteful lunch in front of the gate which would open around 2pm. Less than 2 hours later and 3 Sprites less, we entered Uzbekistan, avoiding on the edge the thermometer presented by the local doctor, looking after swine flu.

The first impressions over Uzbekistan were comforting us as everyone wave and smile, welcoming us. The discovery of Bukhara exceeds our expectations with dozens of ancient madrassas, mosques and forts. The old city has proven itself well protected as it took us over an hour to find a way in. the sugar on the pie came with a tasteful local dinner on joyful Lyabi Hauz Square where many Uzbeks meet at night.

As we plan to stay two nights in Bukhara, thanks to our current progress, it became also the right time for some laundry :-)

To be continued..

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26/8 - Ashgabat to Turkmenabat

Summary of a day in Turkmenistan:- FLAT

Flat like the landscape…

Flat like the initial impression of hospitality…

Flat like the shock breakers sometimes had to go… road between Ashgabat and Mary was a good test for the roofracks ;-))

After a walk around in Ashgabat, picturing the buildings we were allowed to approach, we drove off to Mary and Turkmenabat where the “express” way was made of a “kind” of asphalt full of corrugation and irregularities. The progress was consequently slow. However, we crossed Mary after around 5 hours and headed directly to Turkmenabat on a slightly better road. The roads do unfortunately not reflect the marble and gold fitted governmental buildings although we saw some contractors rebuilding the roads.

We decided to camp some 60 km away from Turkmenabat, when a particular visit from some “curious” guys at nightfall made us change mind, pack and fins a hotel across Turkmenabat train station in a renovated Russian old style hotel/apartment.

To be continued..

 

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25/8 : the next border

Early wakeup with a shining sunlight over the mountains and blue skies, surrounded by soaring eagles, les cracottes/beschuitjes with Nutella were appreciated. Ever changing sceneries brought us from the deep green forest to higher dryer plateaus up to Quchan. The relaxed morning quickly turned out to a rally trip between Quchan and the border to meet the closing time of the Iranian boarder. In less than one hour the exit administration was completed.

The Turkmenistan border amazed us by their strict, however very efficient organization allowing us to be on route to Ashgabat in less than 1 and a half hour.  The 35km downhill to Ashgabat went very quickly and offered us suddenly and unexpected an eagle view on the city of Ashgabat.

When looking for a hotel, we drove around and wandered around the new Ashgabat; an example of cleanliness and grandiosity; nothing to envy Abu Dhabi or Dubai.  The award was a good beer in the British Pub.

To be continued in a couple of days.

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