Travel to Turkmenistan: The 'Foreignest' Country with Justin Barnes

Turkmenistan's Unique Appeal

• 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan is described as the most foreign country visited by the guest, epitomizing a sense of otherness.
• 🌍 It's part of a larger trip to the 'Stans' (Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan), with Turkmenistan being the most distinct.
• ✈️ Turkmenistan receives very few tourists annually, estimated at around 7,000, making it a rare travel destination.

Key Destinations and Attractions

• 💥 The Darvaza Gas Crater, a giant flaming pit in the desert, is a major highlight, burning for 50 years due to a Soviet-era drilling accident.
• 🏛️ Ashgabat, the capital, features striking, modern architecture, including a falcon-shaped airport, a TV tower with a revolving restaurant, and unique monuments like the Arch of Neutrality.
• 🏛️ The Wedding Palace in Ashgabat is noted for its unique disco ball-like structure enclosed by a gyroscope.
• 📜 Historical sites include the ancient Parthian city of Nissa (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the ruins of Kunya-Urgench (another UNESCO site) from the Silk Road era.
• 🏜️ Merv, once one of the world's largest cities, offers layered historical ruins from various empires, showcasing history side-by-side.

Historical and Cultural Context

• ⚔️ The region has a rich history, influenced by the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander the Great, Parthians, and the Seljuk Turks.
• 🕌 The Jipek Joly Mosque in Ashgabat is one of Central Asia's largest and includes writings from the first president's religious text, the Ruhnama.
• ☪️ Turkmenistan's Islam is described as more secular, influenced by its Soviet past, with fewer prohibitions on alcohol compared to some other Islamic nations.
• 🌳 Efforts to combat desertification include planting vast numbers of trees, referred to as 'Christmas trees,' in the desert.

Travel Practicalities

• 🛂 Obtaining a visa for Turkmenistan is challenging and often requires going through a tour company.
• 📸 Photography can be restricted in certain areas, particularly around government buildings and the airport.
• 💰 Separate fees may apply for site entry and for taking photographs.
• 💊 Travelers should avoid cold medicines containing ephedrine due to customs regulations.
• 🍜 The food is a surprising highlight, blending influences from Chinese, Turkish, and Mediterranean cuisines, with dishes like borak, manti, and lagman.
• 📅 The best times to visit are spring or fall to avoid extreme summer heat and winter cold.
• 🗺️ Turkmenistan is best visited as part of a larger Central Asian itinerary, typically for 4-5 days, due to its unique nature and limited tourist infrastructure.