Turkmenistan: Caspian Sea to Ashgabat

Women Vendors at Market in Turkmenbashi, 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.

Turkmen Tour Group on Caspian Sea - Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan

Dave and Blaz joined us in Baku, Azerbaijan before our tour together in Turkmenistan. ..The peace and serenity of the ferry across the Caspian Sea from Baku to Turkmenbashi foreshadowed the enjoyable things to come in Turkmenistan. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Sun Sets over Caspian Sea - Azerbaijan, 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.

Beautiful Sunset on Caspian Sea - Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan

Oil rigs dot the horizon on the Caspian Sea (between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan). Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Girl with American Flag Bandana - Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan

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. © UncorneredMarket.com

Kids at the Beach - Turkmenbashi, 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! © UncorneredMarket.com Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Family Gathering at the Beach - Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan

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.

Rukhnama Park in Balkanabat, Turkmenistan

Known as the "Koran of the Turkmens," the Rukhnama was written by Turkmenbashi and supposedly outlines the history of Turkmenistan and the guiding principles Turkmens should follow. ..Frighteningly, it has been one of the core subjects in the Turkmen school system. ..This "Rukhnama Park" stands out in the middle of the desert in Balkanabat. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Former President's Portrait - Turkmenbashi, 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.

Audrey with Women Pilgrims - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

Audrey bonds with the women pilgrims visiting the site of Paraw Bibi between Balkanabat and Ashgabat. This site is considered to be a holy place for women to pray for health and fertility. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Turkmenbashi Monument - Balkanabat, 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.

Group Picture of Women Pilgrims - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

This group of women at Paraw Bibi pilgrimage site was curious about us and what we were doing in Turkmenistan. The concept of tourism is still a bit foreign in Turkmenistan, making for some interesting conversation. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Elderly Couple - Qys Bibi, Turkmenistan

It was sweet to see this older couple helping each other up the hill to the pilgrimage site of Paraw Bibi. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Walking Up to Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

Turkmen women, with their long, colorful dresses and incredible posture, almost float when they walk. ..These women were attempting to float up the steep hill to Paraw Bibi (pilgrimage site for women). Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Sisters - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

The little girl was a bit shy in front of the camera, but her older sister had a confident air about her, posing proudly. Taken at the Paraw Bibi site between Balkanabat and Ashgabat. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Boy with a Shaved Head - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

This photogenic boy at Paraw Bibi, with his shaved head, reminded us of something we might see in Tibet. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Smiling Women - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

These two women greeted us enthusiastically, with almost accent-less English, as we walked up to Paraw Bibi (pilgrimage site). Read more about Turkmenistan.

Legend of the Stone - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

Legend has it that if you hold up the stone with your fingers and it moves when you are thinking about your wish or dream, it will come true. Most people were doing this individually, but these girls must have had a shared wish. Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Mother with Sons - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

This man pulled me over to take a picture of him with his mother (his brother is in the background). It's hard to believe this tiny woman gave birth to such a large boy...Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Camel in the Desert - Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan

A camel poses for us in the late afternoon between Balkanobat and Ashgabat. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Woman with Plov (Rice Dish) - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

Our group was given a large plate of plov (pictured here - rice, vegetables and meat) and a meat stew by a family visiting Paraw Bibi. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

World War II Memorial - Paraw Bibi, Turkmenistan

This World War II memorial lingered behind the communal area where people slept and ate at Paraw Bibi. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Fossils in the Desert - Murche, Turkmenistan

Zengi Baba Mausoleum (near Murche) is now in the middle of a desert. Hard to believe, but ages ago, the area was part of the sea. ..The large stone balls, nautilus fossils, serve as proof. Our geologist friend, Blaz, explained it much more eloquently...and accurately. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Mud Towers and Fortress - Murche, Turkmenistan

Blaz, the resident Geologist on our tour, looks out over the desert surrounding Murche (between Balkanabat and Ashgabat). Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.

Moon on Top of Saparmyrat Hajii Mosque - Geok-Depe, Turkmenistan

Saparmyrat Hajii Mosque near Geok-Depe in Turkmenistan. Read more about our visit to Turkmenistan.