If a visitor just stayed in Ashgabat and never left the city limits then they would never think that it is literally an oasis in the middle of the water parched Karakum Desert. Fountains are bursting out clean water and offer some much-needed relief from the heat. The task of keeping the city and itsContinue reading “It’s not easy being Green in Ashgabat”
Category Archives: Silk Road
A Visit to the Marble “City of Love”
What do you get when you combine Riad, Pyongyang and Las Vegas? Welcome to Ashgabat and the “City of Love”. The only thing french here are the architects who designed the palace Turkmenistan’s current leader President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. Ashgabat or Ashgabat translated into Farsi literally means “City of Love”. This is what I have learnedContinue reading “A Visit to the Marble “City of Love””
The Silk Roads of Turpan
The sites of all over China are slowly being torn down, added on to or just demolished into a more appealing and high ticket worthy site. The desert town of Turpan or Tulupan is no exception. Despite this, some sites in the area still attractive enough to justify an uncomfortable day of riding in aContinue reading “The Silk Roads of Turpan”
Catching the VIP Cruiser to Turpan
We decided since we got sidetracked in Dunhuang that we had to at least travel to Turpan during our extended layover in Urumqi. It is unfortunate that it’s the worst time to visit the “Death Valley” of China but we’re here and not sure if we will be in this part of the world anytimeContinue reading “Catching the VIP Cruiser to Turpan”
The Buzzing Silk Road Sands of Dunhuang
Dunhuang is different things to the various travelers who either arrive by private car, bus, train or plane into this “City of Sand”. Some come here seeking to concur the Gobi Desert by camel and others are simply looking to view what’s left of the ancient Silk Road. There is enough here to please bothContinue reading “The Buzzing Silk Road Sands of Dunhuang”
A Little Time in Japan and Little Time in China
Japan will always be on the top of my travel list. June was spent traveling around the southern parts of Japan. Previous visits were short, but we now had the ability to spend as much time as we liked or could afford on the weak USD. We started in Osaka since a couple of friendsContinue reading “A Little Time in Japan and Little Time in China”
Xian: The Gateway to the Silk Road
One of the best ways to see history in person is by visiting the cities along the Ancient Silk Road. Religion was the driving force behind many of history’s greatest battles, and the force which leaders used to expand their empires. The faces numerous cities and villages reflect the styles, ideals and philosophies of the dominantContinue reading “Xian: The Gateway to the Silk Road”
Farflungistan 