Excavation site in old nissa, near AshgabatThe holy Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque, built by the first president of Turkmenistan himself. Completely covered in marble. His mausoleum is just nearby. Covered in marble as well.Detail of the mosqueBoulevard between the old city and the new city of Ashgabat, where all the ministries and other crazy buildings are locatedThe arch of neutrality is holding a golden statue of the first president. It turns once a day on its own axe so it always faces the sun. Heavily protected and visited by no one.One of the ridiculous huge and luxurious ministries. All made of marble in white and gold.Another huge monument of the all ruling first president of Turkmenistan. Look at all the people there, crowded as everywhere in the marble city.Türkmenbashy, the city near the caspian sea, named after the first president. This oil refinery is enhanced by the visage of the second and current president.Finally, we met some locals at the marketOn the way to the desert we had a toilet-stop“There’s no bus, right?” (we) – “Sure there is, for the locals out here” (guide)Yangykala Canyon in western Turkmenistan – very impressiveAt Gozli Ata, a very important islamic pilgrim place in the desertLocal touristsSome graves and the mosque at Gozli AtaCamel crossingThe next day, we visited the local animal marketGirl with goatsJust bought some foodBusy day at the marketOverlooking the tradingsBuying and selling sheeps, the camels were already soldGoats and air conditionersGreat Gyz Kala, a part of Merv, an ancient city on the silk road. Active for several centuries.At the ice house in the city of Merv, we met some dudes, while the girls went for some sightseeingTurkmen girlsAt the local mosque, it was time for prayingIn the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
Expecting wishes: white stripes for boys, coloured ones for girlsThe ceiling of an ancient mosqueIn the supermarket of Mary, near the ancient city of Merväs klassischs Garette-BildThe town of Yerbent, in the middle of the desertCamels: Friends, workers and food for the local people“Nothing to see here”In the desert, all the scrap they found is used againFire cooked meal at our camp, near the …… mighty Darwaza Gas Crater!After dinner snack at the camp fireNo chance to bring the impression of this burning hole (burning for over 44 years, >70m in diameter) in one pictureAt Konye-Urgench, an ancient city with one of the tallest minarets of this time (11-12 century)
Gomi underwäx 
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