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Yangykala: Turkmenistan’s Own “Grand Canyon”

Yangykala: Turkmenistan’s Own “Grand Canyon”

by Calvin Sun | Aug 23, 2018 | August 2018: Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan, Way Way Off the Beaten Path

 After camping out overnight at Darvaza, we returned to Ashgabat in the afternoon for a few hours at ultra-hipster and swanky Berkarar Shopping Center.Presenting itself as such a stark contrast to the rest of the country, Berkara holds itself up to international...
Darvaza/Derweze: The Gates Of Hell

Darvaza/Derweze: The Gates Of Hell

by Calvin Sun | Aug 21, 2018 | August 2018: Turkmenistan, Camping, Turkmenistan, Way Way Off the Beaten Path, What Dreams May Come

 After taking a naked dip and lunch at Kow Ata, we headed into the desert to visit the infamous gas crater of Darvaza/Derweze, arguably the country’s most famous tourist attraction.Approaching the gas craters, we first stopped by a desolate village to grab some...
Don’t Have A “Kow Ata”!

Don’t Have A “Kow Ata”!

by Calvin Sun | Aug 21, 2018 | August 2018: Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan, Way Way Off the Beaten Path

 After a morning in Kipchak by the capital Ashgabat, we drove out of the city for the Kow Ata Thermal Springs:  Known for its mineral spring waters and healing effects, it’s a 160m journey into the darkness where you can take a quick dip in its dark and...
Doha: Teardrops On My “Qatar”

Doha: Teardrops On My “Qatar”

by Calvin Sun | Jun 4, 2018 | June 2018: The Persian Gulf, Layovers, Qatar, Walking Tours

  First and foremost, props to Ann “Narcoleptik!” Wen on this trip for the blogpost’s witty pun of a title — It’s going to be sad to leave such an unexpectedly pretty city that it’s the reason for the teardrops on our...
Wa Wa Nizwa!

Wa Wa Nizwa!

by Calvin Sun | Jun 3, 2018 | How Did You Do That?, June 2018: The Persian Gulf, Oman, Rules Are Meant To Be Broken, Walking Tours, Way Way Off the Beaten Path

  After overnight camping at Wahiba Sands and leaving at 8am, we drove north up to Nizwa, arriving at around 11am.     The main sight and reason to come to Nizwa is for its fort, built in the 1650s by the second Ya’rub and was the administrative seat...
O Man, Oman: Wahiba Sands

O Man, Oman: Wahiba Sands

by Calvin Sun | Jun 3, 2018 | Camping, How Did You Do That?, June 2018: The Persian Gulf, Oman

   After a few hours swimming in the beautiful water holes of Wadi Shab, Talal and the gang continued south towards Sharqiya Sands. Also popularly known as Wahiba Sands named after the local Bani Wahiba tribe there, it boasts sand dunes up to 100 meters high and 170...
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