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Merv-elous!

Merv-elous!

by Calvin Sun | Aug 24, 2018 | August 2018: Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan, Way Way Off the Beaten Path, What Dreams May Come

 After a week with Ben and the YPT group, I was alone again, getting only 4 hours of sleep before having to wake up and be picked up by a random driver at the hotel for a 6am flight to Mary.The check-in and flight went without a fuss, and I arrived in Mary,...
Such Awaza’e Of Time

Such Awaza’e Of Time

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

 After a morning driving through the splendor of Yangykala Canyon, we arrived at the city of Türkmenbaşy, named after Turkmenistan’s first president.   Satellite dishes are banned in Turkmenistan due to its potential for receiving feeds from outside...
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...
The Monsoon Meets Amsterdam: An Unlikely Union

The Monsoon Meets Amsterdam: An Unlikely Union

by Calvin Sun | Jan 20, 2016 | Blitzkrieg!!!, January 2016: Amsterdam & Belgium, Serendipitous!, The Netherlands, Turkmenistan, Walking Tours

  I’m not gonna lie, I really liked Amsterdam. Despite finding a love for off-the-beaten-path locales like Venezuela & The Guyanas, North Korea, Iran, and Antarctica, every now and then travel can surprise you.  One of those...
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