Blogs from Tajikistan, Asia - page 3

This trip came about when a friend (Terry, met in Iran in 2014) sent me photos of his trip incorporating the "Stans", specifically Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It only took about 5 minutes to once again shelve Mongolia and completely switch destinations. I knew nothing at all, in any shape or form, about Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan, I'm not so sure that I'd even heard of them before. Immediately I took to scouring blog sites (like this- Shane the Travelling Camel, Dancing Dave and Dave and Merry Jo in particular), independent blogs (The Adventures of Lill Nicki), info boards, forums, TA, IndyGuide, Caravanistan and Lonely Planet (etc, etc, etc.....) to construct an itinerary. It was a tough one as there were absolutely endless places to see, mountains to climb and things to do in these 2 incredible countries. ... read more

Ciao, sono Emomali Rahmon, presidente a vita del Tajikistan. Nel mio paese non si fuma per strada e non si puo' avere la barba. Non abbiamo buoni ospedali.... read more

TAJIKISTAN with the Tajik Outlaws Part 6...War & Peace...the Rise of the Kool Kids. Through the Akbaital Pass at 4,655 metres...the highest point of the trip...long descent to the village of Kara Kul 3,914 metres...spectacular landscapes on our left...the Chinese border with razor wire fencing on our right. A Tajik military post opposite our homestay...cross the road at your peril made clear to us...guards with rifles visible...a tourist ended his trip by doing so...the Germans irritation that there are restrictions on them because of that. Enter the homestay...flat roofed white dwellings with the highest salt lake in Central Asia behind it. Suggested the Irish woman share the fourth bedroom with Naddya..."No way" she yawps...entering the room. "This room is filthy, I'm not occupying this room until it is cleaned...and the window sill is dirty"...stamping her feet. ... read more

TAJIKISTAN with the Tajik Outlaws...Part 4. I am constantly thanking folk in remote locales for showing me that another life is possible...no matter how remote...how tough...how testing of human endurance...life goes on...usually with a smile. If life is hard they get hardier...only the tough survive...the young may try city life...but in their world the heroes are those that endure...nature moulding their identities. And so it is in the High Pamirs of Tajikistan...where summer is four months a year...and winter eight. I am honoured to be among the people of the High Pamir...sharing their bread...sharing their homes...receiving their hospitality...appreciative for them sharing what little they have...and providing me with a bed. The Milky Way shimmers above me...altiplano deserts surround me...turquoise lakes enthral me...the hospitality of the people humbles me. ... read more

TAJIKISTAN with the Tajik Outlaws Part 2...On the Road Again. Sometimes fear is your friend...sometimes your foe...but what is it really? It's an illusion that can grip you by the throat.and lift you and toss you all about. It can fool you like illusory mirrors...reflect only the unreal...or make you THUD to earth like an insect in a cocoon. Or make you land with a SPLAT...on the road. Sometimes stepping into the unknown can be like that. Everyone has been saying, "Is it safe? Will you get shot? What happens to my case if you don't come back?" "Why do you want to travel along the northern border of Afghanistan? What if you are kidnapped...or fall off the track?" Well its my road trip not yours...leave all the whining for if I actually don't come back. ... read more