Author: Tom

Madrid, why not go here instead of Barcelona?

I know many countries have competition between the capital and the second city. That is very much the case in Spain as well. We have the same in Norway between Oslo and Bergen, and...

Darvaza Gas Crater – The Door to Hell

Today’s final destination was the Darvaza Gas Crater. But as usual in Turkmenistan, the road there turned out to be just as interesting as the destination itself. Our first stop was one of the...

Yangykala Canyon – And the Road Not Taken to Awaza

Part of: Turkmenistan – Where Crazy Is Normal You can’t visit Awaza. Not because it’s far away. Not because it’s difficult to reach.But because you’re simply not allowed. So instead of marble resorts and...

Ashgabat, a white utopia, or just a nightmare?

Part of: Turkmenistan – Where Crazy Is Normal When a dictator wants to impress the world, there are many options. One of them is to build an entire capital city in white marble—and make...

Turkmenistan – Where Reality Feels… Controlled

I haven’t been to North Korea, so I can’t compare. But from what I’ve read, Turkmenistan is often mentioned as a strong contender for second place in controlling information—and, to some extent, its own...

Moldova, the ultimate hitchhiker’s paradise.

As in so many ex-Soviet states, marshrutkas (small minibuses) are widely used in Moldova. But hitchhiking is also an excellent alternative. The marshrutkas are not the most comfortable; there is little legroom, and they...