The Qarakqum Canal snaking away across the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan
This was our first view of Ashgabat. The city is in the Guiness Book of Records as having more marble than any other city in the world…
Thousands of these Government owned marble faced flats in Ashgabat: government employees get to buy them @ 50% discount with thirty years to pay…..
Endless huge pics of the President of Turkmenistan!
The Mosque which is next door to the Mausoleum of the first President: Turkmenbashi
Punishment duty? Young soldier on guard outside Mausoleum
Ladies in traditional dress waiting for the bus..
Way over the top empty Yyldzyz Hotel in Ashgabat – where we had coffee!!
The Palace of Happiness aka the Wedding House, a purpose built wedding venue which can accommodate up to 900 guests and includes a hotel in the set up!!!
International Terminal at Ashgabat airport – designed to look like a falcon, apparently….
Memorial to the tens of thousands of people who died in the 1948 earthquake which destroyed Ashgabat, since rebuilt.
I haven’t found out what this one is, yet….
August 2022 update: Finally nailed it! It is a monument honouring the new Constitution of Turkmenistan as tabled in 2008.
Polimeks TV Tower on the mountainside some miles from Ashgabat
The world’s largest indoor Ferris Wheel – in Ashgabat, inevitably!!
Ashgabat’s piece de resistance: the Arch of Neutrality!! Yes, that’s a golden statue of President Turkmenbashi at the top. You can take a lift up to the viewing platform 10% below the top. As I have already been to Disneyworld twice I didn’t bother…..
Yes, it’s another golden statue of the President this time holding a dove and riding a horse!
Thought you’d like a close up of President Turkmenbashi atop the Arch of Neutrality…..
Tony's Geriatric Adventures 