For our first morning activity, we stopped at a stud farm to see the Akhal-Teke, a Turkmen horse breed. They have a reputation for speed and endurance, intelligence, thin manes and a distinctive metallic sheen. The shiny coat of the breed led to their nickname, “Golden Horses”. These horses are thought to be one of the oldest existing breeds. They are adapted to severe climatic conditions.
Later we pulled over to the side of the road to view a herd of camels. These friendly kids came up, curious to meet the different looking tourists.
The Saparmyrat Hajji, with its blue dome, is a mosque in Gökdepe, Turkmenistan about 30 miles from Ashgabat. Commissioned in memory of the defenders of Gökdepe Fortress, it was built in 1995.
Next, we left Gökdepe and flew to the city of Mary, about 250 miles away.
Pokrovskaya Church is a Russian Orthodox Church in Mary, Turkmenistan. Russian forces built it around 1900 when they seized and guarded the city of Mary against frequent attacks by British forces and Afghan armies.
The Karakum Canal, one of the largest irrigation and water supply canals in the world, cuts through Mary. Built between 1954 and 1988, the canal is navigable over much of its 850 mile length. It carries water from the Amu-Darya River across the Karakum Desert. Use of this water for cotton monoculture by the Soviet Union, was a major factor leading to the Aral Sea environmental disaster.
Gyzylgum Kafe was delightful.
This cat was eager for a handout.
The Saparmyrat Hajji mosque after dark.
Hotel Mary or “Mary Myhmanhanasy” in Turkmen, is a brand new hotel, opened in autumn of 2014. We stayed there.
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