"Thalam Ashgabatdan" Ashgabat by mizzzthanggg

Ashgabat Travel Guide: 129 reviews and 284 photos

Mizzz at the Gate to Hell! Darwaza, Turkmenistan

Great Balls Of Fire!

Welcome to my newly-built Ashgabat page :)

What's up in this photo? No, I wasn't about to start a massive BBQ... this was me at Hell's Gate! Come see what it's about in Off The Beaten Path Darwaza

Next stop: Kugitang Nature Reserve, in search of dinosaur tracks. Watch this space.

Based in Turkmenistan - since July 07

"Reading" the Book of Life in Ashgabat

After a year & half of travelling back n forth almost monthly between Malaysia & Turkmenistan, I was finally transferred to our Ashgabat office and am now based here.

Definitely lots to say & tip about Turkmenistan, there's plenty going on behind the gleaming marble facades you see in the city. Did you know that Turkmenistan is one of the world's largest consumer of white Italian marble? Apparently they now have to import from elsewhere 'cos they need so much (this I found out from a Turkish guy though, so no guarantees on accuracy). Latest news is that they're soon going to add marble edgings to the roads in the capital. Swish!

Feb 09 - In The Line Of Work

Group landing on T20 rig, offshore Caspian Sea

One of my most memorable trips in Turkmenistan was a short offshore visit to our operations in the Caspian Sea. After 9 years of working in the industry I finally landed on a drilling rig and platform. Great fun, and pretty eye-opening. All the buzz and activity centered around a small hole in the ground hoping for it to spew out oil or gas in commercial quantities.

Weather was kinda foggy and daunting but we made it safely there and back. Something different than offshore visits back in Malaysia, being winter time we had to don immersion suits to fly in the helicopter to the different units and then on the units itself you had to change into coveralls and all the safety gear... but we got a kick out of it pretending we were on some space mission.

Last visit to Ashgabat: Mar 2010
Intro Updated Mar 11, 2010
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Reviews (6)

First crater (water) - Darwaza, Turkmenistan - Ashgabat

Water Well Off The Beaten Path (3)

This is the first Darwaza crater in the trilogy of abandoned gas wells in the middle of Karakum Desert situated north of... more travel advice

Mizzz at the mud crater - Darwaza, Ahal Wilayaty - Ashgabat

Mud Bubble Bath... Not! Off The Beaten Path (3)

This is the second crater that you can go see on your way to Hell's Gate in the Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan. Probably... more travel advice

Gate to Hell - Darwaza, Turkmenistan - Ashgabat

Go to Hell! Off The Beaten Path (3)

Turkmenistan is filled with awesome stuff to do which most travellers may not get to see due to lack of time or info...... more travel advice

Swankiest To Date Hotels (3)

I had good stays in this hotel, relatively speaking. One of the newest hotels in town, white marble building, in the... more travel advice

Comments (7)

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yumyum Aug 16, 2012 at 9:56 AM

cool hell, mud and water pics!
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starship Apr 4, 2010 at 6:39 PM

Wow! Beauty in nature! Great photos of this fascinating place!
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DSwede Mar 24, 2010 at 11:26 PM

Always looking for places less traveled. I've just added this to my list.
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dunearn20 Mar 17, 2010 at 12:30 AM

Enjoy your stay, I would love to discover that region a bit more.
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willy_wonka Mar 11, 2010 at 4:36 PM

the water well does kind of look like lake sucia in el chalten! haha. quite different landscapes though. lol. cool tips winz x
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Jim_Eliason Mar 11, 2010 at 3:45 AM

Cool tips Mizzie!
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sachara Mar 10, 2010 at 12:26 PM

Winnie, living in Ashgabat must be special. I look forward to more insider tips from you. My two days visit was too short.