18 articles tagged with central asia
Standing beneath the turquoise domes of Samarkand's Registan Square for the first time, I understood why Alexander the Great called this region more beautiful than he'd imagined. After three decades of crisscrossing the globe as a flight attendant, I thought...
Whilst my professional travels typically involve luxury resorts and business-class flights, there's something rather invigorating about stripping back to basics. Last autumn, I found myself with a rare gap between events and decided to venture somewhere completely off my usual...
I've jumped out of planes in five continents, but nothing quite compares to the rush of standing where ancient Silk Road traders once haggled, schemed, and dreamed. Shymkent, Kazakhstan's vibrant southern hub, isn't on most travelers' radar—and that's exactly why...
There's something profoundly humbling about standing in a place that has witnessed over 2,500 years of human history. As the cool spring breeze carried the scent of fresh bread and spices across Khujand's ancient streets, I found myself transported to...
The first time I stood at the base of the Tian Shan mountains, I felt that same rush of adrenaline I get right before jumping out of a plane. There's something about massive geological formations that puts your existence into...
The morning call to prayer echoes across Bukhara's ancient skyline as I stand in Lyab-i-Hauz plaza, watching the first light illuminate the 16th-century Khanaka and Madrasa complex. The reflection in the central pool shivers slightly with each breeze, distorting the...
The first time I stepped into Karakol's bustling bazaar, my filmmaker's eye immediately began framing shots—the dappled light filtering through canvas awnings, weathered hands of artisans arranging their wares with practiced precision, and the kaleidoscopic array of textiles that seemed...
As someone who's spent a decade analyzing human behavior in high-pressure environments, I can tell you that few business destinations require the level of preparation that Ashgabat demands. This gleaming marble metropolis rising from the Karakum Desert presents a fascinating...
Standing alone in the vast Karakum Desert, watching the setting sun cast long shadows across the crumbling walls of what was once the world's largest city, I felt that familiar tingle of discovery that first captured me in Kenya years...
The desert air carries whispers of ancient caravans as I stand atop the crumbling walls of Merv, once one of the world's largest cities, now a haunting archaeological complex outside modern-day Mary, Turkmenistan. After treating patients through the pandemic in...
The first light of dawn breaks over the Hazrati Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani mausoleum, painting the ancient dome in hues of gold and amber. I adjust my aperture, waiting for that perfect moment when the light reveals the intricate patterns...
The first time I stepped foot in Bishkek, I was struck by how the city's pulse reminded me of emergency room rhythms – steady, resilient, and full of surprising moments that catch you off guard. As a paramedic who's treated...
The first thing you should know about photographing in Turkmenistan is that it's complicated. As our guide ushered us through customs at Mary Airport, he whispered, *'Camera? Keep hidden until I tell you.'* This wasn't your typical photography tour disclaimer....
When my manufacturing company sent me to Kazakhstan last summer for supplier meetings, I immediately saw an opportunity. With a strategic two-week extension and some careful planning, I found myself standing at the base of the Pamir Mountains in Osh,...
G'day, luxury travelers! If you've ever wondered what it would be like to stay in a city that holds the Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble buildings, then Ashgabat should be next on your bucket list....
