Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas

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  • Destination: Uzbekistan

    Official Name: Republic of Uzbekistan
    Established: 840 (Kara-Khanid Khanate) / 31 August 1991 (Independence from USSR)
    Population: 36 million (2022 estimate)
    Religion: Muslim (96.1%)
    Official Languages: Uzbek & Russian
    Capital: Tashkent
    Order of Visit: 76
    First Visit: 21 May 2023
    Last Visit: 29 May 2023
    Duration: 9 Days
    Highlights:
    Tashkent – 1966 Earthquake monument, Hast Imam Square (Hazrati Imam), Tilla Sheikj Mosque, Chorsu Bazaar, Underground Metro, Memorial Square and the Eternal Flame.
    Samarkand – Home made pilaf meal, Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, the tombs at Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, and examining Amir Temir Mausoleum.
    Nurata – Holy Springs, Nurata Fortress Ruins of of Alexander the Great.
    Kyzylkum Desert – Enjoying Aydar Lake, Beautiful Kyzylkum Desert sunset, Dancing under the stars, Yurt Desert experience, Peaceful Kyzylkum Desert sunrise, Exploring the Caravanserai Rabat-I-Malik (Navoiy Province).
    Bukhara – Enjoying Master Puppet workshop performance, Exploring the historic Jewish centre and a labyrinth of laneways, Kalyan square, Madrasa Abdul Aziz Khan, The Samanid Mausoleum, visiting the Boloi Havz Mosque, Exploring the Ark of Bukhara (Fortress), Learning the history of the Kalyan Minaret, Exploring the Kalyan Mosque, viewing the Khoja Tabband Mosque.
    Khiva – Sunset over the UNESCO historic city, Live music and dancing, Kalta Minor Minaret, Tash-Khovli Palace, Madrasah Qutlug Murad, Tash-Khauli Palace (including Harem complex), Juma Mosque, Islom-Hoja Minaret (tallest in Uzbekistan), and Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum.
    Cities to be visited: Tashkent, Samarkand, Nurata, Kyzylkum Desert, Bukhara, Khiva
    Published: 03 April 2023 | Updated: 14 July 2024

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  • Destination: Tajikistan

    Official Name: Republic of Tajikistan
    Established: 819 (Samanid Empire) / 9 September 1991 (Independence from USSR)
    Population: 9.7 million (2022 estimate)
    Religion: Muslim (96.4%)
    Official Languages: Tajik & Russian
    Capital: Dushanbe
    Order of Visit: 75
    First Visit: 17 May 2023
    Last Visit: 21 May 2023
    Duration: 5 Days
    Highlights: National Museum of Antiquities, Rudaki Park, Iskander Darya waterfall, Gazza Village, The wonderous mountain ranges, Hiking the Voru River, Exploring Istaravshan, Hazrati-Shoh Mosque, Mug Teppe Fortress, Museum of Sughd, Panjshanbe Bazaar.
    Cities: Dushanbe, Kuli Iskandarkul, Gazza Village, Khŭjand
    Published: 30 March 2023 | Updated: 01 July 2024

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  • Destination: Kazakhstan

    Official Name: Republic of Kazakhstan
    Established: 1465 (Kazakh Khanate) / 16 December 1991 (Independence USSR)
    Population: 19.3 million (2022 estimate)
    Religion: Muslim (69%), Christian (17%), Unknown (11%)
    Official Languages: Kazakh & Russian
    Capital: Astana
    Order of Visit: 74
    First Visit: 15 May 2023
    Last Visit: 17 May 2023
    Duration: 3 Days
    Highlights: 4×4 vehicle then Soveit era van and then hiking in beautiful Kolsay Lakes National Park, Hiking and exploring the standstones in Charyn Canyon, the monuments, parks and churches of Almaty
    Cities Visited: Saty Village, Almaty
    Published: 28 March 2023 | Updated: 27 June 2024

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  • Destination: Kyrgyzstan

    Official Name: Kyrgyz Republic
    Established: 1470 (Kyrgyz Khanate) / 31 August 1991 (Independence USSR)
    Population: 7 million (2022 estimate)
    Religion: Muslim (90%), Christain (7%)
    Offical Languages: Kyrgyz & Russian
    Capital: Bishkek
    Order of Visit: 73
    First Visit: 09 May 2023
    Last Visit: 14 May 2023
    Duration: 6 Days
    Highlights:
    Bishkek – Victory Day celebrations in Ala-Too Square, Bishkek Bazaar, Victory Square, Changing of the Gaurd, Imam Sarahsi Bishkek Central Mosque, climbing Burana Tower (Chüy Valley)
    Chong-Kemin – Beautiful Mountain Ranges, Mountain hiking
    Song Kul – Learning about Felt making (Kochkor village), exploring Yurt camp, visiting Issyk-Kul Lake, Holding an Eagle, Hiking in Song Kul, Exploring Fairy Tale Valley (amazing rock formations)
    Barskoon – Exploring landscape at Barskoon, Learning how Yurts are constructed, Cultural music,
    Karakol – The beautiful Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Prejevalskiy Museum, Hiking Jeti-Oguz Gorge, Hiking Karakol National Park
    Cities Visited: Bishkek, Chong-Kemin, Song Kul, Tamga, Barskoon, Karakol
    Published: 21 March 2023 | Updated: 25 June 2024

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  • Destination: Türkiye

    Official Name: Republic of Türkiye
    Established: 29 October 1923 (Ottoman Empire 1299)
    Population: 85 million (2023 estimate)
    Religion: Muslim (99.8%)
    Language: Turkish
    Capital: Ankara
    Order of Visit: 72
    First Visit: 30 April 2023
    Last Visit: 07 June 2023
    Duration: 14 Days
    Highlights:
    Istanbul – Exploring the historic Fatih district, Exploring the Basilica Cistern, Visiting the Grand Bazaar, visiting Tekfur Palace, Cruising the Bosphorus Strait, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, The New Mosque (1665), Exploring the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Exploring Topkapi Palace, Climbing Galata Tower, Exploring the Hagia Sophia
    Gallipoli Peninsula – Gabatepe Beach, ANZAC Cove, Ari Burnu Cemetery, Lone Pine Cemetery and Memorial, 57 Piyade Alayi Sehitligi (Turkish 57 Regiment) Memorial, Chunk Bair (site New Zealand Memorial)
    Ayvalık – Exploring Troy, Exploring archipelago Ayvalık Islands
    Selçuk – Exploring Izmir, exploring Ephesus ruins in depth, visting the ancient Library of Celsus, Visiting Şirince Village, Visiting St John’s Basilica, Enjoying a Wine Sampling afternoon
    Pamukkale – Hierapolis Ruins, White travertine terraces, Cleopatra Antique Pool, Whirling Dervishes Ceremony
    Cities visited: Istanbul, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale, Troy, Ayvalik, Izmir, Ephesus, Bergama, Selcuk, Pamukkale
    Published: 06 March 2023 | Updated: 19 June 2024

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