Adventures in Asia: Nukus, Uzbekistan

From Konye Urgench I crossed the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and got a taxi into Nukus. Nukus is home to the well known but still surprising Savitsky art museum.

Adventures in Asia: Konye Urgench, Turkmenistan

My last stop in Turkmenistan is Konye Urgench.

Adventures in Asia: Darwaza, Turkmenistan

On Tuesday night I stayed in a yurt in the Karakum desert.

Adventures in Asia: Erbent, Turkmenistan

After leaving Ashgabat we traveled along the highway until the village of Erbent.

Adventures in Asia: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

I am in the fascinating city of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. 

Adventures in Europe: Istanbul, Turkiye

I arrived at Istanbul late Saturday, and by the time I checked in at my hotel near Taksim Square it was early Sunday. I slept surprisingly well and was able to enjoy the rest of the morning and afternoon in Istanbul before my evening flight.

Adventures in Europe: London, United Kingdom

I am on my way to Central Asia and, just like last year, this has resulted in being laid over in London and Istanbul. My Heathrow layover was less than five hours, and after getting through passport control easily I second guessed if I should really leave the airport. But, I had not slept a wink on the airplane and I felt I would much rather spend even just an hour walking in London than hang out in Heathrow longer than was necessary, so I spent 10 quid storing my bag and jumped on the Piccadilly line.

I got off at Hyde Park Corner and bought a coffee and a sandwich and then started walking east. Most of the roads I walked along are closed right now and there were thousands of people out walking, jogging, biking, scootering, etc.

I passed the palace . . .

. . . stopped for a few minutes in St. James Park to eat my sandwich . . .

. . . approached Westminster Abbey . . .

. . . and ended up at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. 

And really that was all the time I had, so I jumped on a Jubilee line train at Westminster, transferred back to the Piccadilly line at Green Park and was back off to Heathrow. It was a quick visit to London, but I definitely felt it was worth it.