After all this history we are back on plan and off to another airport (TAZ) Dashoguz Airport to be exact and we are off to ( ASB ) Ashgabat Airport .
Now if you search for this flight on the web it will say it does not exist and if you check the airports they both say there is not a flight between them which is weird as I was on it but whatever.
Anyway we are at a very small airport indeed probably 1/3 of the size of the last one although it still has several scanners just to keep us in check.
Our group of 20+ is quite a lot for such a small place and quite a novelty and it is getting very very crowded happily it does have some facilities including a snack bar for coffee.
I have already changed some money in preparation so no repeat of the Amir Timur square debacle. The Turkmenistan Manat is around 3 to the $1 or 4.5 to the GBP either way we can’t buy a coffee this time because they have run out and only have tea.
We get priority boarding allowing us to stand outside first but I doubt this is anything other than something to get us out of the way so the locals can settle down on the few chairs they have scattered around.
PS don’t even think about using the toilets.
PS don’t even think about using the toilets.
Given I am almost the youngest of the group I manage to overtake everyone and get on the plane first which Judi would be proud of.
Not much of a flight 270 km so quick up and down only thing to note was none of the locals turned off their phones and many did not even stop their calls at any point during the flight.
Next you know we are putting cases on another coach and driving off to our hotel The Grand Turkmen which is 30 minutes away.
This is a business class hotel and as you would expect it is full of businessmen plus some United Nations Development personnel who seem to have a conference going on here.
Interestingly the whole Hotel smells of cigarettes which in this day and age is quite unusual, you only get to smell cigarettes outside shopping malls and office buildings.
Quite nostalgic, although I gave up a couple of years ago I still feel the pull every now and again (by that I mean every day) but know I can never let it happen again.
A small room on the 3rd floor with a balcony and 2 ashtrays with matches, these people know how to set up a room.
Nip down to the bar to meet up with Mike and get a coffee (well I had been waiting a couple of hours).
The bar is on the 1st floor (2nd for you Americans) and as soon as you get out of the lift there is a sort of disco blaring out.
Large loud speakers and a spinning glitter ball and a DJ looking the part in rather shiny white shirt and flared trousers.
I order my coffee and notice the three “Natasha’s” sitting in the corner. Young, good looking, 4.5 inch killer heels, tight dresses and all focused on their mobile phones.
Not exactly sure what they are doing there but one could speculate. (the following day Jonathan explained they were working girls which might be a euphemism)
Finish the coffee and Mike his beer and try and put the bill on my room only to find out it is a cash only bar which is a pain as I used up most of my Manat but that is the least of my problems as there is now a Saxophonist adding more noise to the disco and both are a little close to the lift for me and as I get out on my floor I can still feel the place vibrating however the smell of cigarette smoke distracts me.
Up for breakfast which is also on the 1st (2nd) floor and just about ok not stunning but adequate. We are off on a city tour but we are told to be careful as photography is restricted in many areas.