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Turkmenistan Transit Visa
In Istanbul, I applied for and received a 5 day Transit visa to travel within Turkmenistan. This visa was set to expire before I left Turkem, due to delays of ferry docking in Turkmenbashi that ate up 3 days of my visa. I extended the visa in Ashgabat by paying another $50 some dollars in 1 day for an Exit visa. No real hassle whatsover...BUT you have to make sure you insure your bike for 10 days when you enter in Turkmenbashi so you can tool around for 10 days in Turkmenistan...they are REAL sticklers for paperwork and receipts...and judging from the fines for possible deportation, I can't imagine what those pricks would do if your insurance expired.
Hope that helps...and carry ALL your Turkmen paperwork(recipts et al) in one envelope so when any of the police or other gov't officials ask for it, you'll have it AND they can have the joy of digging for it;) |
My TM visa lapsed because I couldn't exit due to a UZ visa problem, turned up in Ashgabat with an expired visa, explained my problem, new visa issued for 10 days (80 bucks).
They are sticklers for paperwork but those 'pricks' are just doing their job, and out in the desert they quickly get to know you and stop asking for details as they can copy the ones they already took. As long as you take your helmet and gloves off a handshake and a grin will get you through everywhere. When did you go? would be interested to hear what's happened since Turkmenbashi died... |
I agree with you...they are only doing their jobs and aren't corrupt in any way.
I also agree with you about taking off the helmet and the gloves things. These guys are entertained by you and honored with your visit and its part of the cultural exchange, as you never know what such conversations will lead to. Aside from the brutal entry costs and paperwork, I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and you can see through my pics... Lastly, annoyance with the costs are that it will never reach the people en brousse, but will go to some other idiot horse race track, etc... |
Did you make it to the burning gas crater in Dervaza? That's probably the craziest thing I have ever seen!
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You bring back some painful memories....I soooooooooo wanted to go to the burning gas crater but due to the fact I had to declare upon entry by Exit point, I couldn't make it there...
Another reason to return to Turkmenistan besides their fine ladies...finest in the Stans including Turkey!!! |
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