The Turkmenistan You Were Never Supposed To See 🇹🇲 (intense!)

[@MattandJulia]

Well, that was intense! 😅 Is a trip to Turkmenistan on your bucket list? 🙃❤

[@KimB10M]

Yes! Tajikistan & Turkmenistan is the only post-Soviet states I still haven't visited.

[@LorraineinPNW]

No, thank you! This white, English speaking, lesbian, would not fare very well there, I'm thinking. My wife and I will never travel to some countries because of the intense hatred of lgbtq+ people. I think you two are brave!

[@janellek21]

How pervasive is Islam in Turkmenistan?

[@AlienSpaceAngel]

Matt and Julia , i love your videos and this one was also special.. The hotel room looked so romantic 😀The gates of Hell,there is another " Gates of Hell " ,and much much older ,i would recommend you to go there. The Houska Castle in the Czech republic.. The story about it is unreal,,and scary.. Even hitler was there and there are storys about a timemachine,reptillian winged creatures and more,, and where is the tower and what happend with it,, Its a castle no knows why it was buildt and by whom,, Ive been there when the sun was settin and the whole area became like alive and i felt watched ..something weird about that place ..The "Real" Gates of Hell in the czech Republic.. Cant wait to see the next video :D If you ever want to come and explore Copehagen Denmark you can stay with us Airkisses from here

[@travelleryildirim3013]

No definitly , the diktator and crazy president must go maybe than because you can not dee the country without control and can not speak with normal people how you want and its nit a free country its like North Korea and nearly all soviet Countrys are looking veey similar , have you see some than they look pretty same .

[@chami-w1p]

Turkmenistan, my home country. I have been there last time 10 years ago.

[@memo44536]

sad, really sad

[@Jigit-u1j]

Я тоже туркмен.Вы общаетесь с родными которые на родине? Что они вам говорят.Может так же как и мне не приезжай говорят или на оборот

[@chami-w1p]

@@Jigit-u1j я не общаюсь но мама общается.

[@LorraineinPNW]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this amazing adventure with us! It's the only way that I will ever see this country.

[@olikane530]

.. Ditto 😊 bless 🙏

[@arman_garaev]

Greetings from Uzbekistan My nationality Turkmen 🙂 Thanks for video 👍🏻

[@lonsalerno2441]

What is Uzbekistan like??

[@arman_garaev]

​@@lonsalerno2441 Good Welcome

[@louispaine5307]

I absolutely love you two ! Thank you for all this content ! Literally takes me away from my normal life and into a different world 🌎 literally!!

[@beverleydanziger4099]

Amazing! Thank you for visiting places we would never otherwise see and learn about these different cultures.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much for choosing to come along on this journey with us 🙌🏼❤️

[@sonanio]

Turkmenistan is the cradle place of all the Turkic peoples that expanded and migrated west, one of which is the Turkish people. I am from the middle east and my ancestors are descendants of Turkmen.

[@metehan959]

🤡

[@bobbybostic7947]

Thanks for the video. I was there in 2018. Amazing country and I think you both captured what it was like very well.

[@asan1050]

WOW! That gas crater was crazy! The food looked delicious there. That border crossing I bet was hell. Great vlog! Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@richkroberts]

Hello Matt and Julia, Very interesting trip through Turkmenistan. Thanks for taking us along. - Rich from Detroit

[@paulvillagra6431]

You guys travel to the most amazing and unique destinations. Thoroughly entertaining and educational. Thanks!

[@ted356]

I’ve thought about this nation for years, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen it. Thank you for sharing!

[@karlenedream7790]

Wow! Fascinating place. From a white marble phenomenon of a capital city, to the beautiful yurts in the dessert! Just amazing!

[@MattandJulia]

So glad you enjoyed it! ❤️🙌🏼

[@nmazer]

Insane dictatorship.

[@Allycatsx3]

Amazing amazing ❤. You take us along to the most beautiful and less traveled places. Look forward to your videos. Thanks again for all your travels. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@gordonwheeler627]

Hi really enjoyed this episode, Turkmenistan always seems to be the mystery country due to the introvert nature of the regime, but looks fantastic, great choice of music for this one as well, looking forward to more adventures

[@isotobex5703]

I can on ly say thank you both for showing another part of the world and the pit of fire I would not likely ever even have known about - bravo and thank you x mwwwwaaa

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate it, so glad you are with us on this journey ❤️🙏🏼

[@JacolynSeneviratne-mf5jq]

Hi Matt/Julia, Thank you for taking us on this amazingly wonderful tour, which without you would have been beyond imagination to us, we really enjoyed this wonderful journey that you covered amidst the tight security situations, really appreciate it with loads of thanks and many many thumbs up. (Jacolyn).

[@juppzupp7241]

So far the best vid i´ve seen of your travels !! You really put me in adventure-mode !! ...and the ambient-music in background was a very good idea - like watching a "david lynch" movie...

[@aydin-j1o]

My mother land country mostly I leave in asghbat turkmanistan I'm half turkman,🇹🇲 half turkiye 🇹🇷 my turkmenistan is so beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤

[@leilagomulka5690]

You are so open and inspiring . Keep doing what you do. We shall live vicariously through you ♥️

[@lindathalman3506]

Our intrepid Matt and Julia do it again! Nice yurt. No plov? The train stations and trains in Central Asia are so nice. The Darvaza Gas Crater "Door to Hell" was spectacular! Unique. Nice hotel, too! Glad you made it across the border for the Uzbek adventure. Travel on, rock on! Merci for this episode on your travels!

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much Linda! 🙌🏼❤️ Crazy to think that this was before our Uzbek adventure, feels like only yesterday 😍

[@williampne]

I worked there for 3 months at the Airport about 4yrs ago,im from the uk, strangest most wierdest place ever.I stayed in Ashgabat,lovely clean marble city,with hardly anybody there,all so false,curfew everynight at 11pm, definitely the North Korea of central asia

[@chemenoreMen]

Thx for tellin the truth, otherwise everyone is showing it as a dandy place. Human rights abuses are unimaginable

[@Unknown_Ooh]

Were you free to explore around the city when you had free time, or did you have to be accompanied by an official? Definitely looks like a surreal place to visit, but I'm not sure I could do three months under constant supervision and surveillance.

[@williampne]

@@Unknown_Ooh we had a Turkman driver that took us everywhere,we was frequently stopped in the car by security officers for a check up, we wasn't allowed to take photos especially government buildings,and we couldn't leave the city without registering the car to do so.The people were nice,the city is spotless and fascinating,but everything is controlled,it was a great experience, but as for living there NEVER EVER..ps it's also incredibly difficult to get a visa to go there.

[@JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ256]

So Fascinating video a lot of vlogger don't make good videos thanks dear for making nice video's

[@ashleyupshall7641]

Interesting vid. Thank you.

[@waywrdsun]

Thank you so much for letting us tag along with you. Fascinating place!

[@brucekelsch5080]

This is my favorite video's posted by you. Simply awesome. You have a way of 'building up' of what we are about to see.

[@twatts1523]

I just discovered your channel. You guys are so cute! Thanks for sharing all your adventures!

[@NigelOrmsvik]

Wonderful to be able to see these countries that are, or were, a mystery, thanks to you guys and your amazing travels 😊👍❤️❤️

[@AuroraRose_Andromeda]

This was an an intense adventure. I cannot wait for next time. The Door to Hell pit was amazing! Be safe!

[@noemisuero7216]

Amazing trip! Thank you for sharing Julia and Matt 😊

[@aydin-j1o]

I'm turkman national I proud to be turkman ❤❤❤❤

[@trinewestbyejrgensen4838]

Very interesting country, thank you for yet another excellent vlog. ❤

[@Jigit-u1j]

Благодарю вам за то что паказали реальный Туркменистан.Приезжайте побольше,мы нуждаемся в помощи из вне.Найти работу не получается а если и получится то зп 100$.У нас цены европейские а зп пакистанские.Туркменистан это не только Ашхабат.В других городах до сих пор есть общие туалеты на улице и общие бани.Изза отсутствия канализации😢

[@agneswatson9592]

Wow, crazy trip! Why are they so closed off to everyone there? Julia don't feel bad, I look in all the cupboards first thing wherever we stay too, it's just a thing 😅. I remember reading about the Gates to Hell years ago so really great to see it. Take care lovelies ❤❤

[@MattandJulia]

Haha, I’m glad I’m not the only one 😁 Honestly we don’t understand the logic, it’s a shame it’s so closed off, hope things may change going forward 🤞🏻 Thank you so much ❤️😘

[@grawakendream8980]

@@MattandJulia they'll never change. not without the toppling to kremlin control of rf

[@toddpatik8834]

Thanks! I've watched your videos for a couple years now and I've never found 1 that was boring or uninteresting.I asked you guys when you were in a different place in the world and it was in or close to a war zone and I respect that.As of 7/13 I think you're in a worse place in your video and hope you stay safe....and have fun

[@shanenaidoo7764]

I would love to visit this place one day.

[@Power2Think]

Glad you made it to Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan is definitely an experience! Perhaps it would be helpful if you also share more on the accommodations relating to prices and so forth. How was the washroom situation at the yurt overnight stay?

[@MattandJulia]

We paid around $30 per night for our accommodation 😊 There was a proper toilet seat but it just dripped in to a hole in the ground ❤️🕺🏼

[@le8971]

That is the healthiest way for our body. Or we have to place a small stool under our feet on regular toilets for the better colon. ​@MattandJulia

[@donovandavidsonAlton]

Another amazing trip. History lessons included thanks

[@aaaa.7897]

Another great video of a mysterious country that I've been curious about and want to see more of. I'm surprised that the movement seems to be more free than everything I've seen before, where it seemed like everything is controlled similar to North Korea. Maybe the son of the previous president has changed some policies regarding tourism now he's in charge.

[@tahseen812]

Another wonderful video about Turkmenistan. It's clear that the place is intense and I could tell you were always on your toes there. The taxi driver is hilarious by the way. In my opinion, in former Soviet Union countries where most of the people speak Russian, I think that you will miss out on many incredible experiences if you don't speak Russian fluently. You can still manage to have some great experiences with basic Russian (just like my terrible Russian). Still, if you speak the language fluently, I think you will meet some amazing people and you will have some lifetime experiences with them. I noticed that when I was taking some taxi or marshrutka rides with my friends who speak Russian fluently, they managed to have some great conversations with the driver or with other passengers. You can still have a lot of fun with basic Russian but I guess improving the Russian language is the way to go to enjoy these countries to the fullest :-)

[@chemenoreMen]

No ruZZki. Respect the language of the country. We are Turkic countries, we are out rooting the language of war criminals. Any Turkic language will get you through in CA. Only capital city knows some ruSSki, regions now don’t speak it much, only the older gen

[@SundanceHelicopterTours]

Interesting video! ...esp. the fact that they checked every 10 mins on you!!!!! Thank you.

[@Unknown_Soldier_2]

Ashgabat is approximately 10 kilometers from the border of Iran and you can see Ashgabat from Iran !!! 2:14 In South Western Iran There are many valleys where gas and oil are burning through their cracks, but they are not so Big!!!

[@RaviikumarRaviikumar]

From where

[@andrewhyde3146]

That crater looks really impressive, especially in the dark👌

[@JAMMAJ-cq2bl]

Wou!! That Turk dinner looked amazing guys😋😋😋😃. Love to both of you❤🙏 Stay safe!!! Cheers!!!

[@wmijo]

Thanks for this beautiful video , May Allah bless and protect you and your family

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you very much 😘🙌🏼

[@aleksandarbrzic8351]

Nicest people in strangest places... Isn´t that what traveling is all about? Wow, what a video!

[@johnburke5384]

Aaaaamazing ! Brilliant video the pair of you Xx

[@maryr8364]

You should go to Yellowstone National Park in the US to experience all the boiling pools.

[@yvonnebirch6026]

Not on my list but thank you for going to these far out places. You always keep it interesting. Now Azerbaijan looks very tempting to me. Love and blessings ❤❤

[@ggoddkkiller1342]

Sadly there is too much propaganda about Turkmenistan and shown like a bad dictatorship while it is not. The problem of Turkmenistan, soviets didn't support its private sector at all. And even after decades vast majority of Turkmen economy is still owned by the government, everybody is either government employed or trying to become one. This gives government so much power and corrupts officials as there is no balance of power. Turkmen private sector is slowly improving but with very limited investments and tourism etc it will take many decades. There is significant investments from Turkey mainly while EU etc acting like 'we aren't so sure' perhaps because of propaganda. And Turkmen officials aren't so eager to invite foreign investments neither for obvious reasons. Turkmens are Oghuz Turks same as Azerbaijanis and Anatolian Turks so Turkmen officials are kinda forced to open their doors for Turkey. There are trade, visa agreements etc, if you are struggling to get Turkmen visa try it in their Ankara embassy it is way more likely you would get it. (Same goes for Iran too.) No need to get scared from Turkmen government at all, at worst you would be deported especially if you have Turkish residency or your trip is planned to end in Turkey. It isn't a rogue country their officials doing whatever they want rather it is only a severely underdeveloped country that government simply has too much power. So the only way to improve it is supporting Turkmen people..

[@yolandaalonzo5869]

What a beautiful yurt, bug hug 🤗 ❤

[@Maksat_AG]

Örän atmosferaly wideo, özümi öýde ýaly duýdum. Sagbol. Goý, Hudaý sizi ýalkasyn.

[@alanolley7286]

Super choice of music at the gates of hell.

[@Rixynator]

heading there in Oct I can't wait

[@sallysampson628]

I can’t help thinking what a waste of gas? Can’t someone find away to get to the source (s) of where the gas is coming out from the Earth and tap into it safely for use? Guessing someone has? How do people survive temperatures of +60 degrees 😳. It’s soo fascinating to see these places, of which I knew nothing of. That’s Julia and Matt for taking us there! Do take care guys! Really enjoying this vlog!! Right I’ll go back to watch!!!! 🥰🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️🍦🍦

[@thirdrockjul2224]

Still journeying with you. ❤

[@gabriellagirardi4741]

Wow! Amazing trip! The Soviet North Korea! It is like to be on planet Mars! It is certainly worth a visit. This mysterioys country has a lot to offer. Great video as usual. Thanks a lot 🌻🍀🌻🍀

[@andersfalck6633]

Fascinating!

[@althejazzman]

Woah abrupt ending without Julia's usual kiss. Well done though on documenting a clearly very difficult place to visit. Everywhere has it's beauty. I think Matt needs a bit more practice with lip syncing though before he makes a feature length film!

[@stephenoshaughnessy2279]

Fascinating journey. Regarding the maximum temperature you gave in Turkmenistan, 149F is too high. Google indicates that 122.2F is the highest recorded temperature in the country. Death Valley, CA has all the world's high temperature readings -- 134F.

[@alejandroheld9527]

Ohh it's my dream trip!! I hope one day I can visit those places, it's a shame it's so complicated. How good are those yurts! And it's good that there isn't a cretin companion who forces you to sleep with the light on. ha ha I hope you had a good birthday Matt and good luck for tomorrow!!

[@MattandJulia]

We can pass you the details Alejandro 🥰❤️ Hahaha, unfortunately there wasn’t actually a light in this yurt 😂 Thank you very much! Good luck to you too! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇦🇷🤞🏻

[@lindathalman3506]

The dinner you had looked very nice and that bread! Were there candles if there wasn't a light? No electricity in the room at all? What a trip!

[@AmanberdiyewBerdimyrat]

Baraka Allah 🇹🇲

[@jeffreyrichards4929]

And, uh, yeah-great video.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you very much 🙏🏼

[@WilnaWanderlust]

😂😂 the driver lol hope we will cross each other when the time visitting this place

[@ellenbalgley9985]

Amazing we always try to stay stay scary country with beautiful beautiful ❤!!

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

The video is so good. Harriet and I watched it twice. Such a fascinating place. Hope you guys are doing ok . Be Well dear friends. ❤❤ P.S. we are on our way to a wedding in Warwick, R.I.

I like it video and Türkmenistan

[@greenbeauties]

Oh wow it’s so different from Europe, lovely Central Asia ❤

[@Jack-lw2tw]

Gates of hell is something every tourist visiting this country is showing on the films. I would be more interested to see how people in the province live and what they think about living in Turkmenistan.

[@helenavis]

Is there a reason to why you went around to Mary to go to Uzbekistan? When I went there in 2012 we used the crossing at Urgentj which is north of Darwaza, seems closer!

[@grawakendream8980]

when yurts and bow and arrow and horses were the top technology in the world, these people controlled half the world

[@rosannagoodrum4108]

I love your videos...as a sexiganarian solo female American full time traveler, you get to go so many places I dare not...really love everthing you do!❤

[@dovletbalayev7021]

Happy to see that people explore my motherland. The only comment which I would like to add that not all the turkmen tribes were nomadic (this topic was pushed by Russian kingdom and USSR), we had very old and historic agricultural regions in the East - Merv oasis. Gonur Depe (with all the temples, own religion, system of water purification and canalization) which is dated 2400 BCE is amazing to visit. Most probably you didn't have enough time to visit it (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonur_Depe)

[@marinavlady6922]

Not on my bucket list, but I must say, I have been interested in Central Asia for quite a while. There is another channel: Saddle Stories, two people crossing Central Asia by bike.

[@robertglennienz]

I was hoping you would get to see the flames! The yurts look like they were taken straight from Age of Empires II (if you haven't heard of it, a computer game built around various civilizations and their routes to greatness - e.g. Genghis Khan and the Mongols). And the dinner looked glorious.

[@CrefloHalfDollar]

the scenery looks like where luke Skywalker lived in star wars. do you know if any movies were filmed there?

[@MattandJulia]

I don’t think so, I think it was filmed in Spain but not 100% 😘❤️

[@lindathalman3506]

Believe it was in Tunisia in the south. Think you can visit it today. Google says: Shubie Gorge, Chott el Jerid, Matmata, Djerba, and other areas in the North African country are the real-world stand-ins for the planet Tatooine where we were first introduced to Luke Skywalker in "A New Hope." Also this: Mos Espa is a famous Star Wars filming location in Tunisia.

[@davidforbes2366]

Similar to a town in PA that is still burning

[@peteryellowcloud3018]

Woww.... what an adventure 😎😎😎

[@yurayyyy]

Как вам удалось получить визу в Туркмению?

[@danielcargill8019]

At least that gas crater is not a giant worm(Star Wars).

[@ThePanacon]

I've watched plenty of videos about Turkmenistan and especially about Ashgabat and there's one particular thing which I have noticed. The total absence of advertising in the public. No billboards for products or services. That's kinda cool.

[@SarazMoikka]

As a Turkmen, I can say that all type of advertisements usually go by word-of-mouth or are on insta! I'm from Mary specifically so things are a little bit different but pretty much the same. Hope this helped if you're interested!

[@rambo10101]

It is probably going to burn out (die out) in a few years. Its scale looks much smaller now compared to the videos from a few years ago.

[@user-mz4cj3hn3l]

That crater is burning for last 50 years. And our country has 4th largest natural gas deposits. So I don't think that it's going to burn out in the near future.

[@SuchanaGurung-ey1xs]

Hlo. friends , love you both & take care.

[@HendraSaputra-g3z]

Hey I am from Indonesia🙏🙏

[@teresamc7630]

WOW! 🔥🔥❤️‍🔥

[@realhawaii5o]

How was it to get the Turkmenistan visa?

[@philbamford6957]

Just think how much thats contributed to global warming in 50+ years😂😂😂

[@alyonabakurova5838]

Wow, guys, how did you get to my hometown, definetely not an easy destination. From Saint Petersburg with love 😺

[@miriam2909]

Wow every ten minutes! Is that paranoia. Wonder what they’re hiding. I’m kinda glad you’re out. How tense. Loved the yurts though.

[@revabbyjoovitsky5152]

What's this about broken ribs?! What is a "dead Sash?" It's interesting but I could not stay in a yurt. Is there more about Ashgabat? Mary looks nice. The two of you have a lot of guts. It certainly helps that you are fluent in Russian, I'm not. I look forward to watching your other adventures. Be safe!

[@stankormy5717]

That gates of hell is something else!

[@Paysoncougarfan.7885]

I hope you waited until you were out of the country before you released the video.😳

[@Will-ok5mi]

Is Matt a dual British/Russian national? Getting in to Turkmenistan on a British passport is usually nigh on impossible.

[@Ronlawhouston]

Hi guys! Turkmenistan is definitely not on my bucket list. As a matter of fact, I'd like to propose a new title for this video. "We went to Turkmenistan so you don't have to."

[@Coastmac2001]

Jos uvek tipicno sovjetsko doba

[@KarlBate]

Maybe you checked the cupboards for beetles just in case

[@northstar2839]

17:57 Myhmanhanasi Hotel is a pleonasm: Myhmanhana means Hotel in Turkmen, think about Mehmonxona in Uzbek ...

[@davindersinghsounthe6964]

Did you both finish that food or their was left over please 🙏 thanks

[@cemocanish]

That Kyamran guy is my cousin lol

[@biancatimm-tanzer1712]

is this the second part?😃