Travellive 5 - 2018

efore being offered a place to rest, and
we simply could not refuse. The house
was in the typical style of Central Asia
which features a large room with bright
red carpets and sofa pillows scattered
around the room. I even found precious
pieces of decoration from the Soviet
Union in their house, which were very
commonly used in Vietnam over 30
years ago when I was still a child.
The country of Tajikistan and the
Pamir Mountains are no doubt "the
roof of the world", and we were
challenged to the last minute. The last
distances and the last slopes before
we reached the Kyrgyzstan border
We grinded our teeth,
lowered our heads to
concentrate on the pedaling,
and had to push our own
bikes at some points.
BInH ngUyen
Having left Vietnam to settle in
france, Binh Nguyen joined
his friend Rasom alessio of
Italian nationality to travel
around the world from paris
to Hanoi on a bicycle. Taking
the nickname "rollingpotatoes",
Binh Nguyen and Rasom
alessio made their long journey
from paris to 18 countries. The
"rollingpotatoes" are adventure
cyclists who often seek the most
challengeing trails. You can
see pictures from their past trips
on www.rollingpotatoes.com.
were probably our most challenging
moments. We had to go down in the
oppositie direction of the wind, and
overcome steep slopes. We grinded our
teeth, lowered our heads to concentrate
on the pedaling, and had to push our
own bikes at some points.
After spending over three weeks in
Tajikistan, we finally said our goodbyes.
Before heading to Kyrgyzstan for a
totally new adventure, we looked back
for one last time, trying to take in as
much of the incredible views of nature
and the hospitality of the locals, so that
this unforgettale experience would be
forever engraved in our hearts.
VISA
ñ Vietnamese nationals are not required to
apply for a visa before arrival. The visa is
issued at the Dushanbe International Airport.
Travelers can apply for an e-visa to enter all
gateways.
ñ Duration of stay: 45 days. Your passport
must be valid for at least 6 months from the
date of entry into Tajikistan. Make sure your
passport has at least 2 clear pages for the
visa stamp.
ñ If your trip to Tajikistan requires no transit
in another country, check whether you
might need a transit visa.
GeT THeRe
ñ To get to Dushanbe from Vietnam, you
can fly with Turkish Airlines, transit in
Istanbul. Take the opportunity to explore
the beautiful capital of Turkey.
GeT ARoUNd
ñ If you do not want to contact a local travel
agent to arrange a jeep, you can hire a
motorbike to explore the Pamir Mountains.
ñ If you are a seasoned traveler, try local
buses or catch the bus along the way. Please
be advised that the local traffic is sparse and
you might have to wait for a long period
of time.
ñ Brake issue and tire blowouts are common
problems. If you are lucky enough to meet
someone, they are always ready to help.
However, it's better to always be prepared
for such events
NoT To Be MISSed exPeRIeNCeS
ñ From Khorog, you can catch a bus to
the Ishkashim Border Market which is
open every Saturday - the only place in
Afghanistan that allows you to enter with a
Tajikistan visa.
ñ Visit Khorog in July, you can enjoy Bam-i
Dunya, a traditional arts festival of the
Pamirs.
ñ When in every city, take some time to visit
the local markets to experience a true feel
of Tajikistan through different colors, tastes,
and sounds.
ñ Bulunkul and Karakul lakes have the most
beautiful views along the highway.
ñ The souvenir shops set up in broken buses
in Yamg Village are popular stops for visitors.
STAy
ñ There are no hotels or motels in the
suburbs of Murghab and Khorog. The only
option for travelers on the Pamir highway
is to stay at a local's home, or camp along
the road.
eAT
ñ Central Asian cuisine is not particularly
diverse. You should definitely try Plov (rice
is simmered in a rich stew of meat and
vegetables) and Kurutob (flat bread served
in a warm yogurt based sauce topped with
onions, tomatoes, and fesh herbs).
TRAVELLIVE 11