Kazakhstan – the end of central Asia

Almaty

Ask anyone what they know about Kazakhstan and they’ll say Borat. Fortunately this stereotype is miles from the truth; in fact, Kazakhstan is the most modern and Westernised of all the central Asian countries and a melting pot of different cultures.

Kyrgyzstan and their taxis

Bishkek

I crossed yet another land border from Andijon, Uzbekistan, into Osh. I was glad to have a bit of time to explore the country after hurtling through eastern Uzbekistan to avoid overstaying my visa. But my initial experience was not a pleasurable one.

Uzbekistan: trains and diplomatic incidents

It was both cold and beautiful in Uzbekistan.

When entering Uzbekistan from Turkmenistan it's easy to think that one is leaving behind a highly paranoid, authoritarian country and entering a more relaxed one. The truth is that the Uzbek government is probably more distrusting: the internet is more open but everything is still monitored, and I had to register my location with the police every night during my stay.

Turkmenistan

Crazy horses. A common site in Turkmenistan.

It's not a country that evokes many images, mainly because not many people know very much about it. Indeed, it's one of the world's most isolated countries, ranked slightly more open and free than North Korea.

Iran

Inside a mosque in Esfahan.

After we'd passed the last police check and had officially left Iraq and entered Iran, my French companion and I wondered how we would get away from this 2000m-altitude border crossing in the pitch black, freezing cold and deep snow. We didn't have to wait long: two locals gave us a lift in their car to the nearest town and drove us around to find a hotel. They expected nothing in return; this kindness was to repeat itself throughout my stay in this beautiful, hospitable and misunderstood country.