Diana Australis' photos with the keyword: Tajikistan

In the top LH corner of this picture is a fence, in front of which is this impressive collection of aging Vespas with Spanish number plates. But this is at Murghab on the Pamir Highway at 4300meters altitude in Tajikistan. It is 2-300 km in either direction to any other town , and the brutal winters up here (to-70°c) close the road for months. I was mystified to see these so far from home in such incongruous setting., I later found they live there, still with Spanish plates and are used by locals. How? Why? The next day in the middle of nowhere along this road we saw one like this braving the treacherous high altitude road, cheerfully carrying a local with a large fur hat and rifle. It was the only traffic we saw for an hour! Fabulous Friday to you, and a weekend filled with what brings you joy and happiness.

In the capital of Tajikistan, some older buildings from Russian colonial days still linger among the president for life’s grandiose rebuilding of the city. Dushanbe means Monday market, and was a village when the Russians made it the capital of Tajikistan. Tea houses are very popular all through Central Asia, of course. I loved the cool and elegant beauty of this place..and the food was fabulous too! Have a really grand weekend…of peace, health and happiness

A blind accordionist at a market in a regional small town in Tajikistan, in the Wakhan Valley, across the Panj river from Afghanistan. The people here are poor, and subsistence farmers Wishing you a peaceful and happy Friday, and a really fulfilling weekend

On thé Pamir Highway at around 3500 mètres of altitude in the middle of nowhere in Tajikistan, the Great Fence of China (border )unrolls for a few hundred kilometres keeping out no-one in this vast desolation. It is surreal to see. I hope your Friday is gentle and kind, and your weekend peaceful.

At 3000meters height in a remote village in the Wakhan Valley of Tajikistan, we visited an ancient shrine. It was supposedly to a Sufi(mystical Muslim) holy man, but combined elements of what seemed like shamanism and animism. These are the skulls and horns of the high altitude dwelling Marco Polo sheep. There were hundreds of them atop all the walls and fences, adding an extra layer of ‘fencing’ to the shrine. They were blackened and had charred juniper and oil upon them. I have no idea of the full story, but it was very intriguing. Happy Friday all, and a wonderful weekend.

Travelling along the Pamir highway at altitude in Tajikistan. The Panj River here forms the border with Afghanistan…here is a cross river view into the Wakhan Corridor …the bridge and fence are in Afghanistan. You can see them if you look at it large…a very long bridge. There is quite a large Tajik military presence along this very very long border to prevent fanatical Taliban insurgency across this river. At times it is only 3 meters across in the higher regions. Happy Friday. May your weekend be peaceful, happy and positive. Thanks for a visit…Dx

We travelled for 2 days along the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan at 3700-4300meters in altitude. This is the Great Fence of China, the border marker, snaking its way into the endless distance. The dirt track is the Highway as we head towards the high altitude border with Kyrgyzstan. We could travel a couple of hours without seeing any traffic, then a half dozen Chinese giant doubles would come rumbling across the horizon carrying heavy cargo through. A happy, joyous Friday to you. Stay well. Not too hot. Not too wet. Have an exceptionally fabulous weekend. D❤️

The National Monument of Ismoil Somoni in Friendship Square, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. This 13m high statue, crowned with gold, and surrounded by a 43m high arc/fence is a reference to the powerful hero who was a Persian leader (Tajik) who ruled the region in the Samanid era of the 9th century. The National currency bears his name. The president for life of Tajikistan has rebuilt Dushanbe on a grand scale with staggeringly huge buildings and monuments, including a flagpole which at 173 m high was briefly the tallest in the world. Meanwhile, people are poor, of course. Have a top Friday and a great weekend

This is at 4600 meters on the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, heading towards Kyrgyzstan. China has a border fence stretching for hundreds of kilometres here…this razor wired masterpiece is part of it…..we travelled alongside it for several hours today. We have been in very remote places and I have a few hours of internet tonight in Osh in Kyrgyzstan. Very best to all…Will catch up when I get home after more mountain caprices ❤️