Whilst most people coming from Kyrgyzstan into Tajikistan choose to go via Sary Tash-Murgab using the eastern border, I decided to come from the western side via Batken-Isfara and cover Tajikistan in an anti-clockwise direction. I was not disappointed, and past some amazing places and mid some amazing people. Tajikistan was full of hospitality and friendly people.
My journey began from Osh, Kyrgyzstan travelling like a local on a marshrutkas to a little town Batken where I technically got my first taste of Uzbekistan as the road crossed over the border, then crossing over to Isfara, Tajikistan and changing buses before heading to Khojand.
Osh-Batken-Isfara
Whilst nothing interesting, I was forced to stay in Batken for a night as the local buses for Isfara only leave in the morning. Batken was a small town with the lack of any fellow travellers in sight and locals a fairly friendly bunch although quite camera shy.
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| Inside the local bus to Batken |
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| Shish! |
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| Batken locals |
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| Local Kyrgyz man |
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| Batken |
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| Local market in Batken |
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| Vegetable seller |
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| Side streets |
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| Local vegetable seller in Batken. Mother and Daughter |
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| Students from Batken |
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| Local bus for Isfara-bound from Batken |
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| Inside the bus for Isfara-Khojand. By far my most comfortable ride in Central Asia so far! |
Khojand, Tajikistan
Tajikistan second biggest city is not all that big and I didn't find all that interesting but it is made up by nice Tajik people you meet along the way, although somewhat camera shy.
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| Streets of Khojand |
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| Street of Khojand |
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| Street of Khojand |
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| Streets of Khojand |
Panchshanbe Bazaar
Although not all that interesting of a bazaar, it gave me a nice taste of Tajik life and a chance to communicate with the locals.
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| Entrance to Panchshanbe Bazaar |
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| Inside Panchshanbe Bazaar main hall |
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| Back side of Panchshanbe Bazaar |
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| Local bread seller at the bazaar happy for me to take a photo. A rarity in Tajikistan |
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| The Shish seller and his wife |
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| Biscuit seller |
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| Vendor overflow to the side street pathway of Panchshanbe Bazaar |
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| Vendor in the back alley |
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| Assorted goods. Happy for a photo and spoke a little english. Taught me a few words to help me along my travels :). |
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| Spice and Herbs seller. |
Sheikh Massal Ad-Din Complex (Mosque)
Opposite the Bazaar main entrance, lies a small mosque/ Mausoleum of Sheikh Massal ad Din built in 1934. Although nothing great, I saw some locals gathering as they waited for sun to set during Ramadan and made a nice opportunity to meet them.
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| Locals preparing food as the sun sets during Ramadan at Sheikh Massal Ad-din Mosque |
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| Playful locals at the mosque |
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| Chasing away the birds. |
Victory Park/Lenin Statue
Acrross the river north of the centre lies Victory Park where a 22m statue of Lenin stands. At night, local come out in flocks to mingle and enjoy the cooler weather.
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| Lenin Statue can be seen from across the river from the other side of town. |
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| Fishing on the river during dusk |
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| Victory park |
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| Somoni Statue in Victory Park |
Stay tuned. Penjikent and Fan mountains next!
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