Krazyness in Karakalpakstan

Experiencing disaster tourism today ….
We left Tashkent by plane at 07-30 to Nukus which is the capital the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan- first a part of Kazakhstan and now ceded to Uzbekistan . At the airport we met our lovely driver who doesn’t have a word of English to our non existent Uzbekistan so a fun day ensued.

We headed out first to the cemetery of Mizdarkhan which was rammed, as it’s a public holiday here; the day of honour and remembrance. Full of families visiting the mausoleums and graves of their ancestors and we kept getting asked for selfies!

Then a 3 hr drive to Monyaq at the end of nowhere to a deserted ship graveyard over the most appalling roads. In 60 years the town has gone from a thriving fishing port on the Aral Sea( lake ) which is now 10% of its former size due to water diverted for irrigation of cotton . A poignant reminder of environmental disaster.

Then another 3 hours back to Nukus over the same potholed roads!
Just had a tasty meal in a Turkish restaurant for £15 all in , a great end after our unusual but fascinating day