ChrisKean1's Photos : Middle East and Central Asia

Middle East and Central Asia Galleries

Uzbekistan (and around), Summer 2000 : These are from scanned film negatives taken with a point-and-shoot, and follow from the Mongolia and Western China gallery. I crossed into Kyrgyzstan from Kashgar, and after a week mainly around (Lake) Issyk-kul, I headed to the great old cities of Uzbekistan--Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva--where almost all of the following photos were taken. From there I flew to the Caucasus countries and Istanbul (also in a separate gallery). Uzbekistan, with its rich mixture of Uzbek, Tajik and other cultures past and present, is a country I would gladly return to.

Uzbekistan (and around), Summer 2000

Georgia, Armenia, Istanbul, Summer 2000 : These are from scanned film negatives taken with a point-and-shoot, and follow from the Uzbekistan gallery. I had planned to continue to Turkmenistan and Iran, but was denied a visa for Turkmenistan and was unable to get the Iran visa. So I flew directly to Istanbul and then winged a couple of weeks in Georgia and Armenia, returning to Istanbul from Baku, Azerbaijan. Georgia and Armenia both have ancient cultural attractions and friendly people, and Istanbul is one of the two or three most beautiful cities in the world.

Georgia, Armenia, Istanbul, Summer 2000

Oman and Gulf, November 2005 : Quick stops in neighboring countries followed by a trip through Oman. This included the W. Hajar mountains, Batinah plain, Sur via the coast road, Wahiba Sands, flight to Salalah, and return drive from Salalah to the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Jiddat al-Harasis. Oman is beautiful, with a richer history than most of its neighbors can claim. People everywhere in the region--both Arabs and the many guest workers, were extremely engaging, with those in Oman perhaps even a cut above the rest. I re-edited all the existing photos and added new photos in September 2009.

Oman and Gulf, November 2005

Yemen I (Wadi Hadramawt, Sanaa and around), June 2006 : I flew from Istanbul to Sanaa, and then immediately to Sayoun in the Wadi Hadramawt area. After spending some time in Sayoun, Tarim, Shibam and Hajjarin, I flew back to Sanaa with its incredible Old City. I also had a chance to see some of the beautiful villages near the capital. Eventually I headed east to the Sabaean ruins at Marib and also west to the coast and the Haraz mountains--those are covered in a separate gallery. From Yemen I traveled north to Saudi Arabia and Jordan (each also now in a separate gallery). When I returned from the trip I edited only a few photos; these four galleries now contain many more photos, all newly edited.

Yemen I (Wadi Hadramawt, Sanaa and around), June 2006

Yemen II (Sanaa, Marib, Zabid, Haraz), June 2006 : From Sanaa I took a daytrip to Marib, receiving one or two nasty threats there (even Yemenis are uneasy about Marib) but happy to see the ancient sights anyway. Then back to Sanaa and west to the old capital at Zabid, on the coast. Finally I headed up to the Haraz mountains and the beautiful, rugged fortress-villages there, before returning to Sanaa for my flight to Jeddah. My chief impression of Yemen is of the multitudes of smiling children everywhere, and of the completely unexpected wonder that is Sanaa.

Yemen II (Sanaa, Marib, Zabid, Haraz), June 2006

Saudi Arabia, June 2006 :

Saudi Arabia, June 2006

Jordan, June 2006 : After Yemen and my brief stay in Saudi Arabia, I got a bus and taxi from al Ula (KSA) to the border, and then into Jordan. I had planned to concentrate on Petra for several days and then decide where to go next, but an injury put paid to those notions pretty quickly. I was happy to return to Jordan and Petra in 2009. These 2006 photos were all newly edited in 2009 too.

Jordan, June 2006

Tajikistan, March 2008- : K and I moved here from Helsinki in March 2008 for her work. It's been great being here, though I have barely scratched the surface--Dushanbe and Istaravshan are about all I've seen so far.

Tajikistan, March 2008-

Uzbekistan, June 2008 : K and I have been living in Dushanbe since March. She has had little opportunity to travel for pleasure, but I took part of June to return to Uzbekistan and also make a quick first trip to Turkmenistan. It was great to see Samarkand and Bukhara again, as well as visiting more remote Nukus and Termiz for the first time.

Uzbekistan, June 2008

Turkmenistan, June 2008 : A week was just enough time to take in Konye-Urgench, Ashgabat and the ancient sites around Mary before returning to Uzbekistan. The people are very friendly and curious, the general atmosphere quite strict.

Turkmenistan, June 2008

Lebanon, March 2009 : I spent March and early April in the Middle East, returning to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. The spring weather was variable, but the flowers more than made up for the cool air and the people as always were warmly welcoming. This was a return trip to a few places (Baalbek, Bcharre etc.) and I also added new ones (Sidon, Tyre, etc.).

Lebanon, March 2009

Syria I (Coast, Aleppo, Hama), March-April 2009 : I was very happy to be given a visa for Syria at the border. I first went to Syria (and Lebanon) with my nephew in 2005, and we enjoyed it greatly. For both of us it was an introduction to a new region of the world. I had wanted to revisit the country for a long time, and not only because I lost all my photos from that first trip. I was happy for the opportunity to see Aleppo, Palmyra and Damascus's Umayyad Mosque again, as well as to see some areas for the first time.

Syria I (Coast, Aleppo, Hama), March-April 2009

Syria II (Palmyra and Damascus), March-April 2009 : After the coast, Aleppo and Hama I headed for Palmyra, by way of Resafe, and then Damascus. Palmyra is the undisputed gem of Syrian antiquities, and as for Damascus, the Umayyad Mosque is really captivating.

Syria II (Palmyra and Damascus), March-April 2009

Jordan, April 2009 : After return trips to Lebanon and Syria, I returned also to Jordan. Time was short by now, so I stuck to a few days in Petra (most of the following were taken there), as well as other archeological attractions I visited for the first time.

Jordan, April 2009

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