Visiting The Darvaza Gas Crater (Turkmenistan)

Situated in the middle of Central Asia between Uzbekistan
and Iran, lies Central Asia’s own hermit Kingdom, Turkmenistan. Home to the infamous Darvaza Gas Crater, or known to most as
the Door to Hell, the country receives less than 10,000 tourists annually, equivalent
to a mere 30 tourists per day.

I had earlier in the day arrived at the Konje-Urgench border
crossing from the Uzbek city of Nukus via a prearranged taxi for $6. Upon presenting my pre-arranged Letter of Invitation, I was
asked to sit down as they thoroughly vetted my visa, which included calling my
awaiting driver. After parting an additional $73, I finally received one of the
world’s rarest tourist visa and was directed to head to the customs area.