Uzbekistan 2024
Border (Beineu to Kungrad)
423 km through the desert without a gas station. I met other travelers at the border and after we successfully made it through the border, we decided to tackle the next 423 km together.
Muinak (Aral Sea)
The Aral Sea was once one of the largest inland lakes in the world and is located in Central Asia, between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In recent decades, it has shrunk dramatically, mainly due to human intervention in the river system that feeds the lake. Originally, the Aral Sea was known for its rich biodiversity, especially for fish such as the sturgeon.
The decline in water levels has led to the creation of salt deserts that have largely isolated former coastal towns such as Aralsk. This development has serious ecological and economic consequences for the region. Efforts to save the Aral Sea are focused on restoring the flow of water into the lake, but the challenges are immense. Nevertheless, there is hope as some parts of the lake have been revitalized through local initiatives and international aid.
The situation of the Aral Sea is considered a cautionary tale of the effects of excessive water abstraction and poor water management. Researchers continue to monitor the state of the lake to develop new approaches for its restoration and to improve the living conditions of the people in the region.
Nukus
First small breakdown for Flux
It looks like Flux hasn’t survived the journey through the countless potholes since the Uzbekistan border completely unscathed. After another bumpy ride from Nukus to Khiva, I noticed that the fork was losing oil. Luckily, help was just around the corner. Just the communication was a bit tricky. I recognized a bit late that he was not speaking uzbek.
Khiva
Buxoro
Samarqand
