This Guy Documented His Trip To 'The Door To Hell' in Turkmenistan
August 15, 2016
We started our trip about six years ago in Ashgabad, the capital of Turkmenistan. It's a crazy, beautiful city with mostly marble, fountains, more marble, statues and a bit more marble.
On the roads you still see plenty of ex-Soviet cars (independence from the Soviet Union was declared in October 1991).
As we were making our way outside of the city, all of the beautiful marble and posh buildings disappeared...
...until there was absolutely nothing anymore, with another 200km to go.
The last 30 minutes required a bit of desert navigation, and then we finally saw what we came for...
The Darvaza gas crater!
In 1971, the Soviets were drilling in what they thought was an oilfield. It turned out to be gas though, and the ground beneath the grilling site collapsed into a giant crater.
In order to avoid the poisonous gasses to reach the nearby towns the engineers thought it would be best to burn off the gas - and so they did.
As of 2016, it is still burning!
In typical Soviet style, there is no fence or security of any kind.
We decided to hang out by the side a bit and enjoy some wine. An odd experience - in the desert it gets quite cold at night, but occassionaly when the wind turns it feels like someone is blowing a hairdryer in your face.
After another bottle of wine, we decided to go bunk in our tent, and felt like we were on another planet!
It was a great experience which I'll not quickly forget.
Credit: Cnoordz
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
A Husky Was Lost. Owners Found Him With A Drone - Hanging Out With Bears
NBA Player Invites Old High School Coach To Live With Him After His Wife Passes
Friendly Donkey Serves As A Guide For A Blind Horse
A First Birthday Reunion Party For The Whole Litter, Mama Pup Included
Cat's Face Shows Opposite Of Gratitude After Being Rescued
This Senior Dog Sanctuary Celebrated 12 Years With A Dog Prom
A Husky Was Lost. Owners Found Him With A Drone - Hanging Out With Bears
'It Was A Magical Romance Moment From The Movies': Two Swans Reunite After Rehab
Can't Stop Laughing: Woman Screams, Runs From Angry Honking Geese
Mom With Cancer Shows Off Her New Wig, Husband's Reaction Has Everyone Laughing
Stuff Mothers Say: Magician Sings Song About All The Sayings We Never Forget