No sooner had I gotten back from Johannesburg than I found out that the new job I took starting the day I returned had a trip planned for me. I expected it would maybe be one new country, but as planning has evolved it's now planned for nearly three weeks and four new countries! Score!
If you'd like to see my other trip reports:
I. London to Iran and Afghanistan in a mix of C, F, and LCCs
II. Above the Arctic Circle with UA/CO/LH and SK in whY, C, and F
III. Around the World in 40 Days for 40 Years
IV. 8 Places People Who Are Right in the Head Do Not Spend New Years
V. 12 Countries, 10 Airlines, 4 Islands, 27,080 miles, 11 Days
VI. 6 Countries in 6 Days - Caribbean Island Hopping and first AA Experience
VII. Guyana, Suriname, and French Guyana with an unexpected sidetrip to Caracas!
VIII. To Haïti - for vacation and a milage run!
IX. Around Senegal and West Africa
X. 4th Annual New Years in Dangerous Places - Libya Edition
XI. Kosovo and FYR Macedonia - Milage Run in United Business + TK/LH
XII. To Johannesburg...for 36 hours!
The downside of this trip is not getting to really play tourist too much, but you can't complain about getting to go to four relatively out of the way countries without it costing any vacation time or out of pocket expense! Things are pretty much lined up now, and the the route looks like:
Plan is to visit four new countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Assuming the visas show up in time, all systems should be go for this trip! Lots of long segments on Lufthansa...perhaps in First if upgrades clear, along with a couple long segments on dreaded Turkish 737s from Sarajevo to Istanbul to Bishkek. Also, two new airlines: Uzbekistan Airlines and Air Astana, one on an A320 and the other on an ERJ-190. This assumes, again, that everything happens as planned...
Not sure how many sights I'll get a chance to see, but I'll definitely make an attempt to review the flights, check out the local restaurants, and use my evenings wisely to at least try and see some sights around town! Plus, I should have a full weekend day in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, so that should be a chance to see a fair bit!
More to come soon!
Part I: Washington to Sarajevo on Lufthansa and Turkish
Part II: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Part III: Sarajevo, BiH to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Turkish Airlines
Part IV: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Part V: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Almaty, Kazakhstan and time in Almaty
Part VI: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Uzbekistan Airways
Part VII: Daytrip to Samarkand, Uzbekistan - Part I
Part VIII: Daytrip to Samarkand, Uzbekistan - Part II
Part IX: Playing tourist in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Part X: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Washington, Dulles on Air Astana and Lufthansa