Cave lake (Koew Ata)

It's probably not obivious that you go to a thermal bath when outside temperatures are close to 40 degrees but it's an amazing experience nevertheless. Close to Ashgabat is a large cave with a hot (36 deg), mineral rich (yes, nasty smell) lake at the bottom. Locals go there (in their underwear) and have great fun. Part of the experience was getting in. We were told we have to wait one hour as a VIP group would come. Indeed some minutes later a series of brand new, black Mercedes limousines arrived in a convoi with Police in front and back (could have been a movie). The eldery men with "largerly" bellies entered the bath and waiters followed with cold beer. While they were in, the bath was closed and we were told that these are "friends of the president". Later they came out only wearing a towel, jumped into the waiting cars and drove away. No wonder everybody wants to be a Politican...

Koew Ata, Turkmenistan