Getting the ferry to Turkmenistan proved to be an absolute nightmare. On the day it was due to sail we were told at the docks to come back at 1900 since it was not going to sail that day since the cargo had not arrived and they would know more info that night. However since we did not know what they were trying to tell us we decided to stay around the docks. Also at the docks were those passengers waiting for the ferry to sail to Aktau in Kazakhstan. Two Brits cycling around the world who had been waiting 10 days for the ferry, a French couple driving around the world in a Land Rover, 2 Germans on BMWs going up into Russia and then home, a Spanish guy on a road motorbike going to Mongolia and then home and a honeymooning couple in a 1960s Ukrainian car going into Russia and then back to Germany. After much discussion we changed our route and also decided to go to Kazakhstan since our chances of getting through Turmenistan on our 5 day visa were diminishing with every minute that passed without the ferry sailing. So we got the Kazakhstan ferry which was delayed sailing by a day, we then sat at anchor for another day since the winds were too high, a day to cross the Caspian Sea, then another 6 hours at anchor whilst we waited for a jetty to be free. Then started the 8 hours or hell trying to get through Kazakhstan customs. OK enough whinging but it was c**p.