Moynak – cemetery of ships
Many modern cities were born thanks to cities installed on trade routes, near rivers or industries. But what happens when trade routes shift, factories close and rivers dry up? To have at least a partial answer to this question you should visit the town of Moynak because it is the living example of the tragedy of Aral. Once, Moynak was located on the edge of the Aral Sea, but today, 100 km of desert separate them. The lake that used to be called the sea for its wonderful beaches, abundance of fish and its large size, has now turned into a desert. Local people call the Aral-Kum desert (similar to the Kyzyl-Kum desert).
In the old days, seagoing ships sailed in the sea desert. Today they are in the port of Moynak – the famous « cemetery of ships ». It is hardly possible that they will return one day to roam the Aral Sea. They remain there, abandoned, rusty and sinking in the depths of nonexistence.
Navigation on the Aral Sea stopped in 1970 according to official reports. Ancient fishermen say that in the late 50s – early 60s, the waves of the sea rolled over Moynak, flooding its embankment. Today the sandy beaches have disappeared without a trace. Fishermen no longer brag about their big catches, people leave their homes.
People have lost all hope of seeing the sea return, the region’s economy is trying to adapt to the new conditions and the tragedy-city is in the grip of sleepiness. Nobody knows if the city will prosper like 40 years ago.
Voyage Wonder 