Azerbaijan holds nearly half the planet's mud volcanoes — near Gobustan their most famous field: gray cones gurgling and spitting cold mud in purely lunar scenery beloved of lenses and children alike. Reach by locals' 4x4s from the Gobustan junction (fix the price first) — the track is rough; the mud stains merrily: practical clothes and sacrificial shoes; with Gobustan a complete half-day, sunset doubling the strangeness.