At first glance, the Band-e-Amir lakes hurt the eyes in the most amazing fashion.

CNN: Oasis from the ruins: Afghanistan opens first national park

In 2009, Afghanistan declared Band-e-Amir, a collection of six mineral-rich, piercingly blue lakes, a national park in hopes of protecting and promoting its landscape.

BBC: Birth and spread of the world��s national parks

Unfortunately, Band-e-Amir is still hard to reach for most Afghans, let alone foreigners who may want to venture out to the area.

CNN: Oasis from the ruins: Afghanistan opens first national park

"The name is park, the government is happy to call it a park, but it's not a park yet, " said Band-e-Amir resident Jaan Been.

CNN: Oasis from the ruins: Afghanistan opens first national park

Efforts to make Band-e-Amir a national park began in the 1970s but were put on hold through the decades of war that ravaged the country.

CNN: Oasis from the ruins: Afghanistan opens first national park