The Uzbekistan slide show is below
Names such as Samarkand, Bukhara or Tashkent conjure up romantic images of the Silk Road and recent TV programmes featuring such places mean you can get to see them and leave less to the imagination but leaves you with a greater desire to visit.
As its a seven hour flight it a bit of a long way for a motorhome trip so in 2019 we flew out on a 12 day package. As a result we can thoroughly recommend a trip to Uzbekistan .
Until 1991 Uzbekistan was part of the USSR and the Russians certainly left their mark in good ways and bad. Literacy levels soared, the burkha was banned but over-cultivation of cotton virtually drained the Aral Sea. If you have seen Monty Python's Life of Brian you may remember the question "What did the Romans ever do for us". Well, as you visit Uzbekistan you can play "What did the Russians ever do for Uzbekistan "- the answer seems to be "quite a bit".
As its a seven hour flight it a bit of a long way for a motorhome trip so in 2019 we flew out on a 12 day package. As a result we can thoroughly recommend a trip to Uzbekistan .
Until 1991 Uzbekistan was part of the USSR and the Russians certainly left their mark in good ways and bad. Literacy levels soared, the burkha was banned but over-cultivation of cotton virtually drained the Aral Sea. If you have seen Monty Python's Life of Brian you may remember the question "What did the Romans ever do for us". Well, as you visit Uzbekistan you can play "What did the Russians ever do for Uzbekistan "- the answer seems to be "quite a bit".
Tashkent
Our trip started and ended in Tashkent. When we arrived we paid a quick visit to a few of the sights before taking an internal flight to the west of the country and then at the end of the trip we returned to the city and were able to see more including the metro which is a lasting reminder of the Russian presence , each station has a specific subject such as the cosmonauts for example shown below.
It costs 10 cents for a ticket.
It costs 10 cents for a ticket.
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After only a couple of hours in the country Sheila was interviewed on TV about her thoughts on the country. Challenging when newly arrived after a sleepless flight.
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Edible baskets in Tashkent market.
Tashkent Market
Making bread
There was a massive earthquake in 1966 in Tashkent and thousands perished. This is the earthquake memorial showing an Uzbek (note his traditional hat) protecting his family.
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Khiva
The old town of Khiva is to be found inside a crenellated city wall with a number of impressive gates. It was designated a museum city in 1967 and there is a small entrance fee. It is compact with a range of fabulous buildings - madrasahs, mausoleums and mosques. Within the city walls there are a number of small hotels and as a large part of the road system is pedestrianised its a lovely place to stroll around and explore.
These ladies where also tourists In Khiva
Sheila count resist trying one.
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Khiva was the best place to buy these lovely warm hats.
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Some spontaneous dancing in the streets of Khiva
Hand painted all decoration in our hotel.
Sometimes, the request for a selfie got out of hand
So many youngsters wanted their photos taken with or without us.
Bukhara
Bukhara is well known for its carpets but there's lots more to see apart from the big carpet workshops.
Like Khiva, there is an old town which is packed with interesting buildings to explore. As its more well known we found that there were a lot more tourists here.
Like Khiva, there is an old town which is packed with interesting buildings to explore. As its more well known we found that there were a lot more tourists here.
The courtyard if our hotel in Bukhara.
Hotel dining room
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Breakfast buffet
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Queen for a minute or two at the Ark.
In the carpet workshop
Samerkand
Registan Square
The major site in Samerkand is the Registan which is a huge complex of mosques and madrassas and small shops selling souvenirs,carpets, silks etc etc. It is quite breathtaking an a must see for any tourists but we found that locals like to visit too and on a Sunday it is packed with youngsters, often on school trips with a teacher. They all wanted to practise their English and of course there was the obligatory selfie t be taken.
There are plenty of other mausoleums and mosques in Samerkand, all very beautiful but to the amateur like us all of similar construction and wonderfully decorated. My advice is to make copious notes at the time as we have found it a bit of a challenge to identify all our photos once we got home.
There are plenty of other mausoleums and mosques in Samerkand, all very beautiful but to the amateur like us all of similar construction and wonderfully decorated. My advice is to make copious notes at the time as we have found it a bit of a challenge to identify all our photos once we got home.
Another selfie that got out of hand
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While at the Registan we noticed that we could climb one of the minarets There was a sign advising that it was probably not suitable for the old or infirm & the lad taking the money did ask if we were sure we wanted to do it which of course spurred us on A bit of a pull but disappointing view from the top - the muezzin not needing to look out of course.
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We climbed this minaret behind us
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Registan Square is popular with Uzbekis too. Our travelling companion MichaelC took this set of photos.
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The desert
Our trip included spending a night in a yurt in the desert, shall we just say it was an experience and an opportunity to watch the sunrise and sunset in these wide open spaces.
We have spent a night in the Sahara and so in comparison this was much more agreeable with a comfortable bed, a good dinner in the dining yurt and then a turn by a Kazak musician beside the fire once the sun had gone down.
The following day we had the opportunity to take a walk or try a bactrian camel.
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Desert forts
This isn't the place to run through all the different invaders or tribes passing through Uzbekistan but these forts give an indication of how important it once was to maintain control of such areas. These forts are made of mud and the state of repair varies enormously but then they are two thousand years old. Some, as in the picture below have partially restored walls but there is nothing but dirt inside so no resemblance to old forts or castles you might see in Europe but in those forts there is no chance that you just might be standing where Alexander the Great once stood.
