Uzbekistan was probably the key to this trip. Since I saw photos of and read about Samarkand, it's remarkable and mysterious Silk Road history, I have always wanted to visit. So Uzbekistan was the one place I was really looking forward to seeing, so far it hasn't disappointed.I won't write much as internet connections are so, so, so slow. Imagine going back to your 9.6 kbs modems at home, that's what it's like. Many internet cafes are also more like night clubs as the young kids working there blast out mp3 music at deafening volume.
So just to update; quick pass through Tashkent, central Asia's biggest city and fourth largest of the ex-USSR. Long train journey to Urgench in Western Uzbekistan and onto the ancient walled city of Khiva which has some remarkable buldings; minarets, medressa, museums and mosques, all in a small old town area "Ichon Qala". Visited some ancient Khorezm forts in the Amu Daryu delta and stayed the night in a yurt camp - which i shared with some camels - next to one of the forts in the remote desert.
Left: View of Ayaz-Qala citadel from my flying carpet
Right: Uninvited visitors at the camp.
Yesterday was a gruelling 7 hour minibus drive to Bukhara, most of which was across the Kyzylkum Desert, which was not the most interesting journey ever. In an overcrowded mini-bus along pot-holed roads, with temperatures soaring towards 40 degrees, it was a relief to arrive in Bukhara which is also full of similar old buildings, has a nice pool in the centre of town surrounded by cafes, plenty of mini bazars and lots of old town mazy streets to explore later.
Next stop will be Samrkand or Tashkent again, may go back there for the Independence day celebrations first, will decide later.
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