After a mammoth 9 hour drive from Khiva to Bukhara and with about an hour still to go before sunset I had some freetime to explore the historic city on my own before my guided tour tomorrow. I was more interested in finding something to eat so started wandering.

The old town is very easy to reach from my hotel. After walking up a small dusty street for about a block the old town and first entrance gate immediately become visible.

There were domed buildings with a peak that almost looked like a Greek Orthodox Church, just missing the cross. Inside it was the crossroads between two intersecting streets so a choice of four options

Thru each of the four doorways I could see different parts of the town but didnt want to keep turning in different directions in case I get lost coming back at nightfall so just kept going straight.

As I continued going I came to another one of these covered dome intersections. Again there were four options so I kept going in the same direction so as not to get lost

This one had more locals and stores but they appeared to be closing up for the day. I hadnt seen any food yet.

I was now in the old town proper and saw more souvenir vendors. The more I kept walking the more amazed I got with the sights. It was such incredible architecture and a historic feeling.

There was so much to see but I didnt want to wander too much and explore everything before my full day guided tour tomorrow. At least it was good to walk for a bit to familiarize myself so that I didnt feel totally lost tomorrow when the guide starts leading me in all directions.

I could see the giant Minor (tower) closeby which is easy enough to spot so I decided to go there, take a quick look, and retrace my steps back before dark.

The sun was now starting to set and many of the locals were making their way home

I made it to the main square housing the Kalon Minor, Kalon Mosque and Madrassa. They had incredible architecture alone but the detailed tilework and Quranic writing added a further level of depth and interest

I then bumped into the two Koreans I had met the previous day touring in Khiva. I wondered if I'd run into them again as most tours follow the same route.

We got chatting in Korean and they said they had been here since January working for an oil company. This was their last week so they were exploring but were heading back to Tashkent and skipping Samarkand.

Even more surprising they were on the same Asiana flight back home friday night so we expected to meet again at Tashkent Airport Friday night. Even though they both live in Seoul one of them went to school in my neighbourhood in Daegu

Here is a rare photo of me which I never put on my blog as it shows up on google searches.

After admiring the architecture and chatting some more I decided to get back to the hotel before dark. The old town isnt lit properly at night and I didnt see any food stores.

There was a vendor outside the hotel selling cookies so I got that for 4000 Som ($2). I also found locals praying in a Mosque about a block down from the hotel.