Today was my first full day exploring the famous Silk Road city of Samarkand. This is probably one of the most fabled cities and conjures up images of dusty bazaars and passing caravan merchants.

Unfortunately for me I could only come in February and even worse the weather was scheduled to continue to be cold today before turning milder only on the next two days. The start to the day also wasnt in character as the restaurant was playing the tune to 'Top Gun' during breakfast.

Leaving the hotel there were wet snow flurries as my guide and driver had both returned to start at 9am. First I needed to exchange my money as I could only do about $10 at a time since you end up with so many 1000 bills in exchange.

I was taken to Hotel President across from the Timur Statue which had a 24 hour bank. After exchanging $20 I was given 41,000 Som in 41 x 1000 bills. When I went back to the car they started asking if I got a receipt which I didnt think to ask for.

Then we all came back and they started insisting on getting one but the people said their computer system was down. Personally I wasnt that bothered but I dont know about all the rules and regulations and whether I would have to show all of the receipts to account for all the money I brought in at the airport when I leave.

First we went to the Tomb of the Emir. I was confused as hadnt we visited Timur's tomb yesterday in Shakhrisabsz? When I read my book again for this blog it explained the one we visited yesterday was his planned tomb but this was the actual tomb. This is the one opened by the Russians who did tests to confirm he was killed by an arrow.

Once again it was very detailed tilework with many miniature patterns. The layout was somewhat different from all the Madrassa's we had been visiting but it was of the same architecture style.

Unlike Mosque minarets here there was a flat top minaret like a candlestick. It had very detailed artwork again and very intricately designed step alcoves to merge it with the flat top.

The original building was larger and we could see some broken off walls. There were still some flurries so we went inside to keep dry.

Inside was a small exhibit to Timur showing a map of his empire and his portrait. The corridor then led to his Tomb

We were immediately dazzled by a gold interior chamber. The architecture was the same as many other places but it was decorated exclusively in only gold artwork. This amazes this eyes into thinking this is somewhere palatial even though its a mausoleum

When you first enter you are speechless and mesmerized

This is not somewhere you want to do a quick tour thru and we spent quite some time here admiring the detailing. Trying to take pics of the dome and ceiling I had to arch my back which wasnt that comfortable. I didnt want to lie on the floor as some people do

Then a large group of locals arrived and were both men and women. They started making a prayer in arabic. Here is a short video

Tomb of the Emir - Samarkand
http://youtu.be/-JeSSHdEujg

My guide said they were probably from a village and many people come here considering it to be a sacred site and offering prayers for Timur's soul or to make their own prayers.

There was also another underground crypt in the rear but it was locked today. I get confused what all these tombs and crypts are for as wasnt Timur in the gold mausoleum? Maybe the casket is on top and the body underground.

Outside we can see more of the crumbling architecture

In places you can also see missing tiles and where some of the original brickwork is starting to crumble or has been partially restored.

The sun was trying to peep thru the clouds on what was a very overcast day.

They had a small souvenir shop in one of the rooms with many detailed ceramic plates. I thought it would be expensive here so to look in some kind of bazaar where there would be more price competition

This was really an amazing sight and only the first in what was to be an incredible day exploring the historical and architectural jewel of Samarkand. Too bad it wasnt perfect weather.