I sort of had a spare day in Samarkand as the Asiana flights to Seoul ran every Friday so I had 8 days to do the 7 day tour. My agent had given me half a day freetime today and an afternoon of extra sightseeing that other tours don't normally do before the evening express train back to Tashkent.

First I needed to exchange money before I checked out of the hotel at noon so exchanged another $15 for 31 x 1000 Som notes. My guide and driver returned at noon so we headed off on our last afternoon together.

Imam Al-Bukhara is famous for writing the first book of Hadiths which were sayings or teachings of the Prophet Mumhammad (Pboh). This is an important pilgrimage site and many visitors, including groups from Pakistan I was surprised to hear, travel to this site. My guide thought I had asked to come here but I didnt know about it and my agent had arranged this visit.

It was about a half hour drive and just off the main road so easy to reach. Outside were ladies selling tasbees (prayer beads). Now I was getting confused if they were gypsies or not as I cant tell them apart.

There was a long pathway leading to an entrance plaza with a fountain. The giant doors then led into the compound

There was a vast open square housing the open air tomb. It was more simplistic then some of the very elaborate tomb complexes but very detailed in its design which only becomes apparent on close up.

The tomb is made from onyx marble, I forget where it was imported from. The site was not important in Soviet times and lay in ruin so everything has been newly built in recent years. Many locals come here to offer prayers.

Admiring the small building close up what became apparent was the detailed coloured onyx carvings in the interior as well as exterior. The arches were divided into strips of separate patterns, designs, and Quranic writings.

There is a small casket visible on the inside although entrance is not allowed. Below there is an underground crypt where the real body lies.

Aside from offering prayers many spend time reflecting on the architectural beauty of its construction.

To either side are terraces leading to side buildings. One was in interesting Quranic Museum housing original Hadith texts from the 12th Century as well as gifts of Qurans from other nations.

Many of the Central Asian 'Stans' as well as other Islamic countries from around the world had presented Qurans. There was also one from the late female Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto.

On the opposite side of the tomb we heard the azaan (call to prayer) as men were rushing in to make their prayers. I didnt check where they were washing themselves before prayers as I know running water in public places was not common from what I had seen.

Outside it was strange as they all had black shoes so how would you tell one apart?

This is also one of several scenic photo spots wedding couples like to go to for blessing or nice photo backdrops. A large party was having their photos taken and filming the couples day out.

Outside was a small local bazaar but mostly dried foods or kitchen items so nothing of great interest