Im in Bukhara. Only been here a few hours and not impressed. I thought it was supposed to be better than Khiva and so far it is not. Will reserve my opinion till I look around tomorrow.

My last day in Khiva was pretty boreing. Three days is plenty. I walked around the outside of the city and had a good look around. I found a wholesaler where they had mountains of coke, fanta and water. Further inside was the grog. Anything you want. Russian Vodka was about 50c a gallon and you could run your car on it. Some of the Chaikhana's outside looked like they were getting ready to open for the season. I think they will have a good season this year cos no one will go to Kyrgystan with the trouble there. The hotel I was staying in knew I was coming to Bukhara and they organised a ride. I got a taxi straight from Khiva to Bukhara so I didnt have to hang around at Khiva and Urgench waiting for a share taxi. I had a Hyundai people mover all to myself for the 470km trip that took 6 hours on the ****** roads. The car was brand new, only had 760km on the clock when he picked me up. Cos I had the taxi all to myself I had to pay extra so it cost me $30US. Thats a great price.
On the trip down here we had to cross the Amu-Darya river and there is no bridge.(they are building one) We had to cross on some old barges. They are all tied together but it looks pretty weak and I dont think any of them will ever float again. At the Turkmenistan border we turn left and head south but I was within a few hundred metres of Turkmenistan. I ordered lunch in Russian. Shashlik, Nan and Bier. Shashlik = kebab, Nan = bread and Bier = beer (for me driver had tea) Im all over this language stuff.
In Bukhara the driver dropped me at the door of my hotel. It is supposed to be one of the better hotels. Im not impressed. The bed is hard, the pillow is non existant and the shower broke. This morning I was trying to get the shower fixed and "no English". They are supposed to be fixing it now. I hope so cos I stink. Breakfast was soggy, oiley cold fried bread, soggy, oiley cold patties, soggy oiley cold crepe's, rubbish coffee with whitening powder and yummy bread.
I did the 'Lonely Planet' tour this morning. I wont bore you with it cos you will see in the photos. After a while the Madressa's get to be a bit same same. They are full of souvineer shops or you have to pay to get in. Most of what you pay to get in is not worth it. They say you can go everywhere but doors are locked and whole sections are closed. Most have "museums" in them. They are all the same; a few pieces of broken pottery and some faded old pictures. This is a tourist town and is FULL of souvineer shops, all selling the same old junk. Khiva still had the souvineers but was way more low key, here it is just so overt. I think my initial assesment was right and I like Khiva much better.
Maybe a good night sleep and a proper shower will change my mind, but I doubt it.
Im trying to get out of here tomorrow and go up to Lake Aidarkul but cos Im early in the season I will be the only one there so it is making it expensive for transport and accomodation. Still gotta hastle a couple of operators here and see how I go.
I have just been across town for dinner and to get a couple of photo's with the sun in the other direction. Every time I go that way a couple of the young girls hastle me to buy a tea set. When they see me coming they yell out "John you come my shop now". The thing is I really like he tea sets but I dont wanna buy here when I still have so far to go. I might buy one in Tashkent on the way home.
ASH I just ordered a T shirt so you will be able to see me when I get home. Just look for the shirt.......You will know it when you see it.