Today we departed Bukhara along the Silk Road and visited Shakhrisabz. It was so hot today (+42 degrees) that we went around the Shakhrisabz complex in buggies. Was worth every cent not to walk in the heat especially when there was no shade to be found anywhere!!

At Qashqadaryo we stopped briefly at a camel farm. The camel milk sitting out in the 40-degree heat left us wondering about hygiene!! Definitely, no one is willing to give it a try.

Shakhrisabz is one of the most ancient cities in Central Asia and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was founded over 2700 years ago. Shakhrisabz means "Green City" in Persian. Shakhrisabz is the hometown of Tamerlane and everything in Shakhrisabz is linked to his name. Shakhrisabz is one of the most beautiful and colorful Uzbekistan cities, which is located 80 km south of Samarkand. Looking at the well-groomed modern appearance it is difficult to believe that this city is 2700 years old and that it has played a significant role in the history of the Central Asian region. It was the famous center of culture, trade, and handicrafts. In 329 BC Alexander the Great conquered the city. Over the millennium Shakhrisabz was under the reign of various dynasties and in the 8th century it was the center of anti-Arab and anti-Islam rebellions. Today this wonderful city is more famous thanks to Amir Temur (Tamerlane), who was born in the neighboring village of Hodja-Ilgar. Becoming the ruler, he turned Shakhrisabz into his residence and built the palace, known as Ak-Saray (White Palace). Here you will find ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace ( not much remains of the palace today, you can only walk through the central area where massive walls tower above you on either side); the memorial complex Dorut Tilovat, the Kok-Gumbaz mosque, Dorus Siodat, Shamsad-Dina Kulyala, Gumbazi-Seyidan mausoleums.

We then headed to Samarkand where we will stay for the next few nights. Dinner at a local restaurant was quite bizarre. We were the only guests but had the disco lighting and disco ball rotating!! To be honest I think we all just wanted to get to the hotel and get a good night's rest. I am looking forward to exploring Samarkand tomorrow but not sure how we will go in this heat.