We picked up a new driver today for our drive to the Fergana Valley and final full day in Uzbekistan. I'm catching up on this entry after being without the internet for a few days so my memory is a little vague but I do remember that the scenery up the pass was quite impressive, though no different from that we've already experienced. We stopped at a good vantage point to make the most of the views and Rusty asked me to take some photos of him with the mountain...

We were up at 0630 today for the 0830 drive to Tashkent and our beloved Hotel Bek. The drive was pretty uneventful and we got to the hotel and the same room as last time at about midday. We dropped our bags and headed off to take a tour of the city and the sights that we only briefly glimpsed on our first half day with Rusty. We already know quite a bit about the history of this former Soviet nation as we have heard so much about it during our stay. Anyway, ...

We're amazed at the inefficiency of this place. We found a table for breakfast that was not laid up, but then none of them are, then watched bemused as 5 members of staff sat/stood around chatting while guests hunted for sugar, cutlery and plates. When the staff were asked for something they sauntered off, annoyed that we'd interrupted their holiday then forgot what it was we asked them for. Never before have we seen a coffee station manned by 3 people.One to ask...

An 0830 start for the drive to Shakhrisabz which is 270km, or a good 4-5 hours drive, from Bukhara. We had a leisurely start and stopped off at the strangely unique 4-minareted Chor Minor, or Madrasa of Khalif Niyaz-kul, situated on an esplanade close to Labi-hauz. Chor-Minor ie 'four minarets' is a well-preserved structure built by Khalif Niyaz-kul, a rich inhabitant of Bukhara. The date given for construction of 1807 is not exact as no one really knows but th...

We started the day with a delightful breakfast served by these delightful people then took a short drive to our first sight of the day, a fairground. Well not exactly, but the walk through the Samanid Park and beautifully maintained surrounding gardens was to enable us to view Samanid's Mausoleum. The Samanid Mausoleum is located on the site of an ancient cemetery and was one of the most esteemed sights of Central Asian architecture. It was built between 892...