Silk Road Day 20: Samarkand

This morning we went to Registan Square to see it properly in daylight. It is an amazing sight. And the weather co-operated with sunshine and a lovely blue sky.

(Panoramic shot - six photos stitched together)

A dodgy policeman offered to let some of us climb to the top of one of the minarets that is off-limits to the public, for the enormous amount of 5,000 sums each. That's about $3USD. We ended up paying $5USD each and four of us climbed. It was terrible and if I'd known what it was going to be like I wouldn't have done it; dirty, steep, dark, narrow, dank... not fun.

Later we visited another mosque and the central market - I bought a lovely scarf.

In the afternoon we had several options so we chose relaxing. Kendall slept and I read the rest of my book (The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest). Had dinner at a local restaurant with an Uzbeki fashion parade which was quite good.

My left leg hurts from climbing the damn minaret.

Silk Road Day 19: Samarkand

We got back on the train after breakfast and travelled to Samarkand. We visited the Gur Emir Mausoleum, where Tamarlane is buried, in the afternoon. The buildings are most impressive with lovely mosaics and patterns.

Dinner at our hotel was... interesting. Uzbek food is not quite to my taste. I had two desserts (dry cake) to try and fill the hole. After dinner we went to Registan Square for a special light show. I am not sure if this is a regular thing or a special event put on for Captain's Choice; either way it was spectacular.

Our hotel leaves a lot to be desired. We have two single beds and mine is on a 10 degree slant. Bedding consists of a blanket and a sheet, and what feels like a sack of flour for a pillow. This is their version of a four star hotel :)