Most Inspirational Moment
Without doubt, Khiva. It would have to be one of the greatest cities on the Silk Road. Walking through this monotoned medieval mud inner walled city with it's turquoise domed monuments and labyrinth of mosques, trading domes, madrassa and minarets is like stepping into another era. The people, ideas and goods that must have travelled east to west and return have left indelible marks on this country's landscape, it's culture and people. Overnight in the yurt great fun and we all enjoyed a day away from looking at monuments and listening to history and the intertwining of Muslim Soviet Uzbekistan. The group was excellent, all wonderful travel companions also entertaining dinner and shopping companions.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dilshod is an excellent guide. Incredibly patient. Supplied us daily with water and sweets whilst on the bus. He arranged some incredible lunches whilst on the road including vodka shots! Our driver was excellent considering the roads are dreadful. He kept the bus immaculate. Very comfortable bus despite the roads.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Uzbekistan though beautiful and steeped in culture has an oppressive government. Read Christopher Aslan Alexander's excellent book 'A carpet ride to Khiva' before departure. Then you are presented with quite a different outlook from the prescribed information you are given on tour approved by the Russian backed government. Then you can draw your own conclusions from both sources. Look beyond the lights going out without warning, water that sometimes doesn't flow at night, showers sometimes cold. Street lights that don't exist, bring a small torch it will be invaluable. We all succumbed to Tashkent Tummy, bring Immodium, Buscopan for stomach cramps and rehydration salts. High salt content in the water particularly Khiva, bring hair conditioner and use liberally to counteract the salt! Bring your own roll of toilet paper for public toilets the local version is like corrugated recycled cardboard! It's all worth it.