Bukhara to Samarkand

Today we head to the city of Tamerlane - Samarkand.

Uzbekistan has one thing in  common with Sydney - trains get cancelled and replaced by buses.  It was a 5 hour journey, bumpy at times but the coach was comfortable and we have 2 seats each.

Random roadside pics.  Pretty flat.  We haven't seen a cloud since we have been here. And they drive on the right (wrong) side of the road.

Uzbek ice-cream for sale at our "comfort" stop.

Jobs and growth outside Bukhara - but only one crane.

This is our hotel in Samarkand.

And our room.

And the atrium

which is often used for photo shoots apparently.  There are lots of weddings in Uzbekistan!

Our dinner tonight was at a function centre. Reminiscent of Russia.

 The usual starters - but these were more tasty than usual. Meals are predictable.  This is followed by a substantial soup, the meat course, and dessert, usually a variety of melons.

And the function was in full swing! Hastily taken, but you get the picture.