Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The Kalon Mosque, Kalon Minar and the Mir-I Arab Madrassa

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The Kalon Mosque, Kalon Minar and the Mir-I Arab Madrassa

The Kalon ensemble of architecture is a key site to visit in Bukhara. In this part of Old Bukhara you will come across the Kalon Mosque, the Kalon Minar and the Mir-I Arab Madrassa. The Sights and Smells of the Bukhara Marketplace On our way 

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The Ulug Bek Madrassa and the Abdul Aziz Khan Madrassa

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The Ulug Bek Madrassa and the Abdul Aziz Khan Madrassa

On our first full day in Bukhara we first visited the Ulug Bek Madrassa and the Abdul Aziz Khan Madrassa. They stand tall and proud right across from each other. As we took our leisurely stroll through the city’s ancient sites, we noticed a certain 

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – Puppetry as a National Craft of Uzbekistan in Bukhara

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – Puppetry as a National Craft of Uzbekistan in Bukhara

The day blessed us with generous sunshine and we had a good half day of touring in the main tourist sites of Bukhara. I will discuss those sites in later entries but first, the Puppet Museum of Bukhara. The Uzbeks consider the puppet show to 

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The Wonders of Uzbek Food

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The Wonders of Uzbek Food

Let us pause here for a much-loved topic: the wonders of Uzbek food. Before going to Uzbekistan, I had no knowledge whatsoever of the food that Uzbeks eat. I figured that, first, as long as I do not have craving for pork (and I do 

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – First Impressions of Bukhara

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – First Impressions of Bukhara

We were greeted with exceptional hospitality as soon as we arrived at Bukhara. By the time we checked in to the Oasis Boutique, it was dusk hour. On our way to the restaurant, we met a group of ladies from four generations of a family. 

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – Nurota and the Nur Fortress of Alexander the Great

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – Nurota and the Nur Fortress of Alexander the Great

Before arriving in Buhkara, we would also be making a stop at the town of Nurota to see some ancient ruins. This part of the journey was simple. We went up to the Nur Fortress to see what was supposedly a military installation built at 

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The Kyzylkum Desert and Lake Aydarkul

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The Kyzylkum Desert and Lake Aydarkul

We would be going to Bukhara on a private car in a five-hour drive from the Syyod Camp. We bid farewell to the staff at the camp and headed over to see the two wonders of Uzbekistan: the Kyzylkum Desert and Lake Aydarkul. Its sheer 

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The State of Affairs in Uzbekistan

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – The State of Affairs in Uzbekistan

We spent a day and a half hiking with Mr. S and he shared quite a bit about his thoughts on the world as an Uzbek. I had this incredible privilege to learn about some current affairs in this region, which is not widely known 

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – Syyod, Day Two at the Nuratau Mountains and a Walk in the Village

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – Syyod, Day Two at the Nuratau Mountains and a Walk in the Village

We rose early. The hike of the day will be a full 7-hour hike onto the peak of the Nuratau Mountains Range. The ascent is between 900 meters to 1690 meters, almost 700 meters of altitude to climb. At 1690-Meter Altitude Unlike hiking in Hong 

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – Syyod, Day One at the Nuratau Mountains

Ubiquitously Uzbekistan – Syyod, Day One at the Nuratau Mountains

Early in the morning we bid farewell to Samarkand. We would be heading to the Nuratau Mountains for a significant change of scenery from the ancient sites of Uzbekistan, and stepping into a wonderful embrace of its wilderness instead. A driver from the Syyod Camp