| Uzbekistan | Bukhara | 2002.09.05 - 09.08 |
Noisy Ancient City
We have little positive to say about Bukhara other than the cheap and comfortable Hotel Nazira Azizbek. The sites around Bukhara are less spectacular than those in Khiva and Samarkand, the admission prices are higher than those in Khiva, and the souvenir vendors are relentless. After a full day of, "Mister, come to my store. Just look. Cheap price. Good discount for you," the desire to sightsee diminishes. Unlike the serene Khiva, Bukhara is a city of noisy sales pitches.
GETTING THERE
Public buses travel to Bukhara several times per day from Urgench, Samarkand, and Tashkent.
The fare from any of these cities is in the Us 1300 ~ 2500 range. We telephoned Sasha and
had him drive the 500 km from Khiva to Bukara for US$50.
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From within Kalon Mosque, two turquoise domes of Al Arab Medressa peak above the courtyard wall. |
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The gorgeous tiled exterior dome surface proclaims Allah Allah Allah Allah... |
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The tiled surface of Ulugbek Medreessa is also decorated in Arabic writing. |
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The most interesting restaurant in Bukhara is housed in a former hamam (public bathhouse). Exploring the labyrinth of interconnected rooms is as enjoyable as the designated tourist sites. Find this restaurant near Labi Hauz adjacent the Taqi Sarrafon entrance. |
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We enjoy a meal at the hamam restaurant with fellow traveler Chisato who we first met in Turpan, Xinjiang, China and later by coincidence in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and Khiva, Uzbekistan. From Khiva we traveled together to Bukhara and Samarkand. |
Copyright © 2000-2002 Wes and Masami Heiser. All rights reserved.