Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong

[RooFlyer]

I sense that it could top Iran .

THAT will be big!

 

[henleybeach]

Some beautiful plov and manti In Samarkand

 

[henleybeach]

After a swim and a cold beer by the pool we went off for some tea and to see Registan square for sunset and night. I was craving a chicken burger as all I’ve been eating in Uzbek national food but I just felt like something a bit more solid . We stopped at a place called bbq burger club and it was delish. We made our way to Registan and again your mouth drops when you see it, and at night she looks even more beautiful.

 

[henleybeach]

 

[henleybeach]

 

[henleybeach]

Today we headed off to shah-I-Zinda , this was really nice as well, narrow walkways with the beautiful mosiacs and al the tombs. We are about to head to the train station to make our way back to Tashkent. This train we are on the slower older one but booked a first class sleeper for the 3 and half hour journey.

 

[henleybeach]

 

[henleybeach]

 

[henleybeach]

 

[LadyC]

Some amazing architecture there!

 

[p--and--t]

Sounds like this journey is totally without an assistance of a guide or tour package. Am I correct?

Thinking about our possible melting pot 2020 destinations. Can I trouble you for the following at some stage - not while you are on holidays.

What sorts of costs are involved in say the train journey, daily food budget, hotels?

 

[henleybeach]

Sounds like this journey is totally without an assistance of a guide or tour package. Am I correct?

Thinking about our possible melting pot 2020 destinations. Can I trouble you for the following at some stage - not while you are on holidays.

What sorts of costs are involved in say the train journey, daily food budget, hotels?

Yep unassisted and just done on our own. It’s really easy and cheap! Once I’m back send me a message and I can help you out

 

[henleybeach]

Our train arrived in Tashkent on time, this time we were on a older train but in a first class sleeper. It was nice to lay down , read a book and watch the world go by. We chose this train as it left Samarkand at 1500 where as the fast train didn’t leave until 1700.
We booked a night at the Radisson blu and the hotel was nice, we had a top floor room that looked straight out to Tashkent tower which looked nice at night all lit up.
Just down the road , a ten minute Walk we went to a bar / restaurant called steam bar, it had a nice big beer garden out the front. It was a lovely balmy night, I had six pints of beer and 5 moijitos for Mrs HB, 2 entrees , 2 mains and it came to $60 Aud
I defiantly recommend it, great place

 

[henleybeach]

Tashkent tower at night from our room

 

[burmans]

Yep unassisted and just done on our own. It’s really easy and cheap! Once I’m back send me a message and I can help you out

Funnily enough this aligns with a question I have, slighty OT but will post it here. Planning a BIG TRIP next year, the Stans plus Caucusus (up to 2 months off), Normally I'm an independent traveller kind of guy but the wife is quite keen having read that people don't speak that much English to take a tour for some of it. Anyone who has been to this region can recommend a smallish group tour operator for people who are normally very independent (i.e plenty of engagement with the locals, local food and accommodation etc.)? We'll probably do mostly independent but she's a culture/history buff so quite keen to have someone who can explain the history as we go so maybe the big cultural sights of Uzbekistan are the bits I should target.

 

[RooFlyer]

Anyone who has been to this region can recommend a smallish group tour operator for people who are normally very independent (i.e plenty of engagement with the locals, local food and accommodation etc.)? We'll probably do mostly independent but she's a culture/history buff so quite keen to have someone who can explain the history as we go so maybe the big cultural sights of Uzbekistan are the bits I should target.

JohnM and I are doing the 5 Stans of the Silk Road tour by Exodus in August this year (coming to a Trip Report near you ... ). I've done one of their tours, and am about to do another; JM has done many and I think he'll say very satisfied, as I was I on the trip to Iran.

I too have always been an independent traveller, and professed to loath group tours, but these are small-ish groups, excellently run and where driving is an issue either in respect of rules, remoteness or in case what happens IF there is an accident, or a problem the tour is the go. And you get so much more of the history!! With these tours, there are always half days away from the group here and there, so you can mix it and get more involved. I couldn't imagine doing the route our tour is doing independently. Just too remote in some places.

In Georgia and Azerbaijan, I did private tours in each. Georgia possible, but very challenging by yourself (bizarre language script and lack of English outside Tiblisi. With a private tour of course you get great flexibility to do your own thing. Best of both worlds.

We can take follow-up off-line if you like, to save distracting from this TR.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

We can take follow-up off-line if you like, to save distracting from this TR.

Perhaps a new thread might be a good place to discuss? There's quite a few of us on here who would love to do a trip throughout the region.

I think it could be an invaluable resource.

 

[ellen10]

What an amazing trip ..... following along.

 

[Dudditz]

After a swim and a cold beer by the pool we went off for some tea and to see Registan square for sunset and night. I was craving a chicken burger as all I’ve been eating in Uzbek national food but I just felt like something a bit more solid . We stopped at a place called bbq burger club and it was delish. We made our way to Registan and again your mouth drops when you see it, and at night she looks even more beautiful.

How good is BBQ burger club? Was indeed a little bit of western comfort at a fraction of the price when your tired of local cuisine.

While I don't think personally Uzbek topped Iran for me I think it's still stunning and had I not visited Iran first I would have been more blown away. Glad to see you enjoyed though it's a fabulous place!

 

[henleybeach]

BBQ burger club was great ! Good little burger fix . Wow if Iran is better that’s got me interested