Catch a train to Khiva in the Xorazm region, going Northwest, not far from the Turkmenistan boarder. Trains run every second day. A journey of about 240 miles.
Because of this had to spend another night and day in Bukhara. Didn't mind too much as it gave us an opportunity to visit one of the main working bazaars, as opposed to a tourist mock up. Here you can buy almost anything you might need. Every spice under the sun, all manner of fruits and vegetables, and miscellaneous random items. Want a camel saddle, no problem.
Because of this had to spend another night and day in Bukhara. Didn't mind too much as it gave us an opportunity to visit one of the main working bazaars, as opposed to a tourist mock up. Here you can buy almost anything you might need. Every spice under the sun, all manner of fruits and vegetables, and miscellaneous random items. Want a camel saddle, no problem.
Both recovered enough to walk a few miles without desperation.
Bukhara is fine, but the old town is a bit of a tourist mill. Lots of Germans, French, a smattering of Americans, a number of Israelis, and 6 Brits. Almost all on some kind of tour.
Did meet a German student who has cycled across from Iran. He spends 4 months in the year cycling through different countries during university holidays. Averages just over 100 km a day.
Also an elderly couple from York who were delighted that the toilets here are mainly of European style and not a hole in the floor.
Bukhara is fine, but the old town is a bit of a tourist mill. Lots of Germans, French, a smattering of Americans, a number of Israelis, and 6 Brits. Almost all on some kind of tour.
Did meet a German student who has cycled across from Iran. He spends 4 months in the year cycling through different countries during university holidays. Averages just over 100 km a day.
Also an elderly couple from York who were delighted that the toilets here are mainly of European style and not a hole in the floor.
Bukhara In October the temperature can be as high 30°C during the day and as low as 8°C before the sun rises. Clear blue skies all day. Temperature drops to around freezing in November, December, and January. There is quite a contrast between the seasons, and different parts of the country. Almost twice the land area of the British Isles, with half the population.
Can get a strong wind which blows a lot of dust. The humidity is quite low so don't perspire much, moisture can just get sucked out. About the opposite of south east Asia. Just need to stay hydrated. Now some studies say beer does not rehydrate, and others say it does.
Mike has been vigorously testing this and will present his conclusions at the end of this trip...
Caught a local bus to the train station. Cost less than ten pence each. Cost up to a hundred times that in a taxi. No contest. Tickets for the train are around £9-10 each. You have to book in advance.
Mike has been vigorously testing this and will present his conclusions at the end of this trip...
Caught a local bus to the train station. Cost less than ten pence each. Cost up to a hundred times that in a taxi. No contest. Tickets for the train are around £9-10 each. You have to book in advance.
The train takes around six hours. You are allocated seats in an allocated carriage. Each carriage has its own couple of stewards. You are not permitted to move from one carriage to the next.
The windows are very dusty, and after travelling through desert scrubland hour after hour you can see why.
Finally we arrive at Khiva. Noticed that it is at least a few degrees colder here.
The windows are very dusty, and after travelling through desert scrubland hour after hour you can see why.
Finally we arrive at Khiva. Noticed that it is at least a few degrees colder here.
Some photos. Working market; Yvonne fully loaded; approaching Khiva walked city.
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