Silk Route

Day 41 - Fri 25 Apr 08

Samarkand

Up at 08:00 for breakfast which is served on the balcony right outside my room, then out to cash a few more travellers cheque. It took a little time to arrange, but it was all right in the end. The it's up to an Internet Cafe in a subterranean room with everyone else playing Warcraft. Sent a few e-mails and then walked back to one of the tombs near the Registan. Got some info about some of the places I want to visit - one is quite close by, but the other is in a village about a half hour away.

So I take a taxi up to the nearest one, and when I get out I have to do a double take. It's like a mini version of the Registan, with similar tile fronts, but this one appears to have a lion on it. I paid my entrance fee and took a few photos of the tomb, and then took the number 9 mini bus back to the centre of town.

Lunch was done via the local supermarket. After that I decided to walk up to Daniel's Tomb, according to the LP map it's only 1.5k, but I'm pretty sure that it was a lot longer than that. When I arrived at the tomb they wanted 2500s to get in. I'm getting a bit angry at being treated as a walking cash machine. So I offered 1000 and stuck to my guns - locals pay 200s! Eventually I got in for 1000s. The tomb is very long, and covered in a green cloth. The story goes that the body keeps growing, so the tomb has to be extended.

Walked back in the heat to the 'valley of the kings' a series of heavily restored tombs. They want 2800s entrance fee, locals pay 200s. I offer them 2000s and manage to get in.. Unsure if it was really worth it!

Back to the Hotel and on a whim decide to head out to Huja Ismail to see the tomb of Ismail al-Bukhari. I barter the taxi down from 50,000s to 20,000s and a half a hour later I'm there! The mausoleum is very impressive in an off white stone - surprise they want $4 to get in, I offer 4000s. The place is very peaceful , and I spend about an hour just strolling around. Then it's back in the bright yellow Lada taxi and my helpful driver.