Tag Archives: Uzbekistan
Sunday Photo – Timur The Great, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Timur (1336–1405) was the ferocious and terrifying founder of the Timurid empire of Central Asia, eventually ruling much of Europe and Asia. Throughout history, few names have inspired such terror as his. Also known as Tamerlane, Timur comes from the Turkic word for iron. Amir Timur is remembered as a vicious conqueror, who razed ancient […]
Monday Morning Blues – Chor Minor, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
My latest Monday morning shot designed to help blast away those Monday morning blues with an image of a far away place. Chor Minor was built in the 19th Century as the gatehouse of the now destroyed Madrasah of Khalif Niyaz-kul in Bukhara, the city on the historic Silk Road.
Samarkand Day 3 – The Registan
Think India and you think Taj Mahal, with Cambodia its Angkor Wat, Peru conjures images of Machu Picchu. In Uzbekistan, the chances are that thoughts will turn to Samarkand and the Registan in particular. And with very good reason. The Registan Meaning sandy place in Persian, the Registon was the ceremonial centre point of the […]
Samarkand, Uzbekistan – Day 2
We managed to resolutely resist Samarkand’s Crown Jewels, the Registan. That was for day 3, with today being dedicated to Amir Timur the Great. We would be driving 80km south over the hills and via a bustling market to Timur’s birthplace of Shahrisabz in Kashkadarya province whilst that evening we would also take in his final […]
Sunday Photo – Ceiling in Registan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
The Registan was the heart of the ancient city of Samarkand of the Timurid dynasty. The name Registan means “Sandy place” or “desert” in Persian. The Registan was a public square where people gathered to hear royal proclamations, heralded by blasts on enormous copper pipes called dzharchis – and a place of public executions. It is framed by three madrasahs (Islamic schools) . Ceiling of Ulugh […]
Monday Morning Blues – Minaret of Islam-Khodja, Khiva, Uzbekistan
My latest blue themed photo aimed at alleviating that Monday morning feeling……. My September 18 visit to Uzbekistan ranks as one of my best trips ever. The walled city of Khiva is sometimes overlooked in favour of Bukhara & Samarkand, but to miss the UNESCO listed city is a crime in my opinion. More laid […]
2018 Gone, 2019 Beckons
Travels in Europe, Asia & The Americas It is the time of the year to reflect back on the year’s adventures and look forward to what 2019 may bring. There is something different for me this year however. A recent nine-day hospitalisation has given me time to think about what the privilege of travel really […]
Samarkand, Uzbekistan – Day 1
Arriving in Samarkand, Uzbekistan There are certain names that conjure images of exotic travel to far flung magical destinations. Timbuktu, Port Said, Tangiers, Damascus, Jaipur, The Caspian Sea, Lake Titicaca, Saigon. Samarkand is one of those places and is a location that very much lives up to expectations. It is undoubtedly the Crown Jewels of […]
