Turquoise domes & other delights

Asia » Uzbekistan
October 10th 2007

Published: October 26th 2007

Arrived into Tashkent Airport on the 4th October evening to find no-one at the visa office. After hanging about for 45 minutes and hassling every official looking person I could find, finally a man came up to me, asked for my visa number and passport, and just ran off with them. Before I could stop to wonder if I would ever see my passport again, he was back after 10 minutes with the visa, asked f... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 48, Displayed: 21

Shahr-I-Zindah

One of the mausoleum entrances in a cemetery complex filled with tombs built for Amir Temur's relatives

Shadi-Mulk-Oko

Ceiling dome in the mausoleum for Timur's niece built in 1372

Shirin-Beka-Oko

Wall detailing in the mausoleum built for Timur's sister who died in 1385.

More tiles

I never got tired of gazing at the many different tiles in so many shades of blue and turquoise.

Kusan-Ibn-Abbas

Original entry doors to the mausoleum constructed in the 16th-17th century for Kusan-Ibn-Abbas who was a cousin and close fellow fighter of the prophet Muhammad, and one of the first people to spread Islamic religion in Central Asia.

Uzbek countryside

On the road to Shakhrisabz - Amir Temur's birthplace.

Bread oven

The bread dough is slapped onto the side of the oven walls, and is ready when it falls off.

Carpets for sale

Granny & Bub

Ak-Saray Palace, Shakhrisabz

All that remains of the 40 metre high grand entrance to Amir Temur's palace in his hometown.

Grape sellers

We stopped on the way back to Samarkand to buy some grapes.

Cotton picker

The picker takes their loaded bag to the manager who notes the weight of cotton, which is then loaded onto a truck.

Cotton kids

Even the kids do it after school. Each adult and child can pick up to 75kgs per day.

Silk Route water reservoir

Hand puppets

Old friends

Had a lovely conversation with these 2 ladies.

Uzbek sweets

The sweets that came with our afternoon tea (Spice tea; Saffron tea; Coffee & cardamom) at "Silk Road Spices" in Bukhara

Local butcher

Ismail Samani Mausoleum

The most beautiful brickwork. The interior is just as spectacular. Everything except the dome is over 11 centuries old.

Bolo-Hauz Mosque

This still-working mosque was built in 1718. The stunning ceiling woodwork on the porch is supported by 20 wooden columns.

Embroiderer

Making suzanni throws

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Turquoise domes & other delights

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