Stage 95: From Samarkand to Bukhara

On April 18, we continued our journey by train to Bukhara. We stayed with a sweet, elderly couple and were the only guests at the accommodation. Located near the Minorai Kalon, the city's landmark, we could start exploring immediately. The Mir-i-Arab Madrasa and the Ulugbek Madrasa are located in the same complex, so we could visit some of the main attractions within half an hour. The Bolo-Hauz Mosque and the Fortress of Bukhara were also worth a visit. In the afternoon, we strolled through Samanid Park and planned to ride a Soviet Ferris wheel the next day. In the evening, the family cooked Plov for us, which was not cheap but very delicious.

The next day, there was much more to discover. The Kukaldosh Madrasa is part of another complex that includes a small park and a bazaar. From there, we went to the Chor Minor Madrasa, which is known for its square structure and four towers. Then we walked to the other end of the city to finally ride the Ferris wheel. At a snail's pace, we had a view of the city and the rusty screws that held the structure together. Afterwards, we took a taxi to the Chor-Bakr complex, about 10 kilometers away. There are many family graves from ancient times and, to our surprise, ostriches and peacocks. This huge complex was perhaps our highlight in Bukhara, probably because few tourists venture there. We hitchhiked back to Bukhara to catch the next train in the middle of the night.