X-ploring Uzbekistan

Why Uzbekistan.........

I first heard of Uzbekistan( Tashkent)  way back in 1966 when the then Indian Prime Minister of India Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri had visited Tashkent for negotiations with his Pakistani counterpart after our just concluded war with Pakistan. The then unified USSR had offered to mediate. Unfortunately our Prime Minister had expired during this visit. This visit was covered extensively by media all over the world and the details and controversies related to this visit have been etched in my memory for all time to come. Hence Tashkent had found a place in my Bucket List. 

To be frank, being a science student throughout , my Geography was not good enough to know the whereabouts of this almost neighbourly country when I had first heard about this place.

Our naval senior batch had visited Uzbekistan and they were all praise for the country for its tourist friendly atmosphere, cleanliness, light on pocket and superb architecture. They had engaged Vayudoot Holidays , Pune for this tour and they had done a good job while arranging this big group tour.

This got us thinking about planning a trip to Uzbekistan along-with our friends. We, therefore, formed a group of 15 couples and organised a short customised tour to Uzbekistan and Russia. For the ease of convenience we decided to engage the same tour operator for our trip also.

Our tour.........

Tashkent          4 nights

Moscow           3 nights

St Petersburg    3 nights

Uzbekistan in Brief........

It is a Central Asian Nation, a former Soviet Republic. It is known for its Mosques, Mausoleums and other historical sites dating back to the 17th century. It is linked to the Silk Route, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean. Unlike many of its neighbours, Uzbekistan is generally safer compared to its notorious neighbours.

Delhi to Tashkent........ 

Uzbekistan Airways flights from India leave from New Delhi and we had arrived at Tashkent in the Afternoon. We were given a group visa and immigration process was smooth and comfortable.

We were accommodated in Hotel Ramada. It was a free day with Indian lunch and an Indian Dinner at a local restaurant. We could carry our own liquor with no extra charge. But local liquor was on the house.

On the next day we were taken for local sightseeing. Our first visit was to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Monument built in the honour of Late Prime Minister of India. It is a simple memorial on the street also named after him. It is built at the intersection of 2 roads and not at a junction of 4 roads and hence is not visible from a distance. Besides the surrounding was also not beautified like we are used to in our country. But it is still a matter of pride that such a memorial was considered by a foreign nation.

We had visited the monument of courage which is a unique offering and gesture on the part of the Government built beautifully on the river front in the honour of 1966 earthquake victims and the city's recovery thereafter. The design and layout of this monument is praiseworthy.

Visited the Independence Square which is a central park which is a favourite resting place of the locals particularly in the evenings and during holidays.

Tashkent Broadway was our next halt, which connects the Independence Square and Taimur Square and is one of the most popular attraction of Tashkent dotted with Posh Shopping centres, Malls, Boutiques, cafes, Fast food outlets etc. It is an ideal place for purchase of local handicrafts and mementoes. 

Chorsu Bazar was a nice to view a traditional blue domed circular bazaar with shops along its circumference and also inside located in the heart of the old Tashkent City. Many more shops have also come up adjacent to this traditional bazaar. These shops sell all daily necessities from vegetables to handicrafts and what not. It is a nice place for shopping at cheap rate.

The Evening attraction was a Welcome Gala Dinner with Belly Dancing. The layout of the tables was such that it facilitated the dancers to come close to almost all customers. It was a dignified dance where none of the dancers ever touched any customer. An elaborate buffet dinner was laid out with great  variety and local liquor was on the house. In addition personal liquor was permitted without any corkage charges.

Tashkent to Samarkand...........

The biggest attraction of this day trip to the former capital of  Great Amir Temur ,was our first ever  journey by a Bullet Train " Afrosiab" which covered a distance of about 350 kms in little over 2 hours at a speed of 150 to 200 kms per hour. It also had a snack bar on board for purchase of light refreshments enroute on payment.

Visited Registan which is a public square where people gathered to hear the royal proclamations and it also houses three Madarsas( Islamic school).

Visited Bibikhonum Mosque which was the greatest and the  most magnificent in the Islamic world. It was in ruins but was restored to its present condition during the Soviet Rule. It was very well maintained and was open to all visitors. 

Visited "Sios"  a local bazar to experience the real culture of Uzbekistan. The sellers sell their goods from their allotted open space adjacent to each other. It is an ideal place for purchasing dry fruits at cheap rates with great bargain potential.

We also experienced a home like buffet lunch which was of typical Uzbekistan style with free beer and vodka.

We returned back to Tashkent by bullet train in the evening.

The evening entertainment at Tashkent was a typical entertaining Folk Dance Show followed by an Indian Dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Tashkent to Chirvak and Chimgan Hill Range ........

These mountains are nick-named as Switzerland of Uzbekistan. We were taken by a coach for a day trip from Tashkent. The road was very well maintained and the drive was comfortable for about 2 hours. It is customary for tourists in groups to indulge in sing song sessions while travelling in groups and also play a typical Indian game with this theme called Antakshri. But the coach driver was in no mood to be distracted by our sing song sessions and after bearing this distraction for some time, he suddenly stopped the bus and gestured that enough was enough. He only continued further after there was a pin drop silence inside the bus.

It is a popular tourist site comparable in facilities to Switzerland but unfortunately not in the quality standards. The chair takes you to the top of the mountain from where you get a breath taking view and is ideal for photography. You will also find local photographers who will oblige you with photographs on payment which could be delivered at your hotel. 

It was a scary ride with old ropeway chair with no foot rest and hence legs were hanging in the air during the ascend and descend of a few minutes. Even the retaining hook in the front looked old and did not give us any confidence about its strength and in turn our safety. As such you had to board and dismount it while it was still in motion which also appeared unsafe.

Lunch was organised at a local restaurant Pyramids Resort which was satisfactory. 

The Chirvak lake( reservoir) is a scenic place to rest and enjoy the beauty of the hills all around even though most of the hills were devoid of any vegetation at the time of our visit. It provide a facility for fishing , swimming and canoeing . After some time we were transferred back to the hotel in Tashkent.

Back to Tashkent............

Farewell dinner was organised with belly dance at the same earlier venue. But this was the day when belly dancers were more interested in getting tips by all acceptable means. They continued their efforts till successful. I had kept some money in my shirt front pocket for tip which was observed by one dancer. She kept gyrating next to me for a long time but I had not budged. Finally she gave up and came close to me and said rather loudly, Give it ! Of course, I had obliged without any further delay. On this occasion also the dinner and liquor was free like it was throughout our trip.

To be frank we could cover only a small fraction of what Uzbekistan had to offer in a short span of 4 days. We will need to revisit Uzbekistan to explore the remaining places like Bukhara, Khiva etc.

Departed Uzbekistan with sweet memories and permanent friends we had made since the locals were very friendly and had a special liking for India and Indians.

Look forward to the next post for our visit to Russia......