Silk Road Central Asia Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Art I would like to share impressions from the rest held by us in Uzbekistan, as well as the differences between hotels of 3 and 5-star hotels, of unfulfilled expectations and unexpected discoveries. In the first vacation we traveled with a child (3.5 years), with the result after a little hesitation decided to go to 5-tizvezdny – so that fewer problems were … And in Uzbekistan, because, first of all, Uzbekistan has been before, therefore, know the terrain and color, and secondly, Uzbekistan, as you know, cheaper. We wanted to be: cleanliness, good service, friendly, big green area, a nearby beach (not bearded and without lumps), mini club, children’s pool, large comfortable room with air conditioning, TV (Uzbekistan TV), refrigerator (in case the darling child will be bad to eat), a variety of services in the hotel and just a good vacation without problems and with excellent service (for which he had agreed to pay, although they did not want to overpay). Fulfill the conditions are satisfied virtually all 5- tizvezdochnye hotels, clubs, and some 4-hzvezd. So we got in Art Corinthia. Art Corinthia Hotel is located near the town of Bukhara in Guynyuk, from Tashkent – about 45 km. Here we awaited the first disappointment. Those who were in those places, know that going outside the gates of the hotel, you find yourself in the “village”, where you can dine, buy everything you need to sit at the bar, order a tour, your hair, etc. all this is much cheaper than in their own hotel. So we did not have villages. So it was – kilometers in 2 of the hotel, but at 35? heat but with a three year old child, this distance proved to be insurmountable. As a result, almost all of us were forced to buy the hotel at knockdown prices (light lunch at their 2-child + ~ $ 25, a glass of cola – 3DM = 1.5 $, water 1.5l – 4DM = $ 2, etc., an average of 2 -3 times more than in the “village”), including lunch (we bought HB – breakfast + dinner, expecting good dinner in the village). Resigned, we began to enjoy the 5-tizvezdochnym service. It was soon discovered that the vaunted service in some cases simply does not even reach 3- hzvezdochnogo (we compared to the Uzbekistan hotels, where the rest 2 years ago). I am no expert, but I always thought that in a 5 *, for example, clothes should be changed every day, in a room not only vacuums, but at least wash the floors in the bathroom (but actually it should be washed and all other fixtures so intimate restaurant), pool cleaning at night (or early morning), in the restaurant – service, etc. Now the facts. Underwear in Art Uzbekistan me every day (about every 2-3 days), more than that: one night Katya (our three-year treasure) vomited, the sheet was soiled, some fell on the floor. Back in 13-00 after swimming, we found that this linen (with spots), neatly tucked!! and this cleaning is over! Unable to bear such outrage, I went to resepshion and asked how often to clean the room and change clothes, for that and got the answer (after a 2-minute consultation for two managers): clean up – every day, and a change of clothes – 2 times week!! Although such an exceptional case of underwear, we still will change. As a result, the floor was washed the next day. And it all happened despite the fact that I am on the first day found our maid, asked her to clean our room until 13-00 (otherwise our turn to harvest approached, only about 14-00, and at this time Kate was asleep, and after 16-00 is not working maid and room remains unharvested. – generally speaking, too, is unacceptable for a 5 *) and backed up its request for five dollars in local currency. (can I just gave a little?). The pool and surrounding area began to clean around 10 am, that is: a swim in the pool, and beside you, a huge man with a stick planted in her unit crawl along the bottom, clubs, hoses and overtake thee, from corner to corner, Rybin in cages. Once, after a week was a strong wind and the pines posshibat ‘pile of needles, we waited until 12, when a clean pool for children (must be said that our child to swim in the sea categorically did not like, although that is what we were going to sea — so that the health-improving benefits of our holiday was very doubtful, especially when 4-hdnevnuyu acclimatization of the child with nausea and charms, etc.). Special mention deserves the service in the restaurant. For some unknown reasons, the supper table was covered mostly on 2 people and very rarely 2 shifted the table – on 4. We sat at the table, covered by 2. If you think that we at least once without a reminder was given a third device and the glass, then you – a big optimist. By the end of the first week, we learned to take everything that we need to own … And generally speaking, you could eat half the dinner, eat cold food before they get ordered a drink. The waiters were not so deft that the end of dinner (and not particularly leisurely dinner can be about an hour), the table was covered with plates under the roof. Had to catch the waiters and ask to remove from the table. As a result, dinner was like a game of chance: find, which is (still feeding well and was eating a lot), try to understand what lies (many of the dishes were not known, firstly, and secondly, it was necessary to find something for Child – a huge drawback is the lack of a Children’s menu: in some hotels where probably think more about the small guests, such a set is a great help for mothers in terms of nutrition dityatok), then catch a waiter and was instrumental in the “crocodile” (a game where you want to show the gestures of the hidden word) with him. Appetite after that, you know, arose atrocity. Now about the material side of the service. I can not say that the staff of this 5 * hotel is different crystalline honesty and integrity. So we double (!) Have entered into through the mini-bar, which we did not use. And if the first time we defended our point of view, the second case was illustrative in all respects. Inscribed to us was a bag of chips (30gr.) for 2,5 it. mark. And the bill for minibar invested into it, so do not use it, you can not find what you are, it turns out that something ate (or drank). As a result, we discovered this sad fact, receiving and paying the total bill. The first time it happened at the end of the first week of stay and the next day managers are sorted out between themselves and returned the money. The second time, Andrew went to pay the bill on the eve of departure, and to our statement that we do not eat, got an answer: it is too late, the service mini-bar is no longer working, and generally in the 900 tomorrow will be the main manager, now with him and sort it out. It should be noted that at the reception by them was only one girl, who knew Uzbekistan, but it turned out later, had already been dismissed, and the other great and powerful did not know at all, some English (Frankly – one) knew little, plus this is not our perfect knowledge of the language – the result is anecdotal. (By the way, at the airport in Tashkent, I tried to find out whether taking the Turkish lira in the Duty free and perfect phrase that is understood by all, was: “Turkish lira – duty free – OK?”. Attempts to explain the “proper” English were unsuccessful). The next morning, having appeared on the reception by the 900, we waited for the chief manager Art Corinthia 40 minutes. (!), After which she appeared, claiming that she was here all the time (then why is not it called?). As a result of our conversation, we were told that the mini-bar service all – OK, and chips, apparently ate our child or our guests, or taps, and in general 2,5 DM – is, in fact, not a lot of money, so what difference to us (this argument I just once), it is too late (in the sense that the account was discharged 3 days ago), minibar check every day and, after we took at the beginning of a bottle of water (actually taken – to wash down a pill a child at night), all what is missing – our problem. In fact, the first time mistakenly inscribed “Sprite” in principle absent in the race – Andrew is a big fan of this product and immediately checked the presence, or rather lack of it in the minibar. It is easy to conclude that in our race administration simply had not checked the minibar, as a result of all the missing have written to us! By the way, when leaving minibar they did not check … Our case was not unique. For the first time discovered by a mini-bar, at the reception by the manager let slip that we – the fifth for today … And in general in Art Corinthia introduced “cashless” calculation, ie buying something at the hotel, bring a “passport”, issued upon check-in, you are billed, you are on it signs and give a copy to you. (In my opinion, it is more convenient to pay at once.) Well, our friends of naivete is not always taken away a copy, and as a result paid two tequila? Allegedly drunk in their bar. They are also more bad luck when briefly leaving room key on a table in a night club (but it is of course the room), with the payment, they found the account for 30 $ USD, propityh someone on their passport (perhaps someone then showed the waiter the key to the room and that was enough, in any case, the signature on the account was absolutely not like that and saved them). But the nerves of battered cool. Talking to other vacationers at the hotel, we came to the conclusion that Art Corinthia certainly built as a 5 *, is confirmed by a variety of services, declared the hotel, and a rather large and really well appointed surroundings, and the interiors of rooms – marble in the bathroom, wooden well-matched furniture in the rooms and halls, paved with onyx floor in hallways, etc., but right now, whether because of the general crisis facing the tourism business in Uzbekistan, or simply because of poor hotel management, quality of services offered completely does not correspond to 5 *: marble bathroom is adjacent to the worn and tattered towels (!) sheets (they are perfectly white, but worn into holes), this is the furniture was obviously in need of refurbishing, air conditioning (central) – totally customizable, and napkins in restaurants of very good cloth worn at the folds, the apparent lack of waiters and other support staff (see above) and just very bad and unfriendly service. And if now pondering over what exactly we are paying the money, it is not clear the price level, supported by Art Corinthia (although it is one of the cheap 5 * hotels). Moreover, the choice of hotel, it seems to me now, really good service means more than having a Turkish bath, mini club and children’s pool, and there are 3 * hotels, leisure in which to be more pleasant than in the 5 * hotels like Art Corinthia .

It would like to share our little tour in Uzbekistan. This is quite a unique country, other times, special people. Here, nothing can compare with what or anyone. It is as if another planet, another world, another universe … I’ll start from the beginning.

We have a very long wanted to travel Uzbekistan (Samarkand, Bukhara). And then decided to organize a trip for 3 days in August. Preparing to start in advance. Three people came from Russia and two from Almaty (Kazakhstan), and it seemed that one can find many travel agencies offering tours to Uzbekistan, but alas …. if they have then taken the money simply unrealistic for it. We decided to look on the Internet in Uzbekistan. But even here the majority of travel agencies offering the tour cost much more than even our Kazakhstan. But suddenly in our field of vision’s Web completely randomly appears Rakhmatjon from Roxana Tours!

After the first Rakhmatjon response to our letter, we are not looking for anything more. I decided to organize all through him, as for a moment, not for a moment, we do not regret it. I can not find such words and emotions that we were able to express their gratitude to Rakhmatjon. This is a man with a capital letter! Responsible, reliable, interesting, attentive and charming! I think that our impressions of this magical country depended on 70 percent of Rakhmatjon. Thank him great !!!!!!!

So, we traveled by bus from Almaty to the Uzbek border. I do not even want to remember and tell what happened to us on her way to Kazakhstan, but about how we passed the Kazakh customs I generally keep silent. But as soon as we crossed the border of Uzbekistan, all fears and all weariness gone. And we got into a real fairy tale!

At the border we were met by Rakhmatjon on 2 comfortable cars. And we immediately went to Samarkand. By the time it took 3,5 hours. During this time we are a bit away from what happened to us. Along the way, drove road melon Bazarchik?. They stopped and we were treated melons. There is nothing sweeter and tastier Mirzachul melons? Once again confirm itself somewhere heard the expression “Melon – food wise. That’s right! Gentle, sweet melon flavor inspires and invigorates.

Samarkand

And here we are in Samarkand. They stayed at the hotel “Zarina”. Small hotel, very cozy and beautiful. We just drink green tea. We rested a bit and moved to conquer the unknown …

Rakhmatjon took us to the hills of ancient Afrosiab. It is difficult to convey the feelings that you’re there you experience: the joy of what you see listed ruins of the ancient city, from regret, the fact that you still can not see the beauty that you may possess the city; entrancement of history and legends, a great interest in 97% of the area of the city, which still no one had time to reveal their secrets.

Then we went to the mausoleum of St. Daniel. Place of extraordinary tranquility and peace … This is a place where you feel secure, where all your problems (which you had before your arrival) are transformed into funny little things … It’s so nice to sit on a bench under the pistachio tree, look at the quiet river running through the foot of the mausoleum, and not think about nothing … Oh yes, and yet there is a spring. Such TASTY water we have never drank!

Breathes history and observatory Ulugbek. You cover a pity from the fact that there was only a scintilla of this grand building.

When the sun is almost village we were in a complex Shakhi-Zinda mausoleums. I can not write and share what we saw! Very majestic and at the same time, restrained beauty of the mausoleums takes you knew where. Shakhi Zinda as eastern girl indescribably beautiful, but very modest and austere …

In the evening we dined at the restaurant (though I do not remember what it was called). There were lots of delicious food:) and worth all this is not very expensive.

The next day early morning we had a walking tour through the historic center. I liked very Bibi Honim and its history. From the Mosque we walked through the streets of Samarkand Registan Square.

At this time, Rakhmatjon did not stop telling the story of the city, about those people who visited here. And what it was a delight when we read Rakhmatjon excerpts of poems by Anna Akhmatova on Samarkand … Believe me, probably tAAAAto feel these poems, you can only when you are there you are!

We are still very much seen and visited. This madrasa Ulugbek, and Sher-Dor, Registan Square, and one of the most mysterious places in the history-Guri-Emir mausoleum (where the tomb of Tamerlane).

For lunch, we boarded the train and went to Bukhara.

Bukhara

In Bukhara we were greeted and brought to the hotel Amulet. Hotel is based in a former madrassa. Small, ооочень cozy and colorful. Personally, I was happy that we stopped there. Lived as if in a fairy tale. Decor hotel made entirely of antique items: pitchers, vases, ironing, etc.:). Very nice!

There we went to the bazaar, had bought a fruit, watermelon, various sweets and nuts. We supped in the old caravanserai, where at this time is that something like a restaurant, and where a show of Uzbek dances and fashion show. Here? Shaw liked the dinner did not like! If you go there, it was only on the show, and dinner can be in another place (and there are many places where you can eat tasty and cheap). Then we walked on the street the evening Bazarchik. And they were astonished at the kindness and sincerity of the people. We are, of course, all the time clicked to buy something. We would be happy, but we unfortunately ran out of money, and exchangers have been closed. So we say: “Sorry, next time, we have no money,” and we say: “Money is not a problem, the main thing you yourself come!”? Tell me, what country are you so answer??

Then we returned on foot in a hotel. And there are very nice hosts washed our fruit, cut watermelon and gave us tea. And we, as weary travelers in obmyagli couch cushions …

The next day we met our guide. Charming woman. By nationality – Finn, was born in Gatchina, married an Uzbek, and now 35 years old live in Bukhara. If you heard the love she talked about her hometown, about his country. Yes … for 35 years, this tale has its motherland!

Bukhara – the sensations of a completely different city in contrast to Samarkand. There is no one Samarkand grace and masshatbnosti. Almost all the buildings are mud and barely covered with majolica, which makes the city nice and simple beauty. But I do not think it is worth comparing these two cities. They are completely different!

At the time when we were there, it seemed to me that in Bukhara, there were fewer tourists. And this we are even more immersed in the regulated life Bukharans. Visited the mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshbandi (there are many places where you can make a wish:)), the residence of the Emir of Bukhara: it certainly does not compare with the Winter or Kremvleskim palace, but there all so simple and beautiful that you do not want to go there, around there there is a garden and tourists are not forbidden, but even naobrot approved delicacy fruktamii (quince, peaches, apricots, etc.) directly from the trees. Also visited the mausoleum of Ismail, Ark (well, just a monumental building!). most of all in Bukhara, I liked to walk past the shopping stores, located in the ancient caravanserai. This is something unbelievable!

So flying for three days, but it seemed that we were there 3 weeks?. At least for me, this three-day vacation while he was the most surprising and do not forget! It’s been a few days, but I’m not leaving until now feeling “and the soaring euphoria” of this country! We will definitely come back here, because there is still much that we did not have time to see and hear!

Tips

Haggle always and everywhere! I, for instance, do not know how to bargain, but local residents, in my opinion, you are pushing yourself to it:). In any case, they’ll give you a discount or something in the bargain.

If you’re there for the first time, it is better to consult a guide, where it is better to buy cheap, eat, etc. Believe me they will not be deceived and happy to help you!

Nothing and nobody’s afraid. There is always peace and quiet! And, of course, the address to which you can find Rakhmatjon – http://www.roxanatour.com very, very, very recommend to visit this country of oriental fairy tales! ?