Above, a sweet treat from the train station, one of the tastiest bites on the trip so far.
The hotel here in Samarkand, the Shohjahon Palace Hotel & Spa, was luxurious but not in the best location in that it was at least 20 minutes walk to the Registan Square, probably 30 minutes for me, and it was the closest of the sites around Samarkand, and I was in need of a break anyway, and the Shohjahon Palace Hotel & Spa seemed just the place to have that break.
They had a comfortable patio for taking the breeze…
…and yummy on the spa.
Every single person in every single hotel has been helpful and kind as has every person in every restaurant, tour, standing around the sites, everyone. It’s been remarkable. It’s like my suitcase has an alarm on it or something (and my expression is no doubt discouraged) because whenever I’m approaching stairs someone is there to reach out for the carry.
Percentage-wise the most tourists seem to be from Russia. For one thing, everyone in tourism speaks Russian and for another, according to a couple guides, those who would be relaxing in Ukraine have had to find somewhere else to go.
So I had leisurely breakfasts, did up pictures, watched some tv, enjoyed the spa and another massage, and napped off and on, which was a joy.
Here’s a picture of that sour milk soup I mentioned before.
I took the train from Samarkand to Tashkent on the 15th arriving after dark to the Lette City Hotel, an even more high-end group/expense account hotel than in Samarkand. The morning coffee at the Lette has been perfect and they even have cold fresh milk for cereal.
You can’t catch a decent shot from the aisle seat.
When to visit Uzbekistan. It’s been hotter than predicted!
