Bukhara

 Bukhara 

The bridge built for the railway but shared with the link road between the old road that follows the river and the new motorway that cuts across the desert.

Lyabi Khause Square with its fountain, pond and camel statues. 

A view of the camels across the pond.

Kukaldosd Madrassa with its fine interiors overlookin the square.   

The entrance to the Nadir Divan Begi Khanaka museum that alsi overlooks the pond.

The entrance to the market in the old city.

A view out of the entrance towards the market.

Thr Ulug'bek Madrassa dating from the 15th century.

Next door is the trading market dome.

The 12th century Kalon Tower for which the city is famous.

The Kalan Mosque.

The Mir-a-Arab madrassa opposite.

The outer walls of the Zindam fortress with an archaeological dig happening in front. One section has been left ti indicate what it night hhave looked like without renovation.

One of the many corner towers.

The main entrance.

The Water Tower, now repaired and converted to a restaurant with a lift for visitors.

The palace overlooking Registan Square.

Khiva

 Khiva

 Some views of the city walls from the outside...

...another view...

...a detail of the bartizan.

Just one of many madressas and mosques...

...and several minarets for which the city is so well known...

,,,another minaret...

...the unfinished minaret...

...a close up...

...the entrance...

A sculpture.

One of the mosques...

...a detaik of the columns...

...the mint....

...a yurt for winter...

...the throne room...

And another royal building.

Uzbekistan

 Uzbekistan

We left Turkmenistan into Uzbekistan.

Our first stop was at Moynak, a former port on the Aral Sea. The sea has since shrunk to next to nothing.

Just one of several high and dry boats.

The Aral Sea in 1960.

What is left of the Aral Sea just 65 years later.

The lighthouse at the end of a promontory, overlooking...

,,,desert and a skeleton fleet.

We bushcamped at Ayaz Kala, a 3rd century BC fortress in the centre...

...and a 10th century fortress just to the left.

Next stop was Big Kirkkiz Kala...

...whose huge walls enclose a massive space...

... a view of the mub brick walls...

...another view inside the fortress.

A view along one of the irrigation ditches of Little Kirkkiz Kala just three kilometres away...

...a general view...

...inside the fortress...

...overlooking the walls...

...a detail of the mud bricks.

We had to walk there as the bridge wasn't safe...

...as it had several holes...

...that could swallow a small car.