Chris’ Excellent Adventure

One of the few camels we saw on our trip was lumbering outside the Ark Citadel, the ancient home of the khans. Inside the walls we saw stables, the old dungeon, treasury, throne room and other buildings that were necessary for conducting business along a trade route. I particularly liked the old canons and the carved doorways.

We stayed in a small, boutique hotel called the Hotel Zarina. Walking to the hote,l through the streets of Bukhara, we could buy fruit, vegetables,"naan" (bread), and gifts to take home. The people were so friendly and willing to help us find the items we needed. The older gentleman was a hero from the war and the two young girls were friends working in a local craft shop. The final photos are of the Kalyan Mosque and Kalyan Minaret which was built in the 15th century. I had to have my photo taken by the old mulberry tree still growing in the courtyard since its leaves are the only food of the silkworm, spinners of silk.

Bukhara is an amazingly beautiful and important city on the Silk Road trade route. This ancient oasis is reported to be  2500 years old, having been conquered by Alexander the Great, Mongols, Samanids, Arabs, and numerous others over the centuries. The first photos shown were taken on our way to the old city of Bukhara. We passed several sites where historic mosques had previously stood, reflecting pools and waterways. Local Uzbeki artisans were selling items to travelers coming to see the various sites. We stopped for a delicious lunch including Greek salad and pickled vegetables.

The Salmanid Mausoleum, a the ninth century structure, was built with kiln-fired bricks placed in intricate designs. The details in all the buildings that we visited had such beautiful attention to pattern, design and composition.

After three days in Samarkand, we drove to the mountains for our homestay in the Uzbeki countryside. Fall colors brightened the roadside as we passed homes and a school. When we arrived at our residence, we quickly unpacked and were served a delicious lunch in the outdoor dining area.

Our next stop was the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand. We visited a number of mosques whose beautiful tiles and mosaics honor the religion of Islam. At one time Samarkand was the capital of Uzbekistan as well as a center of learning. The last two photos show the building where the pendulum was developed by Persian scholars.

As with other cities, we visited the local markets. For many Uzbeki people, donkeys and carts are a common way of transporting goods. Many people come to the market to buy dried fruits, rice, and other foods.I loved seeing the women selling their spices and wares!

We also visited a silk rug factory. The first photos show the vats where the silk thread is dyed using natural vegetable dyes. The rugs are made by women who tie the threads into the warp. The largest rug has taken two years to complete.

After walking through the old town, eating "nan" from a local baker, seeing children playing games, we visited the local market. There were so many beautiful colors - spices, fruits and vegetables, cheeses as well as household items for sale. Some of us ate lamb or beef kebabs for lunch. Kebabs are served with onions and one of the delicious food items of Uzbekistan.

Other delicious meals I enjoyed were the variety of foods at the hotel breakfast buffets, "plov" a rice dish with meat and yellow raisins, and the variety of salads often including tomatoes and cucumbers. I especially enjoyed the variety of  homemade breads often hot out of the oven.

Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia which has been inhabited for thousands of years by Persians, Tajiks and Turkic people. For centuries it has been invaded by various groups including the Mongols, the Arabs and most recently Russia. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan gained its independence in 1991. The country is currently led by Islam Karimov, president of the government. Uzbek is the official language, however, everyone speaks Russian and many people speak English as well as other languages.

"Why are you traveling to Uzbekistan?" "Where is it?' were questions which I have been frequently asked. The simple answer is that three important cities on the ancient Silk Road, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, are located in Uzbekistan. I have been extremely interested in traveling on the Silk Road and found a great tour with G Adventures, "Uzbekistan Discovered!" Our guide and nine travelers (including myself) spent 12 days visiting these ancient cities and other sites during the month of October.

I arrived in the capital city of Tashkent a few days prior to meeting my tour. My first impressions of the people were that they were extremely kind and helpful, which continued to be my experience throughout the trip. A young man who worked at my hotel, spent most of my first morning helping me get soms, the local currency, showing me how to use public transportation to get around, and suggesting sights to see in the city.

These first photos are of the train station, Independence Square, a war memorial (the book) which contains names of people who have died in war, and a peace memorial. I was taken to these places by a young woman who saw me walking around and, eager to practice her English, volunteered to show me these monuments. The other monument is that of the national hero, Amir Temur (1336-1405) who was an important political and military leader in Central Asia.

The first day of our tour in Tashkent, we visited this mosque where we saw the oldest copy of the Koran. Inside the mosque courtyard, I was impressed by the amazing wood carvings and then we saw two boys actually carving wooden plates. There were shops with items for sale including the embroidered textiles, "suzani," a type of needlework found in Central Asia. 

Singapore airport is filled with flowers, a garden, a prayer room as well as lots of places to shop. I couldn't resist taking photographs of the lovely garden spots. I was met at the airport by my friend's sister and husband who showed me around this extraordinary city. After dining on drunken shrimp and other delicacies, we drove through Little India where residents had decorated for Deepavali (Diwali), the Festival of Lights. 

The following morning we set out for the Gardens by the Bay, an area of the city sustainably designed to showcase several different types of indoor and outdoor gardens. We headed for the Flower Dome which had a special Deepavali exhibition as well as all kinds of plants from around the world. Nestled in the beautiful landscaped gardens were sculptures from around the world.
In the afternoon, we went to the Cloud Forest, a multi-level indoor rainforest. The views of the city and the leveled gardens were breathtaking. As part of the exhibit there was a model and explanation of the recycling of water and sustainable use of energy throughout the entire development. 

My last full day in Singapore we visited the Tooth Relic Temple where Buddhist services were being held. We tiptoed through the aisles viewing the 1000 Buddhas and offerings of prayer. Walking down Temple Street we visited a Hindu temple and walked through the streets of Singapore's Chinatown. We ended up at the Chinese Market where numerous people gathered to line dance to popular music. Although my stay was short I had a memorable time in this lovey city.

 

During my stay in Bali I visited a number of temples and rice fields. I was able to photograph men planting rice, drying rice and the gorgeous rice terraces.

I also had the best luck, in that I was in Ubud when so many ceremonies were happening! I attended two family celebrations, including an adolescent, rite-of-passage "tooth filing" ceremony.

My last days in Bali were filled with being included in the ceremonies, attending a wayang kulit puppet show, and spending time with my wonderful new friend Ida!

Bali is such a beautiful, tropical island. I spent most of my time in the town of Ubud, about an hour out of Denpasar. The home I stayed in was the Cudamani pondok, a peaceful, home and center of music and dance. The first pictures show the pondok, then a statue which reminds me of the importance of family in Bali.

The next set of photos are from a ceremony to celebrate the lives of two deceased family members. It starts with the parade of a bull, family, and friends accompanied by a moving gamelan orchestra. Then family members bring offerings and finally the whole structure is burned. It was an honor to be included in this cremation ceremony.

Art lives in everything that the Balinese people do: egg and canvas painting, weaving ikat, mask making, wood and instrument carving, playing gamelan music, dancing; even how goods are set out in the market. Each part of the town is known for its particular type of art. Even the food   is delicious and beautiful! 

Other photographs I took show everyday activities. Offerings are made each day outside of homes, shops and then there are the temple offerings. There are also images of rice fields, the northern coast and a waterfall with its own offering.

 Accepting an invitation to visit my friend Raquel and her family in the the Philippines, I spent 10 fabulous days in Manila and on Palawan Island. During the first days I attended a beautiful family wedding, went to the local Saturday market and learned about the history of the Philippines at the Ayala Museum.

Following the wedding, many family members and I went for a four day holiday to Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan. This island is an ecological sanctuary where animals as well as the environment are carefully protected. We began our stay by visiting a crocodile farm! Our next stop was a botanical garden which included a model of a traditional indigenous village. We watched as two young men made a fire, played musical instruments and then introduced us to their albino python.

Over the next three days we went to the underground river and caves, where we were greeted by a monitor lizard and very curious monkeys. Snorkeling, eating lots of fresh, local seafood and island hopping were also part of the fun! I was introduced to lots of delicious local food and a wonderful dessert, halo-halo. The best part of all was laughing and being welcomed as part of the family!