We are now following the ancient silk road as we rock on into the preserved city of Khiva. With a few heat related illnesses this week everyone is relieved to get into the hotel and spend the afternoon chilling. Unfortunately Roberta and I drew the short straw and got the room without air con on the afternoon it was 45 degrees!
We headed out to get money from the black market. 1$ is 2200 on the black market and 1600 at the bank. Exchanging in a busy market was definitely an experience.
Our local guide Alex took us on a walking tour around the city which is full of minarets and madrasses all decorated in blue tiles. The tour was really interesting and gave us lots of info (most now forgotten) but I did remember that men were executed by beheading or being thrown from the minarets and woman were put in a bag full of cats! Myself and Simon had a good laugh visiting the museum of nature which was filled with bad taxidermy, plastic fruit and a 8 legged sheep titled "ugly sleep".
Sadly, Darrell left for good this afternoon due to family reasons back home. He will be missed lots amongst the group and a few tears where shed. We will continue his journey through Ned though which we promise to look after!
The afternoon was spent truck cleaning which was a 23 man job for 2 hours (the deserts dusty) and drinking tea local style. Khiva was a nice break from the bush camps but I'm definitely looking forward to the cities to come!
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