The  alley where our hotel was.

Our Hotel

Who would have thought this was tucked away here !!

Know what this is ?      WRONG !!               It's .... a  trash  bin.

Our  Bedroom  ( former Dining Room ) .     It was  HUGE !!

Standing at the entrance to the  Bathroom.

Yes ....  It's a Stork  Nest.

While you can't tell from the photo ....

that lock is as big as a salad  saucer

Either the house sank ... or the street rose.

This was the ancient  fortress  & seat of government for the  Emirate of Bukhara  for over  1000 years.

In more recent times   ( other than as a museum ) .... it has also served as a trade center and a police station.

This was the location where people would gather to have an audience with the ruler.

The ceiling decors  are pain-stakingly intricate.

The first shot  is a part of the fortress wall ... which was damaged during an attack.

I climbed up to the top to get the view of the city shown in the second shot.

aka :   The  Bug  Pit

This is part of the  Ark complex ....  and is where 2 British spies were imprisoned ,  during the 19th century struggle between  Britain & Russia ... for control of this area.

The  Madrassah  dates  from 1536

The  Minaret  dates from  1127.

The  Kalon  Mosque

The Plaza is at the center of  "old town" ... and it's like a little oasis.

What a lovely way to take a break !!.  

Such an interesting ... unscheduled  visit !!!

This is an old Madrassah that has been turned over to the education of women ....  by women.

This Madrassah doesn't receive quite the same financial support that  men's Madrassahs do.

These gals primarily rely on donations. .......   But they're  "hangin  in"  there.

Here are some of the girls ... inviting us in to see their room.

This is one of the classrooms.

They're in the process of re-doing the garden and brick paved walks.

This lovely lady is the Head-Mistress  ( Principal ) of the school.

Whew  !!!!

Shopping in  "old  town"  Bukhara  is like being plunked right down in the middle of  Aladdin's  Cave

Hats   EVERYWHERE !!

Very Very  FANCY  EVENING  !!!

Not only was there dinner  .....  but entertainment  AND  a fashion show  !!

The Madrassah  was  adjacent  to the  Lyab-i-Khauz  Plaza

Madrassah  entrance

Fashion Show

Stopped for a little  "one on one"  with  the families who lived in the yurts.

If  one is "dedicated" enough .... one can get "critter shots" just about anywhere.

Just sitting out there in the middle of nowhere -- nothing nearby  for  miles.

Hours and hours and hours of this.   Can not even imagine what  it would have been like ....traveling thru here on camels during the old  Silk Road days. 

 Someone would have just had to have shot me to save me the misery of the trip.

One of the Entrance Gates  ( the only one used presently )

Portion of the Western Wall  & Guard Towers.

Khiva is known for having the  most  minarets  in  Asia ... and Kalta -Minor is said to be the most remarkable of all.

And again....  fascinating  ceramic tile and ceiling designs.

Well... one thing is certain about this trip .....  we never lacked for entertainment !!

Built during the 10th  thru the 18th centuries.                    It has an amazing 218 ornately carved wooden columns.

Before the tourists arrived.  Timing is everything.

Summer Palace of the last Khan