Khiva city sightseeing

Today we've been on the road for a month. Doesn't feel like it though. More like a long weekend – or forever. We sure miss all of you guys at home but so far travelling has been good. Really good. And with the weather staying at a comfortable 25-35 degrees it is also much better for Malene.

Had breakfast in the courtyard of the hotel, catching up on last night's “who got drunk”. Then we did a city walk with our new guide Jalal who is totally different from Slava in Turkmenistan. Much better at telling about the things we pass by and much better at sharing his own opinion. We both covered the history of the city, the buildings, traditions, religion and what you can or cannot do in the country. Once again a country rich in natural resources – gas, oil and gold. And a muslim country and just as Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan the women don't wear burkas or scarfs. They practice their religion but covering up is only for holy places.

Khivais a beautiful city where you can easily walk around in the old town. Madrassas (former schools which are now hotels, museums etc), mosques and museums. All buildings made from clay or golden bricks nicely decorated with blue, turqouise and white tiles.

Malene also went to a local market just outside the old town where she had the opportunity to speak with a local woman – in German. She was quite old but had learnt it in school and she was still really good at speaking it.

And suddenly we amongst lots of western tourists. We haven't seen many westerners since Turkey.

We also seem to be slightly younger than the average tourist in Uzbekistan!

We only been in Uzbekistan for around 24 hours but the country already feel much more welcoming than Turkmenistan.

Ready for taking pictures

Leslie trying out the local hats

Old town of Khiva - nice buildings with blue, turqouise and white tiles

Mikkel in front of one of the many nice doors

Talking a break trying to absorb all the information of the city

One of the many nice patterns

Coffee break

Making patterns in the bread

For making the patterns in the bread

We're trying the freshly baked bread

Bookstand

Woodwork

Weaving and talking on the phone

Colors for the fabrics

Scarfs

Local women

Another wedding

Ceramics

Socks - only in Khiva

Mosque with lots of pillars

Fancy a new tea hat

Pattern

Not the regular butcher in Denmark - grotesque or normal cut?

Old town Khiva from the outside

Ferriswheel

Dinner

Of course Carlsberg is here - just with an UZ