Road works in Uzbekistan
Road works in Uzbekistan
It’s about 500 kilometres from Khiva to Bukhara, our second stop in Uzbekistan. We started our journey very early in the morning, so we didn’t have to drive straight through Khiva’s market to escape.
Scenery-wise, the trip to Bukhara is pretty boring—flat, little vegetation, lots of sand and a canal that runs alongside part of the way. But there are plenty of road and infrastructure works in progress. More than 60 per cent of the population lives in the countryside, and agriculture is an important part of the Uzbek economy. That means decent roads are critical to creating an efficient farm-to-market network. And many of the existing roads are grossly sub-standard.
I’m actually rather partial to viewing infrastructure works. I spent five years as a reporter/photographer for the Kearney Daily Hub, a newspaper in central Nebraska. Every day, the editor asked for a community-based pic for the front page. A lot of my pics that made it to page 1 showed bridges being painted, roads being repaired, garden being maintained and the like.
So I wanted to share some typical scenes taken on the road to Bukhara. Some of the equipment and techniques are up-to-date, and others are older than old, but they’re getting the job done.
Don’t forget to pick a number.
Where to next? 
I have so enjoyed viewing the photos and your running commentary – do some more please! Kim
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Thanks Kim. There will be plenty more.
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Interesting article,We are heading over to UZ in April 2012. We have heard that the long distance bus trips can be slow and bumpy! Probably similar to other places ( Africa eg) No doubt we’ll survive, with sore posteriors!
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Hi David
Nice to have you drop in. I’ll be posting more about Uzbekistan and the nearby Stans in the next few days, so please stay tuned.
I suspect that all the bus and truck trips in Uzbekistan are long and bumpy, but I’m sure you’ll survive. Our truck had shocking springs, so if you aren’t on a 40-seater overland truck, you’ll be in better shape that we were. 🙂
My bum was fine, but I broke two teeth, which were easily fixed when I got home.
Feel free to ask any questions. I’ll either answer in the reply fields or do a separate post. Will let you know either way.
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i’ve enjoyed discovering your blog!! especially the central asian pieces, as i am a big fan! did you use a tour company to overland? which company did you use/recommend?? greetings from perth!
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So glad you found and like my blog. We loved Central Asia. Three or four companies now offer trips across it. UK to OZ, Oasis Overland and Endeavour Overland (a new one that has been in business 20 years, but just started doing Central Asia). I’d go with any of them, depending on dates, trip length, truck size, countries visited etc. Try a Google search for Central Asian overlands and there may be more. Am happy to discuss in more detail in an email or, if you have lots of questions, in a blog entry so more people see it. Cheers!
P.S. I like your blog too.
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Thanks for that! Was planning to go last year, but had a baby instead! The overland dream will have to wait a good few years sadly! Living through blogs instead! Cheers!
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Cheers to you and the family. I must write a blog entry about travelling with babies. It can be done. Only problem is that it turns them in to travellers too.
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Please do! Any tips appreciated!
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I sure will—after I get home in September.
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