On Sunday 19th April I decided that I should visit Tashkent and nearby places, my friend from Tashkent Mr.Ajit was quick enough to get me visa in couple of days. I went to Delhi on 23rd April.
Started off early in the morning and entered the airport with couple of my friends at Delhi Airport, surprising we stood near the Uzbekistan Airways counter for almost 25 minutes did not see anyone, then I just checked on the counters otherside they had changed the check in counters in last minute without any announcement. Finally we got the boarding pass. The aircraft was big and looked very old, not customer friendly cabin crew.
As it was morning flight, we could view a range of himalayan mountains passing through pakistan and may be afghanistan also. Once we reached, I was met by Tarique and Team.
We just went to hotel checked into the room. We stayed at Markazyiy Hotel earlier Sheraton, Good hotel with 5 star amenities and view of snow covered mountains from the room window. I was surprised to see Indian Restaurant where Tarique had organised our lunch, the restaurant name was "Raj Kapoor" after I spoke to the manager, I heard there was huge fan following of Raj Kapoor in former USSR and Tashkent was part of USSR. People were very friendly, looks like it was very easy to know we were Indians and most people would greet Namaste seeing us.
Next day Anastisiya was our guide and she took us to the mountains 90 kms away from Tashkent, Chimyon Oromgohi is a ski resort, best season to travel is Dec - March but you can see the snow till June here, ideal getaway for indian tourists in Summer. It was very chill on the mountains and I had to drink neat vodka offered by Ajit and Anastisiya kept me warm on the mountains.
Evening Ajit had organised cultural show and belle performance at Raghu Restaurant in Tashkent, it was indeed a great performance I have seen better then Dubai, Egypt and looks like they are born with natural talent of belle dance as I could see most women in Uzbek can perform this.
City is very small, next day morning we went to Amir Temur Meuseum it was an great experience to see the huge chandelier, and was also surprised to know our mughal rulers originated from here and belong to Amir Temur dynasty and at one point of time there kingdom spread to almost three continents (Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe). After this we visited the Tashkent market with colourful fruits, fresh honey (yummy). And there is an treasure of antiques you can buy and it hardly cost anything. Evening we went to Sky Club the most happening club in tashkent, the music was thumping, good decor very much happening and the night clubs are open till 5 in the morning it is an heaven for bengaluru party animals as everything shuts down at 2330 hrs.
Next day I was busy visiting the prospect hotels for business in Tashkent, but there is a immense tourism potential, the other places to visit is Samarkand, Bukhara and never miss the kebab platters before you head back to India.
AKP
