I was in Uzbekistan for the first time in June/July 2021. It was very hot, so note to self: next time, go in autumn, winter, or spring! Jonas and I spent a total of 30 days in this Central Asian country. We only visited Tashkent and Samarkand and due to the heat and the coronavirus pandemic, we didn’t hitchhike at all. Next time, hitchhiking with locals will be a priority.
Next Time in Uzbekistan
- Hitchhike with the locals! As mentioned before…
- Visit Khiva, Bukhara, and other ‘main tourist attraction’ cities
- Head to the Maydanak Observatory south of Samarkand
- Try harder to find vegetarian food (this was a problem the first time)
- Swim in the Aral Sea
- Use land borders to neighboring countries, such as the Tazhen border with Kazakstan and the Besh-Tepa border with Tajikistan. I use this map for international border crossings in Asia
- Go hiking in the mountains. Especially the Adelunga panhandle intruiges me
If you know cool places and things to do in Uzbekistan, comment at the bottom of this page so I can always find your suggestions again once I start plotting my return! Tips especially welcome if you are Uzbek or have spent a significant time there
Are you a travel blogger and do you have good posts about Uzbekistan? Drop them in a comment below and I’ll read them!
Well Hello, Kyiv?! Uzbekistan to Ukraine (Semi-Live Blog)
These events happened on Sunday, the 25th and Monday the 26th of July, 2021. We hoped to fly from Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS), Uzbekistan to Boryspil International Airport (KBP) nearby Kyiv, Ukraine. I’m trying to update this blog as a sort of semi-live blog while on the move. Quick update because I need to sleep. We arrived well in Kyiv but the long wait for check-in to our apartment was excruciating. Peace out I’m gonna catch some zzz’s before finishing this Contents1 Monday, 26th of July: Shattered in Kyiv1.1 Train to Kyiv, killing time1.2 Arriving at Kyiv Boryspil1.3Continue reading
Eat, Pray, Plov: Trying (+ Failing) to Be a Vegetarian in Uzbekistan
Jonas and I spent 30 days in Uzbekistan. Though since April 2020 I consider myself mostly a vegetarian, he’s more flexible and sometimes eats meat and fish. But this is about my eating habits and struggles to be a vegetarian in Uzbekistan. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan and have been to Uzbekistan, I’d love to hear your experiences and tips if you found something that worked for you. You can comment at the bottom of this article. Other vegetarians and vegans can then read your replies. Trigger Warning: there will be pictures of food with meat in this articleContinue reading
(Craft) Beer in Uzbekistan Guide—Tashkent, Mostly
Nobody travels to Uzbekistan for the beer. But perhaps after this post, you at least know what to do when you find yourself in Tashkent or beyond craving that divine tingly liquid. My focus lied on craft beer from the liquor stores of Tashkent and Samarkand, the live beer places, but I’m also covering the industrial national lagers. Contents1 Microbrewery Craft Beer in Uzbekistan, Ranked1.1 #1 Briz, Wheat Beer (4.5% alc. – 0.5L – UZS: 11.000) Craft Brewing Company1.2 #2 СССР, Red Stout (6.0% alc. – 0.5L – UZS: 12.000) Craft Brewing Company1.3 #3 Honey, Honey Beer (5.0% alc. –Continue reading
How (Not) to Get a SIM Card in Uzbekistan (Tashkent + Samarkand)
When traveling to Uzbekistan, it’s a great idea to get a SIM card for independent travel. When we arrived at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport, we didn’t buy one there because the price was double from the city. Mobile data is quite affordable in Uzbekistan. Here are our learnings from getting a SIM card in Uzbekistan on our first day in Tashkent, so you can avoid the mistakes we made. FYI, the country code for Uzbekistan is +998 Contents1 Which Uzbek Telecom Company Should I Choose?2 Our Experience at TAS Airport3 Asking for a SIM Card in All the WrongContinue reading
Hey There, Tashkent?! Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan (Semi-Live Blog)
These events happened on Saturday, the 26th of June, 2021. We hoped to fly from Manas International Airport (FRU) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS), Uzbekistan. I’m trying to update this blog as a sort of semi-live blog while on the move. Contents1 Saturday, 26th of June: 60 Days Up, Go to Tashkent, Uzbekistan?!1.1 Goodbye, Bishkek1.2 Taxi ride to Manas International Airport1.3 At the airport1.4 Passport control + security1.5 The flight to Tashkent1.6 PCR test check + immigration + customs1.7 The taxi from Tashkent airport to Tashkent city1.8 Our Tashkent Airbnb2 Friday, 25th of June:Continue reading
Bahrain Visa Guide: Visa on Arrival or eVisa?
We arrived in Bahrain from Kuwait on the 7th of January, 2026 and stayed for 11 days. We chose to opt for a Bahraini visa on arrival (VOA) instead of an eVisa. Here’s what the process is like, what documents you need to bring, and whether you should choose an eVisa or the VOA. In early 2026, the tourist visa costs between 5 BHD and 25 BHD, depending on your length of stay Contents1 Bahrain Visa Online Research1.1 Where to get the Bahraini visa on arrival?1.2 Where to get the Bahraini eVisa?1.3 Future multiple GCC countries eVisa2 Flight from KuwaitContinue reading
Kayak Trip Day 76: Tutrakan to Silistra – Broken Kayak Sail + Heatstroke
This kayak day happened on the 5th of July, 2024. After only one night, we left Tutrakan to kayask to Silistra on the final stretch of the Bulgarian Danube shared with Romania. After this, the Danube will flow only through Romania, followed by a quick touch on Moldova and Ukraine before emptying in the Black Sea. Contents1 Leaving Tutrakan for Silistra2 A Shortcut Around Kosuy Island at Pozharevo3 Navigational Error + Sandwich4 The Second Blunder5 It Gets WORSE6 Lunch, Finally7 Silistra TV Tower on the Horizon + Pelican Shipwreck8 Break on Chaika + Silistra’s Truck Ferry to Chiciu9 Arriving inContinue reading
Kayak Trip Day 65: Orșova to Drobeta-Turnu Severin – Iron Gate I Locks Unlocked!
This kayak trip happened on Monday the 27th of May, 2024. We paddled from Orșova to Drobeta-Turnu Severin on the Romanian side of the Danube in the border area shared with Serbia. We also had to pass through the Iron Gates I dam (Romanian: Porțile de Fier I – Serbian: Đerdap I). Portaging is not feasible, so we had to go through the lock with the big ships! Contents1 Kayaking Through Locks: Research + Stress2 Paddling out of Orșova into the Sip Gorge3 Remembering Ada Kaleh4 Preparation for the Lock: Transponder On5 The Luckiest Timing in History6 Iron Gates IContinue reading
Transitioning from Solo to Couple Travel: Bloggers Share Their Experiences
You’ve read the hashtags #solotravel #coupletravel and might follow some travelers based on these attributes. But what about the people who started out as solo travelers and then found someone? I asked travel bloggers to share their experiences on how the transition to couple travel has changed their travels. Adjusting to a whole other person while adventuring definitely comes with its challenges, disadvantages, and, of course, advantages—otherwise, we wouldn’t do it. Contents1 Kate (+ Partner): Solo to Long-Distance to Couple Travel2 Kerry (+ Jason): Similar Tastes in Travel3 Eloise (+ Ben): Overcoming Fears4 James (+ Kevin): Decades of Travel, NowContinue reading
(Craft) Beer in Mauritius Guide—What a Lovely Surprise!
Trying new beers in a new country or city is one of my favorite things. That’s even better when the beer is crafty. On day 1 in Mauritius, this country already surprised me with its rather thriving craft beer scene. I haven’t fully explored all options yet since I’ve only been here for a few weeks, so I’ll update this post if I encounter more gems of liquid gold. Contents1 Mauritian Craft Beer Companies2 But First, A Note on Bottle Deposits and Fridge Fees in Mauritius3 Flying Dodo Brewing Company3.1 NEIPA — New England India Pale Ale3.2 IPA — IndiaContinue reading