Guest report - John and Angela Clark

Dear Zahid

We returned home yesterday after having a wonderful holiday in “The Silk Road”. Our visits to Bishkek, Almaty and XinJiang were interesting but we both agree that the best part of our trip was in Uzbekistan.

After we left you we enjoyed our time in Kyrgystan and Kazakstan, especially in the Tien Shan mountains. In XinJiang we saw something of the Turpan oasis and the old ruined Silk Road cities of Goachang and Jiaohe; our guide was from the Uighur group which I understand from Tim, is a group with similar origins to the Uzbek people. From Urumchi to Chengdu where we visited the Panda Breeding Colony. Another interesting experience. Then on to Hong Kong, to me of little interest as it is just another busy city with too many people in too small a space; however we had to admire the way they fit everything in and make the city work.

Zahid, we are really indebted to you for the wonderful friendship you brought to us whilst we were with you in Uzbekistan. You certainly are not only a superb and most professional guide (you are indeed “A Prince among guides”) but you really made us feel welcome in your country to the extent that we count you as a true personal friend. Thank you so very much for this. You will find it difficult to realise how much your friendship meant to us.

And not only you alone; you brought with you two delightful companions in Jabba and Dilshod who were so much more than just the ‘two who drive the bus’. Please thank them both for us; they also contributed to making our stay in Uzbekistan the real highlight of our visit.

We think of you, I hope both you and your wife and daughter are well, again many THANKS.

From your friends

John and Angela, 04.23.2006