Travel

Day 1: Mejdi Tours Traveling the Silk and Spice Roads, Uzbekistan, May 2025

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Tashkent

By Paul Bryers

The extreme heat outside, with temperatures reaching over 105 degrees, made walking around the city impractical.

So, I had the opportunity to explore the Tashkent Metro, visiting various stations over the course of three hours. Mary, another guest, joined me.

The Soviet-constructed Metro and its stations, excluding the newest line, feature opulent designs, commemorating Soviet accomplishments, inc. in science and space exploration.

Additionally, Mary and I visited the Churzo Bazar, which boasted an impressive array of fruits, vegetables, meats, spices, breads, and teas. The smells were exceptional. We selected some delightful teas and savored bread and samosas.

Churzo Bazzar

Teas and Spices – smelled spectacular

Shredded Beets and Carrots

Pigs’ Trotters

Aliens!

Day 0: Mejdi Tours Traveling the Silk and Spice Roads, Uzbekistan, May 2025

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Tashkent

By Paul Bryers

Approximately half of the flight duration from Istanbul to Tashkent was in daylight. Following the Caspian Sea, the landscape below transformed into an expanse of desert, persisting until the outskirts of Tashkent, where verdant areas began to emerge.

Numerous arid riverbeds and vast reservoirs were visible, including the one pictured, located in Kazakhstan.

Upon arrival, I noted the small airport, which exclusively accommodated planes belonging to Uzbekistan or Uzbekistan Airways.

The Shahar Hotel is very charming, with my bedroom featuring traditional lattice woodwork and tiling.

I met the owner of Medji Tours and some group members at breakfast, finding them to be a nice, well traveled bunch.

In the afternoon, I went out for a short exploration and tried out the metro from my hotel to Uzbekistan Hotel.

The Uzb Hotel was a Soviet area monstrosity.

Metro stations were spectacular and I planned to explore them more tomorrow.

In the meantime, enjoyed a local beer in Uzb Hotel Lobby Bar.

Met up with some of the other guests for a beer and then to dinner at local restaurant which was wonderful.

Day 12: Hurtigruten’s Cruise Ferry MS Richard With Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen, April/May 2025

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By Paul Bryers

About 2 hours out from Bergen and the end of our trip.

Stunning trip.


Hope you enjoyed my posts.

Day 11: Hurtigruten’s Cruise Ferry MS Richard With Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen, April/May 2025

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By Paul Bryers

The marvelous Atlantic Road..

Day 10: Hurtigruten’s Cruise Ferry MS Richard With Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen, April/May 2025

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By Paul Bryers

In an around Brønnøysund..

Day 9: Hurtigruten’s Cruise Ferry MS Richard With Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen, April/May 2025

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By Paul Bryers

We are happy to be experiencing falling snow at last! Our present location is Harstad, where we are engaged in an excursion to explore the nearby churches, early settlements, and Russian Prisoner Camps that were once under German control.

After Harstad, we headed out on a coach to Refenes for car ferry to Flesnes and then on to Sortland to pick up our ship.
A good tour.

A captivating video I recorded from our tour bus on a bridge shows our ship Richard With sailing to meet us.

Navigating South along the stunning Tengelfjord towards Raftsund to join our Sea Eagle boat safari.

The Sea Eagle boat safari was outstanding, with the captain estimating upwards of 60 White-tailed Eagles surrounding our boat during the 2-hour excursion.

The sail into small Trollfjord was wonderful.

Day 8: Hurtigruten’s Cruise Ferry MS Richard With Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen, April/May 2025

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By Paul Bryers

Having reached Kirkenes early yesterday morning, we reversed course and headed south towards Bergen in the early afternoon. We will now revisit the same ports but at different times of day. Currently, we are in Hammerfest town, the most Northerly town in the World. The main attraction, in my opinion, is the Coastguard Helicopter training exercise being conducted in conjunction with the Coastguard Ship Kv Bison.

Bad weather makes for some good omnipresent photos.

Day 7: Hurtigruten’s Cruise Ferry MS Richard With Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen, April/May 2025

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By Paul Bryers

Kirkenes Snow Hotel. Not sure I see the point….

I had a go at Dog sleighing. The dogs, including puppies, were lovely and very lively and boisterous. They loved me…

A short but pleasant sleigh ride around the frozen fjord; the fjord ice was just beginning to melt.

Day 6: Hurtigruten’s Cruise Ferry MS Richard With Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen, April/May 2025

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By Paul Bryers

Cloud cover descended to the mountains like waves from the Nordic Gods, accompanied by wind speeds of around 40 km/hr and gusts of 55 km/hr, with swells measuring approximately 3 meters. What fun!

We navigated through the Magerøy Sound near Honningsvåg and are currently docked at the latter town. Regrettably, due to snow-blocked roads and strong winds, a visit to Nordkapp is not feasible.

The arrival of interesting weather patterns is welcome by me but less so by some other guests. Bless them.

These conditions are currently tapering off. Yawn…

Day 5: Hurtigruten’s Cruise Ferry MS Richard With Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen, April/May 2025

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By Paul Bryers

As the journey progresses, it is becoming increasingly challenging to keep track of the days and our destinations – a testament to the sheer volume of Hurtigruten experiences!

We had a picturesque sail before and after Finnsnes.

Morning photograph taken around the Vangsvika area.

…before we arrived in Tromso.

I tried my hand, or should I say, feet at cross-country skiing. Spectacular Fail despite being a reasonable downhill skier….aw well … and as for the sore thighs the next morning…

Better on a mountain bike…that I can handle, mebbies…

Nice view while attempting to ski…


Subsequently, the sail to Skjervoy was nothing short of spectacular! Can I say sore thighs?