Uzbekistan: the crossroads of Asia

Welcome back to Bantering Across Borders! In this episode, Tony and Sarah head to a part of the world they knew very little about just three days before setting off — Uzbekistan, the historic crossroads of Central Asia. 

This spontaneous trip takes them through a land of dazzling architecture, rich history, and hearty meals of plov. From Tashkent’s vibrant markets and metro stations to the iconic city of Samarkand with its Shah-i-Zinda mausoleums, Registan Square, and Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Uzbekistan delivers surprise after surprise. 

Along the way, Tony and Sarah discover the legacy of Amir Temur, stumble upon Tony’s namesake restaurant, and share their best tips for making the most of a short 3-day getaway. 

Of course, no Bantering Across Borders episode would be complete without laughs, reflections on friendship, and the ultimate question: would they go back? 

🎧 If Uzbekistan has ever been on your radar (or even if it hasn’t!), this episode will inspire you to add it to your travel list. 

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Chapters

• 0:00 Coming up
• 1:12 Introduction: spontaneous trip & first impressions of Uzbekistan
• 12:00 Amir Temur’s legacy
• 17:15 First evening at Tony’s namesake restaurant
• 20:07 Day 2 in Samarkand: Shah-i-Zinda, Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque & plov 🍚
• 29:19 Day 3 in Tashkent: mosques, markets, metros & more plov
• 34:55 Would they go back? Lasting memories
• 37:25 The friendship question: what skill do they wish they had?
• 39:40 Wrap up & next episode teaser