Unboxing Uzbekistan: A Birthday Break on a Business Class on my way to Big Chimgan

Traveling solo is as common to me as going to to the supermarket. This time, the destination in question is another Central Asian destination. It’s none other than the famous and colorful Uzbekistan! Not my usual ‘useful’ guide, this is a long overdue narrative of my birthday break on the Big Chimgan Mountain in Uzbekistan!

Similar to my supposed to be trip to Portugal last year that ended in Kyrgyzstan, this time it’s supposed to be in Morocco and I ended up in Uzbekistan. Not a visa issue though (thank God) but it’s another some sort of the Universe’s redirection once again. You bet, celebrating my birthday in Big Chimgan, Uzbekistan is the birthday break I never knew I needed!

Birthday – Big 30!

Birthday celebration is not really my thing, let alone an out of the country vacation. I planned a trip to Morocco initially but I wasn’t really expecting since I just changed my job (and just finished the probation). Asking for a vacation seems too early at this point. But since it’s a milestone year, I thought I’d give it a try and so I asked. Lo and behold, I was reminded that I’m now part of a supportive team. He even let me take 2 days off to add to the holidays so that I can have enough time to enjoy, boy do I deserve his kindness? Ticket booked on the spot right away! Thanks Ahmad *cat eyes*!!

The birthday week rolled so fast physically and emotionally. A recon hike of Akyat Eskwela Project, a sushi dinner with my friends plus the hundreds of messages and greetings, words can’t express my gratitude and happiness.

Business Class – Thanks Flydubai!

Despite still feeling the cloud nine and the birthday blues, I had to drag my ass and finish packing for my flight to Tashkent. Of course, my head is out of my game – me forgetting to pack essentials stuff and even lost track of time. Thank God I didn’t miss the flight, I arrived at the boarding gate, just 20 minutes ahead of boarding time.

To my surprise, I was even granted by Flydubai another upgrade to Business Class! First one’s on a flight to Bishkek though so this one’s the second, but hey it’s still a free upgrade!

My luck is not really the best in this world, so getting an upgrade is always beyond me. The moment the flight took off, my train of thoughts came to light, that this year’s one for the books.

Ignited by Bill Eckstrom’s TedTalk: Why comfort will ruin your life, I finally plucked my courage and go out of my comfort zone. Despite walking an unknown path, doors started to open one after another. But they all came with a price – closing the door of comfort. While it’s so easy for me to say that it’s a breakthrough year, there’s a lot going on behind the closed doors. Taking leaps of faith, getting uncomfortable, swallowing my impostor syndrome and facing my insecurities day in and day out. Last but not the least, there’s also compromises, sleep deprivation (a little), unbalanced lifestyle and lots of tears and goodbyes. It’s not rubbish when they said that all the magic happens outside your comfort zone. Boy they’re not kidding.

As I come back to my senses, I ended the night by savoring the leather seat, the generous recline and with mountain-high of gratitude. Here I go to dreamland for this sweet and short haul flight.

Big Chimgan & Uzbekistan

Hike to the Big Chimgan!

Now on to the highlight of this post, the birthday trip to the Big Chimgan in Uzbekistan. That’s the only plan to be honest, the rest were all negotiable. To my defense, it’s freestyle baby!

Right from the jump off, doubts and pressure flooded in since I was feeling light headed and hungry and we just started. 10 more hours or so to, gosh. Blame’s on me, I didn’t prepare enough again. Then there’s the weather forecast of rain that made my guide a little anxious. An hour in uphill and I started to let go and surrender. I decided that I don’t want my own demons to rob me my chance of enjoying this moment.

A new experiment on my nutrition strategy probably saved me. Instead of loading it when I feel like it, I refuel hour after hour religiously. Not a full meal, but I made sure I take a banana, or energy gel, or nuts paired with constant hydration. Despite not having a proper full meal during the whole hike, the energy distribution was consistent and it made such a good impact and performance. What’s more surprising is that I only consumed around 2L of water which is below average of my usual intake (for the same length of hike).

We also stopped for a nap at the grotto too though am not sure if I really managed to sleep or if I was just daydreaming. Nevertheless, the mental resilience paid off and we made it to the top and back! We’re wet with sweat but happy and dry as we were spared from the rain!

Tashkent & Samarkand

Since the hike is over and finally out of my mind, I finally started enjoying Uzbekistan for its own charm. I almost didn’t get to buy a train ticket (the day before) and I almost miss the train, but miracles happen through the help of a fellow traveler and locals. So I took the Sharq train (the slower train compared to Afrosiyob) to Samarkand, and I have nothing but pure awe and admiration upon my arrival.

While I regret not being able to see Bukhara and Khiva (for now), I finally understood the hype of Uzbekistan’s tourism. While it’s not a top class destination yet in terms of facility and establishments, I can see it becoming one down the line. I was even interviewed twice, one in Tashkent by the students and one in Samarkand from a Tourism organization about Uzbekistan, so improvements are coming, for sure.

Uzbekistan’s decade-long striking architecture and colors, creamy halvas and the handmade silk scarves, what’s not to like? Take my money and I’m absolutely coming back! For now, I have no choice but to work and catch up on all my pending blog post. Until then, stay safe and see you!