In Termiz, Uzbekistan we find a lot of military hardware that points towards Afghanistan and lays wedged between the town's tourists sites, an old mausoleum and Buddhist Temple.

A Muslim cleric prayed for us and led us around the mausoleum of an old Islamic philosopher and mathematician, Al Khakim.

This is the checkpoint that should keep foreigners out of Termiz. From the wrong side we passed through it on our way to central Uzbekistan and Samarqand - back on the tourist trail. The climate is sunny and warm and we drive by semi-desert, low brown hills, and mud-brick villages.