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Published: October 6th 2014
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Iran is different again.
Typical Mosque perhaps little more special, but in other ways too, roads are better but traffic rules are less obvious, Ladies have more visible roles, so many things. Now moved out of Asia into the Middle East - an ancient Persian culture.
My trip through Iran had been set up months ago with Touran Zamin, to provide a guide necessary for entry into iran with my own vehicle, with a plan to visit the main tourist destinations while traveling north-west to Turkey. So I have a tight schedule to maximise the tourist hit, 3 rest days otherwise move every day.
Stayed in Zaheedan for one night, bit of an interview with security before I was allowed to leave with my passport, concerned for my security, and also want to monitor all US, Canadian and UK citizens. Agreed would have police escort to Bam 330km, bit slow to start but otherwise very efficient.
Left Zaheedan at 11:30, it was hot, but if U drink water and keep moving on bike, it is bearable, have to admit for a week I have been riding in shirtsleeves, with kneepads. But still 6hrs in desert 43°C was the toughest day, our water got hot, like drinking bath water! then ran out! Pulled into Autleck? Hotel in Bam arround 6pm, wasted.
Thursday
New team
Yellow taxi, has Mr Yazd my guide, and Ali his driver, Police escort and a lot of open road. visited Bam fortress Arg-e Bam, which was 80% destroyed by Earthquake in 2003, with an astounding 26,000 casualties, mainly because of mud building construction. Locals are now rebuilding the fort.
So only 160km to Kerman, we stopped in King's Garden en route, a cool water garden. Water again the essential ingredient, which flows from ... Mountains to west. Kerman has a covered bazaar about 2.5km long, with side galleries to authentic bath house and tea house (We had Kerman ice cream, bit like frogs-sporn with ice cubes).
Early start to Yazd another 360km, we arrived good time 1pm, but every time we arrive at in a city the guide cannot find hotel without asking for directions, probably 5 times, once we ended with a local sat in guides car. The Mehr hotel in Yazd is quite well hidden down an alley off main shopping street. 3 extra tourist visits before I was allowed to rest, Irrigation museum, top restaurant by taxi, and Zoroastrian burial towers on edge of town, save fire tower for next morning.
Kebabs are popular here, meat cooked on steel stick over a charcoal fire, but then plated
Desert
Iran has it's fair share of nothing too.
Desert for miles, with mountain then desert again. up with salad & covered with cling film, plates stacked till ordered, result is cold food. Better go to fast food joint, see cold kebab, they cook it, U eat - yum yum. Cornflakes for breakfast are rare, often see fried eggs, in almost every hotel since Poland.
In Iran all ladies (very much tourists too) must wear a head scarf - but rarely an all black outfit, they are more visible running hotels and shops, some drive too. At exercise club, was bit surprised girls turned up, as just recently a dual nationality British girl was arrested for watching men's volleyball match.
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