http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Middle East , Iran , West , Esfahan en-us Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:01:54 BST Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:01:54 BST Or as they say in Farsi Esfahan nesfe jahan...As am sitting here in this most beautiful and welcoming of cities we find out that Israel is sabre rattling against Iran by carrying out military excercises in Greece. Here on the ground I have never been in a city more hospitable where people talk to you on the streets and buy you icecreams this happened today a young student girl bought me and Ri http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-289923.html Here I am in the middle of Iran in Isfahan. But first let me take you back to my arrival in Tehran at IKA airport because you have some catching up to do. Sitting on the flight wondering what was awaiting. The stories some people told women never travel on their own you will not be able to get about without a driver and interpreter and of course is Iran safe all are easily batted away wit http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-289902.html Crossing the border from Pakistan was no trouble at all and I was ushered through in less than an hour it was once I was in Iran however that things started to get more complicated. I was issued with an army officer and told that from now on for my own safety he would travel with me. This didn't make much sense because it is far more dangerous on the Pakistani side and I had no guard there but http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-287294.html 21st October 2007Well here I am in the Axis of Evil.Arriving here did not even feel half as scary as when I arrive in most third world countries.Probably because people are so laid back. Around a third of the staff at the airport were asleep at their desks. Even the Internet lady at this place was asleep when I got here.And also there was not a single tout or anybody else to bother me when I arriv http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-243209.html Tehran Esfahan Tehran. Twelve million people crammed into a city carved out of the desert and ringed by towering mountains. The only city Irsquove ever visited where you literally canrsquot see the ground as the plane taxis into land due to the intense hackinducing mouthdrying pollution. You can actually see the dense hazy layer hovering just above the buildings...And the traffic. Havin http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-220990.html Shiraz Persepolis Yazd Esfahan Kashan Tehran If George W. Bush wants to know where Iran is hiding it's nuclear facilities I can tell him. I have seen one of them on the A80 highway between Esfehan and Kashan. Iran is proud of itrsquos nuclear ambitions and makes no secret of where much of the work is taking place. After passing through I read that the president ordered the sites be o http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-203774.html My 54yearold Japanese mother was inspired by my recent Iran photos to take me on a motherdaughter bonding trip to Tokyo Disneyland. Why Because the mosques reminded her of Aladdin and she was eager to experience the 'Arabian Coast' of Disney Sea and go on the 'Small world' esque ride called 'Sindbad's Adventures'. After ice cream and wearing ridiculous Aladdin and Jafar hats we sat down for http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-195833.html Hey everyoneWell it's been a while since I've posted anything. Was just too busy I guess in my 3 weeks tour of Iran loving it hating it too cause of all the restrictions you're faced to especially as a woman picking up some farsi words very little getting to know and love the Persian culture a little bit more each and everyday.Iranian people don't like to be reminded that Arab language and http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-194937.html These words I hear about 50 times a day than there is the where are you from question and the what is your name or how are you... That I get about 20 times a day... I seem to stick out with my blond hair in this country... But it's all in good fun...While waiting for the Pakistani visa Vojta Czech traveller and I decided to take a break from Tehran and head down to Kashan for a day or tw http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-191611.html The car journey to Esfahan from Persepolis is long and draining. My minder tells me that roads are called gypsy killer passes because in the winter they're covered by snow which causes caravans to careen down ravines. We travel for hours with no bathroom in sight. You can make good use of nature said my minder. This is easy for him to say because he's not a woman swaddled in extraneous layer http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-186522.html Ramadan is overnbspMiddle East raquonbspIran raquonbspEsfahan By cosimovagaNovember 6th 2005cosimo http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-170698.html After spending the night in my hotel room packing the gifts and souvenirs I'd bought the women came by for a visit to reopen them all over them and interrogate me for shopping information. Alas after they rampaged through everything I started to repack as I chainsmoked. Our last visit around Esfahan was to the Friday or 'Jome' Mosque. This Seyed explained was a transliteral error by wester http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-153500.html Looking forward to visiting the Bazaar at NaqshiJahan square literally meaning 'Half of the World' in regards to its glory back in its Safavid days the old ladies squealed in glee. Their way to shop at exotic markets to put it simply is as follows Find an item you just KNOW Mrs. Suzuki will be so jealous of and can never obtain to rival you. Push away everyone in any queue in front http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-153101.html The night we arrived in Esfahan I prayed to any deity who would listen to give us clear blue skies during our visit to NaqshJahan Square in exchange for cutting down on cigarettes booze well that wasnt volountary and the life of my ipod. Whoever it was it worked. Our day exploring Isfahan was sunny as ever the sky mimicking the colour of the beautiful blue domes and tiles. At last I wou http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-152437.html The visa saga continues. The visa extension office in Esfahan was closed. Well not closed but the boss who has to sign the extensions was away on holidays. Apparently this causes all work to cease. We were told to go to Shiraz and try there. How backwards is that Just because the boss was away the whole thing shuts down. Pretty frustrating not to mention stressful about potentially being in I http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-148180.html ESFAHANLa ldquoperla turisticardquo dellrsquoIran tappa obbligata di qualunque tour nella terra di Persia.Arriviamo di prima mattina e dopo una breve ricerca troviamo un alberghetto opportunamente e comodamente posizionato rispetto ai luoghi di principale interesse lrsquoAria Hotel Qui la situazione cambia in meglio il centro della cittarsquo delizioso tutto estremamente pulito http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-100799.html LO STATO CANAGLIAA proposito di terroristi e bombe nucleariSe per voi il mondo un luogo prevalentemente ostile allora lo sar.Ed Buryn E cos giunto il momento di trasbordare..Alle 900 mi presento nell'agenzia dove ho prenotato il biglietto per l'Iran la patenza prevista per le 930 ma non si vede l'ombra di un bus fino alle 1130 No problem comunque.. l'importante che tutto vada com http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-95958.html Tehran to Esfahan on a train what an experience. If you think Immigration control at Heathrow is a nightmare trying to get on this train was hell talk about suspicious guardsNot the most comfy trip BUT a good experience and cheapgreat hotel BUT toiletmosquesarchitecture are beautifulmarkets are plentiful with all sorts of tat on salefriendly people practising their English on you is a nice http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-90914.html Our two days 305n Esfahan were two of the best of the tr305p 305ts such an amaz305ng place and made us truly gutted that we only have seven days 305n Iran. We spent our t305me wander305ng the streets check305ng out the mosques and palaces f305lled w305th wonderful blue mosa305cs beaut305ful frescoes and ornate decorat305on on every surface. Walk305ng http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-79642.html So after all Erikarsquos blogs about Iran so far its time for me to say something. Iran really is one of the best countries we have visited and certainly one of the most surprising and interesting. It is not at all like I had imagined and the people are amazing. We are asked all the time what we think about Iran and what we thoughtknew about Iran before we came. I am never sure how to answer as http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-76176.html Hamedan is a pleasant green city with fantastic views up to the Zagros Mountains with Alvand peak dominating the skyline. The Farsisch Guesthouse was really welcoming and the 2 crazy old men who run it made us feel very at home giving us washing powder for our laundry and helping to tie a rope on the roof to dry it even if they were mumbling stuff about ldquoHitler goodrdquo and ldquoBr http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-76174.html Took a short trip to Kashan on route to Tehran as i head back to the border. Abyaneh was nice with the little Red houses .....The local women dress in pretty colourful clothings different from the other cities. Abayneh is at the foot of a mountain ...sslightly elevated giving the area a cool and crisp weather. Nice scenery out here with some really nice tall trees...pine trees not sure at th http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-64947.html Arrived in Esfahan on a back to back Nationalholiday for the Iranians cause its the anniversary oftheir founder. Hence every mosque palace or anyplace that needed tickets was closed. Explored thebazaar Imam Square and the Bridges of Esfahaninstead. Esfahan has good weather Its kinda windy andcool. The bazaar is pretty interesting selling thingsfrom carpets to camel bone ornaments. I re http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-64939.html The trip to Esphahan was initially uneventful an early start was required as we had 500km to cover Hassan drove like a maniac as he had to be in Isfahan at a certain time. Just after the Yadz turn off he got a call from the agent saying the stupid American's wished to fly to Yazd instead and should be at the airport to collect them at 3pm. Well there was no way in hell he could take me to Esp http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-61097.html Woke up around 730am went across the street bought some Barbari one of the four types of bread in Iran came back to my dorm and ate it with cheese and Nutella.Afterwards checked my email at the hostel and called Beyruse. He said he will come at about 11am. I checked out of the hotel and put my luggage in Beyrusersquos car and went roaming around the city centre. Afterwards Beyruse took me to http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-39203.html Esfahan Isfahan 27th January 2006Woke up early morning as Hadi had to go for classes and he dropped me at the Imam square. I called Ali and finally he answered and we decided to meet at 930am.Until Ali came I sat down and wrote my notes as I was already had quite a backlog. When Ali came we went to the Manar Jomban Shaking Minarets. Unfortunately it was raining and they werenrsquot shaking http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-39202.html I woke up around 730am and the rest of the people were fast asleep. I tried to go into one of the rooms to get my stuff and to shave and have a shower but the room was locked and I didnrsquot know where the keys were.I spent the next two hours with my mobile deleting text messages and updating my contacts list as I couldnrsquot do anything else till these guys woke up. They finally woke up at http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-39201.html I got into Esfahan Iranians sometimes spell it as Isfahan too Kaveh Bus Terminal at 830am. I am at this massive bus station no guide book no mobile phone it doesnrsquot work in Iran no one speaks English and donrsquot know where to go. Last but not least only USD4 i.e. Iranian Riyals IRA 36000 in my purse. Wow what a feeling.The situation gets even better as I learnt later that I http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-39200.html Zahedan Bus TerminalThe Zahedan bus terminal is away from the city. No one speaks English and it is a bit of a pain. Fortunately two guys who came with me from the border to Zahedan helped me buy the ticket to Esfahan. It cost Iranian Riyals 65000 or they also call it Tumans 6500. Obviously One Tuman is equal to 10 Riyals.There was a dodgy looking guy who came and started asking questions in http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-39198.html El hotel de Kashan el unico que podemos permitirnos es un poco.....como decirlo incomodo solo hay un lavabo y una ducha para todas las habitaciones y un poco sucio....pero eso no nos tira para atras. La idea era tener como base Kashan para visitar la ciudad sagrada de Qom pero paseando por la ciudad conocemos a Mohammed un tio local que es un poco friki que nos lleva a un museo donde trab http://www.travelblog.org//Middle-East/Iran/West/Esfahan/blog-39010.html