Jun 2, 2019 - Iran - Off the Beaten Track

Hard to come to terms with the fact that this amazing and unusual trip of contrasts and adventures has finally come to an end. But wait, there is still one day left in Tehran before we hit the sand dunes of Doha, Qatar tomorrow. On Saturday evening, again Sara organised an interesting Persian Traditional House Courtyard restaurant for an interesting dinner after which Cameron and I, the Swiss guys and German Gabriel (these guys have been so much fun and good company) had a walk around town past all the little shops, restaurants and tea...

Jun 1, 2019 - Esfahan - Where shall we eat tonight

Last night, we all went out at about 8 pm for dinner and to spend time yet again in the Naqsh-e Jahan Square as the sun was going down and all the people had come out for their picnics, eager to break their Ramadan Fast. It is such a happy time of the day, joy, good spirits and laughter surround us as we wander through the 1602 Unesco World heritage listed 512m long by 163m, huge Square with enough space for everyone. The atmosphere is one to behold, a memory we shall treasure though we still find it strange being ‘celebrities’. People...

May 31, 2019 - Esfahan - Mosques, Bazaars and so much more ......

Esfahan is really the best most fun city we have visited in Iran, although can’t be compared to our special time with the Nomad family or at the Caravanserai, it’s all just been so different and special with many contrasts. This morning, Friday, when absolutely everything is closed all morning, at least, we heard that there was going to be an anti American/ Israeli demonstration at the beautiful Esfahan Square. Cameron sensibly suggested that it was probably not the best idea to check it out, however as usual my curiosity got the better of...

May 30, 2019 - Travelling the Ancient Silk Road

I have really felt like this is the the real exotic Persia I came to travel around since we arrived in Yazd, think ancient Silk Road, stories about Marco Polo, Caravanserai, desert, heat, nomads, dates, pomegranates, spicey aromas (cinnamon etc, not the Indian curry spices), scarves, Persian carpets, cushions, bazaars, brightly coloured materials although we are mostly surrounded by black chador wearing women. Such a wonderful atmosphere and especially with the local people being so welcoming, friendly and interactive. Iran is not like...

May 28, 2019 - Ohhh the places I’ll go and the things I will learn

A mighty day today, we saw, did and learned soooooo much. This is a fascinating country, so different from anywhere else I’ve ever travelled in. Everything is different, nothing recognisable, no Macca’s, KFC, none of the recognisable Zara etc shops all of which I see all over Europe. The people and culture are so unique and are challenging my expectations and perceived ideas of what I thought I expected. Difficult for me to describe this nation, Middle Eastern, Asian, Western, modern but also a bit behind the times with squat toilets, dodgy...

May 27, 2019 - Awesome Iranian Desert Farmstay

After a slow start in Tehran, this trip is getting better and better (apart from lack of wifi) and I wonder if we haven’t just experienced the highlight of our trip so far with our farm stay in the desert. Shiraz was a lovely city, many Persian gardens with their water features and many flowers in bloom. Many streets are tree lined, lots of greenery and like the rest of Iran spotlessly clean. So strange travelling through a Middle Eastern country, fairly run down, many old buildings but spotlessly clean, being able to eat from street...

May 27, 2019 - Yazd - wonderfully olde world

Well, I did mention that our Iranian experience just keeps on getting better by the day. However, as I am so far behind in my journal, I will need to go back a day or two as I have so many wonderful memories of our night with the Nomad couple in the desert. After a good night’s sleep, Cameron and I got up, not that early, but a whole lot earlier than everyone else after a very late and rowdy night before, and enjoyed an interesting walk around the little village. We met an elderly farmer on a donkey, dogs, cats and other animals on route,...

May 24, 2019 - Ancient Persepolis - mysterious and truely amazing

Internet has been a disaster, so although I have so many observations about Iran which I would like to record as memories, I am going to have to record my daily events and leave personal opinions for when internet is more stable. Hope my trip journal does not become boring! We had a great day yesterday, actually a fascinating day. Breakfast in our courtyard was a delight (here I go digressing again, but breakfasts in Iran have been interesting and a lovely start to each day) as usual, such a pretty area. No muesli in Iran, we enjoy the...

May 23, 2019 - Shiraz - it’s not about the wine

Our last day in Tehran was pretty uneventful. We got to know Sara our guide who is delightful, and my sort of person as she absolutely bubbles over with energy and enthusiasm wanting to fit in as many activities as possible, which is why my trip journal is a bit behind. Our group of 7 are also getting along really well and We are enjoying their companionship. Our very long overnight train trip was relatively comfortable in shared cabins with meals brought to us. The scenery en route only became more interesting as we started to get closer...

May 21, 2019 - Tehran - a brush with the law

An interesting day in Chaotic Tehran yesterday. As mentioned before, not a WOW city, not geared for tourists and sightseeing is limited and sights never quite live up to our Lonely Planet guide, which by the way I would not recommend (not a great guide book). On arrival at the Metro this morning we discovered our $1 metro card had run out of funds after 4 days of usage, as we tried to go through the barriers and that’s where the fun began. As we were making a spectacle of ourselves by trying to top up with all instructions only in Farsi, a...

May 20, 2019 - Tehran - starting to appeal, we’ve finally gelled!

Tehran and I are finally starting to gel! It’s certainly not a WOW city, it kind of grows on you. There’s nothing really special except for the people who really are making it a special city. The sights are interesting but not strikingly beautiful, as a traveller genuinely interested in the different nationalities and what makes them tick, how differently they live their lives compared from mine, I am in my element. However, I certainly can see why their are not busloads of European, American, Japanese or Chinese tourists racing around...

May 3, 2016 - Tehran

April 28 Tehran Day two, two more museums, another palace! Enjoyed all three. The Carpet Museum was first on the list. Displays outlined the history of carpet making in Iran, the different kinds of carpets, a bit about process. Best of all though was the display of carpets. Amazing! There was a variety of ages of carpets and a mix of nomad (pattern comes from inspiration of the weaver) and city carpets (pattern designed and followed precisely). Then it was off to the Glassware and Ceramic Museum. Here the building itself was reason enough...