tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29610410252968194692024-03-08T13:30:04.275-08:00Kane and Narelle's Iran Trip - 2013Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-7009829751118070702013-04-26T22:00:00.001-07:002013-04-26T22:00:29.458-07:00Farewell Iran...<p>Our fantastic trip to Iran has sadly come to an end. </p>
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<p>After four weeks Narelle's head scarf or 'Imams helmet' as we nicknamed it is now permanently off...we are now relaxing in the very unusual and rare (for us) surrounds of 4 stars in Abu Dhabi.</p>
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<div><div><p>Lastly as a fittingly end this blog we would like to clear up a few western ideologies about Iranians and our travels in Iran:</p><ul>
<li><em>Is Iran safe to travel in? </em>It certainly is and we did not have any issues what so ever. Narelle and I have travelled near and far and it's rather uncanny that the two most sanctioned places in the world (Iran and North Korea) are the two countries where we have felt the safest and most welcomed. We have consistently felt safer here in Iran than what we have at times in our own city of Canberra. Like anywhere in the world one should follow the rule of never put oneself in situations they can't immediately back out of.</li>
<li><em>Are Iranians all violent or terrorists?</em> Totally US, Israel and UK (CNN and BBC) driven propaganda. From south to north and east to west we have met nothing but normal peace loving people who want a good life for their family and friends. Just like us!</li>
<li><em>Are all Muslims bad?</em> Are all Christians or Catholics bad...! Yes there are bad apples everywhere but the vast majority of people are just normal people who want to freely practise their religion while detesting violence and war.</li>
<li><em>Do all women wear black chadors with a tiny hole to see through?</em> Hell no...these are govt imposed restrictions on tight clothing and head scarfs but other than that Iranians are extremely fashionable people. Dare I say it but they are actually more fashionable than the majority of Australians.</li>
<li><em>Do all Iranians detest the west for the imposed sanctions on the nuclear debate?</em> Absolutely not...!!!! In fact every single Iranian whom we had this conversation with totally agrees with the sanctions imposed by the international community. Quoting an Iranian: "put an arrow in the hands of a crazy man and he has the ability to do crazy things, put the same arrow in he hands of a sane man and he will use the arrows material for good".</li>
<li><em>Will there be a war?</em> The people hope not but as many people have said to us this is totally in the hands of one person. I got the feeling that most Iranians actual see war as a way to break the supreme leader's shackles on the population.</li>
<li><em>Do the police bother westerners? </em>Absolutely not, unless you are doing the wrong thing. Our bags were searched once and the very kind policeman then apologised and proceeded to say have a wonderful trip in Iran.</li>
<li><em>Do Iranians treat westerners with suspicion?</em> Absolutely not! They are very open, friendly and highly educated people who are naturally intrigued by the world outside of Iran. They loved seeing photos of our family, friends, country and home town. They are very hospitable people and if you are holding a map expect someone to immediately help you.</li>
<li><em>Travelling in Iran as an devout atheist?</em> No issues at all and the people, although intrigued as to my religious beliefs or lack there of, don't try to convert you. I have had more mormons at my front door try convert me in the last six months.</li>
<li><em>Would I come back to Iran?</em> Absolutely, the first opportunity we get we will be back in this land of endless smiles, handshakes and hellos!</li>
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</div></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">END OF OUR IRANIAN BLOG...we hope you have enjoyed our blog.</span></h1>
<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-9511970390058597012013-04-26T21:50:00.001-07:002013-04-26T21:50:40.539-07:00Food in Iran 2<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ice cream shops... are everywhere and we could relate the product sold from these shops to the mobile 'Mr Whippy' van. A huge selection of soft serve ice cream and fruit and jelly sundaes are served for no more than $1. In more tready areas gelato bars are opening up and their product selection is gi-normous...and it's also well priced at 15c a scoop. Needless to say I have had most flavours Iran can offer! Saffron flavour is pretty good.</span></p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Breakfast... Has been pretty consistent everywhere we have been and generally consists of flat bread, various jams (carrot, sour cherry, honey), cucumber, tomato, cheese (like Danish feta). Occasionally, we might also get a hard boiled egg. Tea is standard, coffee not always easy to get and often not good, Kane is cranky these mornings!</span></p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Snacks... We've had a few snacks around the place, some date filled cookies in Yazd, walnut and cinnamon filled pastry that our taxi driver gave us on the way to Masuleh, samosas from an Afghani guy in Shiraz, sweets in Tabriz and a pizza style pastry.</span></p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fast Food Iran Style...Kentucky House (Iranians actually call it KFC) appears to be the favourite of the common Iranian. It is like a clone of the West's KFC right down to the coleslaw and Zingar (not Zinger) burgers. Narelle and I tried the Iranian Fast Food giant and the experience although not to our taste did cost us about $4.50.</span></p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch/Dinner... We've mainly been eating in traditional Iranian restaurants. The food generally isn't spicy and bread and rice are the staples. You can also get salads fairly easily. Options for lunch/dinner are generally kebab (lamb, chicken, beef, minced meat and even chicken on top of lamb), stew (Dizi which is a bean and meat stew where you drain the liquid into a soup bowl and then mash the other ingredients together before eating it with bread, lentil, pomegranate and walnut), eggplant dish served with whey and chicken with barberry. Lunch is the main meal of the day, which is generally between 2 and 3 pm. Dinner starts from 8 pm.</span></p>
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<p> </p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Picnics: along with nose jobs, Iran is the land of picnics. Iranians will stop the car and have a picnic anywhere.</span></p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Drinks... Pepsi seems to be more available than Coke, or they have their own brand called ZamZam. Tea is everywhere. You can get non-alcoholic beer in all different flavours, such as lemon, peach, tropical, mango, pomegranate, sour cherry. Some brands taste more like beer than others. They also have a popular drink called 'dough', which is like a salty sour milk drink...not one of our favourites. They had a lot of milk shakes in Yazd. Kane's new favourite is date flavour.</span></p>
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<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-57829517334336380282013-04-26T14:24:00.001-07:002013-04-26T14:24:59.976-07:00Food in Iran 1
<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Buying and eating food in Iran is very different to the West...here is a run down...</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bazaars and corner shops verse supermarkets... The old way of going to different shops for your food shopping still rules in most parts of Iran, Supermarkets are still rare. When quizzed as to why this is the case the response was: women do the food shopping in Iran and as a result these outings are seen as also been social.</span></p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Spices and herbs...these essential flavourings are an important part of the culinary delight of all Iranian food. Buying these important ingredients is taken very seriously and women seemingly spend hours, smelling, tasting and questioning the shopkeeper about the produce. These shops are also a colour wonderland and the shop keepers do all they can to lure the client inside.</span></p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vegetable markets (or green bazaar) ...they generally have the same fruit and veg that we have at home. There has only been one thing that we didn't know what it was and that is the green berry below.</span></p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Meat shops...have whole lambs and goats hanging in the window. Most seem to have refrigeration which is better than we have seen in some countries.</span></p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bread stores... Bread is served with every meal in Iran. You see people walking with bread piled high from the bakery. The bakeries have wire tables out the front of their stores for people to allow their bread to cool down before putting it in the plastic bag. Although we have seen some loaves of bread, it is generally flat bread that they have.</span></p>
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<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-26454347999062099952013-04-26T06:59:00.001-07:002013-04-26T06:59:59.799-07:00A afternoon that topped them all...<p>Our last afternoon in Iran was one of the most special of our trip in this wonderful country. Narelle and I met with my old friend from college in Phoenix, Saeid.</p>
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<p>Saeid and his wonderfully polite son Mohammad took Narelle and I out for a beautiful traditional Iranian lunch in a trendy part of Tehran. My favourite Iranian dish, Dizzi was on the menu so each of us ordered this delightful stew. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>We talked for a few hours about old times in Phoenix, our Iran trip, what life is like in our respective corners of the world and how each of our lives have panned out over the last 15 years since we last saw each other. Very pleasing to learn was Saeid has done well for himself in Iran and his son is a very smart student and about to sit his university entrance exams. Here is a wonderful photo of our reunion:</p>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">The world is indeed small...</div>
<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-23958258275027465622013-04-26T01:37:00.001-07:002013-04-26T01:37:12.568-07:00As north and east as we go!This blog is two days old and is out of order...this is the arrival day in Tabriz.<br /><br />After a painful overnight bus journey we arrived in Tebritz. My seat was slippery and every 5 minutes or so i ended up having to sit up. <br /><br />At 5am, raining, cold and with no hotel reservation we set out looking for a bed. The first hotel we knocked on was completely booked but two people had just left so again we got lucky. Only minor issue was we had to make our own beds as the cleaners had not started yet...<br /><br />Tebritz has two things that we want to see and this morning we set out to see the first; the World Heritage building where the bazaar is located. Although not the major 'wow' factor we were expecting the long alleys and arched brick ceilings were a real delight to see. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5871071512843366082'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K81s81Y50TU/UXo8b0XxrsI/AAAAAAAACfY/7RFDqYFEncc/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The place is jam packed full of goods from carpets to toilet paper. However, Narelle always seems to find/smell the gold section. No purchases made this time thank Allah...<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5871071706662135442'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WgCI2d92Wog/UXo8nGZxZpI/AAAAAAAACfg/ICnZqu0wG5A/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The people look a lot different here than areas to the south. The facial features are more prominent (huge proboscis's) and they are considerably taller. I suppose Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan and to a degree Arminia are not that far away so they have had an obvious influence in this region. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5871071804271279154'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LLRWxDVNr80/UXo8syBmvDI/AAAAAAAACfo/P4xJwj3vQGc/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> This shop had hundreds and hundreds of fresh and packed tea. The smell was wonderful.<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Tebritz,%20Iran&z=10'>Tebritz, Iran</a></p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-61375971097386669162013-04-25T21:08:00.001-07:002013-04-25T21:08:12.684-07:00Prices of things in IranWe have had a few requests for prices of things in Iran so below are some of the costs of items and travel that we can remember in Iran as of April 2013;<br /><br />Exchange rate: Australian $1 = Iranian Rial 37,500 (not 13,500 as most online exchanges quote)<br /><br />- first class train trip from Tabriz to Tehran = $8<br />- 130km round trip taxi trip from Tabriz to Kandovan and 2 hour wait = $13<br />- 90 minute taxi ride from Matsuleh to Rasht = $12<br />- VIP bus from Tehran to Rasht (6 hours) = $7<br />- VIP bus from Rasht to Tabriz (11 hours) = $10.50<br />- taxi from centre of Tehran to International airport = $12.50<br />- return metro ticket Tehran = $0.10<br />- taxi from Tehran train station to central Tehran = $3<br /><br />- 3 star hotel Tabriz = $12.50<br />- 2 star hotel Matsulah = $15<br />- 3 star hotel Tehran = $40<br /><br />- Magnum type ice cream = $0.30<br />- proper coke small bottle = $0.40<br />- Iranian coke (yam yam) small bottle = $0.12<br />- water 600ml = $0.12<br />- large import beer (0%) =$0.35<br />- six pieces of baklava = $1.20<br />- one piece flat bread = $0.08<br />- chocolate milk = $0.45<br />- lamb kebab with rice = $2.90<br />- Dizi stew = $2.10<br />- eggplant stew = $2.90<br />- Ice cream per scoop =$0.55<br />- freshly baked biscuits (3) = $0.28<br />- two bananas = $0.85<br />- lamb chops at fancy restaurant (10 chops) = $8<br />- big packed of chips = $0.90<br />- pot of tea =$0.35<br />- proper brewed cup of coffee = $2.40<br />- date milk shake = $1.10<br />- samosa = $0.12<br />- train food and drink:<br /> - 3 local beers (0%) and two fantas (small) = $1.05<br /> - chicken kebab and yogurt = $2.10<br /><br />- 4Gb SD card = $9<br />- entry fee to sightseeing attractions is about = $3 to $4<br /><br />- Pecon car (second hand) = $1200<br />- basic apartment in a major city = $15,000 - 50,000<br /><br />- average white collar salary = $300-500 per month<br />- blue collar salary (street sweeper) = $100-150 per month<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-20533341934279235552013-04-25T18:40:00.001-07:002013-04-25T18:40:32.713-07:00Sunny Kandovan...<p>After afternoon and evening of rest we headed off this morning to Kandovan, the Cappadocia of Iran. We had extremely high hopes for this known gem of northern Iran and its beauty did not fail to wow us...! Little needs to be written as the pictures speak for the unusualness of this village and the resilience of a population who have elected to carve their homes out of these strange conical-shaped geological formations, and yes they still live in them (they were even carving new ones!)</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3O7Czg9rNvQ/UXnZ5x3HgEI/AAAAAAAACeo/qu35woo6j1Q/s2048/2013%25252012%25253A35%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3O7Czg9rNvQ/UXnZ5x3HgEI/AAAAAAAACeo/qu35woo6j1Q/s500/2013%25252012%25253A35%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1366940431316.4937" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><em>The town was divided into two the older higher section with houses carved out of the sandstone and the lower more modern section where most of the shops and everyday business takes place.</em></div>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;clear: both; "><span style="text-align: left; "><em>Occasionally we caught glimpse into the homes and they appeared to have very low ceilings and two to three rooms that went well back into the sandstone formation. Some were two or three stories, a marvel of carving professionalism. The picture above is actually one big home. The animals slept in a large room behind that wood door on the right.</em></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em> A few modern touches are added to some homes such as this tiled staircase, little balcony and recessed windows as seen above</em>.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Late April and the mountains above the village are still thickly covered with snow. Within the village there were still pockets of snow which made for slippery walking. Narelle had a few slides!!</em></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Some of the rock homes even had stone extensions added to them. On the lower right appeared to be this lady's new sun room! </em></div>
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<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-17803841785781694072013-04-25T18:33:00.001-07:002013-04-25T18:33:37.352-07:00Matsulah - a hidden gem<p>The day started early with a walk around town as the sun came up. Narelle elected to stay in bed so I got to enjoy the brisk morning walk and beautiful views all to myself. Obviously the locals like their warm beds too as there was not a sole around.</p>
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<p style="text-align: left;">We decided to seek out a mountain fortress about 60 minutes away that the locals had talked about. I don't speak Farsi and the taxi driver spoke zero english so after a lot of pointing, drawing on paper and a bribe of 20,000 toman or 200,000 Rial ($6) and a pot of tea we managed to convince the taxi driver to drive us there, wait a few hours for us to climb the mountain and then drive us home.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We climbed the 1500 odd steps up through the dense forest and this magnificent mountain top structure is what greeted us. </p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><em>We were unable to find anyone who could tell us anymore about the castle and why it was there...so its on the research list for when we get home.</em></p>
</div><p>A kebab and rice lunch was quickly followed by a sleep then it was time for dinner...tough life... and god knows how I am going to stay awake after lunch when I get back to work! Russell, Mons just warning you that 1 to 3pm is now my siesta time. I can be found sleeping in the sick bay.</p>
<p>Dinner was out of the oven flat bread from the baker and a local sheeps cheese. Very nice...it was followed up with an invitation from the tea shop to join them. We drunk a few pots, had freshly baked biscuits and eventually I went and got some beer (a 0% malt drink that sort of tastes like beer), I had had enough of tea!! A few of them created clouds of smoke as they puffed on their sheishas while Narelle and I made an effort to keep warm near their potbelly and to learn more about everyday life in a small Iranian village.</p>
<p>As in any small town you quickly get to know the people; We now get big Saloms (hellos) from the baker, green grocer, corner shop man, cake man, tea shop owner, the street sweeper, the entire family from the only restaurant (with an english menu) in the village and a little kid called Mahidie. If he sees us he follows us everywhere and keenly practises his English...pretty funny and he loves looking at photos of our journey. All across this sleepy village we are greeted warmly and referred to as the Australians. It appears they all know where we are staying and for how long...word gets around when someone strange is in town I suppose!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2Rft-RHHpzE/UXnZZrTuNII/AAAAAAAACeg/U5-DolOmK6U/s2048/2013%2525201%25253A07%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2Rft-RHHpzE/UXnZZrTuNII/AAAAAAAACeg/U5-DolOmK6U/s500/2013%2525201%25253A07%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1366940013551.5022" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a><div style="text-align: left;">Matsulah was definitely worth taking the detour for and spending a few days here was a delight, one of the highlights of the entire trip.</div>
</div><p>Tomorrow evening we are off to Tabriz...I wonder what adventure this city will bring?</p>
<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-86502828694610860452013-04-23T19:24:00.001-07:002013-04-23T19:24:27.283-07:00High in the mountains...<p>Narelle and I headed to the bus station this morning and after a lot of pointing and broken Farsi we ended up on a bus to Rasht. The 6 hour journey was briefly halted at a police check point when the Police took an interest in the only two foreigners on the bus...yep Narelle and I. We had to open our bags for them to search and then answer a few questions before with wonderful smiles and in their very best farsi/english the very polite officers said: thank you and enjoy Iran. I suppose not many foreigners come their way!</p>
<p>We arrived in the small city of Rasht and again after lots of pointing, referring to the lonely planet and using my iphone translator we managed to buy bus tickets on Tuesday to Tabriz and then fluke a safari (public shared taxi car) up the mountain to Masuleh. Some poor lady was kicked out to let us and our bags in. we apologised profusously to her and all she wanted was to know what we though of Iran and again she shook our hands and said welcome to Iran and enjoy your trip.</p>
<p>The little village of Matuleh with only a few hundred residents is situated high in the densely forested mountains near the Caspian Sea. It is well off the normal foreigners tourist track but we had heard it is well worth the extra effort to get here. We will reserve judgement at this point as we have seen nothing but fog and rain since we arrived.</p>
<p>After a billy goat walk up a winding cobble path to the hotel we found out they knew nothing of our reservation. So again, using our best Farsi we managed fluke a room over looking the valley, we had to take his word on this as the visibility with the fog and rain is about 50m.</p>
<p>We will stay here for two days before heading off on an overnight bus to Tabriz on Tuesday.<br>
</p>
<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-18291613377733704412013-04-20T18:22:00.001-07:002013-04-20T18:22:53.727-07:00Tehran at its best<p style="text-align: left;">On a spectacular Tehran day Narelle and I headed out to explore the city. Using the city's awesome Metro we were able to get to a number of the main attractions including: a walk past the former US Embassy, the Goldstom Palace, the National Museum, The Jewel Museum (Narelle's favourite), and the biggest Bazaar I have ever seen.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> Couple of interesting photos around the former US Embassy. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ZzoTR7n2r8/UXKvqPrQsMI/AAAAAAAACcQ/oxZMu3m7p0I/s2048/2013%25252012%25253A22%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ZzoTR7n2r8/UXKvqPrQsMI/AAAAAAAACcQ/oxZMu3m7p0I/s500/2013%25252012%25253A22%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1366507372159.781" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The spectacular mirrored entrance to the Palace</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">A sneaky photo of the throne...no cameras allowed in here...oops</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Onto the museum where we saw the famous 'Salt Man'. This 3rd century corpse was found in an Iranian salt mine in 1992, most of u will remember this discovery.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basic tools used in this area dated 2000BC. These items are some of the oldest I have seen.</div>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Men trading US dollars in the square. It's a huge business here!</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> Lunch time in the bazaar!! Apparently there is 200,000 shops along 216km of alleys in this bazaar. You can buy anything here if you can find the area that sells it. We went in looking for a belt but came out with a bag of lollies, a carrot drink and a cake of soap.</p>
<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-73120830388293906822013-04-18T18:54:00.001-07:002013-04-18T18:54:00.239-07:00Third earthquake...Third earthquake...again yesterdays earthquake was no where near us.<br />Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-67955628745954496592013-04-17T07:51:00.001-07:002013-04-17T07:51:23.074-07:00Iran the land of nose jobs...Iran is undoubtably the land of nose jobs. People here are proud of their nose surgeries and in total reverse of what we would do after the surgery, i.e. hide at home for for 6 weeks and then hope and prey no one notices our new snout Iranians wear their big white nose bandaids in public with pride and distinction.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867828369645418530'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fHiEqCoZQfE/UW620CesuCI/AAAAAAAACbw/49UTzUw30ms/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='386' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867828462904110306'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I8kR91-uk5o/UW625d5TbOI/AAAAAAAACb4/x1mmHCvyQJQ/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='370' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />When we enquired as to why people did not care about showing themselves we were told something quite unexpected. Apparently people in Iran will show off their new nose job as soon as they are discharged from hospital for as long as possible. It is a status thing!<br /><br />A typical nose job costs 3000 to 4000$. That is a huge amount of money here so people display their wealth proudly. It is not uncommon to fake the surgery either and just wear the band aids.<br />Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-86107804976468689812013-04-16T21:52:00.001-07:002013-04-16T21:52:50.958-07:00It's the little things...<p>First freshly ground coffee today for many weeks...lucky the Armenians came to help out Iran. We are now in Esfahan the centre of the Islamic world and a busy city much like our own cities. The city is also famous for having the world's biggest public square. The square is ringed by three magnificent buildings that we were lucky to visit: the mosque, shrine and palace.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mosque, Wow...!!!!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my favourite photo: The architecture of this mosque is amazing especially for a building built in the 15th century.</div>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> The dome of the mosque, by far the most impressive we have seen in Iran and the biggest. Remember these structures are all made from tiles about 15cm by 15cm in size.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mosaic tiles... Imagine doing this today in such a grand fashion...?</div>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> Tourists from all around we're coming in to see this mosque.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Forget us, look at the stunning Quran verses meticulously arranged on the tiles</div>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> The holy one...problem is the light is coming out of the wrong end!</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> The ceilings in the palace were recessed to avoid the sound from carrying. Below is a close up of this fine craftsmanship using plaster, no wood to be seen. I have never seen this before so we spent quite a while admiring this work.</p>
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<p> There was a bazaar close by and we found the world's biggest 'fruit rollup'... U buy it by the length, 50cm minimum buy at 50 rials ($1.15)</p>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-35332279771650253712013-04-16T19:50:00.001-07:002013-04-16T19:50:26.839-07:00Women and Headscarfs in IranIt is compulsory in Iran for all women to wear a headscarf. It has taken a few days to get used to it. There is definitely a technique to wearing it, which I haven't mastered yet (Iranian women make it look so easy). Apparently, if you don't wear it, you can be arrested. This is something that I don't want to happen, so am constantly checking to make sure that it is still in place.<br /><br />There seems to be a few different ways to wear it. Some women wear clips with lots of tulle underneath, so that it looks like they have big hair.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867642234065183698'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UyxT-STgXEo/UW4NhhaI49I/AAAAAAAACZI/LYyiDW3r56E/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='262' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867642341627647698'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AI1kCWJ_dvk/UW4NnyHB1tI/AAAAAAAACZQ/4M45Q1PkEYI/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Some wear it tied under their chin. This doesn't seem to be only old ladies though.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867642390512324146'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zqyKebkFKio/UW4NqoOCzjI/AAAAAAAACZY/VnCc56QsN4Y/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />In Shiraz and Esfahan, the 'trendy' girls seemed to wear a ponytail and have the headscarf sitting on the end of the ponytail.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867642433851040946'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L5ec0284nno/UW4NtJqzJLI/AAAAAAAACZg/VxK-lYaPsV8/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='374' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Another option is to wear a chador, which is like a black sheet, although they still wear a headscarf underneath. It seems less convenient than the black dresses that we saw in Oman and Qatar as they don't have any holes for your arms so sometimes you see them with it in their teeth because they are carrying things. We see all ages of women wearing these.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867642489781178322'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CgA6l6e8Gco/UW4NwaBlT9I/AAAAAAAACZo/wxlY63whYWI/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='263' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This is our tour guide. She just throws it over her shoulder and it doesn't seem to move.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867642555596604818'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FTPrZEcSqa8/UW4N0PNNBZI/AAAAAAAACZw/0YVOUJex3uk/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='193' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I've resorted to putting bobby pins in. Without them, I found myself on a few occasions walking down the street and it had slipped off. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867642609769362946'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pvC2n6X4iGw/UW4N3ZA_tgI/AAAAAAAACZ4/x3JsGLm8r38/s288/6.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's a bit of a nightmare to keep in place if it is windy, it gets in the way if you bend over to pick something up, if you spill something while eating it goes into your headscarf and if the weather is hot it is really hot wearing a headscarf. A couple of benefits are that you can use it to cover your nose while using a public toilet that isn't so clean and to pick up a hot teapot (see the kettle at the top).<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5867642674854789826'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mZdn817VzQo/UW4N7LekgsI/AAAAAAAACaA/IP0j-aVl1Tw/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='260' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Iran%4031.900114%2C54.369433&z=10'>Iran</a></p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-48647767249973664222013-04-16T07:58:00.001-07:002013-04-16T07:58:39.140-07:00Another earthquakeWe understand there was another bigger earthquake today...thanks for the messages but we again did not feel anything nor is the town we are in anywhere near the earthquake effected area.<br />Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-10093132071462645772013-04-14T20:44:00.001-07:002013-04-14T20:44:25.235-07:00Transport Iran StyleWhen we travel we try our hardest to experience exactly what the locals experience. That means using or trying to experience all forms of that country's ground transportation. The following is our first-hand experience of the roads in Iran.<br /><br />The road system: one starts by holding their breath and diving head first into organised chaos, not as bad as India though. The roads are in beautiful condition with most major towns connected by magnificent 4 lane highways. The smaller roads are equally as good. Well done Iran!!<br /><br />However, it appears as though the lanes and signs on these roads are just there for cosmetic reasons. After hours in the front seat my take is that most people drive in series of 5 minute intervals: they start with the majority of the car in the other lane a few honks at anything living or not then over the next few minutes they slowly veer right until lack of road or the bumps awake them...a further few honks, a raise of the big black eyebrows and the process is repeated.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866913960658395634'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-idKtj7yRFjw/UWt3KbjS4fI/AAAAAAAACXY/q5ykD2wzv2w/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Driving at night the common Iranian does indeed slow down, unlike India where the reverse is the case! However what sets the Iranian apart is their use of high beam. It appears as though the Iranian high beam switch once activated is on for night. One is blinded at every passing. This in turn severely limits the speed one can do before their burnt retinas repair themselves. Even at police check points one blinds the officer before greeting him with their best Salom!! No wonder the cops all wear dark glasses!!!<br /><br />Seat-belts appear to be cosmetic too, well especially in the back seat. Unfortunately, this is a very common site on the roads:<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866913996705789298'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jI7FbYjVgUk/UWt3Mh1qdXI/AAAAAAAACXg/-1psQEmwmVs/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />City limit checkpoints were common and appeared to serve a good purpose: by limiting the on-road hours of drivers and by creating micro shopping centres. One could buy anything at these locations whilst having their credentials checked. Only buses and taxis need to stop.<br /><br />Speed cameras are common and the police are out in force. Even fake police cars are part of the force...complete with flashing lights. Fantastic idea!!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914041752745858'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FgN1uYsjHgA/UWt3PJpsd4I/AAAAAAAACXo/izvYw9Pbhy0/s288/6.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Road direction and places of interest signs are all Farsi and English. Three exact signs in a row all within 500m saying the same thing is common. So depending where in the 5 min cycle the driver is if u miss the first you got another chance.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914073679837362'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C4VlULRWRi4/UWt3RAltOLI/AAAAAAAACXw/4gmDfW4RLDk/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Types of car: Cars range from the latest French models to beat up 1960s English jobs that have not had a wash since the last rains. The most common car is indeed the 1960s 70s Peeco which is the automotive backbone of the society however the late 1990s early 2000s Pergot models appear to be taking the Peeco's reign.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914119753842866'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wd4HXqb3-H0/UWt3TsOmwLI/AAAAAAAACX4/JcPR7bDniVs/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Farsi...Number plates: I am sure it does not go like his but; "What was the number plate sir"? Officer i think it was; "A tent, an upside down tent, a bowl, a pitchfork, a 9, a backward 7 followed by an F and a upside-down heart"<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914155491272834'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TOXBTKzpdnQ/UWt3VxXEqII/AAAAAAAACYA/s_Bp6MqIxI4/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Petrol is dirt cheap and priced according to your car type. Govt approved cars pay 4000R per litre while non approved vehicles pay 6000R. Like a few other countries motorists don't turn off their motors whilst the attendant fills the tank. Most petrol station have prayer areas or attached small mosques.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914202348487122'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yaGMAX1Md6A/UWt3Yf6tAdI/AAAAAAAACYI/Fq8ACJsiHyA/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Long distance buses: Buses are mostly modern Volvos or Scandia's...Most have slogans plastered on them referring to god or the drivers favourite English or Spanish football team. It was not uncommon to also see stuffed toys hanging from the ceiling. The VIP buses are like travelling business class on an airplane. Massive leg room and extremely wide chairs with tray tables, tvs, an attendant, etc. Food is generally served, as is water...<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914245009277154'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qrteJW_v_MU/UWt3a-11AOI/AAAAAAAACYQ/MK_cHZAQH3s/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Local buses: range from deluxe suburbans to crappy old things blowing more smoke than coal fired power station. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914296414008274'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1tfT37I0P-c/UWt3d-Vq89I/AAAAAAAACYY/1ID4qXMqHNU/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Motorbikes: are mostly 1980 and 90's Honda's. Of the bikes i saw 90% of are in perfect condition, the other 10% appear to be held together by duct tape or the like. A high proportion of bikes have a large semi transparent windshield with a tiny 'clear' viewing hole in the centre. One can only wonder why they like restricting/distorting their vision of the road ahead...?<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914333831329906'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-li6VT-WoOz8/UWt3gJup-HI/AAAAAAAACYg/wkzW1DrRFVI/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Cycling: virtually non existent...well until we were smack in the middle of the desert: the same desert we drove 4 hours into. We met a guy who was cycling across Iran for fun and to promote the sport in Iran. He had some funny stories to tell about his experiences on Iranian roads; I won't include them as this blog is about our experiences. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914376707122354'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jEgjNC1WPFI/UWt3ipdCpLI/AAAAAAAACYo/SZjjZ-pK1Uw/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Trucks: these lumbering beasts are undoubtably the lifeblood of Iran. All types of trucks cross-cross the country and they range from modern Volvos to old Indian Tatas that will probably be still running next century. For what we could see truck drivers obey the speed limits however, the slower speeds do not precluded from the 5 minute lane wander. Major truck stops are chaos and a sight to be seen. It appears as though they just pull over as close to the road they are travelling on as possible before making their dash to the kebab or tea stand. The trucks leave a guard of honour situation where the lanes are restricted to oncoming traffic as they slow to a crawl to avoid cleaning up some poor truckie holding his favourite roadside kebab.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866914419789052450'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DRvzCZLBrYA/UWt3lJ8kuiI/AAAAAAAACYw/xR6_0fFJk1g/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Trains to come later...!<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Iran&z=10'>Iran</a></p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-13619964898658541132013-04-14T09:58:00.001-07:002013-04-14T10:02:04.447-07:00A Very Different Sport?<p>Tonight we went and watched the unusual sport of Saheb A Zaman. An Iranian sport that can only be described as a combination of gymnastics, body building, aerobics, singing and sunday school all rolled into one fun filled hour!</p>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="500" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cF_32Ny-_B4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p>Now before u knock it, I am here to tell you these clubs are ridiculously heavy and the strength required to do this for even a minute is massive.</p>
<p>Below: now this was a little rediculous, bench pressing the barn doors Iranian style. Very unusual indeed but they all did it as part of the warm up.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below: the actual event lasts for about 5 minutes.</div>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> Below: the clubs</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below: the pants did not fit around the front, not that I am bragging </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
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<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-38619845924768435042013-04-14T05:44:00.001-07:002013-04-14T05:44:16.627-07:00The most wonderful day!<p>Today was a forced 'Kane Day', meaning I spent the day doing stuff alone as Narelle wanted to do a city tour that I was not interested in. </p>
<p>So I chose to do some reading then I thought I would just walk the streets and see what the day would bring. About 10 minutes into my walk (wander) I was warmly greeted by two young Iranian students, whom I later found out deliberately walk slower so i would catch up and they could just say 'hello and welcome to Iran'. After a long conversation in the street I invited the two guys to join me for tea at a nearby shop. We had a great time chatting about Iran, Australia, politics, both of our way of thinking and living, food, sport, education and religion. It was a fantastic first-hand insight into the way the ordinary Iranian views their own country and the west and vice-versa.</p>
<p>The conversation over morning tea then rolled into lunch...</p>
<p>Of particular note I asked them where they saw Iran's future in 5 and 10 years. The response was mixed and right to the point. In 5 years they sadly envisage Iran being at war with Israel. They are also very concerned about the current nuclear issues. It 10 years they see a brighter future as attrition see's new Government leaders and ideas. They know the potential of this country is enormous but the population appears to just need that guidance. </p>
<p>Meeting these two guys just reinforces the reasons why I like to travel to different parts of the world. I now have two new friends and for just half a day we could share stories from different sides of the world and vastly different backgrounds/cultures. </p>
<p>Thanks to both these wonderful guys for making what could have been an ordinary day into one of the best days of this holiday and certainly one that I will remember.</p>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;clear: both; "><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-elDFnkAnojc/UWqkeGvTo9I/AAAAAAAACWQ/Dn-ePsDYs8Q/s2048/2013%2525204%25253A00%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-elDFnkAnojc/UWqkeGvTo9I/AAAAAAAACWQ/Dn-ePsDYs8Q/s500/2013%2525204%25253A00%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1365943426745.0654" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;">For fear of the government they kindly asked for no photos to be posted.</p>
<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-67035042642966066472013-04-13T21:53:00.001-07:002013-04-13T21:53:32.755-07:00Everyday business - repostPhotos of Iranians going about their everyday business...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866561099186216914'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dvAiIw2L8zk/UWo2PMIen9I/AAAAAAAACV4/mhpfrLObpQo/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866561148826128242'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ICUxqcaoY8Y/UWo2SFDjj3I/AAAAAAAACWA/gVM6dmv6mNw/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Iran&z=10'>Iran</a></p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-71090630450549249082013-04-13T21:37:00.001-07:002013-04-13T21:37:02.376-07:00On the road to Yazd<p> We met this guy yesterday who is cycling from NW Iran to SE Iran for fun and to promote cycling in a country that has very few cyclists. The 20 year old is taking a few months and will cover 3500 km through some of the most inhospitable places on Earth. You can read more about his wonderful achievement here: www.greenbike.ir</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><em> From our unique desert hotel to Yazd took about an hour. This is the site that greeted us!</em></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WfjDES52pM8/UWowfoyusXI/AAAAAAAACVA/LQ7qUaIXcJE/s2048/2013%25252010%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WfjDES52pM8/UWowfoyusXI/AAAAAAAACVA/LQ7qUaIXcJE/s500/2013%25252010%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1365914211818.8953" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>The wind cooling towers above the city's underground water storages</em> </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>A stop for lunch and I got to taste the speciality if the region...date icecream shake...very nice</em></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Who said you can't get beer in Iran...?</em></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>We have had a few opportunities to explore the higher reaches of the mosques including this on in the middle of Yazd. </em></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Wonderfully lit up just after the days final prayer</em> </div>
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<p> </p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-3471089890090982502013-04-13T20:37:00.001-07:002013-04-13T20:37:13.061-07:00Silk Road CaravanseraiLike they did thousands of years ago, today we followed the Silk Road from Kerman to Zein-o-din. Passing many along the way, we eventually stopped at a Caravanserai (a stop along the route where camel teams stayed a few days - think modern day truck stop with a hotel attached). <br /><br />The Caravanserai...As u can c it's in the middle of absolutely no-where. Nothing for as far as one can c.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866541194515979954'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8TMroinFdDQ/UWokIldSHrI/AAAAAAAACUI/1U9Z72Axrwc/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Our curtained off room for the night.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866541252914286434'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-88zgnDrqUe0/UWokL_Ahj2I/AAAAAAAACUQ/y9WIM4cFZiY/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866541298525621922'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bvATHmae4qA/UWokOo7HTqI/AAAAAAAACUY/_KI_RBWiWvA/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866541372177299522'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3Lyjnkpo6ig/UWokS7TCuEI/AAAAAAAACUg/utNZLWc51kY/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The courtyard where the camels were tied up and the cargo temp offloaded.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5866541453071567650'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rEqyiDjqw-M/UWokXopvSyI/AAAAAAAACUo/WLKTDVwUFhY/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Off to Yazd tomorrow...<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Zein-o-din,%20Iran&z=10'>Zein-o-din, Iran</a></p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-6703830838197432692013-04-11T20:08:00.001-07:002013-04-11T20:08:16.379-07:00Gardens to desertVery special event today as Narelle and I got to climb the main minaret of a small towns mosque just outside Kaman. Wow that was a privilege and an honour!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865790552897860946'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XQhupKvT7ww/UWd5bfhRtVI/AAAAAAAACRk/dxJbqV6RAp8/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It was a very tight squeeze.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865790665606915122'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uy5L05_t5dM/UWd5iDZNZDI/AAAAAAAACRs/Fj8GjoQDUpA/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The view was worth it.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865790798669546690'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yAkPkYZNpWc/UWd5pzF0BMI/AAAAAAAACR0/8RXQA2DeUdc/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Nice shot of Narelle at the gardens<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865791139600129714'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-17V8KJFlSbI/UWd59pJ_3rI/AAAAAAAACR8/fsXVXtxJJlo/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This 3 year old girl was practising her English with me. She could say: 1 to 10, hello, bye bye, photo, and as we were leaving out popped 'I love you'...very cute. She was there with her parents who had the day off work.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865791247985692626'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VfsfPAZthjU/UWd6D87IT9I/AAAAAAAACSE/DaUv2w84Xvo/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This girl was selling almonds with her dad on the sidewalk. I think the face indicates she has not had the easiest life so far.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865791358891498610'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vujPs87QFKA/UWd6KaFInHI/AAAAAAAACSM/Wh1VnE6EAj0/s288/6.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Safety first in Iran! No wonder the road toll is 20,000 a year!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865791456598157794'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pxrwWkfI9gg/UWd6QGEN6eI/AAAAAAAACSU/oqRWoNJLHuk/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Broken down Iranian style. This location is where some of the world heat records were set at 70+ degrees celsius. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865791561424506162'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Gd634tzEs_w/UWd6WMkxDTI/AAAAAAAACSc/SLuQGqjG22s/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This family was having a great time in the sand. They were just missing the ocean otherwise all the games were the same.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865791646613150514'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vIV5mJwV2fY/UWd6bJ7UmzI/AAAAAAAACSk/O-9pwwZLiTU/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Kane and Narelle <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865791759919003602'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K87tPy9cuL4/UWd6hwBit9I/AAAAAAAACSs/QPbj5LLpXt8/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Ben the reddish (rangar) colour of the rock reminded me of you.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865791839053509714'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cqdsuxgUtM4/UWd6mW0rdFI/AAAAAAAACS0/pMDuhfDtUv0/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Kaman,%20Iran&z=10'>Kaman, Iran</a></p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-24483886761571253932013-04-10T19:16:00.001-07:002013-04-10T19:16:11.346-07:00My kinda day...The majority of today was spent walking around Kerman's main business district which allowed for lots of interaction with the locals. Very few travellers come to this part of Iran so we were constantly greeted with broken hellos and every now and again hand shakes and a hand on the heart. This was one of those guys. he insisted I put this photo on Facebook, remember Facebook is off limits here so it is still unique here!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865406681050438066'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mWWcecWOKeE/UWYcTNc22bI/AAAAAAAACQc/MnfcrQh22d8/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />For hours we walked through lots of bazaars that sold everything u could ever imagine! This was the potato shop.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865406755931800034'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yhlLORYFV-A/UWYcXkZ9weI/AAAAAAAACQk/jn4DyH99o4o/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The guy below was a leather book binder, I have thought this profession went in the 1800s. His work was exquisite.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865406831401941282'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TOGS9QLbO9Y/UWYcb9jcuSI/AAAAAAAACQs/0dH74nyKhnk/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This young boy and his brother who sold balloons loved having their photo taken. In return we gave them an ice cream each!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865406933043229970'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fojtGCFVVeE/UWYch4MntRI/AAAAAAAACQ0/PFHf8HLyFkg/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The Iran butchery was selling goat, lamb and beef today.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865407033139097122'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-34xTd2724og/UWYcntFVbiI/AAAAAAAACQ8/VRqa_laV_L0/s288/6.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Lunch today: eggplant with whey, chicken kebab, Iranian sticky ice cream and a drink called 'cowslip' (it is herb based but it smelt just like a cow)...yuck!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865407130481285586'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DDR-XDtCm1k/UWYctXthWdI/AAAAAAAACRE/7fHOCAae-QU/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I hired a tank for the afternoon...<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865407219945807554'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BD5G8Aa3GDA/UWYcyk_hnsI/AAAAAAAACRM/_EDFoRzAd4U/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Only kidding...we went to the Iran v Iraq war museum. It was extremely interesting and graphic but yet another example of mankind being so cruel to each other. <br /><br />A young guy studying to b an English teacher befriended us outside the library this afternoon. It was interesting to listen to his experiences of growing up in Iran.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865407322965032290'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3_OwAhnTGpU/UWYc4kxOPWI/AAAAAAAACRU/OIVM2UfH6TI/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Better put one photo of Narelle in the 'Hamam-e ganj ali kham' bathhouse. Better to keep the peace otherwise I might need that tank!!<br /><br />Internet connection is good here so tomorrow I will again post a good few photos.<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Kerman,%20Iran&z=10'>Kerman, Iran</a></p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-46922425511002180622013-04-09T20:37:00.001-07:002013-04-09T20:37:02.518-07:00Travel day yesterday...8 hours on the bus through stunning landscape and small townships. Here are some random photos of the day.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865056494012001250'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y6VNwRlAmpA/UWTdzpEu6-I/AAAAAAAACPM/RRw6WwjZ4tk/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Read the white writing just below the windscreen...not our bus 'thank god'<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865056596160276018'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DjtmWcPQnRk/UWTd5lmx5jI/AAAAAAAACPU/fRT2pNd6Qwo/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Cool place to hang out.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865056698714179570'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zoxSu74ZTXw/UWTd_jpiR_I/AAAAAAAACPc/oMRJs7buvR8/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Snow covered mountains. These mountains are 4200m high.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865056761826100834'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mvXIFbYBoWE/UWTeDOwlxmI/AAAAAAAACPk/1Ns5_tABIXc/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Normal Shops.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865056825798438338'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--OcYlP9MAzg/UWTeG9EyLcI/AAAAAAAACPs/NGfNf9j1rfU/s288/6.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Suburbs.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865056892531721666'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wYYfDvQ8YA8/UWTeK1rPRcI/AAAAAAAACP0/eV-hA0eKdds/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Trash and treasure ?<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865056959773954370'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9TdM1UGOGiw/UWTeOwLCUUI/AAAAAAAACP8/hp_X0njROVI/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Suburbs<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865057036300246674'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K2GiLed0c3I/UWTeTNQU3pI/AAAAAAAACQE/a-bgLzx0CxE/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='375' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Butchers shop. Notice the goats hanging on the white frame.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5865057091277425458'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bMyXtYte-0o/UWTeWaD6CzI/AAAAAAAACQM/e-xqFrwtE-c/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Our taxi to the hotel. I was too tall to sit normally in the taxi.<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Random%20photos&z=10'>Random photos</a></p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961041025296819469.post-28348980517999127422013-04-09T09:26:00.001-07:002013-04-09T09:26:35.372-07:00Two hidden gems...We ventured out today to two World Heritage sites I never knew existed but in the end were two of the best we have seen anywhere.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5864724898210919394'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ywR5r4pXxKw/UWOwOOdAM-I/AAAAAAAACNs/_DMiKEtZjFQ/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This is the Necropolis which has the tombs of four Persian kings. Notice the people at the base off the mountain. Each tomb is 40m high.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5864725064310795394'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A2VB1xWfJek/UWOwX5OTLII/AAAAAAAACN0/WGmrI5RZGZQ/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The hundreds upon hundreds of relief carvings in solid granite were in extremely good condition and detailed throughout all of the tombs. There were even faces of Kings that we could recognise.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5864725376846334306'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1A0b9ghRScM/UWOwqFglCWI/AAAAAAAACN8/ud7xzyGCKsc/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Then it was a short drive to Persepolis, which is an ancient city of palaces that was totally covered by dust and sand until 1930's and is therefore well preserved.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5864727049985650674'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CpMfhKM4nNw/UWOyLecE7_I/AAAAAAAACOI/ru1jCvLPf_Y/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />A 6th century complex that was about 50 football fields in size. Below is one of the palaces.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5864727256723966882'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--cnlCaNxd90/UWOyXgmVS6I/AAAAAAAACOU/A7A19Vjsyhs/s288/6.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Walls upon walls of perfect granite carvings entertained us.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5864727494150598882'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CyfESlAo_9s/UWOylVFQMOI/AAAAAAAACOc/9yixDGIlrZM/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Then it was off to find dinner in the crowded Shiraz bazaar.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5864727949516504802'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zabpTq37Plk/UWOy_1c8fuI/AAAAAAAACOk/WAgEE3prpt4/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We had Afgan pastries for dinner from this guy: potato, cabbage and cheese. $1.10c later we were full. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5864884167337637186'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-phq0r68HcxI/UWRBE6L49UI/AAAAAAAACO0/HFU5mQfEMxs/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Wearing a head scarf takes some getting used to. Am starting to get the hang of it, although I have found myself walking down the street on a couple of occasions and it has slipped off. Hopefully I won't get arrested. The Iranian women make it look so easy. I've resorted to bobby pins to keep it in place. Hopefully I won't have to tie it under my chin like an old lady.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116169653596116472679/KaneAndNarelleSIranTrip2013#5864884294324467298'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4SwibD7iCXI/UWRBMTP6NmI/AAAAAAAACO8/_-wZtjjvzOo/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%81%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C%20%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86,Shiraz,Iran%4029.612031%2C52.538916&z=10'>لطفعلی خان,Shiraz,Iran</a></p>Kane and Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17536412936494024870noreply@blogger.com1