Tehran museums
Tehran
Feels good riding the motorcycle in Tehran: wide avenues, many expressways and no longer dependant on buses and unscrupulous taxi drivers. Most guide books advise travelers about the high pollution and extremely dangerous traffic. Perhaps the authors who wrote that haven’t seen too many Asian countries. In fact, we found Tehran to be the cleanest capital (among those visited during this trip), with many parks, gardens and clean streets. Very livable conditions! |
Skiing in Iran, at end of May? Yes, only 20 minutes away from Tehran. Just take the Tochal gondola lift and you will reach an altitude of 3740m. |
A good observation point is also the 435m high Milad tower, completed in 2007. |
One of the many sweets stores in Iran. Absolutely delicious! |
Special thanks to Ali and his family for hosting us while in Tehran. You were great! |
Desert riding
Bandar Abbas
After a 12 hrs trip by night train we arrived in Bandar Abbas. Even though we got off at 7AM, the heat was unbearable. By noon, it was already extreme. I never felt such heat before in my life (from natural causes). You have to feel it to believe it!
In the first picture we are with Hamid (from the ocean shipping company) and his family at the Strait of Hormuz beach, separating the Gulf of Oman from the Persian Gulf. The water was hotter than I would use for a shower!
The next day, after some 6 hours spent in the port, we managed to unleash Palomina. The process involved obtaining approvals, signatures and stamps from more than 20 officials but, as opposed to the situation in Vietnam, all of them were friendly and even served us with tea and coffee while waiting.
Now, with only 13 days left on our visa, we are preparing to cross the desert as soon as possible, to use the remaining time in Tehran and Tabriz.
Funny thing: while in other Asian countries the local calendar is used merely for ceremonial and religious purposes, the Persian calendar is used in Iran for all official business. Meaning that, in my Carnet de Passage, the entry date for Palomina was recorded as 31.02.1391 🙂