Translation from Dutch into English with GOOGLE TRANSLATE

Introduction

Iran: a special destination and mixed feelings. We would like to visit, but I found a number of reasons two weeks is sufficient for this purpose. Fortunately, Piet role here. It started with a photo for the visa, which had already headscarf. After buying the right clothes, what should you buy? The two were making a Moroccan market stall in Den Bosch. The story was that the plane was already on the headscarf, but that was not. But within the country everywhere except in your own hotel room. Completely covered was not a problem except that this time only for the women and compulsory. Normal walking I not a top and shorts, but now I had to make sure everything was covered, to the poor. And it had also once widely covered, that was actually an advantage. But otherwise: great people, we really have nowhere seen so many sincere cordiality. Conversations with everyone on the street, they themselves were everywhere welcomed and addressed. People speak English and ask you for your opinion about anything and especially what their country is. Girls and boys (where the dress code that allow) dressed very western and formatted go. Beautiful architecture, if you keep mosques must be sure to go. Like many around the world devotion to the believers who are there. Good food, good hotels, up-to-date infrastructure with lots of cars and mopeds. The only what we have missed a cold beer when we came back from a walk or a nice bottle of wine with dinner. But even that has its advantages: we have come to the conclusion that we can not, because we have no headache and / or trembling hands had. Overall: very worthwhile, we are pleased that we have seen. It has at least ensured that our image of Iran has adjusted nicely. This is certainly true regarding the way we looked against the population.


Sunday, October 4, to Tehran

At a quarter to eight, we let the clock expire, we finally had enough time to Amsterdam Schiphol. Delicious on our ease showered, had breakfast and some last minute things done before we at half past nine the bus to the train station names. At eight about ten o'clock we had a train to Schiphol, the train was for some reason very busy, but there is always a spot for you. When we arrived at the airport we seemed to check themselves, but because it was the first time it was obviously wrong. I thought two beautiful places exist together books, but forgot to check if the second place also free was. That proved not to be the case, and when we were even further apart as the initial locations. Fortunately Iran Air has already someone working on the desk to set up and when I asked if I could still wait for the places change so we could sit side by side was no problem. After half an hour everything was fixt and could We go shopping on the airport without luggage walk. Coffee, sandwich with a beer and wine, then we could boarding soon. It all went very smoothly. The veil did not in the plane, but it was already it warm with a t-shirt with long sleeves and a shirt over it. Soon came the cabin with drinks: orange, Coke and / or water. In a light meal was provided, rice with chicken, yogurt, a small salad and cake to. Nothing wrong with that, except to drink a glass of wine would have tasted fine too. But it would not be the last time we have eaten with soft drinks or water instead of the usual stuff, but we would have survive. Over an hour later they came back with a coffee / tea, a muffin and orange juice. Still anything feathered and then we were suddenly there. After landing, of course, waiting in lines for customs, at last we were called to the national passage because it all took so long. When we were fast, we bags of the band met and we were back in the row. People were picked up by very large bunches of flowers, some grave looked like twigs, but it will be here so fast all hear it. We were met by a representative of the Monkey King. Because we have more than one hour too early had our own tour leader Maryam was not there yet. But when she after a short time she took us to the bank at the airport to change, but we started her opinion with € 200.00 per person. It was a plastic filled bag, € 1.00 is IR14.500, 00. We were an hour into our bus to the hotel and went quickly to the room, it was after well over twelve hours. First the bags once again repackaged and stuff for the next day ready. Our room was a suite of eighteen meters with a living room, bedroom and kitchen. All worked and we had three beds, so we could choose. But still made a soup. We took change both difficulty falling asleep and lay awake for three hours.


Monday, October 5, Tehran

For seven hours I was afraid of the alarm clock wakes up after a very short night. Piet was six hours already, so they had much less hours sleep in any of them. The first real day in Iran began with a nice warm shower, putting on my headscarf, and a simple breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast we took most of the group to make an excursion: a short visit to the bazaar I still have bought a bag of walnuts (which incidentally was very dry). After visiting the bazaar, we took the bus to the summer palaces of the Shah gone. The white palace was modern for those days. When we had visited there was just a classroom full of school youth, so that we were just ahead. To get to the palace to go green, we took the bus between drove the two palaces. The green palace was rather more "royal" style with lots of mirrors and expensive carpets. The latter palace were more Iranian tourists (foreign tourists do not see very much). We had overshoes before we could enter the palace, take pictures if anywhere. Back to the entrance we went run, it was downhill and so easy to do. Moreover, it was nice just to walk, it seemed already a very lazy holiday, our bus took us everywhere. After exhausting all these activities, we had lunch in a restaurant in the mountains. I have for lunch first, but mom just called, she saw that did not sit We were going to Iran. And although we understand that we not stop us, and to make them happy is a call quickly done. She sounded very relieved when I told how in Iran and that all right us. I have the children but as a text message sent to find always sufficient. Lunch consisted of a delicious salad with a real Iranian dish: baked and mashed eggplant with bread. Delicious coke there and it was complete again. After lunch we visited the Jewellery Museum. Which is located in a vault one of the major banks of Iran. Not bad: there are a few nice frosting. I do not like big gems, but I would nevertheless like to have a couple of. Incredible amounts of stones crowns, swords, clothing and other items. The second largest diamond is there too. Many gold and other precious metals. For a capital So, there were therefore no bags inside. Too bad, I had a really nice pair of earrings like it bring. Because we were not allowed to photograph or film, we bought a set of postcards. After visiting the museum we went back to the hotel. After a rest we decided to start walking again, this time to a restaurant search. There was (at least for us) to find anything on a pizza place after. Not fancy, but some distance and given that many men in the streets, and few women are visible. There is too much traffic, especially motorcycles are dangerous, they drive on the sidewalk and across rows of cars through. As a pedestrian it's just go and see where the ship beach. Like everywhere in the world, the most one piece is across the street and we had us quickly adapted to the way of dealing with traffic. When we got back to the hotel restaurants was what Mary wrote, but once we did not want anymore. We have put a cup of soup, I ordered a pizza and the weather was good enough stomachs filled. In time to sleep, after a short night was that not so bad.


Tuesday, October 6, route to Kashan

We were on time this time awake after a long night, but they still snuggle up limping until the clock expired. Showering, eating, and then departed with a small half-hour delay. This delay was about a ticket because the bus on this day in the city was due to drive environment from smog in the city. We have a short stop made way to the Azadi tower to admire and photograph. Began operations in June the large demonstrations against the sitting president Ahmadinejad, he claimed to have won the election by fraud. After pictures we drove to the mausoleum of Khomeini, a controversial one for some companions visit. The mausoleum themselves on the outside was completely under construction and was very bald on the inside, actually a large mosque with contains the tomb of Khomeini and one of his sons. This was also our first encounter with a separate entrance for men and women. In the mosque-mausoleum itself was a separate section for men and women, but when we what more we could do were just walking towards each other and together move on. When we wanted to the courtyard, we were stopped, we were allowed through the gate look and I even got a piece of walk out, but we did not get a lot of space. We could therefore not rely on the square with all the walking, and photos making was not quite yet. Nobody could explain to us why that was, but we would find that there are more things happen in Iran, where no explanation is given. The mosque itself was not much to see except a coffin and a picture. No pomp, no fancy decorations except the verses on the walls and the dome. Yet good to be there again, it means something to many Iranians and that you also respect. When we left would go there was something happening, there were already soldiers in ceremonial uniforms. Just when we were going to leave They were lined up standing. I went outside and asked if we could stay a little longer because apparently something was going to happen. Everyone again, and we were well in front when a dignitary of the before Khomeini came to express. We were also the local supervision, so we brought forward certainly good to see. Well back to a particular time and place to be and to do something Aparts. When we returned the bus was Maryam for our coffee and tea. She had arranged for coffee, tea, cups and everything attached to it, including candy and cake. All very well maintained, at least we have never seen a travel companion during the day on the bus tour provides drinking. There was also plenty of water a day from the bus, all paid by the joint tip jar. On the way out of town we arrived at the old airport where we saw why the air is so polluted, there rose a plane in black smoke of a smoke. To save time we have towards Kashan in a fast food restaurant eating a hamburger with fries, naturally accompanied by a coke. After another while driving, with of course as a nap break, we arrived in Kashan. The hotel is a short distance from the center, but one of the more expensive hotels on this trip that we would call. The Rooms were nice but very hot because we were on the sunny side and were poorly maintained. Too bad, certainly because they already had a lot to build the exterior and therefore was a mess. After the stuff in the room have been put together with Olga walked to Fin Garden. There was very quiet and cool. There we also met with four young girls, what we have been talking. When the gardens were closed (And just about anything we have seen) are three of us went to a restaurant for a bite to eat. Along the way we were overtaken by the young ladies who we had met in the gardens. They gave us a note that said us and our family wanted the best. The restaurant was one with a large outdoor garden complete with waterfall. We sat on a plateau at the waterfall. Opposite us to another plateau was a family with grandpa. The latter thought it would be nice to get some attention and we have therefore quite some laughter. When we arrived it was fairly empty, but during the evening, there are more guests, including six girlfriends. Like most young girls are colorful and contemporary dress, cut and finished. You really see let the girls find the limits of the rules: a headscarf, but her visibility as much as possible. Tight clothing, except where it really should not (the buttocks). So they put it against the rules without really it the trouble. After simple but delicious dinner we walked back to the hotel and we still have a afknappertje (Coca Cola Zero) was taken.


Wednesday, October 7, Kashan

After a terribly hot night time we take a shower. The shower was lukewarm, so nice cooled off (not so fine). After a scanty breakfast of tea, thin bread, jam and a hardboiled egg with a taxi, we went to the bazaar. There were all the shops still closed, so there was nobody there and it was very quiet. That is something different than a place where all people, scooters, carts and donkeys to dry between walking and riding. Because it was so quiet, we heard the sound of an underground weaving, and of course we just look inside. We were kindly welcomed and could also just take pictures and filming. Walking back from the bazaar, I saw an open door of a mosque, and I asked if we could look. Again, only friendly people, a man who explained to us what everything was. He was proud of "his" mosque. Way to the historic houses we passed the Great Mosque AQo Bozorg. Since we did not have enough cash to pay the entrance and the entrance of the man could not get a refund of a "high" note, worth five euros. Luckily we were rescued by a Tukker, who at that time wanted the mosque and provided us with the remaining IR1000. It is an impressive mosque, which is again restored but still operational when prayer building. Only Medrese belonging is no longer operational. After an extensive visit with some chitchat with the Dutchman, we went to the historic houses. It was not easy to find the first, but luckily there was help, this time from an Iranian helpful on a moped. We started with what proved the biggest and nicest house: Ahmeriha. This house had been completely restored, which in itself is beautiful, but it also looks all very new. The three other homes during the day we visited were not as good / beautiful restored, but did you know better how it must have been earlier. Many beautiful murals, tiles and plaster gave a good picture of the wealth that the inhabitants of these houses should have enjoyed. We also visited the Amir Ahmad Hammam, beautiful and just a pity that it no longer teahouse. It would have been welheel specifically to such a beautiful location at your convenience of a pot of tea. Moreover, we were ready for a little rest after all the steps in the historic houses. We are still only just walked into the old city walls, and took the road into a shop with water and chips. The old city was unfortunately turned into a corn field, so there was nothing to see. There were toilets (and very clean), so it was still good that we were there. In the old walls were still a few annoying boys, here they know strokes and adolescent boys with bravado. We are a leisurely walked back to the bazaar, but everything was closed. We are a young man brought to the caravanserai. He said he had a hours per day studying English, he sometimes also helped his brother in his courier company, but really wanted to Europe a good job. We have often heard, a very large proportion of young people want to leave Iran because there is no future for them, or because they feel trapped by all the (religious) rules. In the caravanserai we tea, and an Iranian tourist couple sitting talking. After tea we were on the roof to the overview of the city to admire. We can make some nice pictures. We had to pay for it, and the tea was not the cheapest we had a drink in Iran, but is increasing. (Tea IR40000/dak IR20000). After visiting the caravanserai our young guide led us back to the exit of the bazaar, and gave him a tip. We bought some bananas and biscuits (with some difficulty) by taxi to the excavations continued, the last part the day schedule. The excavation was nice but not very spectacular. Whether that is due to the excavation itself or the fatigue of the day is not entirely clear. But once again nice people who told us everything. For example proudly on this site first bricks were found. After visiting the site we are back walk to the hotel. Along the way we were joined by Spencer, an American boy with an Iranian passport because the origins of his father. His father had taken him to Iran to his homeland with him to familiarize , but had not thought that the guy could not get out, because he first had to fulfill his military service. The kid was therefore, even if for other reasons, not happy with his stay in the homeland of his father. Arrived in The first hotel we took a coke and we did some sit or lie in the reading room. We then merge food in a traditional Iranian restaurant. No menu in English, but many people, so nice. Rice and kebab taken together with the first alcohol-free beer with lemon flavor. Tastes more like iced tea to for beer but it tastes good instead of constantly water or cola. The total cost was IR120000 (€ 8.00), so another lost power. It will be more expensive Shiraz and Isfahan. Must surely be, otherwise we are not Iranian money off of us. In the hotel we took just a cola, this time we had to pay. Good that variation in the operation and the manner of checkout, otherwise it becomes so boring. Later the Fellowship from Limburg in and we have some chatting.


Thursday, October 8, through to Abyaneh Na'in

It was slightly cooler at night, so we slept a lot better. Breakfast and again at nine o'clock. If the continues, we come equipped home. Before we left we had to checkout the melon. That we had more in breakfast included, but again it cost almost nothing. Colaatjes of the two days they are a forgotten well. From the hotel we drove to Abyaneh. En route we passed an area with nuclear facilities, there were Of course no pictures of it and that what we did not. Usually, we are not obedient, but in this country is somewhat inconvenient if you are arrested as a spy from the arch-enemy (and you soon). In Abyaneh we good half hour to walk around, it is an old town as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and in which full being restored. The population is really only from older people who are trying to earn some by selling dried apples and souvenirs to tourists, it was nice to see it here, and of course we are going to walk together again fun things to discover. In a place far beyond the tourist route, people were baking bread. We could it look and taste, but no pictures or film. Pity but of course we respect that. Upon return ridges in our bus at a picnic where we of course everybody was invited to taste. I have really nowhere seen such a hospitable people. In the parking lot is a pistachio jar (peanut butter) purchased. Was good at that moment (again at home discarded). After visiting Abyaneh we picnic on that place we could see an underground water system. Water was (and is) by underground from the mountains channels to the city. After lunch we went to Na'in we arrived at a quarter past five in our hotel. Another roteind from the city, is brand new. With plastic flowers and even plastic trees in the front yard, complete with colored Christmas lights. Very special. Clean rooms, no service and bar, but a minibar. Dinner with the whole group, there was little else in the distance. After returning the "beer" from the minibar down the hall and met with a number of people drunk. Rock hard beds, a shelf was nothing in our mats are softer.


Friday, October 9, from Na'in to Yazd

Despite the hard bed, I still slept pretty, Piet less. The breakfast was as always, but now supplemented by scrambled eggs, so the will is there. They have breakfast here in Iran apparently not as extensive. Also own a sandwich pistachio clue. When we arrived in Na'in first one we got a good tour guide, who later turned out mayor of the village. He is also the person who wants to put village on the map at the tourist organizations, and so enthusiastically talks about all what has been done. We have been given any wind towers all over Iran to be found, and also have the lighthouse from long ago seen in ruins. Furthermore, The very extensive tour with a visit to a large old mosque where we are in the underground room where it was always cool, and also where the light comes from windows in the marble floor of the mosque. A visit to a hammam for men were provided, but no camera, so we women did not gain much from. Ultimately, it is not too much: there were only some men in underwear around. Way to the Other sights we passed a square where worked on the restoration of a mosque. A small mosque where he had a key we were. The bazaar was not missing from the tour, too bad that no longer shops in it. We came past a bakery (with cigarette in mouth) who provided us freshly baked bread. Course also looked at an underground weaving, and we have an extended visit brought to the tapijtknoperij of his wife. Who also gave a demonstration, and then you can understand why the "Persians" are so expensive. When we were here went pee before we would go we came across the square for the large mosque. On the square was also a kind of cemetery, with all photographs of young soldiers or warriors. Piet has since also pictures of a little girl with a chador for which we had not seen before. Along the way we did a light lunch on the bus: cucumber, tomato, fruit, coffee and tea with a treat. It is good for us care! At a quarter past four we arrived at our hotel in Yazd. This is possible even further out of town, but is very nice and luxury. The Lonely Planet calls it a top-end tent. Stuff thrown in the room, cup of tea and then made to walk. After nearly one hour walk we took a taxi to the restaurant. The driver did not know, but fortunately there was the great mosque nearby, so we asked the driver but to drive over there. For the mosque, we asked a tourist He knew where the restaurant was. In the same restaurant we met at Olga. We have taken a delicious buffet, overlooking the Great Mosque of course fully enlightened. The buffet cost us, including drinks, or € 5.25 pp. Some night shots and the kids called. Our text messages had not arrived and they were not allowed by mail or through SMS. We are three of us in a taxi for IR10000 (€ 0.70) returned to the hotel. A "Beer" and one out into the room.


Saturday, October 10, en route to the Zein-od-Din caravanserai

Both slept well and good in the shower / bath. After extensive breakfast, this time with fried eggs. An expensive Hotel has its advantages. For nine hours on the bus stepped Chaghmagh Amir to visit the mosque, the Kabir Jamee Mosque and the Fire Temple. The first mosque we were alone on the roof and the balconies, it was no longer continue use. The second mosque is that the mosque was where we watched the previous evening during dinner. That was another very nice, and we have even bought the first postcards, we must once again start it. You could also shows that still in use, there were chairs for older people who want to pray, and there was also a box where you could pick up the Koran to read. Between the two mosques, we were transported by bus. In a special store a lot of candy for home purchase, I wonder what they find at home, here it is good. Mary still had problems because they wrote down the orders in English. The seller thought they only in Farsi to do, because they spoke Farsi. She was angry and had even showed her passport to prove she is Dutch and that it is illogical that if she speaks Farsi Farsi to write them. After all our acquisitions, we continued by bus to the bank, so people here could still change. The next visit, to the bank, was at the Fire Temple When the guard saw that Piet was making pictures he the light, and he closed all doors. Everything to ensure that the photographs of the eternal sacred fire and probably would nicely be. Then we go a little further away to the Towers of Silence to visit and climb. It is an old site of the Zarathustra, where it carried their dead to vultures, their religion forbids it because the earth and air, soil, So burial or cremation was not an issue. Nowadays this kind of "buried" are prohibited and supporters buried in concrete boxes. The site has two places where the funeral ritual took place, one for men and one for women. We walked up the hill for the men because that is the best thing is, there were still some remnants of the original tower to see. It was also the steepest, but ultimately it was not that bad. The last piece was difficult, but with a little help from the companions came all right (no one could come only on the hill, everyone had an ass necessary). Together and walked down some buildings on the site under the hills views. Piet went went to the cemetery today, but I would rather pee, so do not count gone. Piet went into the bus before he managed to take a picture of the guardian of the site: an ancient Zoroastrians. After all that we see in an old hammam lunch, three people did not participate, but can be happy. The lunch was delicious but also very extensive. After lunch we drove to the caravanserai. You expect that in the middle of the desert, but we could from the roof of the Highway just see it. Also nothing wrong with that, we were the only ones with the group. This meant that the headscarves off were allowed as long as we stayed within the walls. Has also had some good, but people suddenly look very different. We have the sunset from the roof can still pie. We did some chatting and then saw the bedroom grown. The bedrooms were in the hallway between made, it was a kind of niches that were concluded by a curtain. We had a spacious "room" with four mattresses. That was very soon two single beds. After all that was settled we started writing the cards in a separate round space, a kind of resting place. Delicious! When the food was finished we went to the restaurant where the people of the caravanserai had made goodies, it was So fine. Coke there and it was (almost) complete. After dinner, the staff gave away a dance show. It would evolved a lot, but was actually a joke. A piece of music from speakers and a few guys who a round dance done with sticks and smashing together. In what we thought would be the break they came with a round tip basket. It appeared the end of the show to be severely disappointing, especially for what the basket arrived. Updated to read the diary and then but went to bed, we had the next day a whole hour sooner.


Sunday, October 11, en route to Shiraz

Just eight hours after we left after a good night on our home-built double bed. En route to our final destination Shiraz we stopped at a 4000 year old cypress where we have some nice pictures of the people who make the tree also came to admire. A little further with the bus we arrived at an ice house where we just stopped. The ice house is a structure in the form of a sort of beehive where once the water was kept cool. An ingenious invention of how a few hundred years ago. Then we continue by bus, we're bound to have once stopped pee. Also a few times to put the stuff for the picnic lunch that day to buy. When we got everything together we had were the picnic area where we would have lunch over, but another place was zittafels fine. So there it unpacked and had dinner. After cleaning it was a fifteen minute drive before we reach the archaeological site of Pasargadae arrived. When we found out that the bus half flat tire, and had Our driver is looking for a garage because we obviously could not continue. That gave us the opportunity to less than a half hour visit to the site, and we also desperately need to all major spots view. And there were a number: the tomb of Cyrus, one of the kings of the Achaemenid Empire in 550 BC. The various palaces and the prison tower was worth it. The latter was not case when it came to the castle, although it gave a nice view over the entire site. There were also gates and parts of buildings which the reliefs and drawings were still visible, very nice all. When we ask after some time arrived at our hotel, the hotel was fine. We consider the bus to eat (we John and Marianne, Elizabeth and Bertie, Maryam and driver) We went to a luxurious restaurant Soofi's gone anywhere Live music was and where we ate delicious fish and prawns with a large glass of lemon / mint juice. In the room at the hotel we have taken coffee and tea and went to sleep.


Monday, October 12, Shiraz

We woke to the alarm after a good sleep. Nice shower, good breakfast and then on the road together. En route to the castle we first speak to an old lady with money for her meals that day and we passed went to the post office stamps. Again friendly people who want to help, and even cause you too much stick stamps if you do not understand. At the castle we first some pictures of the outside made before we went inside. Inside was an exhibition of old photographs, and there was a room with wax figures in the clothing of the time the castle was in use. Then we just wanted to go out, we saw that there was also a hammam was, and we are also just take a look. That was surprisingly good (as often as you do something unexpected encounter). We searched for the Bach-e Naranjestan museum, it took us some deodorant for Piet bought in the Netherlands that he leave and that is not so convenient. The museum we have not initially found, but we did it go to the mausoleum of Sayyed Mir Ahmad (the King of the Lignt). There was a women and men an entrance, so we decided to visit the mausoleum and we should meet or the other side of the entrances to see. I was refused, but had to agree to make sure I had a chador. Who received I got to the place where my bag (including camera) had to deliver. It all looked very reliably, So I did everything but actually given, and received a receipt and to borrow a chador. When the youth asked I had experience with putting on such a thing, and I said no to it, the guy made sure that someone who was waiting here helped me. So I went to the port for the second attempt and I was so on. When I went to the men as Piet has proved not to be allowed. You must either Muslim or members of a group was the claim of the guard. Despite all my questions and say that we were together a group and that we are against nobody would say he remained implacable: Piet could not enter. So that told me I only had to look it would be a shame to not to do so. And he was right, I wish they would not have missed it. A very large complex with a shrine to all mirror mosaic was created. There were women on my side to the worship of the deceased were (His tomb that is), but also women who cozy with each other while the kids were chatting around the room at the were run. Everywhere I was approached and helped as my (synthetic) chador again own life was suffering. I also have just walked on the main square but did not stay too long because Piet course outside was waiting. I have my stuff picked up, they were neatly for me, and my chador again surrendered. Then look at Piet. Not finding so! After some searching I went across the street gone because there was less pressure, and he would see me there better if he'd come back from his walk. When I had just crossed the guard came to me with the announcement that he had admitted but anyway Piet. I had it in the sun on a bench to sit, he would tell Piet where I was when he would return come. Piet soon came back and was not only in the shrine where I had also been in another mausoleum complex where the two brothers were buried Ahmad Mir. He was there at some point between only women, so had apparently taken a wrong turn. Yet, here again the hospitality of the population: there'll bet he could not say a word and quietly continue to watch and listen to someone Sat praying for (or actually sing). After Piet was given to me by our very nice guard / portion we have pictures on the outside, inside was not. After a short walk through the bazaar before we took a taxi to go to the tomb of Hafez. Unfortunately, the visit not that tomb: it was the death of the famous poet of Iran and President Ahmadinejad was there with his whole result. In doing so, so nobody (tourist or lower classes of their own people) at. Then the taxi but we brought to the Tomb Sa'adi. There was just so beautiful. After the tomb and part of the garden admiring tea we go drink and eat ice cream in a teahouse near the pond. Relax even anything written in journal, and enjoyed watching the people who came for tea and ice. From the tomb / garden we a taxi to Bagh-e-Naranjestan because we still wanted to see. It was a beautiful museum with a beautiful and a fantastic garden pavilion. In the basement was an exhibition of objects they found in the environment had, too bad they have not put any time and from where it was found. On the ground floor was a lobby with lots of mirrors and mirrors in different sizes so, and rooms with beautifully painted walls and ceilings. On the first floor ceilings were only worthwhile, but they were also special: pictures of busty women and Bavarian landscapes with hurches in Austria that you would expect, but not in Iran. When we were about to leave we were offered water from a student. Because we do not want to be rude, I accepted it, and there is nobody else sick, so it must have been good ... During the walk looking Sharzeh restaurant where we were going to eat that evening we passed the hammam Vakil, now a museum instalations carpets. Of course we just went inside, it was nice to see. That was certainly true for the same mosque. Further searching for the restaurant came by a store where you could buy anything, and we have bought reading glasses piet. There we could also ask the same restaurant was confused, it's not easy to find the places in Iran where you want to go, and the city of Shiraz is no exception. On instructions from the seller of the glasses we found it, although it has not been open for eight hours (we knew that already). We walked back to the hotel, took two beers with flowers and went to freshen up. At half past seven we started walking to go eat. When we arrived Mary and Olga were also waiting for them inside could. While we are together aankamen we're only going to eat there once we're in the mood and a chance encounter do not always change a bit. We sat on a gallery and there was live music. Like, there was even a guest (musician) with drumming. When we had eaten and had enough pictures and film of the musicians we're back walked to the hotel. I still had to return because Pedro's reading glasses on the table had left. Fortunately they in Iran in most restaurants serve the food faster than clearing the table, so the glasses there was yet. Back at the hotel, we immediately went upstairs and go to sleep, it was an exhausting and eventful day.


Tuesday, October 13, visiting Shiraz Persepolis

We left at eight hours after a reasonable breakfast left for our day to Persepolis and the tombs. Lily was at the hotel, Our guide that day, were waiting. En route to the site told them that no backpacks were allowed to enter, so when we have all the important things done but in a plastic bag, we would all go and eat it drinking. The site was, after some misunderstandings evident that after the extensive tour, accompanied by Lily, about three quarters had to walk around them. When it was clear that we're all going to walk along, although we were not always close when the stories were told. It is a wonderful archaeological site of the palace city of the Achaemenid kings in the fifth century BC. The site is really impressive, and there is also plenty restored. The main reliefs and paintings protected by a tent roof. There are also a number of images in a sort of glass cage so people put off would continue. We also went down on one (small) hill walking to a tomb that was carved into the rocks. After a short climb above where we were soon not only to see the tomb, but where you have a lovely view have about the site. There you could see that there were several palaces, how big they were and how big the palaces city actually was. After a private tour of the site we have bought a book and we Then the whole group with a special Iranian ice cream. When everyone was provided by wasps and had repulsed, we've gone to the royal tombs of Naqhs-e-Rostam visit. They are carved out of the and rocks with fine reliefs in the same mountain sides. At first, I also have a Key bought one of my backpacks. Second place with tombs was very different, it seemed more on the graves we had seen in Sulawesi or Petra: high in the rock-hewn, and of course with fine carvings and other beeldhouwzaken. On the way back to Shiraz we have a late fast food do lunch. Had started somewhere we feel after all these antiquities. When we returned in Shiraz were we and a large part of the group off near the tomb of Hafez. There was a busy, there were verses from the Koran and poems of the poet recited and sung. We enjoyed people watching, although at any point we had enough of singing from the Koran as the singers The microphone was done (and the speakers were on full volume). When we got back to the hotel, we only Piet backpack thrown in the room and we walk to the teahouse in the bazaar. This was known as a good and cheap restaurant in an authentic atmosphere. When we drank tea and just wanted to order our food came in January and Marianne. Sometimes group, then do not mind, so she moved to nice. I took dizi, a stew with a kind of soup, I was happy to eat. Piet took chicken with rice, beer, and there it was again totally fine. Once we get used to that non-alcoholic stuff (do not). After dinner in a afknappertje nice hotel in time to the room for suitcases. The next day to Isfahan!


Wednesday, October 14, on the way to Isfahan

We would go away for eight hours, but breakfast went somewhat chaotic. Yet we had eaten at half past seven and we could hotel bill: IR260.000 (€ 18.00) for the harsh statements and the laundry, we can not worry. We're going to ride, There was much excitement on. In the garden of a farmer's picnic, go fine. In the bus trips we have settled, we got money back from the tip jar and we made an envelope for the driver. Agreed that we say goodbye the driver would do that evening, and tomorrow were going to make a visit to a power show. We have our Mary discussed the departure of companions. People from Limburg to do it the same night as the driver since it last night with family in Tehran want to spend. At half past four we arrived at another good hotel with a nice room and bathroom. On the street, but otherwise nothing wrong with that. We have so far anyway always had good rooms. We have made a cup of soup and then went to the square-Meydan-e Emam Khomeini run: beautiful, comfortable and above all on ten minutes walk away. Just perfect. We stood on the square last postcards for home purchase and have a "beer" taken to the room. Evening are we took the entire group dinner at a restaurant on top of a luxury hotel. The restaurant turned around, so view was always different. The food was fine. We have the envelope given to the driver, this was the last time he was with us. After dinner we had coffee at the coffee bar of the hotel, which took a while because they apparently can not cope with so many people simultaneously, then all still want to have different coffee. Back to the hotel, the driver is given a helping hand and equal to the room went.


Thursday, October 15, Isfahan

We have to let the clock expire half past six, after all this is one of the cities where the most visible, and we want minimize missing (but certainly not an idiot to run through the city). After a good breakfast we left at quarter past eight to walk to the Friday Mosque. Was it three minutes walk, but that's not really that time. There was not much traffic, and it was not so hot in my covered clothes and headscarf. The mosque was impressively large and beautiful. Beautiful columnar halls, domes and a very nice old merhab (prayer niche). We have the mosque looked very much at ease, where we filmed a lot with a German under sound. We are just about all day that group encountered. After the mosque we walked through the bazaar here, this time one with ordinary things like that with us the market would fall. But buy a souvenir there was not so. While walking back to the square we have still photos of the minaret of the Ali Mosque, which is special because he is completely twisted. We also have a visited the mausoleum of Vilayet Harun, a famous and important pilgrimage site. Here we were just inside and even pictures. They were back to the courtyard paving and new sewers in at to explain, so it was a building site, basically just like the whole environment of the great Friday Mosque. When we along a shop / bar where they came fresh juice are sold we sit down to do a juice, course some cake. Back on the main square, we went looking for a teahouse, but they could Unfortunately we did not find. Because I really felt like a bakkie and tired of all the sauntering, and I had pee we went to the palace Chehel Sotun gone. First I have to pee and tea and ice in the teahouse. Since we have some Iraqi Kurds in the film and put photo. That was even if we wanted to photograph, Digital cameras are fun. After resting we visited the palace: beautiful. Fantastically beautiful frescoes, it was very crowded, but it does have some. We are after extensive visit to the palace back to the square where we bought candy and nougat. Then we have Lotfolla Sheikh mosque. These may be as well, he is no longer in use as a prayer building, but That makes him no less beautiful. A long corridor leading to a central area, both with beautiful tiling, blue a lot. It was difficult to take pictures with flash you had problems with and without reflection was on different places too dark for good pictures. We have a butcher in a metal vase bought as souvenirs. It's back a souvenir that's not really recognizable as from a given country and that's what we're always looking search. We then have the teahouse on the roof and looked nice sitting with a few pots of tea and some cookies. Then looking for some light to eat. It eventually became a kind of roasted chicken from a take-tent, with a few "Beers" in the hotel room. Something different, but tasted very good. We were then picked up by a luxury bus driver picked up the strength to go Zurkhane. That was in a gym in the lower ring powerhouses accompanied by drums and singing their training did. One of those big guys did an exercise, and the rest followed him. We worked with big clubs, boards and a sort of call windows. There was also one who two wooden planks of one or thirty pounds at the turn was. They did even a dervish dance around, but that was away from what we have seen in Egypt. No matter, it was all a bit small, but fun to see. You could well see the end (and smell) that the boys had been doing well. Another special tradition of a country that we visited. When we went back to the hotel with our luxury bus purchased Maryam is an ice cream for everybody in the bus. After we had arrived at the hotel we are equal to walked to the square where pictures of the illuminated buildings. Even when people came to us to practice their English, asking what we find in their country, and especially to welcome us. After the pictures conversations and we went back to the hotel and went off to bed, it was a full day.


Friday, October 16, Isfahan

An hour later resurrected, after all we had time enough. First we had breakfast and then calmly hit the road again. On the Square tried to give the great Imam Mosque on Friday closed. SHIT!, This was the last day that we live in Isfahan and so we were missing. Again look at the books, but it was really that the Imam mosque Friday would be open. Sorry we have not visited him yesterday, but nothing more to do. But then towards the Vank Cathedral in the Armenian quarter on the other side of river. On the way there was a rainbow in a fountain and beautiful people and buildings surely some stops for photos and film worthwhile. Furthermore way we came, of course again against people, and we were even invited for dinner. Too bad it was in Shiraz, we had just no time. We do have the mother and daughter who had invited us to put the picture, we still to remind us what the invitation. Just looking for the cathedral, but at some point it simply found. Truly sublime!, Filled with frescoes of scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Shooting was not shooting well, but you had to buy a ticket IR25.000 at the box office. Then it maps bought at the "keeper" in the church and some secretly filmed. But that's nothing for us and we had so quickly enough. Anyway to the keeper for a movie ticket. But he said that filming was not a problem, and I do my thing might go. Bit weird because it does just before an Iranian film had checked her ticket. It will all be, We have confidence to shoot for the price of the cards (IR20.000). After viewing the extensive Cathedral and a short visit to the museum we had a search for the Bethlehem church, but it was closed (As already predicted in the Lonely Planet). We wanted to go back under the bridge a cup of tea will do, but when we looked inside we walked on. Local is fine, but it did not look out over of what we had previously seen. On the way back we went to a fast food restaurant, a pizza and coke made. Fine, you little difficult to speak it, but it was really good. Back at the square where the mosque was still closed, we visited the Ali Quapa palace. But that was another very nice, complete with corners whispering in the hall where you could say that lightly and that the other corner very well could be heard. The music room was special, that they had cut from a variety of characters (looked like) to ceiling to improve the acoustics After some photos and film were shot of the buildings on the square I a nice pair of earrings purchased. That was the only vendor who (a little) was annoying. He understood but not that I have not had the pendant and just wanted to know the price of the earrings. Eventually successful, a pair of beautiful silver earrings with blue for € 17.00. At the Abbasi hotel across our hotel, we sit in the garden tea. This is a luxury hotel, with a wonderful restaurant, where the choice for tonight was already fixed. A "beer" on the corner and bought the room drunk. Evening at the Abbasi Hotel is eaten in a magnificent dining room with plush chairs, chandeliers and frescoes on the walls and ceilings. It was a great location, good food, only to be replaced by a Coke Zero bottle dry white would have been nice. The idea of fast food came to come here again: the appetizer was not on when main course came. So I have just returned, in such a setting you have to take enough time to eat. We have after dinner coffee in the cafeteria. Which was opened especially for us because we are not outside wanted to sit there with no coffee in the lobby was. After coffee, we crossed over to our hotel, we the stuff and we're almost like sleep.


Saturday, October 17, from Isfahan to Tehran via Qom

Got up early again on the square to walk a bit in the hope that the mosque would be open for eight hours , but alas. The opening was really nine hours, and that was too late for us. We walked a bit around behind the walls are still some pictures to make when we were brought to a construction worker with a back door. It was beautiful, but again with lots and lots of scaffolding canvas for the protection of mosaics and believers from the harsh Sun When we were arrested by a construction worker inside, we said that if someone different and so we were away, so they let us walk a little. But when the guard came, he was really inexorably, by the back door and out through the front door. Still can visit a small, though was very short. Given that the great Imam Mosque very worthwhile. Back at the hotel we went with the group soon headed back for the last day of travel back to Tehran. En route we could just before our visit to Qom, a little pee and eat a burger and fries for lunch. Then Qom, very impressive. We could not take the bus into the city, so we went from the edge of the city with more taxis. A couple did not count, own choice, but we want to see what moves people and engaged. We were also only Bring your camera, the rest had to remain in the bus, we would still only to the shrine of the sister of Imam Reza go. Since we had arrived at the gate waiting for Mary came back with one signed by the imam authorization form. After the women had to go get a chador (nice for the picture) and we were by the imam which we received were a whole treatise on the relationship between Islam and Christianity, the Taliban were not real Muslims, the Koran, etc. The book was a peaceful or cut wood, but we were not actually occurred, we wanted to walk around. That was the end, but we did as group stay together, not to dwell, not to come near people or shrine. It was all a bit hectic and stressful, especially for Mary. The constantly slipping chador helped although not involved in a leisurely visit, filming was so very difficult. Yet it was an impressive visit, as everywhere in the world where people are in complete devotion worship something. As we went away again after our short visit, and we had to return back chadors I saw why Mary was so nervous been: she had her (Dutch) passport and surrender if the group would not behave they would have difficulty to regain. Back to taxi to the location of the bus and this particular visit was over. Net the bus to Tehran where we one hour and a half of the traffic chaos before we could enjoy our hotel were. It's always wait and see if anyone survived, mopeds race through everything, and stripes the road they might as well leave out. It would be a major city in Europe can be. Luckily we had yet again all have their own room, that was certainly not disappointing. The tour group of the group and Maryam and her husband Ehsan have dinner at a Mexican restaurant. In a small evaluation found that all very well to his or her sentence had. Quickly back to the hotel for a few hours to sleep, all hours are included. At 01.00 hours left for the airport, exchanged money back, bought coffee from the last money. We could not go shopping, the shelves were three-quarters empty, so was a bit disappointing. Checking in and boarding went fine, once I had found in the system. The land steward got a little hot when he could not find me, luckily he looked under my maiden name, and then suddenly I was though. The plane was not full, so once we were up against Piet and I are back together and had moved four chairs in a row at our disposal. That suddenly sleeping a lot better. We ate on the plane and some eight hours in the morning we landed in the Netherlands.