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We're entering Iran! So little is the real information we receive in the media about this country. Let's see what we'll discover.
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The first surprise was the good quality of the roads.
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We entered the mountanous zone and the fairytale began.
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The day drew to its close and we looked for a place to spend the night.
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We treated ourselves to the luxury of spending money on a nice room to rest from the trip. Very soon we would regret this expense because...
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...we learned that Iran is suffering financial blockades that prevent all access to money in foreign accounts through ATMs, credit cards or any other form of transaction.
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We had entered the country with 40 Euros in cash and had spent all but 12 Euros. The rest of our money was in our bank account.
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We did not have enough money to reach Tehran. We had two options: to go back or to continue without money.
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We decided to take our chances and continue. The people started giving us petrol. They even provided us with reserve bottles to carry more petrol.
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The colors of the mountains and the clay villages fascinated us.
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Every few kilometres the colour and the form of the mountains changes abruptly.
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We had never seen a landscape like this.
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We stopped every couple of kilometres to take pictures and admire the landscape.
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We assume that the clay constructions protect the people from the heat. Does anyone know something about clay construction?
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The mountains are very small, but are shaped like tall mountains.
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In some parts it seemed like paint had fallen from the sky.
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The variety of colours and shapes is impressive. We have never seen anything that even remotely compares to this.
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Every few kilometres the mountains change colour.
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We left the main road for a while.
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Another group of great people filled our tanks in Zanjan. If you don't have coupons, the litre costs 30 euro-cents.
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Fascinating!
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The people of Iran are very friendly and hospitable. Here they were sharing their food with us at a petrol station.
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We were travelling with nothing but 12€, so we had to camp at a petrol station. It was no problem at all. We felt exceptionally safe in Iran.
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"Aha...."
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"At least I understand the symbol at the end... "
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Don't worry. Behind every one of these signs you will find its english counterpart.
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The steel structures serve as protection from the earthquakes.
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We're out of petrol again but this time they filled our tanks directly from the petrol truck. In Iran, petrol is cheaper than water.
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Our petrol donors.
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We reached Tehran and the Argentinian consul and his wife invited us to a dinner at their house. We were even served wine, which, like all alcoholic beverages, is strictly forbidden in Iran.
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Tehran is a very developed city, but too dominated by concrete and pollution for our taste.
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We were on the street looking for an internet cafe. A man gave us the keys of his appartment and left us there alone, using his computers. Iranian hospitality is incredible.
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The bad part: the women have to be covered at all times.
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The women have to endure this mostly black dress on their head and body, even if temperatures reach 45 degrees.
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We rode up in the cable car to have a panoramic view of Tehran.
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The city of Tehran, covered with smog.
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Riding along the streets of Tehran, we could not believe we rode all the way here on our own motorcycles.
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In Tehran we stayed at Mehrdad's house for a few days. He had invited us over the internet.
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We loved the persian food.
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Iranian students.
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The santur in a typical Iranian instrument.
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Typical persian meal. We stayed at the home of the Parhizkars in Tehran.
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The little ones.
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In the home of our hosts.
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A typical Iranian style house, with many arm chairs and carpets.
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We moved to Mr. Schafii's house, who is here buying a persian bread for breakfast.
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The santur.
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We travelled to Esfahan in the center of Iran.
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The Si-o-Seh bridge in Esfahan.
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In the south, the tradition is stronger and the women are covered even more than in the capital.
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Women with pretty faces have an advantage over those with nice bodies, because this is the only part of the body they can show.
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Women can study and work in any job.
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Old street in Esfahan.
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The house of a motorcyclists.
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Gustavo recording every detail.
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We can assure you the people of Iran follow this part of the Koran.
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The colors and the designs are incomparable.
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Girls in Esfahan.
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The three generations, and not much change.
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Contrast
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Vault of the Mosque of Sheikh Lotf Allah.
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The Naghsh-i Jahan Square, or Imam Square.
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Naghsh-i Jahan Square
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On a terrace of a tea house, with this magnificent view.
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The Imam Square at night.
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The Shah Mosque (Imam Mosque) is an excellent example of the islamic architecture of Iran.
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The Shah Mosque is considered the masterpiece of persian architecture.
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Inside of the Shah Mosque.
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Fassade of the Shah Mosque.
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Only 2% of Iran's population is not muslim. Amongst them, you will find Hindus, Jews and Christians. They are all officially recognized and protected.
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The Iranian people are very proud of their culture and of being part of the Persian civilization.
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Contrary to common western belief, the people in Iran don't speak Arabic. They speak Persian. However, they use the Arabic alphabet, adding four letters to it.
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The dome of the Shah Mosque.
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Excellent view of the Shah Mosque.
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Mosque of Sheikh Lotf Allah.
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Taking a walk along some of the back alleys of Esfahan.
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Elke with her long gold coat looked like a sorceress from the Lord of the Rings.
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In Esfahan the temperature reaches 40°Celsius during the summer in winter you can have -10° and snowfall.
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Esfahan was once the capital of Persia.
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Jameh Mosque
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Minaret of the Jameh Mosque.
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The Persian-Arabic writing is so beautiful that it can be used to decorate the mosques. Generally these are excerpts from the Koran.
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Jameh Mosque
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Columns and vaults of the Jameh Mosque.
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Vaults of the Jameh Mosque.
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Courtyard of the Jameh Mosque.
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Bird bazaar
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Bird bazaar
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Choosing a chicken
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Bazaar of Esfahan
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Bazaar in Qeyam square, Esfahan.
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Choosing the ingredients for dinner.
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In the great e-Bozorg bazaar.
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Intricate labyrinths of the e-Bozorg bazaar.
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Headscarf seller
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Not many options.
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Iranian handicraft is of very high quality and detail.
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Enamel is a craft technique of ultimately delicate and detailed painting on copper.
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Painted bronze utensils using the enamel technique are baked in an oven so the paint us extremely resistant.
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Bronze handicraft
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Fantastic enamel pieces
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Persians also specialize in engravings in copper.
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Persian spices.
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Loose spiced and herbs in the bazaar.
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Discovering the bazaars, intricate labyrinths several kilometres in length.
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Iranian handicraft is extremely delicate.
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Public telephones.
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Delicious Persian bread, baked in ovens with tiny hot stones. Some stones stick to the bread and the clients pick them off on this mesh.
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The bridge of 33 arches, Esfahan.
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Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Empire during one of its heights.
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Persepolis was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 A.C.
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There was a great fire that destroyed the city. Noone knows if it was an accident or if it was vengeance for the destruction of Athens in the second Greco–Persian war.
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The ruins of Persepolis.
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Bazaar
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