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.
The first surprise was the good quality of the roads.
We entered the mountanous zone and the fairytale began.
The day drew to its close and we looked for a place to spend the night.
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...
...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.
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.
We did not have enough money to reach Tehran. We had two options: to go back or to continue without money.
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.
The colors of the mountains and the clay villages fascinated us.
Every few kilometres the colour and the form of the mountains changes abruptly.
We had never seen a landscape like this.
We stopped every couple of kilometres to take pictures and admire the landscape.
We assume that the clay constructions protect the people from the heat. Does anyone know something about clay construction?
The mountains are very small, but are shaped like tall mountains.
In some parts it seemed like paint had fallen from the sky.
The variety of colours and shapes is impressive. We have never seen anything that even remotely compares to this.
Every few kilometres the mountains change colour.
We left the main road for a while.
Another group of great people filled our tanks in Zanjan. If you don't have coupons, the litre costs 30 euro-cents.
The people of Iran are very friendly and hospitable. Here they were sharing their food with us at a petrol station.
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.
"At least I understand the symbol at the end... "
Don't worry. Behind every one of these signs you will find its english counterpart.
The steel structures serve as protection from the earthquakes.
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.
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.
Tehran is a very developed city, but too dominated by concrete and pollution for our taste.
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.
The bad part: the women have to be covered at all times.
The women have to endure this mostly black dress on their head and body, even if temperatures reach 45 degrees.
We rode up in the cable car to have a panoramic view of Tehran.
The city of Tehran, covered with smog.
Riding along the streets of Tehran, we could not believe we rode all the way here on our own motorcycles.
In Tehran we stayed at Mehrdad's house for a few days. He had invited us over the internet.
We loved the persian food.
The santur in a typical Iranian instrument.
Typical persian meal. We stayed at the home of the Parhizkars in Tehran.
In the home of our hosts.
A typical Iranian style house, with many arm chairs and carpets.
We moved to Mr. Schafii's house, who is here buying a persian bread for breakfast.
We travelled to Esfahan in the center of Iran.
The Si-o-Seh bridge in Esfahan.
In the south, the tradition is stronger and the women are covered even more than in the capital.
Women with pretty faces have an advantage over those with nice bodies, because this is the only part of the body they can show.
Women can study and work in any job.
The house of a motorcyclists.
Gustavo recording every detail.
We can assure you the people of Iran follow this part of the Koran.
The colors and the designs are incomparable.
The three generations, and not much change.
Vault of the Mosque of Sheikh Lotf Allah.
The Naghsh-i Jahan Square, or Imam Square.
On a terrace of a tea house, with this magnificent view.
The Imam Square at night.
The Shah Mosque (Imam Mosque) is an excellent example of the islamic architecture of Iran.
The Shah Mosque is considered the masterpiece of persian architecture.
Inside of the Shah Mosque.
Fassade of the Shah Mosque.
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.
The Iranian people are very proud of their culture and of being part of the Persian civilization.
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.
The dome of the Shah Mosque.
Excellent view of the Shah Mosque.
Mosque of Sheikh Lotf Allah.
Taking a walk along some of the back alleys of Esfahan.
Elke with her long gold coat looked like a sorceress from the Lord of the Rings.
In Esfahan the temperature reaches 40°Celsius during the summer in winter you can have -10° and snowfall.
Esfahan was once the capital of Persia.
Minaret of the Jameh Mosque.
The Persian-Arabic writing is so beautiful that it can be used to decorate the mosques. Generally these are excerpts from the Koran.
Columns and vaults of the Jameh Mosque.
Vaults of the Jameh Mosque.
Courtyard of the Jameh Mosque.
Bazaar in Qeyam square, Esfahan.
Choosing the ingredients for dinner.
In the great e-Bozorg bazaar.
Intricate labyrinths of the e-Bozorg bazaar.
Iranian handicraft is of very high quality and detail.
Enamel is a craft technique of ultimately delicate and detailed painting on copper.
Painted bronze utensils using the enamel technique are baked in an oven so the paint us extremely resistant.
Persians also specialize in engravings in copper.
Loose spiced and herbs in the bazaar.
Discovering the bazaars, intricate labyrinths several kilometres in length.
Iranian handicraft is extremely delicate.
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.
The bridge of 33 arches, Esfahan.
Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Empire during one of its heights.
Persepolis was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 A.C.
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.
