Day 49. Gorgan - Gonbad-e Qabus
Yay only 100km today. Last night I heard the muezzin call to prayer for the first time since being in Iran. Islam is not as big here as I had expected, however the influence of the Islamic regime is everywhere.
A very pleasant drive through a predominantly rural area, with crops of rice, tobacco, tomatoes etc.
It is very hot so we have checked in to our hotel where we will rest for the afternoon before venturing out when it is cooler.
The internet is not so good here and many sites are restricted. No Facebook or Stuff or BBC.
If I search for news on Google I can get to some sites, ironically news sites ( and I use the term loosely) like CNBC are easy to see. I have found Reuters though.
We ventured out about 5 and found somewhere to eat. We then visited the towns main attraction, a large brick tower dating back 1000 years. Quite an unusual sight and it is a world heritage site. It acted as a beacon on the original silk road route, it is 62 metres high and very distinctive. The brick work is a piece of art. Apparently some higher ups were buried there also.
After this we headed to a small man made lake which is a local attraction popular with picnicking families.It is Friday here which is the weekend so there were families everywhere. We sat for a while and I decided to take a walk around it. Its not very big so maybe a 15 minute walk.
I left Robyn and Hossein talking and sure enough when I got back they had moved along and were speaking with a family of three, mum, dad and thirteen year old daughter who was learning English.
Things moved along and an invitation to tea at their home was extended and accepted. They left and we hadn’t gone five metres before five women sitting on a blanket beckoned Robyn to join them for tea and biscuits. This is getting ridiculous.
Finally we got away from the lake and took a taxi to the tea invitation. Very nice apartment and extremely hospitable people, with cold drinks, tea, platefuls of food and finally watermelon. There were gifts of fruit, and a fragrant herb for making tea, also a decent dollop of saffron. As we left Robyn received a small beaded bracelet. Nice people.
All over Iran where we have been, the family unit is very strong, we see families everywhere picnicking on a blanket and just enjoying each others company. Sometimes it is an extended family but more often just mum and dad and the kids.
A very pleasant drive through a predominantly rural area, with crops of rice, tobacco, tomatoes etc.
It is very hot so we have checked in to our hotel where we will rest for the afternoon before venturing out when it is cooler.
The internet is not so good here and many sites are restricted. No Facebook or Stuff or BBC.
If I search for news on Google I can get to some sites, ironically news sites ( and I use the term loosely) like CNBC are easy to see. I have found Reuters though.
We ventured out about 5 and found somewhere to eat. We then visited the towns main attraction, a large brick tower dating back 1000 years. Quite an unusual sight and it is a world heritage site. It acted as a beacon on the original silk road route, it is 62 metres high and very distinctive. The brick work is a piece of art. Apparently some higher ups were buried there also.
After this we headed to a small man made lake which is a local attraction popular with picnicking families.It is Friday here which is the weekend so there were families everywhere. We sat for a while and I decided to take a walk around it. Its not very big so maybe a 15 minute walk.
I left Robyn and Hossein talking and sure enough when I got back they had moved along and were speaking with a family of three, mum, dad and thirteen year old daughter who was learning English.
Things moved along and an invitation to tea at their home was extended and accepted. They left and we hadn’t gone five metres before five women sitting on a blanket beckoned Robyn to join them for tea and biscuits. This is getting ridiculous.
Finally we got away from the lake and took a taxi to the tea invitation. Very nice apartment and extremely hospitable people, with cold drinks, tea, platefuls of food and finally watermelon. There were gifts of fruit, and a fragrant herb for making tea, also a decent dollop of saffron. As we left Robyn received a small beaded bracelet. Nice people.
All over Iran where we have been, the family unit is very strong, we see families everywhere picnicking on a blanket and just enjoying each others company. Sometimes it is an extended family but more often just mum and dad and the kids.
Popular Robyn, wonderful way to connect with people!
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog Mark...really enjoying reading about your adventures.
ReplyDeleteThanks We are enjoying your comments also
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