I woke early and there was enough time before my 0800 breakfast to commit to my travel plans for June 2018 by making those bookings. It would be Tehran – Istanbul transfer – Bucharest, then land travel down to Istanbul, and then Istanbul – Madrid in order for us to fly to Quito and Galapagos a few days later (the Quito and Galapagos parts already booked weeks before).
It was the best option based on a balance of various factors. We looked at going to the French and Austrian Grand Prix as well.
I got picked up at 0930 for a short ride to the outskirts of town. Once at the ranch, there were a couple of horses waiting together with the guide. We wasted no time and headed up the hill behind. I had been given a “calm” horse due to my relative inexperience but the horse was rather “undisciplined” perhaps. It stopped for grass and water whenever it felt like it. The command to get it moving, “Cchhhoooo” worked only at times. The guide had to come back at times for me and lead my horse by the rope.
After about an hour through the relatively plain brown hills, I thought I had been “taken for a ride” or just been taken for a horseride around the backyard adjoining the ranch. I thought I hadn’t specified where we were going etc.
I continued regardless but after another 20 minutes, the scenery opened up to a very glorious landscape of plains against a backdrop of snowy mountains. In between was a belt of what looked like conifers and some golden leaves of autumn.
We continued on the plains moving to the right and eventually headed towards the forested belt where a stream gushed its way downhill. It was 3 hours since we had first started and it was time for us to turn back.
The ride back took a slightly different route and I was back at the ranch 5h20 after departure. That was 5h15 on horseback allowing for a 5 minute break which I had requested for some photos. My bum was sore! But it was a beautiful ride … yes, beautiful but also expensive. Never mind, I don’t think I’ll be here again. And I’m supporting the local economy. It’s pretty quiet at this time of year.
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- The scenery was better in real life. The mountains look tiny in these photos, many of which were taken into the sun.
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- The scenery was better in real life. The mountains look tiny in these photos, many of which were taken into the sun.
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- The scenery was better in real life. The mountains look tiny in these photos, many of which were taken into the sun.
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- The scenery was better in real life. The mountains look tiny in these photos, many of which were taken into the sun.
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- The scenery was better in real life. The mountains look tiny in these photos, many of which were taken into the sun.
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- The scenery was better in real life. The mountains look tiny in these photos, many of which were taken into the sun.
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- The scenery was better in real life. The mountains look tiny in these photos, many of which were taken into the sun.
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- The scenery was better in real life. The mountains look tiny in these photos, many of which were taken into the sun.
