I was feeling lazy and jaded and didn’t want to go anywhere.  It was my third visit to the Iranian capital and the only thing I wanted to see (for the third time) were the National Jewelry Treasury but unfortunately it was closed today. Reluctantly, I headed out at 1000 to explore the neighbourhood sights which […]

We had arranged for a tour to Chak Chak and a few other places today.  We have Mikel and Puri, plus Sophie, the Australian girl that I keep running into through my trip.   The pick-up was supposed to be 0830 (but with a hint of 0900 in the discussion) and Said (same driver as yesterday […]

I had a late start today.  It was 0940 by the time I left the hotel; more than an hour after my usual start time.  I tried to stay in the shadow of the buildings as I wandered around the old town. I made two stops during my walkies, namely Lari House (and old mansion) […]

The Imam Mosque on Naqsh-e Jahan Square had been closed during the last two days, meaning that this morning was my only chance of seeing it after 15 years.  I left the hotel by foot at 0830 for the 0900 opening and I seem to be getting faster each time by knowing the route and […]

I can feel myself piling on weight from all the good food and the yummy-but-not-so-good food.  I vowed to eat less today and took an egg and some bread from breakfast.  The idea was to get a side salad to go with it and call it lunch. I set off at 0830 by foot across […]

Today I get to visit Naqsh-e Jahan Square’s main sights by daylight.  After breakfast, I walked along the shaded tree-lined paths to get to the square.  Even around 0830, it was already preferable to be in the shade and I was lucky that all my routes here are adequately shaded. Getting to the square, I […]

Our driver with a really bad hairpiece showed up on time at 0900.  We had arranged for a transfer to Esfahan via Abyaneh and Natanz for EUR30 per car.  With Mikel and Puri, it was a convenient sum of EUR10 per person. The ride took just over an hour and we were in Abyaneh by […]