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 […]

I woke at 0400 and fell asleep again till I heard faint tinkling of my alarm.  I readied myself for breakfast at 0800 before leaving the hostel at 0900.  It was hot already but there was no point starting too early as various sights open at 0900. First up, I wanted to visit Hammam-e Sultan […]