Park Hotel Shiraz

... our eyes, literally within touching distance, was another pinch yourself moment for a history nerd like me.<br><br>After we had completed our tour of Persepolis we drove out to the rock tombs of several of the Achaemenid kings at Naqsh-e Rostam. These tombs are cut into a cliff overlooking the same river valley as Persepolis does, and housed the remains of Darius I, Darius II and Xerxes I (the son of Darius I). As the Achaemenids were Zoroastrians the kings that were ...

... and echoing rooms. The baths provided a welcome relief from the 45 degree heat outside and we just did not want to leave. We had effectively transformed ourselves (without realising) into ancient Persians chatting in the cool Fridgidarium area. <br> <br><br>No rest for the adventurous Dragomen and women as we dragged ourselves off to the Vakil Mosque and what turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Cameras yet more photos of tall ...

... through. It was actually a very funny experience because it was clear that they wanted to let me in but just didn't know the protocol. OK, fast forward to Shiraz, which was about a 1-1/2 hour plane ride south of Tehran. Shiraz is a university town and the people have a reputation for being some of the friendliest in Iran, which is an understatement. At almost every place we've gone, we've had people approach us to ask where we're ...

... la jeune et sublime Esfahan. Les Qajars prenant le relai (et transférant la capitale à... Teheran, remember ?), la fête fut de courte durée ...

... seemed overly keen to maintain I boarded the paddy wagon. Everyone here? Nope. One missing American. Not so bad you might think, but an American on his own is actually in breach of Law 123,343,343,353,234,234 of the IR of Iran Criminal Code. If you haven't been following the Code recently you won't know that Americans are not allowed into Iran unless they are going to be spied upon, sorry, accompanied by a guide at all times. Just ...

... would be re*lly re*lly l*te *t night in Americ* *nd the result of the election, George Bush *nd Republic*n shenn*****ns (*l* Florid*y 2004) *side, should be cle*r. I *ppe*red to be first up *nd he*ded p*st the rest*ur*nt *re* downst*irs to the lobby. H*ving discovered eventu*lly on the fl*ky English news cover*ge I could see *nd he*r on my room television th*t Ob*m* w*s pretty f*r *he*d *nd couldn't be c*ught I *sked the reception ch*ppy if he could switch on the huge LCD ...

... I arrived on the 1st of October, as most of you know, which was the day of the new moon, and up until now the moon has been my albatross, watching me from the early afternoon, reminding me of how quickly time is moving, and staring down the sun in the evenings, where it cowers beyond the horizon in the east. Leaving Kashan wasn't too difficult, as I had Ali there to help me book my train ticket. The last day we spent touring around the city and the ancient ruins of Sialk ...

... shores, one along the Persian Gulf in the south and the other along the Caspian Sea in the north. And there was the island of Hormuz, on which the Portuguese built a fort in order to maintain their dominance over the sea trade routes between the Middle East and India. But really, I had no reason to go, except that I have never been there before. I bid my farewell to Shiraz by walking to the old bazaar in the morning (Bazaar e Vakil, or Regent's Bazaar). In the early ...

... of officially-sanctioned guilt over the National Socialist period in postwar Germany. <br><br>After a much needed siesta in the hotel, I met up with the guys again and headed to the Bagh e Eran, or the Garden of Paradise. In the afternoon heat, with the reflecting pool, the mini-forest of trees and the roses in full bloom, it came as close to paradise as possible in Shiraz. We clowned around in the garden, picking un-ripened fruits from the trees and spitting ...

... 35199;&#29916;) or western melons, which refers to the western hinterlands of China through which the ancient caravans traverse along the Silk Road. I'm sure those thirsty travelers stocked up on hendunes in order to survive under the brutal sun, just like I have every evening since my arrival in Yazd. While I was having my breakfast of eggs and naan at the bus station, a couple of friendly soldiers in full uniform started to chat with me. They are two brothers serving in the ...