Raamtin Residence Hotel Tehran

... occupying Iran.<br><br>Location of Alamut Fortress<br><br>Remember that during your tour to Iran, it's definitely worth taking a trip to Alamut at the north west of Qazvin city. You should cross the Alborz mountains and drive through 100s of curves on asphalt road for nearly 120 km to get to the fortress. Figures and words cannot express the excitement of this mysterious journey. You keep wondering how people could decide to pick up such a location for their ...

... escape surrounded by large trees and a trimming of bright summer flowers. . Four or five pool men were painting the huge pool in the garden and the cleaner/nanny Zorah, was darting from room to room with a list of jobs to do. Nikki and Heath were, as always, the calm amongst the storm. Nikki had Arlo, their gorgeous big-eyed one year old boy, planted on one hip as she and Heath directed the comings and goings. Nikki and I had met whilst studying in Berkley, California more than 10 ...

... and their drivers left their vehicles to watch or take part in the event.<br> <br><br>Even though we simply waved and said we were merely tourists (&#8220;jahangard&#8221;), trying to reach our hotel, we were constantly asked if we were journalists and invited to tell the world what was happening in Iran. A group on a second floor balcony who clearly were journalists, aimed their telephoto lens at the passersby and ...

... but my time in Iran is coming to an end and I'll be flying to Damascus in a few hours. After getting over the initial shock of seeing women in scarves and chadors, strangely enough I almost don't even notice it anymore. Overall it's been an incredible experience I can assure you that the Iranian people are some of the friendliest, most hospitable that I've ever met though you'd never know it based on the news we get at home. And now on to Syria!

... a helpful Iranian is there to translate for us. They do not see a lot of tourists in this country but the ones they see, they really take good care of. I have never experiences a warmer and more hospital people than the Iranians. The country needs more tourists in order for the west to really understand what this country is all about. It's people are so different from the government. until next time , Mashallam (it's god's will) all the best Philip and Viktor

... en tant que piéton, de crier à une voiture qui passe l'endroit où l'on veut aller pour que le conducteur, si ma destination est aussi la sienne, s'arrête et se transforme en taxi. Une facilité de déplacement contrecarrée par le bordel, une fois dans la voiture ; un constat assez sympathique. Enfin, fourrant dans cette dernière catégorie tant de petites choses ...

... no alarm vicar - strictly non-alcoholic) and you've only got US$478 in your wallet, then the sum of $10 just for lunch starts to be of concern. A tired mind, as I'm at risk of being repetitive, was not a great help at that stage in working out just how much money actually would be needed. More of that later. Well if you like rabbit food the buffet was fine. If, like me you like meat of whatever variety then very small chicken legs brought seemingly randomly to the ...

... actually thought was interesting. After that, we went back to my hotel. I said good bye to Ali and thanked him for everything he did for me during my stay in Tehran (as I was leaving tomorrow for Esfehan). He actually made me promise (again) that I would go see him and his family in Tabriz on my way to Turkey. I reluctantly said yes. I really didn't want to. I couldn't say no after everything he did for me. He wanted me to promise him that I would stay at his home for 2 days but ...

... his military service near the Pakistan border and how dangerous it was because of the Opium drug lords and terrorists. He was back in University but still needed to complete his military requirements. If he completed University, he would be able to cut his required military service time by half. This was enough motivation for him to complete University. However, although he didn't want to go back to the military, he was eager to finish it as it is difficult to get married in Iran ...

... of the people of Tehran. I don't even think the drivers in East Africa were as bad as the drivers of Tehran. I eventually learned that Tehran has more car accidents and street fatalities than any other city in the world. This did not surprise me. There are so many cars in Tehran and most of them looked like they have been in an accident. Anyhow, I was starting to get a bit annoyed because we were supposed to go out to eat but meanwhile I was somewhere in the middle of Tehran ...