Thursday, May 9, 2013

Back from Iran...

We got back late Monday night...I am, as usual, in the throes of jet lag, waking up raring to go at 3 AM, crashing at 3 in the afternoon. Yikes!

Here is a picture of the Middle East, showing where Iran is in relation to other countries...

And here is the map of the route we took on our trip:

We started and ended in Tehran, going  counter-clockwise.

The trip was fantastic...not always easy, but certainly worth the effort. Our favorite part? The people!
Never in all our years of travel have we been so warmly welcomed as we were in Iran; we and our fellow travelers (there were 7 of us) felt like celebrities! We saw NO other American tourists, although there were a lot of Europeans and Asians there. Passersby would ask which country we came from, and
when we said "America", there was an astoundingly positive response and, usually, a request for a photo.







Here is our stalwart group...
Interestingly, the only other man besides Dave, Murray, was also in the group on our trip to Ethiopia last year. He and Dave escaped the female contingent several times to smoke cigars, and other things...


The scope of the trip was so great that I'll  need to break the posts into several parts... (I am also hoping my jet-lagged brain will rejoin my body)...


 Iran is the home to at least 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites...we saw 6 of them. Stay tuned for 
magnificent RUINS... (some of them from the 6th millennium B.C.)


Lush Persian GARDENS...



and more MOSQUES, beautifully tiled, than you can imagine...

...to be continued....

Posted by at 4:25 PM
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23 comments:

  1. Maunawili MamaMay 9, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    Wow! How wonderful to have you report back on the warmth of the people...great way to break the stereotypes. I am looking forward to reading more...you've just whet our appetites!

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  2. a little sewingMay 9, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    Margy this is so amazing, looking forward to seeing more. I hope your jetlag doesn't last too long. Hang in there!!

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  3. shamsMay 9, 2013 at 5:15 PM

    Oooh, fabulous! I love hearing how warm the people are and I love seeing all of the pics, both of your stalwart group, the locals, and the gorgeous gardens and tile work! I am in LOVE with Islamic tile work!!!

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  4. VickiMay 9, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    Welcome back. I was worried when there was an earthquake there just after you left. Looks like you had a wonderful time and it will be fun to see Iran through your eyes - a country I have never thought of visiting.

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  5. JillybejoyfulMay 9, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    How wonderful to hear how warmly you were welcomed by the people :) The ruins look aMAYzing! Loving the pics; look forward to more.....

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  6. CocoMay 9, 2013 at 6:24 PM

    Welcome back! So good to hear your voice again, looking forward to all your stories of your trip!

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  7. IreneMay 9, 2013 at 8:24 PM

    Glad that you're back safe and sound. These pictures are wonderful to see. Thank-you for sharing them.

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  8. AndreaMay 9, 2013 at 9:00 PM

    Wonderful pics, Margy. Looking forward to hearing more. Glad you are home safe!

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  9. UnknownMay 9, 2013 at 9:50 PM


    I am delighted to know that all went well on your journey, and you discovered the warmth and beauty of the middle eastern people first hand. The pictures are a lovely compliment to the tales to be told. Looking forward to the next installment. Get any rain? Plenty in Saudi.

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  10. AnonymousMay 10, 2013 at 1:00 AM

    Wonderful trip! Wonderful places! A lot of ancient history - fabulous!

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  11. PhyllyMay 10, 2013 at 4:21 AM

    I'm so glad you are back safely and that you had wonderful trip. I am looking forward to hearing about more of your trip.
    Hugs, Phylly

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  12. DianaMay 10, 2013 at 5:29 AM

    My but I admire your sense of adventure. My idea of one is a trip to Paris! Iran sounds like a wonderful place full of beauty.

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  13. carolinascallinMay 10, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    Glad you're back safe and sound! What a wonderful trip! Sounds amazing - the gardens are lovely and the tiled mosques so interesting. How fun that the people were so welcoming. It's always such a plus when you can interact with those whose country you're visiting so you can get a 'feel' of the culture. Looking forward to future posts!

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  14. UnknownMay 10, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    What an adventure....will be anxious to read more of your travels when you adjust back to life in CA. Give yourself another few days and I am sure you will "raring to go". Looks like a fabulous place to visit. Our very recent trip to Turkey was fabulous as well...people also very warm and friendly.

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  15. MaryMay 10, 2013 at 10:49 AM

    So exciting to know someone who visited a country far removed from our own. I'm looking forward to your next installment and more photos. You are really adventurous!

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  16. badmomgoodmomMay 10, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    Wow! Looks like a very worthwhile trip. I look forward to reading more.

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  17. MiasewsMay 10, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    So happy to have you back safely. Isn't is amazing how friendly and open people can be to American tourists? I'm so glad your trip went well, and we're all looking forward to your future posts (with lots of pictures!)

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  18. m l williamsMay 10, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    I hope you got a lot of fashion photos! Hey, did they have any nice jackets. Those girls in the pics are wearing some really cute ones!

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  19. MushyWearMay 11, 2013 at 8:32 PM

    What an amazing trip. I too look forward to seeing more photos.

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  20. Leigh in Portland (we are not burning down)May 14, 2013 at 11:34 PM

    Wow!! I can't wait to see more pictures.

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  21. The Style CroneMay 15, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    Thank you for sharing your fascinating experiences and photos.

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  22. MelanieMay 15, 2013 at 11:42 PM

    The history there is mind-boggling, the architecture just stunning. Thanks for sharing these. What a trip!

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  23. ShelleyMay 18, 2013 at 12:36 AM

    Look forward to hearing all about your trip!

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