iran Archives - Page 5 of 8

I just watched “The Hangover” last night and the exorbitant amount of money that was spent in just two evenings in Las Vegas made my head spin. There’s something about Vegas and road trips that throw reason and budgeting out the window, I think. For a more realistic view of the travel experience, you might want to read these great

The National Geographic Adventure blog provides a list of ways to travel more affordably. I’m definitely going to follow their first piece of advise by going farther and staying longer next time.
BootsNAll gives us some great tips on how to have a successful couchsurfing experience.
Are you planning a summer camping trip? I am — and I’ll take all the last minute summer camping tips I can get.
World Hum brings us a really enlightening view of the “Real Iran.” It’s great to hear some much-needed perspective on this intellectually and culturally rich place.
Finally, you know summer’s in full swing when ice cream can be had every day and everywhere across the U.S.

‘Til tomorrow, have a great evening!

For past Gadlinks, click HERE.

Gadlinks for Wednesday 6.17.09

by Brenda Yun on Jun 17, 2009

Happy Hump Day, everyone! Here are the latest Gadlinks from the travel blogosphere.

Are you following what’s going on in Iran through Twitter? If not, you should. Andrew Sullivan over at The Atlantic’s Daily Dish has a pretty impressive compilation of reports on the revolution that’s occurring there at this moment.
If those Iranian tweets don’t inspire you, maybe this cool article outlining how to find creative writing inspiration on the road just might.
Maybe some people are too inspired by what they read, though, as this list of trips inspired by travel books that are probably too crazy to take.

‘Til tomorrow, have a great evening.

For past Gadlinks, click HERE.

Vote for America’s best bathroom

by Sean McLachlan on Jun 8, 2009

It’s a room we visit several times each day, but the humble bathroom (john, head, bog, loo, etc.) is rarely celebrated in its true glory. Cintas Facility Services, a leading provider of bathroom supplies, wants to change that with its America’s Best Restroom Award. Check out their website to see the nominees and vote for your favorite. A good bathroom is the traveler’s best friend, and should be appreciated.

But we here at Gadling are too well traveled to get all starry-eyed about the glories of the garderobe. We’ve dealt with squishy Asian squat, public lavatory putrescence, and outhouse odor. So let’s hear your votes for the world’s worst bathrooms. Here’s my nominee:

In 1996 I left the Iranian border town of Zahedan and entered Pakistan. My first stop was Taftan, a miserable hole if I ever saw one. The streets were nothing but sand. Trash blew between bare concrete houses. Moneychangers swarmed around me like flies. Flies swarmed around me like moneychangers. Then disaster struck–I had to go to the bathroom.

The public toilet next to the bus station was an area about ten feet to a side enclosed by a concrete wall. There was no roof. There was no door, only a blind turn before you entered a sandbox that looked just like the street except that it was covered in crap. The flies here were so thick that I put my bandanna over my nose and mouth so I didn’t inhale any. There was no escaping the smell. I picked my way through a minefield of human waste until I found a clear spot for both my feet. The flies were relentless, and I had to fan myself constantly so they didn’t get stuck to my business end.

Like everywhere in South Asia, foreigners get stared at in Pakistan, and they make no exception for foreigners squatting with their pants down. A small crowd of other squatters stared at me with undisguised curiosity as I did what I needed to do and fled as quick as I could.

I only stayed in Taftan an hour until I could catch a bus for Quetta, but I will always remember the bathroom there, and the fact that I got pick-pocketed. They only got about five dollars worth of Iranian rials, but it’s the thought that counts. The thought of some guy’s hand in my pocket. I hope, I pray, that it wasn’t one of the guys watching me in the bathroom.

Think you can beat that? Give it your best shot.

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Video postcards from Iran

by Jamie Rhein on Feb 28, 2009

A few days ago, I posted about one person’s experience traveling to Iran. He and the woman he traveled with found Iranians to be the “friendliest” people. What I liked about the article is that it showed a different aspect of a place that many people don’t know much about. What we know of a place we haven’t been is what we have read or seen on the news which often is the sound bite version. As several comments on the post pointed out, Iranians aren’t the only group of “friendliest” people in the world. Of course not. The author of the article was pointing out something he didn’t expect.

I would venture, though, that it’s difficult to acquire an accurate impression of a place without going there ourselves. To make well-rounded impressions from secondary sources takes much reading and asking questions, particularly when the place is controversial. This video is detailed look into Iran’s vast history through a series of postcards and narration that covers important sites throughout the country. What I thought of when I saw the video is just how interesting Iran looks as a place to visit, friendly people or not. I do love places where people offer travelers tea.

For more travel to Iran details check out Iran Custom Travel. The company is run by a woman sociologist/traveler who lived in Iran. The quick facts page offers info in a nutshell.

Who are the friendliest people in the world? Iranians

by Jamie Rhein on Feb 23, 2009

Who have you found to be the friendliest people in the world? According to Will Hide, the answer is Iranians. He and his female friend Annette toured Iran for 10 days where they met up with experiences I’d call delicious. Delicious food, delicious scenery, delicious things to see, and the type of hospitality where people invite you to tea all the live-long day.

As Hide says, everywhere they went people offered them tea and often tossed almonds and dried fruit into the hospitality quotient. In this engaging article in The Times, Hide gives a rundown of their trip. The sidebar on the last page gives useful information for anyone looking for an Iran experience.

As a note, he and Annette had a tour guide. I think that would be the way to go if I were to take such a trip. Every time I’ve hired a personal tour guide, even if it was just for a day, my understanding of a place and the pleasure I’ve had traveling is multiplied.

Keep reading for Hind’s trip highlights.

[The photo by Hamed Saber is of a party attended by friends. If you click on the enlarged photo, you can see who all the people are.]

Some highlights of Hide’s 10-day trip:

Tehran where they visited the palace grounds of the former Shah.
The journey across the Zagros Mountains to Shiraz where he and Annette saw the tombs of the classical poets Sa’di and Hafez.and were allowed to go in the Mausoleum of Shah-e Cheragh if Annette put on a chador and they didn’t go into the main shrine.
The ruins of Persepolis, the city destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C.
Esfahan-known for its beautiful architecture
The holy city of Qom,
Village of Imamzadeh Bazm where they stayed at Mr Abbas’s B&B and ate “aubergines mixed with yoghurt and mint; mushroom and barley soup; pickles; lettuce dipped in vinegar; and, for breakfast, tea and fruit followed by cheese with chopped walnuts.”