The top two things that come to mind when I think of my stay in Yazd are Windcatchers and its ancient Qanat water systems. Further confirming that I am a travel geek. Just off of the Ancient Silk Road Highway It survived Mongol invasion and its famous visitors include explorer Marco Polo in the 13thContinue reading “Yazd: Windcatchers of the Desert Oasis”
Category Archives: Central Asia
Kharanaq: Please don’t shake the Minerat
Ancient Kharanaq is like a scene out of an old western with tumbleweed and the only signs of life are some lonely donkeys and feral kitties. The townspeople have moved into new housing just meters away. The town itself is filled with winding covered passageways with rooms branching off of them. It’s easy to loseContinue reading “Kharanaq: Please don’t shake the Minerat”
First stop in Yazd: Dolat Abad Windcatcher
It was a friday so things were pretty quiet in Yazd when we arrived. The fire temple is a popular spot for families to visit on the weekend and it was busy but the stores were closed and only a few doors were open for visitors. The Dolat Abad Windcatcher complex was one of thoseContinue reading “First stop in Yazd: Dolat Abad Windcatcher”
First visit to a real Zoroastrian Fire temple in Yazd (Part 2)
The next stop was a short one to see a flame that burns in the honor of the highest deity in the Zoroastrian religion Ahura Mazda – the lord of Light and Wisdom The fire found inside this temple in Yazd has been burning continuously since 470 AD. It came to this simple building in 1932.Continue reading “First visit to a real Zoroastrian Fire temple in Yazd (Part 2)”
First visit to a real Zoroastrian Tower of Silence in Yazd (Part 1)
It was hard leaving the chill environment of the Zein-o-din but the journey north continued. Our next destination was Yazd known to be the center of Zoroastrianism. We of course had a few Zorastrian highlights to see before the end of the day. These included the ancient burial platform called the Tower of Silence onContinue reading “First visit to a real Zoroastrian Tower of Silence in Yazd (Part 1)”
A moonlight night at the Zein-o-din
Caravanserai’s were the hostels of the Silk Road hundreds of years ago. The Zein-o-din Caravanserai is a special place in the middle of the desert in Yazd Province. This one was one of two which is circular since most were square. Some visitors take day trips here and others treat themselves to an overnight stay.Continue reading “A moonlight night at the Zein-o-din”
A few stops along the roadway to the Zein-o-din
This was our first day on the road since my husband and I landed in Shiraz just four days prior. We had visited Persepolis and now we were heading to Cyrus the Great’s burial site and his capital Pasargadae. After that, we continued on to see the Beehive Ice House structure that was once aContinue reading “A few stops along the roadway to the Zein-o-din”
Out of Shiraz and into the desert
The stay and Shiraz was a great one but it was time to hit the road and get a change of scenery. We passed by the Qur’an Gate and headed North out of the city. It would have been great if we could have driven though it like our guide Mahmoud used to when heContinue reading “Out of Shiraz and into the desert”
The Good and Bad of Travel in Iran
Biggest Surprises and what surpassed my expectations in Iran There’s only so much blog reading and picture browsing a future traveler can do before setting out on an adventure to a foreign land. Information that’s out there via blogs, pictures news articles – reliable and current on travelling to Iran isn’t as prevalent as sayContinue reading “The Good and Bad of Travel in Iran”
Farflungistan 