Lut Desert - The Cleanest and Quietest place in Iran - April 10

Our friend Mehrdad - also known as the Desert Fox - was full of enthusiasm and excitement when he came to tell us about his recent trip.  He and a few others had done what nobody else had done before. He told us how, after 6 expeditions he had at last achieved his dream, which he had started some 12 years ago.   The Lut Desert is a huge dry salt lake in the south east of Iran which is about 480x320 kilometers in area.  In the south it is close to Bam, to the east is Kerman and to the west is Zahedan.  The desert consists of three major parts, a western part which is mostly sand mountains, a central part which is mostly flat and is covered by small sand dunes but there is quicksand and mud around so it is not all a smooth ride and then there is the eastern part, with ridges of massive sand dunes running east-west.  Nobody had ever been inside this area - many had tried but failed.

Caspian Sea with a few good friends - November 09

Once in a while one looks around and everything and everyone feels as bad as you do; it is tough to get any positive energy and so you stay down.  Life always has its ups and mostly downs, but it is mainly the way we deal with it that changes. I had felt like that for the last couple of months, and had got to the point that I had to do something about it seriously; so I decided to take off, out of the chaotic normality of everyday life in Tehran and with a few good friends headed to Shomal (Iran's North by Caspian Sea) for a few days. Even the warning of floods and rain did not change my plans. I needed to go away in the hope that I could try to find ways to get back to the real me once again.

A Picnic by Damavand - September 09

Our good friend Mehrdad and his brother Babak were our guides and our mutual friend Eli our host. We started late morning and drove east of Tehran towards Damavand. It is the highest mountain peak in Iran and it looks stunning, majestic and awesome on the rare occasions that we can see it from different parts of Tehran if the pollution allows.

A weekend in Azerbaijan - August 09

Last February, we were at Felor and Anoosh's house along with some other friends who have become part of our group when we decided to accept Buick and Mercedeh's invitation to go to their hometown Tabriz once the weather was warmer and visit the famous Kandovan Rocky Hotel. I had been to Tabriz only on business years ago, and Paul had never been, so we jumped at the opportunity. It took some time to make sure everybody's time was free but we eventually made the trip last week.

Tabriz bazaar - August 09

The Tabriz Bazaar is the one of the oldest and largest covered bazaars in the Middle East and is located in the centre of the city. This spectacular structure consists of several bazarche, such as the Amir Bazaar (gold and jewelry), the Mozzafarieh (carpet bazaar), a shoe bazaar, and many more for a variety of other goods. Although numerous new shops and malls have been established in modern times, the Tabriz Bazaar remains the economic heart of the city and north western Iran.

A Day in the Darayache Namak Desert - April 09

Just before the New Year we did one of the things that I had wanted to do for a very long time, and that was to take a short trip to one of Iran's famous deserts. On the last Friday of the year, thanks to our friend Lizzi and the wonderful great Mehrdad, - the gentle Tarzan of Tehran, my title for him - we had a most wonderful day.

A few blissful and peaceful days in Kish - January 09

Last week, because of the religious holiday, we had a 4 day weekend and decided to go to Kish Island, 1,000km south east of Tehran in the Persian Gulf. We decided to be utterly selfish and take a trip just by ourselves and do totally as we pleased. We had not been there for three years and it was a great opportunity to take a break, relax and catch up with the changes in that island which has so much potential.

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Good eating places in Kish - January 09

During our recent blissful trip to Kish we had decided not to go to any of the familiar places to eat that we had been to several times in past trips to Kish and to try some new ones. It is common that visitors go to watch the sunset on the west coast of the island where a Greek ship "Keshti-e-Yunani" ran aground over 40 years ago, and since we were last there three years ago the area has been tidied up and now has a playground and a small Greek theater as well as more stands. But the ship itself seems to have deteriorated rather. We went to the Kolbe Darvish restaurant which is about a kilometer north of the Greek Ship and here had the best abgousht in whole of Kish.

A weekend in Yazd - December 08

For many years I have been ashamed to admit that I had never been to Yazd, which is the second most ancient city in the world, and since last year we have made several plans to go there but something always happened, so this time I was adamant that we should go and see this old city which is also the center of Zoroastrianism. Last month with a few friends, despite the very busy schedule that we all have, we decided to go there for the weekend by car and to come back by plane.  Like many things in life all did not go as planned.

People of Yazd - December 08

During our trip to Yazd as mentioned in our previous report titled A Weekend Trip to Yazd, what most intrigued me there was how many of the shop keepers were actually makers and producers of their own goods.  In some cases there were some workers who helped out too but the owners also knew how to make and repair the goods, for example metal workers were making and selling all kinds of kitchen equipment and tools. 

The Doors of Yazd - December 08

Yazd is a wonderful old city to wander around, and although the alleys that meander around between the buildings seem eerily quiet, you know that life is going on behind the doors. -Syma Sayyah & Paul Sanford, Tehran - 12/4/08

24 hours in Heavenly Taleghan - October 08

Taleghan is the birth place of many famous Iranians including Jalal Alahmad the well known writer and Ayatollah Taleghani. Now that autumn is coming along much slower than ever I can remember, after many arrangements a few friends and I accepted the kind invitation of Parisa, Payman and their daughter Taraneh and traveled to Taleghan, about 90 km from Tehran.

Gas Station Wonders - October 08

Recently on a trip outside Tehran we stopped to fill up the tank. We were being very environment friendly - five of us in a Peugeot 206 - but we wanted to make sure that we had enough petrol to get to our destination and back and we decided to stop.

Lovely times in Damavand - September 08

Damavand is the highest volcano in Asia, and the highest mountain in Iran. Although it is not active there are many fumaroles and at the top you can smell the sulphur. It is 66 km to the east of Tehran and normally has snow on the slopes, even in the middle of summer. It is over 5600 meters in height. When the air is clear you can see Damavand from Tehran, and a thrilling sight it is too.

An Exquisite Day in Shemshak - September 07

We were served a most delicious lunch, all great wonders of Shomal where Ms Lashai originally is from and is very proud of.

A touch of Tuscany 40 minutes away from Tehran - June 07

Once in a while one is more than grateful to have listened to a suggestion. Recently, right in middle of a very busy time for me when I had a lot of work on, my husband insisted that I take a day off and accept our friends' invitation to go to their villa near Tehran. So we met them and drove to their beautiful hiding place, a small village called Kalugan near Fasham on the north east side of Tehran.

Visiting old friends at Imamzadeh Taher- April 07

A few days ago I had a meeting outside Karaj in the west of Tehran, and on my way back I felt like going to say hello to many old friends and national heroes whose final resting place is in Imamzadeh Taher just outside Karaj.

A day in Darband - November 06

Autumn arrived abruptly in Tehran a few weeks ago. First we had a good deal of rain and thunderstorms, but mostly we get a wind, sometimes cold and rough but generally pleasant. The best thing about it either way is that the wind blows away the smog covering Tehran and we get a clear blue sky which means that we can clearly see the mountains surrounding this crazy and dear city of ours.

A visit to Bam: Reconstruction continues - October 06

I recently visited the world famous Arg-e Bam which was heavily hit by the earthquake on 26th December 2003, when centuries of glory were turned into rubble. Still this remains one of the most interesting sites in Iran.

Mahallat's Famous Spring Garden - Sarcheshmeh - July 06

During our recent trip to Mahallat, we had a great time when our driver, who came from Isfahan and knew the area, took us to see and enjoy the (cold) spring garden (baghe cheshmeh or Sarcheshmeh), before we headed back home to Tehran.

Mahallat's Hot Springs - June 06

One thing Mahallat is famous for is its hot springs, which with the presence of minerals makes it very good for your aches and pains. I read on the net that the springs there are compared with spas in the Netherlands. However, the standard of hygiene and even the quality of service, despite all the investment that was put there about 20 years ago, leaves a lot to be desired.

A trip to Mahallat - June 06

Sometimes real life stories are stranger and even better than the stories one could make up. Here, I share with you the story of my trip to Mahallat which is famous for its hot springs and flowers.  They hold a flower festival every year in September and November.  Mahallat is located close to the mountains so it enjoys the mountain air and weather.  It has a cool wind in spring and summer which makes it an ideal place for those who want to escape from the heat of Tehran, Isfahan, Qom or Kashan and enjoy the gentle breeze of the yelagh there.

Kish Island Report - Part II - January 06

Kish Island is located in the Persian Gulf and it has a 3000 year old history. Some of the trees there are reputed to be very old. The island became Iran's first free trade zone in 1982 but now it is more of a holiday resort.

Kish Island Report - Part I - January 06

Recently, we set off on a trip to Kish Island which is in the Persian Gulf about an hour and half by plane from Tehran. It is a very enjoyable and relaxing place and we all had a great time, as we all needed a break away from it all

With Hafez in Shiraz - October 05

One of the most internationally well known Persian poets is Hafez. In many Iranian homes his books, at least when I was growing up, was next to the Koran; and many would have it at their wedding table or the New Year’s Haft-Seen

Recycling program in Shiraz - October 05

During my recent trip to Shiraz, as I was stepping out of the car that was transporting me from the airport, I noticed a new recycling van, driven by ladies, near the house of our friends. It was colorful, and the ladies were polite and like most Shirazi people! It seems that the Shiraz municipal authorities are far ahead of other cities that I know of in their recycling program.

A short visit to Persepolis - October 05

Recently with my friend we went for a short trip to fabulous Shiraz, the city of love and poetry. We had set out to see a few places in the short time that we had. Persepolis -Takhte-Jamshid was for sure one of the sites that we were desperate to see.

Iranian Poet Saadi Shirazi: Of one Essence is the human race - October 05

Saadi was born in Shiraz around 1200. He died in Shiraz around 1292. He lost his father in early childhood. With the help of his uncle, Saadi completed his early education in Shiraz. Later he was sent to study in Baghdad at the renowned Nezamiyeh College, where he acquired the traditional learning of Islam.

Bazar Vakil in Shiraz - October 05

Here I share some of the what took my notice during our visit to the famous Bazar Vakil in Shiraz. Jaye shoma Khali (we missed you there)!

A short trip to Isfahan - March 04

A couple of weeks ago I went to Isfahan with three colleagues to attend the burial of a very dear and long standing friend and business associate who passed away young after having a heart attack in his late forties. This time as we could not find plane tickets for four of us on short notice, we decided to go by car, which has it own good points, even though it may take longer to get there. The good things about such times are that one discovers new things and places.

Pottery at Isfahan's Chehelsotoun - June 05

During a recent trip to Isfahan, we visited the famous Chehelsotoun Palace garden. There I parted with the company as I had seen the palace a few times before. Instead I went exploring the garden. There, at the end of the garden, I came across these wonderful old Pots which reminded me of many things past. I took some pictures that I hope you find them as interesting as I did.

Chalous, Iran's Caspian Region - January 05

Recently I took a few days off with a few friends and headed for Shomal, near the Caspian Sea. The predicted bad weather did not materialize and we had a nice and easy journey. During these few days we experienced such varieties of scenery, views, weather and people.

Afghan fishermen in Kelarr-Abbad, Caspian Sea - January 05

In my recent trip to the Caspian Sea shores, I visited Afghan fishermen in Kelarr-Abbad. These fishermen come over for short working spells, and their lives is gray, as was the sea that afternoon. When we were passing by, they invited us to see the shore with them in their compound. I took some pictures that I share with you here.

PHOTOS: Iran’s Caspian Region, Sehezar road - January 05

The next day we had the chance to go to Sehezar road which was down in Cassava’s Khoram-Abbad, where near Ghaal-e-Gardann we saw a beautiful and panoramic view which despite the morning haze was breath-taking.

A Dream Weekend (a beautiful and true story) - January 04

Last weekend, in order to recuperate and retrieve some physical and emotional strength and energy, we set off to the Caspian area and drove through Chalous road and stayed for a couple of days outside our hectic and meaninglessly meaningful lives in Tehran.

A Short Trip to Iran's Caspian Coast - July 03

I recently came back from a wonderful three days break to the Caspian. A very benevolent relative had kindly allowed me and my friends to go to their villa, which is extremely lovely with a heated swimming pool and an immaculately kept garden. We swam and sunbathed and played ball in the pool quite a lot. The result of which is that we all got sun-burns, and on our way back we looked more like half-cooked meat! We took care of our faces, arms and legs, but did not think of the shoulders, which are still burning. No matter how many times you have been up to the Caspian, somehow you end getting yourself burned. But it was worth it! Somehow this brings back many childhood memories, and suddenly you are taken back in time and feel free again.