Kamran
My bicycle suffered few blows during the ride in Turkmenistan. Today I went in search of a bicycle repair shop in Bukhara. After asking for directions innumerable times, I found myself in an old narrow-streeted bazar with shops full of used spare parts and mechanics, both men and women, busy in their work. I just … Read more
This is how I look after cycling like a mad man over the past six days. A five-day Turkmenistan transit visa and almost 500 kilometres to cross desolate stretch of Karakum desert meant there was absolutely no leeway whatsoever, and it was going to be a race against the time. Day 1 was spent getting … Read more
For the last three days I am again stuck in Mashhad as Turkmen consulate hasn’t issued me a transit visa yet. They have asked me to come back tomorrow again, which turns out be my last day on Iranian visa as well. Yesterday I went to a bicycle shop to get my bicycle repaired, and … Read more
Best view of the Naqsh-e-Jahan square in Esfahan, Iran with the Loftollah mosque on the left and Shah Mosque in the middle.
A reunion with my dear friend Mohsin who flew in from Qatar to visit me in Mashhad while I am waiting here for Turkmenistan transit visa. As I had few days visa left, I came by train to Mashhad to apply for Turkmen visa, but the consulate here was closed for one week for no … Read more
It turns out it was indeed wise to apply for the Chinese Visa in Tehran as it couldn’t have been any easier. All it was required was a filled application form, which included the itinerary details, a passport photo, and a visa support letter from the German Embassy in Tehran. Apart from that, no supporting … Read more
Here is my camping location in Milli Park, Rudsar in Iran. I was granted permission to put up my tent near to the entrance. I was first worried because it was close to road and asked if I could pitch the tent on the back of the park, but Ali, who worked at the park said … Read more
Iran’s official currency is Iranian Rial, but everywhere the currency people use is Tomans. In a simple scenario, 1 Toman = 10 Rials. So far so good, but things get confusing when number of zeros increase. If for example a taxi driver shows you 3 fingers, it means means he wants 3000 Tomans = 30,000 … Read more
I met Thierry in Marand, Iran by chance when my host Akbar was leading me to a guesthouse. On the way we saw Thierry surrounded by a number of policemen and passersby outside a police station. He had been brought there by a taxi driver whom he had refused to pay after a terrible misunderstanding … Read more
In Marand, I was was in search of a hotel and made a stop at a corner vegetable shop to ask for the directions to a hotel. The shop-keeper stopped a motorcyclist on the road and explained something to him. I was asked to simply follow the motorcyclist. After about 5 minutes of cycling, we … Read more
After cycling 112 kilometres today I reached Rasht, Iran. Despite feeling a bit tired I went out for a walk in the local bazar where I saw this gentleman selling oranges. I was fascinated by the play of light and shadows on the oranges and how he was lit by the energy saver lamp hanging … Read more
Going downhill from Kasaplar, while it was raining with snow, turned out to be one of the most epic rides. At Kasaplar summit, situated at over 2100 m, I was invited by a Jandarma (Turkish Constabulary) officer over tea when the guards at the checkpost notified him about a stranger taking pictures in the freezing … Read more
It was all gravel and uphill soon after leaving the town of Zara. Only two to three cars crossed me in an hour. The first climb lasted for about 6 kilometres. I walked sometimes because I was careful of my hip injury from yesterday. The road offered scenic views of nearby hills which were dry. … Read more
As I pressed the shutter button on the camera to take the picture in front of Sivas Bus Terminal, “No Card” sign started flashing off on the camera’s LCD. I had forgotten the 128 GB memory card at the Divan Hotel reception where I had taken it off to upload the farewell picture. Before, I … Read more
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