first real signs of Asia
Entering Iran was exciting, just passing the borders, overtaking thousands of trucks is a really good feeling. We had the impression that even landscape changed, which is true in this part because hills where more colourful, being rich in minerals and sometimes just seemed to be folded on above the other.
looking for the cheap hotel some people told us and met two more cyclers there, Salva from Granada in Spain and Stephen fromWhen we arrived in Tabriz really late at the evening we were London. Since route was the same till Aldebar we went five people together on our bicycle for three days with good and interesting bike experience exchange and having fun looking for the best places for camping. One night we even met one more cycler, Alvaro also from Spain who is a professional clown, getting sponsored, selling his books and doing his shows for refugees or other people under pressurized circumstances. This evening was funny persuading the police that we are friendly enough and would leave this place again early next morning, Alvaro made a good job.
People generally are very friendly though not inviting us so many times as in Turkey, probably it’s because we are more people.
If there is no special tourist charging things getting cheaper, especially vegetables and fruits, our most needed goods.
Some people look at us scrutinizing if we are real or not, maybe we come from outer space.
Driving on the street is not so difficult if you watch out, when not paying enough attention, like I did one time, you might fall because of drivers that just turn in front of you considering you would break anyway. Nothing serious happened, just some scratches. Normally this chaos system is somehow working, somebody is just driving and others are breaking, that’s also how crossings or really huge roundabouts work (the biggest I have seen so far).
Cold, rainy and stormy weather was following us until the coast line of Caspian sea, where climate changed to humid and warm and just rain one time a day. Landscape was
really asian the first time, rice fields all over and big mountains covered in clouds in the background.
First night after arriving at seaside we slept at some almost dry place inside a beautiful mangrove forest.
Going on the main road heading to Tehran meant to be in mass of traffic all the time, so we decided also to take the soft and silent road where sometimes it was not possible to pass on the bike. Only sandals were of good use, because ongoing deep water crossings didn’t keep us dry.
Relatively long time following dust roads with no traffic at all did’nt bring a lot of kilometers and since my company has some time schedule problems with their Visas they have to apply for we made 156km the other day with back wind and a restoring rest at hot thermal springs.
Crossing the mountains to Tehran was an almost two days climb, starting from zero up to 2640m. Just passing this mountains where all the humid fresh air from the sea is hold up temperature increased immediately, sun came out and landscape changed again.
I now have a one week rest, waiting finally for my Greek friends to arrive. Time enough to get the route planned, also applying for some Visa and getting the bike fixed again.
I suppose we will be heading afterwards to the hottest regions, where daily temperatures of 50 degrees celsius are common. Water and clouds will be more appreciated then ever before..
