Day 46 – Thursday – 26th August – Iran
Yazd
The Hotel Zand had secure parking. Tick.
The Hotel Zand was bad. Tick.
Running Water and Air Con had to be asked for.
Cockroaches and the smell of leaking Gas were free.
The Air Con was also turned off about 1am in the morning and we all woke up warm after a poor nights sleep. Zowi & Chesa argued for a partial discount as the Air Con had been deliberately turned off by the manager. The manager retorted that they should have got out of bed, got dressed, gone to reception and asked for it to be turned back on. 1/2 hour later and with a $5 reduction we left the Hotel Zand and headed the short 45 mile drive to Persepolis.
The ancient city of Persepolis in modern-day Iran was one of four capitals of the sprawling Persian Empire. Built beginning around 520 B.C., the city was a showcase for the empire's staggering wealth, with grand architecture, extravagant works of silver and gold, and extensive relief sculptures, some portraying envoys with offerings for the king.
The height of Persian rule lasted from about 550 B.C. until 330 B.C., when Alexander the Great overthrew the ruling Archaemenid dynasty and burned Persepolis to the ground.
It was absolutely scorching and the ruins at Persepolis provided very little shade. However it isnt often that you are able to admire ruins that are 2,500 years old, and soon 3 hours had passed.
Stopping for some refreshments, provided us with a chance to replenish fluids, but also gave the young guy working in the shop some time to quiz us on England, Iran, Religion, Movies and Travel in general. He pulled up 2 comfortable desk chairs square in front of the Air Con to ensure we spent nearly an hour chatting with him.
Persepolis was a definite highlight for the both of us. The next time that you're in Iran it definitely needs to appear in your Top 5 list of places to visit. Absolutely Awesome.
On the road again.
Goin' places that I've never been.
Seein' things that I may never see again.
And I can't wait to get on the road again. (Thanks to Willie Nelson for the Lyrics)
At 8pm we arrived at Yazd and with the help of the locals, successfully navigated to the well known Silk Road Hotel (known to fellow Overlanders anyway!)
