In Kashan we spent just a few, but really intense days :-)
After arriving by bus to the city, we were surprised there is no Snapp there! But there are 2 taxis mafias... :-0 So, we took a taxi to reach the center... For the first time in Iran, we took a hotel. We were looking for a CouchSurfing host, but there was nobody available. The accommodation is not cheap in Iran (like in Bangladesh or Myanmar). However, we found a nice place. Let's say a good compromise!
We started our visit as usual by walking in the city, tiny and cute streets, a bit reminding of Yazd. And we found a popular place to have lunch. The food is really good! We relaxed the rest of the day and found a guide for a big day trip the next day.
Day 2: Abyaneh, the Underground City, and a Holy Shrine
We visited the famous Abyaneh Village, but we didn't find it as an exceptional place. At least, William played with his drone a bit...
We came back in Kashan just for lunch and went to the biggest Underground city of the world (Underground City of Nooshabad). They restored a part of this ancient city just for the tourist. It was nice and we were again amazed by the different techniques they used at this time! Outside, there is an old destroyed castle. It's worth stopping for 5 minutes.
The city tour finished by visiting a Holy Shrine (Shrine of Hilal ibn Ali) where at the entrance we can see portrait pictures of the people who died during the war with Iraq. And of course, an impressive architecture within the walls.
Into the Maranjab Desert
Then, it was the time to go to the desert (Maranjab Desert)! It was around 1-hour until we arrived to the typical desert that everybody imagines in their heads. We saw hundreds of camels (really interesting creatures).
We reached a Salt Lake, which gave us another perspective of an Iranian desert. We stopped then to play in the sand dunes. It was really beautiful with the sunset light!
We stopped somewhere further to admire the end of the sunset. Our day finished by a nice meeting at a Caravanserai (some kind of desert hotel), where we all drank tea :-)
What a day :-) We decided next morning to rest and not go to see the Fin Garden. We just took a bus to go to Tehran, Iran. Driver and Manager tried to rip us off, but they failed... Ahhh, always fighting with buses and taxis at the end wherever we go...
July 8–10, 2018