After this really good start in Shiraz, Iran, we took our first night bus in this country. The road in Iran is a relief for us… One of the best we had in Asia to be honest. It's not bumpy, there are signs and lights everywhere, everyone following driving rules more or less, etc. Just amazing!
We arrived early morning in Kerman, Iran and we headed to our CouchSurfing place. It was 3 amazing brothers living together, who welcomed us. Living with locals is such a good experience for us. We discover so much things about Iran, its rich culture and people!
Day 1: Exploring Kerman City
So, our first day was relaxing, we just visited the famous Vakil Bazaar and found a place to eat. It was only next morning where we met our guide for 2 intense days in Kerman area. Hamed Fathi Barfe was really helpful and passionate when talking about his country. As you probably already know, we take guides just when it's really mandatory or because it's dangerous for us. But spending two days with Hamed was really interesting and useful. We got a good level of information, not too much, not too little. It was a real "plus" for our trip!
Day 2: Shrines, Gardens, and the Desert Kalouts
So, we started in Mahan to see a really interesting historical complex with a rich history (Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine). Then, we continued to see the famous garden in the middle of the desert, called Shazdeh Garden. Now, we know what a real Persian garden looks like. How smart those people were hundreds of year ago! They created all the technology to make water move in canals without electricity and to keep the gardens fresh even during hot summer months.
Afterwards, we stopped by to eat in one of the best Kebab restaurants in Mahan. We stopped to see 1,000 year old Cyprus trees (check out the pics!).
In Shahdad, Kerman, we saw the incredible system of Qanats (underground pipeline to distribute water between villages), a typical water storage place with air ventilation system, trees in Nepka Forest which survive in the desert, and the best for the end of the day: we saw the Shahdad Kalouts (natural hills in the desert, that was the deep sea millions years ago). We waited for the sunset and we were rewarded with the view of full moon and stars over the desert!
Day 3: Drone over the Kalouts, Canyon Swimming, and Bam
Next morning, we woke up early to come back in the Kalouts, but in another place for the sunrise. We were really happy to use our drone there despite a strong wind.
Afterwards we continued our sightseeing by going to Keshit, where there is a beautiful place to swim in the canyon and an old castle. We had real fun when we met a funny and friendly group of Iranians there. William climbed the rock to jump to the water… Like he was still 20 years old ;-)
We finished our day in Bam, Iran — the mud city and the old Citadel. Even if lots of parts have been destroyed by an earthquake in 2003, unfortunately. This is the largest adobe city in the world, protected by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites!
The second day was a lot of road but it was worth it! Thanks Hamed for everything, hope to see you again in France one day!
Crêpes and the Cave Village of Meymand
We finished our trip in Kerman by cooking crêpes for the brothers — a good sleep and we took a bus to go to Meymand, a rocky cave village. We slept in one of those caves with a local family (like The Flintstones anime). It was a nice evening.
We took a bus to go to Yazd, Iran next morning. Iran is a fantastic country!
June 27 – July 1, 2018