IRAN – NOT ONLY THE MOST WARM PLACE ON HEARTH BUT ALSO THE MOST DANGEROUS-

Since I can remember I have always been a curious and independent person in every aspect of life. In 2011 when I was travelling to eastern Turkey to Mt. Ararat on my bike with my friends Lee and Mike, I met Matteo at a military check point. I immediatly had a good feeling about Matteo.  I thought he shared the same values in life and that he was curious and independent just as much as me. Sharing the passion for travelling on motorcycle did not hurt either. For that very reason over the years we were able to achieve what was a dream for both of us. A complete around the world ride on our motorcycles.

This year the plan was to make it to the Pamir Highway along the Whakhan Corridor, on the border of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. In order to make it there, we have to cross Greece, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. In 2011, on our way to Mongolia, we  avoided Iran and went across the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan. This year we instead decided to visit Iran.

When we told our friends and relatives that we were heading to Iran, the reaction was mostly of misbelieve. They all showed some sort of doubt of why we made such a decision to cross a country that appeared to be unstable and dangerous at this particular time. Again being curious individuals made us stick to our original plan on visiting Iran.

As a Mongolian proverb says: “it is better to see once then hearing a thousand times”

Entering Iran was for both of us of a bit nerve-racking but we were immediately positively surprised by the Iranians. Everywhere we’d stop it was tangible to see the expression of happiness and surprise on people’s faces. They also were quiet surprised to encounter tourist on bikes. Maybe because of the extreme heat, but reality is that we have not seen one tourist in all our stay here. What a pity. Rarely we found ourselves more welcome in a country anywhere in the world other then Iran. At every stop someone would insist to invite us at their home for lunch or to share a cup of “cay” (tea). It appears that the message they want to spread with outsiders is always the same: let people know that Iran welcomes tourisms. The idea that Iran is an hostile country can’t be further from the truth. It is actually everything but hostile.We always felt very welcome here. Iranians are one of oldest civilization of the world. So much culture and history here.

Our impression of this magical country is drastically opposite of what our “Western media” wants us to believe. Iran is extremely safe to visit. Only problem is the heat in the summer. If you have a chance to go, JUST DO IT ! Absolutely worth it. Take your wife and children along.

The tile of this post should actually say: IRAN – NOT ONLY THE MOST WARM PLACE ON EARTH BUT ALSO THE MOST HOSPITABLE AND AMICABLE.

We loved Iran. Can’t wait to bring our families to visit Iran one day.

SEE YOU SOON IRAN

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