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Persepolis – Looking At Persia’s Splendor

By on 15. April 2014 in Iran
Persepolis - The Apadana, Persepolis & Pasargadae, Iran

Persepolis – The Apadana, Persepolis & Pasargadae, Iran

2.500 years ago this place most likely held the greatest wealth on earth. The treasury of the Achaemenidean kings Darius and Xerxes measured the size two soccer fields. Giant palaces, adorned with remarkable masonry work retell of the glory and power.

Then came Alexander the Great and burned the place to the ground. He had the foresight to order 10.000 mules and 100 camels to be brought to Persepolis to carry away the bounty. Continue Reading →

Shiraz – The City Of Gardens

By on 14. April 2014 in Iran
Qavam House (also widely called "Narenjestan e Ghavam"), Bagh-e Eram or Eram Garden Or Heaven Garden, Shiraz, Iran

Qavam House (also widely called “Narenjestan e Ghavam”), Bagh-e Eram or Eram Garden Or Heaven Garden, Shiraz, Iran

If you think of the tasty wine of that same name, forget it. Until the Islamic Revolution in the early 1970s, this fine beverage was eagerly consumed in Iran. Nowadays only the grapes are for sale. This does not mean the very wine of the name ceased to exist. Local farmers still produce small quantities for themselves, rumors say.

Nevertheless Shiraz has other sights to pride itself, lush gardens and the tombs of famous Shirazi. Flying in from Teheran we saw nothing but barren mountains without any vegetation, with patches of green in the flat terrain. Continue Reading →

A Long Trip To Shiraz…

By on 14. April 2014 in Iran

Sunset over Paris... view from an Airbus A320Holding on to a bottle of Jim Beam when boarding a plane would draw attention in any airport of this world. Doing so on the flight from Istanbul to Teheran gave us a sense of bad omen. The Iranian guy dropped in the seat behind us and nobody seemed to be bothered. Continue Reading →

Oman – A Selection Of 36 Pictures

By on 8. January 2013 in Middle East – Photos, Oman, Oman – Photos

Oman is special. Where else on the Arabic Peninsula has some of the “Sinbad the Sailor” feeling survived? Besides this 1001 Nights flair, we were stunned by lush oases, ancient fortresses, sandy beaches, dramatic mountain scenery, rolling desert dunes, picturesque wadis, deep fjords and overly friendly people. All in one country! – Here you find a selection of 36 pictures from Oman Continue Reading →

Travel Guide To Oman

By on 7. January 2013 in Oman

Grand Escapades’ Travel Guide To Oman – 1001 Nights Flair, Ancient Culture, Stunning Landscapes & Such Gentle People!

View of Nizwa Souq from Nizwa Fort

Oman is special. Where else on the Arabic Peninsula has some of the “Sinbad the Sailor” feeling survived? Besides this 1001 Nights flair, we were stunned by lush oases, ancient fortresses, sandy beaches, dramatic mountain scenery, rolling desert dunes, picturesque wadis, deep fjords and overly friendly people. All in one country! Continue Reading →

Farewell Oman In Style

By on 5. January 2013 in Oman
L'Espace Guesthouse in Muscat, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

L’Espace Guesthouse in Muscat, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

In a palace – like mansion right on the beach we spent our last night in Oman. What made it even more exciting – it seemed to be our destiny: on our very first evening in Muscat, we could not find the way back to our guesthouse Lana Villa. Cruising around we noticed this impressive building, not knowing that we would move in two weeks later. L’espace Guesthouse is a grand oceanfront building with three terraces, a little garden and exquisite furnishing. Our room was the size of a suite and from our private terrace we could watch life on the oceanfront. Like everywhere in Oman a quiet affair, families relaxing on large carpets under the trees, the men busy with barbecuing. Later in the evening young men took over chatting and listening to music on their mobile phones. Continue Reading →

Wedding – Omani Style

By on 4. January 2013 in Oman
Wedding Ceremony in Khasab, Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

Wedding Ceremony in Khasab, Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

A small procession was moving down the street, women and men together, blocking traffic. Some of the men were firing shots from ancient rifles. What could be it possibly mean? Continue Reading →

Smuggling To Iran

By on 4. January 2013 in Oman
View of Musandam, Flight from Khasab to Muscat, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

View of Musandam, Flight from Khasab to Muscat, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

All day speedboats from Iran arrive in the harbor of Khasab bringing goats, fruits and vegetables. They return with everything ranging from TV sets, perfume to cigarettes. Rumors have it that even small cars are loaded into the small boats. Continue Reading →

The Fjords Of Musandam

By on 3. January 2013 in Oman
Khor as Sham, the longest Fjords of Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

Khor as Sham, the longest Fjords of Musandam, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula

Our little propeller plane slowly descended on the Peninsula of Musandam, Oman’s most northern enclave. We could make out Iran in the distance and big oil tankers below us in the Strait of Hormuz. Then suddenly, the incredible coastline of Musandam glided into full view for those sitting on the right side of the aircraft. Cameras clicking and gasps of excitement filled the small plane. For those with a more untamed mind, the rigged coastline resembles giant crippled fingers reaching out into the ocean. Steep slopes of bare rocks, completely void of vegetation, line these long inlets. The longest of these fjords, Khor al Sham, is 17 kilometers deep and a popular place to visit by Dhow. Continue Reading →