Iran, Ramadhan and Isfahan

Well how to describe my time in Iran.. exhilirating, harrowing and everything in between. Its people are the friendliest I have encountered, desperate to show the image we have in the West is so wrong. I had people pay for my taxis, give me rides everywhere and explain all the mosque histories etc.  truly wonderful people.

Of course the immigration/customs are the opposite making your life a misery, I was police interviewed on leaving, good cop bad cop, looked through all my photos, wanted names of Iranian students I teach in Australia.. and the south of Iran from Bandar Abbas to Bandar e Lengeh is the most dire place I have visited in over 70 countries.

Ramadhan from 6am to 8:05pm – no water (in 40 degree temperatures everyday) no food, no cigarettes, NOTHING, no shops anything during 6am-8pm was tough..

I met pro and anti iranian government views, both with good arguments either way..

But the sites were truly incredible, the mosques of isfahan, the markets/bazaars, and walking around you feel pretty safe (a common trait i find in most islamic countries)..

My farsi was pretty good – ‘esmayman Jason’; ‘Khosh Vagtam’ (pleased to meet you).. Sob Bakay (good morning), Shoma zebaa (you are beautiful) .. all handy expressions

So its onto Dubai, then Africa and safari time…

And do you feel scared?

I remember one of my favourite all time songs – Howard Jones ‘Things Can Only Get Better”. The lyrics – “And do you feel scared? I do, But I won’t stop and falter. And if we if through it all away – Things Can Only Get Better.” always resonated with me.

I am currently in Malaysia on my way to Iran – without a Visa!!. Why the fudge would you do that? Cos as Charlie Sheen says “Thats how I roll”. I have had to face many fears and anxieties in this life and the choice is always cut and run or do the difficult thing and face the bitter wind.

Having been held up at gunpoint in Ho Chi Minh, put in the back of a car and taken to an unknown destination — to flying all the way to the remote Island of Cebu to meet a girlfriend who no shows and doesnt tell you, then turns her phone to give you no reason why. And there you are stranded at midnight in a foreign country on a tiny Island with no money, no visa card (stolen prior at gunpoint) and its time to face that bitter wind all over again.

So much irony, I was actually held up at gunpoint by Filipinos in Ho Chi Minh, then screwed over again by another Filipina, and there I am standing in their country – time to make a choice about how you react. I have always said that when you can’t control what happens to you, you can choose to control how you respond.

So this holiday has had its adventures – spend 7 weeks in Asia going along the beaches during RAINY season (google the weather next time Jason), and now I am in Malaysia and soon Iran during the holy month of Ramadhan – way to go Jason..

So I’m on a roll, and I figure keep digging to China (or Iran). So I fly tomorrow to Iran with no Visa (Visa on Arrival, I hope) then overland through Iran – Shiraz, Isfahan and then a ferry to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (yes no Visa for there either) – then onto Bahrain, before hitting Africa.

Oh and did I mention that I only had 24 hours to buy my ticket and get $1000 in Euro cos Iran doesnt have ATMs or Visa card acceptance.. Again thats how I roll.. maybe its these Australian “She’ll be right mate”. And while I love flying, the thought of crashing scares they HELL out of me – I am truly a white knuckle flyer. So AirAsia from Kulala Lumpur to Tehran and arrive with no Visa.. thus i hear in my head?

“And do you feel scared I do? But I won’t stop and falter..”  God bless you all and see your when I come around the dark side of the moon…

One week in Bangkok, screw one night Murray Head..

So Bangkok, hmmm.. reminds me scenes from Blade Runner and more recently Bruce Willis in 5th Element. There is an underground railway, at road level cars, tuk tuks and traffic chaos, above them the overpass walkways above the cars, and above that the Skytrain whizzing around, all simultaneously. Its that 2030A.D seedy city future we always imagine in such movies.

The Golden Palace was incredible a series of amazing temples, the Emerald Buddha and assorted other amazing relics and antiquities. Been travelling up and down the river on riverboat ‘buses’ kinda B Grade Venice style. Food as always has been awesome, but I would like SOMETHING WITHOUT CHILLI PLEASE.

Siem Reap, Angkor Wat & No Angelina Jolie in sight..

Angkor Wat was built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world’s largest religious building!! To say it was awesome is an understatement.

Unfortunately poverty has driven the nearby city of Siem Reap into an abomination of capitalism, gringo foreign bars and aggressive begging children who will smile at you one minute then throw something at you and hiss when you dont give them MORE money!! But thats Cambodia – Naked dancing baby shows and you can fire a rocket launcher at a cow for $500!! Welcome to Cambodia

No sign of Angelina Jolie, so this Brad Pitt is moving on to Bangkok and the dreaded border crossing between Cambodia and Thailand..

Sihanoukville Cambodia

Sihanoukville is awesome. A sun soaked beach hidden from the west but not for long. This place is great beaches at 1986 prices. Beer 50c. BBQ $3 Beach house $10 – bring it on! It is a must see safe easy place to come to – 4 hours to the south west of phnomh penh. I love Cambodia beyond all expectations, slotting it in at No.3 most enjoyable place to visit (behind Brazil and Philippines)..

The food, the crazy traffic, the people everything about this place is intriguing… On to Angkor Wat and the city of Siem Reap next…  Jasons Journeys continues

 

Be here now!!

I am currently in phnom penh, staying in a hotel overlooking the mekong river. It is set opposite a wide boulevarde where people stroll as if along the Seine (no doubt the French history of this place), while restaurants vibrate and hum to dance beats and intermittent clanks of Angkor – the local beer..

This place is going off.. the music and energy of this city is captivating, nothing i had expected whatsoever. I am filled with an uncomfortable twinge of being in a perfect placeat the perfect time, and knowing something this good wont last! – See see Phnom Penh now! and for at least a week..

Of course there is the history, portayed at the war museum – where skulls and legacy of the Pol Pot tyranny remind you where this nation has come back from. Millions dead and civil destruction, through to a vibrant positive country today.. This is what we should have done in Iraq people!

So what have I seen that makes me heap such praise:

* A breakdancing 18 month old baby who dances on the riverfront for money..

* Eaten every animal and then some including frogs

* Nightclubs, bars and lounges that would make European cities blush..

Check for yourself – the video from my trip so far here… (click below link)

Vietnam And Cambodia 2011 Slideshow: Jason’s trip from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to 2 cities Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh was created by TripAdvisor. See another Vietnam slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

Jasons Farewell Karaoke Bash

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO..

Farewell Karaoke Party Slideshow