A bloom somewhere on the Old Silk Route in Iran

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Recently I spent two weeks travelling in Iran by bus with a conducted tourist Group  from all over the world, organised by Intrepid Travels, Australia. There was so much to see, taste and experience.

Here are a few photographs at random.

This hotel where the group had lunch was named ‘The Silk Road Hotel.

Iran’s own answer to cola drinks.

I was initially surprised to see that Coca Cola and Pepsi cola were available. I was informed that the contracts with these multinational companies entered into before the Revolution were not rescinded as it would have meant unemployment for thousands.

Interestingly I noticed that the Coke cans mention contents as ‘330 mls plus/minus 8.25 ml’. Interiors of a modest hotel.

We still find such brass water heaters at some places in India.

I was unhappy to notice that these three young boys had plucked flowers from some garden. Anyway I took this photo. I was informed by the Guide that these boys were of Afghan origin.

A bold display of colours on a wall.

Colourfull fruit juices & non-alchololic soft drinks

A rather innovative  & colourfull way of keeping the paper napkins.

Quite like in large parts of India, In Iran too raw onion is a part of the meal. However their onions are on the sweater side and are not the tangy tear inducing types that we have in India.

In a restaurant in Shiraz, I found a row of national flags of various countries decorated in a row. I was happy to see that Indian flag was there too (fourth from left) but was distressed to find it flying upside down. I went to the Reception and pointed it out. The Receptionist expressed his regrets and told me that would get it rectified forthwith. Thanking me for pointing out the mistake, he gave me a 10% discount on y food bill.

But the Indian in me was not satisfied. I went to the same restaurant around dinner time to verify and was pleased to see that our tricolour had been put correctly.

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Photos, text & copyright: K.J.S.Chatrath 2014.

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I saw these refreshingly colourfull wall paintings while walking around in Shiraz, Iran. I do not know what these are supposed to represent, but I took the photographs as I loved these.

Photos, text & copyright: K.J.S.Chatrath 2014.

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This post is intended only for sharing information with travel enthusiasts. Readers are advised to double check the information and satisfy themselves before taking any decision.

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“If you thought that driving on the left or the right side of the road (depending upon the country you are in) and keeping an eye on traffic signals is all that is required to drive a vehicle around the world, you are absolutely wrong. There are some weird driving laws in different countries that can drive you crazy.
Here we tell you some unbelievable road rules that exist abroad.
A dirty car? You are fined
If you are feeling lazy to clean your car in Russia and still want to drive, be ready to be fined upto 2,000 roubles (approx. Rs. 3,400).
Don’t yell or curse!
I genuinely think that India needs this law. No matter who is in fault, the one who yells and curses first, is considered to be the RIGHT guy. But such is not the case in Rockville, Maryland; it’s illegal to curse in public, else you could be asked to pay a fine up to $100 (approx Rs. 5,800) or can be booked in jail up to 90 days.
Don’t you ever turn your car’s headlights off!
This may sound absurd or strange to many, but in Sweden it’s necessary to keep your headlights on 24 hours a day. We understand that it’s required for places as cold as Sweden during winter, but you cannot turn your car’s lights off even if it’s June and weather looks just fine.
You can drink while driving, but you should not be drunk!!
Confused? I was, too, when I first heard of this rule. In Costa Rica, you can take alcohol while driving as long as your blood-alcohol level isn’t above 0.75 per cent. 0.75 percent? Are you kidding me? I am alright with water.
In San Francisco, California, it is against law to wipe the car in a car wash with a used underwear
Seriously? Who wipes a car with an underwear anyway – used or new notwithstanding? And buying a new underwear for wiping the car should be a good enough to seek professional help!
Don’t sit in the front seat if you are drunk
Drinking and driving is illegal, and that certainly should be. But in Macedonia, if one is “visibly under the influence of alcohol”, he/she cannot sit in the front seats. Why? Well, who can understand better than Indians, “Gaadi tera bhai chalayega ab”.
Make sure that your driver isn’t drunk too
In Japan, being a sober passenger isn’t enough, if the driver is intoxicated, the passenger, also, can be punished under the law.
Carry an extra pair of glasses
If you wear prescription glasses, it’s necessary to carry a spare pair in your car under law, else you can be fined in Spain.
Women cannot drive
Weird, as it may sound, but Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that doesn’t allow women to get behind the wheel.
Your number plate can be a problem too
In Manila, you cannot drive your car on Monday if the number plate ends with 1 or 2.
Wearing shirt is mandatory while driving
In Thailand, it’s mandatory to wear a shirt while driving, going topless can fine equal to a few hundred baht.”

Ho…hum!

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(Source: http://auto.ndtv.com/news/top-10-weird-traffic-laws-around-the-world-389208?pfrom=home-otherstories)

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 IMPORTANT: This website does not sell any hotel rooms/air tickets/packages/insurance cover etc.

This post is intended only for sharing information with travel enthusiasts. Readers are advised to double check the information and satisfy themselves before taking any decision.

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Contact: [email protected]

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Photo, text & copyright: K.J.S.Chatrath 2014.

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 IMPORTANT: This website does not sell any hotel rooms/air tickets/packages/insurance cover etc.

This post is intended only for sharing information with travel enthusiasts. Readers are advised to double check the information and satisfy themselves before taking any decision.

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Contact: [email protected]

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Lima, the capital of Peru, and a place where it never rains, is a good twelve hours flight away from Paris, France. In Lima, the first time visitor is surprised to see quite a few large European style buildings, all very well maintained.

Spaniard Francisco Pizarro founded the city of Lima in 1535. I walked around the central area where Pizzaro used to stay.

Take a look:

The Government Palace of Peru, also known as House of Pizarro, houses the Peruvian government headquarters. It was constructed way back in 1535. It has been through many alterations. The current structure was built in the 20th century, designed by Peru’s dictators in the French Baroque style architecture.

The Central Posts & Telegraph Office.

The Central Post Office was opened in 1897. At the beginning of the 20th century the building was completely remodeled to fit into the new European style Lima and received the first telephone switchboard. The Post Office was closed down a few years back. Since 2011 the building houses the Museum of Peruvian Gastronomy.

Impressive windows It is said that once a year, on the ocassion of the founding of a famous Peruvian beer company, these fountains are filled with beer and one can drink as much as one can- and free. True or false? I do not really know. Perhaps my Peruvian friend and the Tour Director of our Group’s visit, Ms. Nila Soto (Nila J. Soto Santiago, Tour Manager & Official Tour Guide, English-Italian-Portugues; http://www.perulimaguides.com cel. ++511999650951), could throw some light on it.

A neat row of shops in this covered market in the centre of the town.

And guess what did I find there? Posters and DVDs of a Hindi film starring Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta!

Yes I did try out the famous ‘Inca Cola’ which is famous in Peru and its adjoining countries. It tastes very sweet a with a flower of chewing-gum. This non-alchollic beverage was introduced in 1935 and became the most important drink in Peru. Some time back the Coca-Cola Company is said to have acquired it but in Peru a joint venture with Coca-Cola Co. runs it. Inca Kola is a source of national pride and patriotism in Peru, a national icon. Advertisement for Inca Kola featuring Peruvian 1967 Miss World winner Madeline Hartog-Bel. (Source of this photo: Wikipedia)

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Photos text & Copyright by K.J.S.Chatrath 2014.

You may like to see my 15 other photo articles on Peru:

‘Peruvian Literature House, Lima, Peru‘ by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://traveltalk.co.in/?p=252
‘A lovely little ‘hostal’ in Arequipa, Peru’ by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=4969
‘Lake Titicaca, Peru’ by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=5433
‘A look at some Peruvian doors’ by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=5266
‘A salute to Peru’s lady traffic police’ by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=3584
“A Peruvian Lunch” by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=2755
“Cuzco, Peru” by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=2713
“Lima, Peru” by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=2242
‘Off the beaten track for the Fiftyplus – Arequipa, Peru’ by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=1066
“101 years of the ‘rediscovery’ of Machu Pichhu in Peru” by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=662
‘Balconies of Lima & Cuzco, Peru’ by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=810
“The Train to Machu Picchu (Peru)” by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=665
“Pakoras in Cusco, Peru” by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=637
“Visit to the Lima Cemetery, Peru” by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://gravematters.in/?p=826
“Lima cemetery, Peru, Part-II” by K.J.S.Chatrath; http://gravematters.in/?p=1195

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This post is intended only for sharing information with travel enthusiasts. Readers are advised to double check the information and satisfy themselves before taking any decision.

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Coconut & Cashew Festival 2014 in Goa postponed*

Panjim, May 20, 2014: The Coconut & Cashew Festival which was scheduled to begin from May 21 and go on till May 25, 2014 has been postponed due to bad weather.

According to Goa Tourism officials, the incessant rain and storm have played spoilsport with the arrangements for the event. “Goa has been experiencing heavy rains in the evenings, over the past few days; this has interfered with our arrangements. Furthermore, we wouldn’t like to hold the festival at a time when the weather can play damper on the festive spirit. It is also difficult for visitors to the state to travel safely at this time. That is why we have decided to postpone it for now. The festival will be held at a later date and the exact details will be communicated when decided.”

The Coconut & Cashew Festival 2014 is aimed at promoting Goa’s rich tradition and heritage while highlighting the role and importance of coconut and cashew in Goan life.

(*Source: Goa Tourism Press Release)

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We are only reproducing a press release issued by Goa tourism and are in no way responsible for its correctness. This post is intended only for sharing information with travel enthusiasts. Readers are advised to double check the information and satisfy themselves before taking any decision.

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Mussoorie (Photo source Wikipedia)

Mussoorie a famous hill station is also known as the Queen of the Hills. It is situated in the Dehradun District of Uttarakhand. It is located about 35 km from the state capital of Dehradun and 290 km north from the national capital of New Delhi. The adjoining town of Landour, which includes a military cantonment, is considered part of ‘greater Mussoorie’, as are the townships of Barlowganj and Jharipani.
The main Post Office is centrally located in an old building which was constructed in 1909

It was a Sunday and the main gate of the Post Office compound was locked. A hairdresser with his mirror tied to a tree branch, was busy attending to an early morning customer . He was good at publicity too as he had placed his small box with ‘body massage’ painted on it in a strategic position.  One of the impressive old buildings of the town.

The steep slope towards the Picture Palace is not easy for the fiftyplus visitors to negotiate.

The impressive and well maintained Central Methodist Church which was built in 1885.

A colourfull wall sculpture

An old badly maintained building in the Landour area.

On the other end of the Mall, the Library Point, now called Gandhi Chowk.

A statue of Gandhiji is ready to be unveiled there within days, I was told.

Walking from there towards the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), a shining temple dedicated to Balmiki ji.

An inner view of the LBSNAA.

Lovely flowers in bloom at the Company Gardens.

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Photos, text & copyright: K.J.S.Chatrath

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 IMPORTANT: This website does not sell any hotel rooms/air tickets/packages/insurance cover etc.  This post is intended only for sharing information and experiences with travel enthusiasts. Readers are advised to double check the information and satisfy themselves before taking any decision.

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Contact: [email protected]

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