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Early start for a long drive through the desert again today, although I don't think it was as hot as yesterday. We stopped at a couple of ruined caravansarais along the road, all made of mud-brick. Stopped for lunch at a town along the road in the desert. They really know how to make a good hamburger here, even if the meat comes out of a freezer packet.

Late in the afternoon we stopped at a place close to Persepolis - Naqsh-e Rostam, where there were some second- or third-century tombs cut into the cliff faces. They looked a bit like Egyptian tombs, with reliefs cut into the rock all over the place. It was very hot in the sun and there was a hot wind blowing, and we all tried to drink as much of our warm water as we could. We found a great bushcamp under the highway next to a flowing river, where Jasper jumped right in for a swim, and after putting tents up Shane jumped in as well and I went in in my skirt, since it needed a wash. We still think it is about in the mid-30s during the day - I'm sure it will get warmer as we head into the subcontinent.

Next morning we visited Persepolis and spent 3 hours or so there. It was very hot and sunny and not the best weather for walking around barren ruins but the site is pretty amazing. It's quite a big area but there's not a lot remaining - a few columns and the big gate standing, also some staircases with beautiful carving. But not on a par with the pyramids or the coliseum like the guidebook was suggesting. It looked a lot like the temples we saw in Egypt, but more ruined. I enjoyed Ephesus more I think.