We left Isfahan to travel to Persepolis for a short stop and look at this ancient site. We sustained a third puncture on the way and had to change a tyre, the weather has become very hot and humid with a constant haze in the air. Because of the tyre repair we only had a short stay at Persepolis, however our guide Mohammed was able to quickly take us around the main parts with a detailed explanation of them, in the mean time, Polly, our tour leader prepared food for the night. After our visit we then drove into the countryside to camp. We found a site below some spectacular mountains and after the usual visit from the local headman we had food and settled down to listen to the howls of the local dogs and wild animals, and the mechanical pumps of the irrigation systems used in these parts.
This morning we headed to Yazd one of the oldest cities in the world. The old city is a maze of mud built properties, with cooling towers and underground water reservoirs and a fabulously decorated mosque. Myself and Jackie walked around the old town and as it is their equivalent of a sunday, we were the only ones walking about. Tomorrow it will be busier and more lively.
We are staying in the centre of the town in a hotel that has a courtyard with fountains, our room opens onto this, it also serves delicious local food, the best yet!
We loose a number of people over the next couple of days, as they have to go to India direct, because they could not obtain visas for Pakistan.
Today was also the first day that we encountered real desert, it was strange seeing the heat haze in the distance.The only caravans crossing it now are 30 ton trucks, including ours! We stopped to look and take pictures of the nothingness.