Iran

 
Time Zones:

Sydney       AEDT  UTC + 11

Brisbane     AEST  UTC + 10

Singapore  SGT     UTC + 8

Iran             IRST    UTC + 3.30

Doha           AST     UTC + 3
 

11 Feb

SQ 232.  Dep Sydney 12:15.  Arr Singapore 17:35

 

12,13,14 Feb

Singapore.

Park Avenue Hotel, 2 Changi Business Park Ave 1, Singapore 486015.

Tel: +65 6809 7300. 

 

15 Feb
QR 947. Dep Singapore 20:25.  Arr Doha 23:30. (8h 5m)

16 Feb - Day 1 of tour

QR 476. Dep Doha 02:15. Arr Shiraz 04:00 (1h 15m)

Drive to hotel for the first of three nights here. 

Zandiyeh Hotel, Fars, 11 Road, Shiraz, Telephone: 713 223 4234. http://www.zandiyehhotel.com/

 

17th Feb - Day 2

Visits begin 11.30am today and include the 17th-cent. secluded courtyard of the Madrassa Khan, still a theological college; the 18th-cent. Citadel, a quadrangular fort with cylindrical towers; and the 19th-cent. Pink Mosque, the sobriquet arising from the profuse revetment of Qajar tiles. The Shrine of Shah Cheragh, rebuilt and added to since the 9th century, remains a major Shia pilgrimage destination. Overnight Shiraz.

18th Feb - Day 3
Persepolis. One of the most spectacular sites of the ancient world, construction of the ceremonial city Persepolis began under Darius I in 516 BC and continued under Xerxes and successive Achaemenid kings until destroyed by Alexander the Great in 300-BC. Much superstructure and many standing columns survive. The sculpture is particularly impressive, especially the low reliefs depicting the 26 nationalities of the empire. Return to Shiraz mid-afternoon and visit the gardens around the tomb of Hafez, the Persian poet. Overnight Shiraz.

19th Feb - Day 4
Naqsh-i-Rustam, Pasargadae. The tombs of four Achaemenid kings were cut high up in the cliff at Naqsh-i-Rustam. Reliefs of Sassanian kings and their captive Roman emperors were added below 500 years later. On a remote plateau ringed by hills, Pasargadae was built by Cyrus the Great (d. 529 BC), the first of the Achaemenid emperors. His ziggurat-like tomb and remains of palaces survive. There follows a five-hour drive (with a refreshment break) through dramatic desert and mountain landscape before dropping down to the ancient caravan city of Yazd (total km today: 470). First of two nights here.

The Arg Hotel, Takhti Avenue, Shiraz, Telephone: 071 3222 8989

20th Feb - Day 5
Yazd. Yazd has one of the largest surviving Zoroastrian communities in Iran; two funerary ‘Towers of Silence’ rise on hillocks on the edge of the city, and there is a fire temple in the centre. Of the Islamic architecture, the 11th-cent. Cenotaph of the Twelve Imams is impressive (entry not guaranteed), while the Friday Mosque is spectacularly clad in 14th-cent. tile mosaics. See also an area of traditional vernacular architecture and the beautiful Dolat Abad Garden and pavilion. Overnight Yazd.

21 Feb - Day 6
Meybod, Mohammediye, Na’in. Another long drive (210km) through mountain-fringed desert, with three stops. In Meybod, visit the mud-brick citadel of Sassanian (5th century AD) origin, a caravanserai and a remarkable ice house. See traditional kilim-weaving at Mohammediye. In Na’in, the splendid early mosque, with imposing arcades and stucco reliefs, dates to the 10th & 11th centuries. Visit also the fascinating 16th-cent. governor’s house with its precious sgraffito decoration. Spend the first of three nights in Isfahan. 

Abbasi Hotel, Amadegah, Esfahan Street, Isfahan. Telephone: 31 322 601 019. www.abbasihotel.ir

22 Feb - Day 7
Isfahan. Shah Abass I, the greatest of the Safavid kings, chose Isfahan as capital in 1598. He began the transformation of the city into one of the loveliest in the world. We begin with a pre-existing building, the vast Friday Mosque whose many parts incorporate most periods and styles. To the Zayandeh River, straddled by two beautiful 17th-cent. bridges, and cross to the Armenian Quarter. The cathedral interior is covered in high quality paintings of the 1660s, stylistically a fascinating western-Persian hybrid. The day finishes with a private concert of traditional Iranian music. Overnight Isfahan.

23 Feb - Day 8
Isfahan. The immense Meydan, Imam (formerly Royal) Square, is 500m long and formed of a two-storey arcade and the façades of three architectural masterpieces: the Ali Qapu Pavilion, a palace with loggia and well-preserved interiors; the Imam Mosque, magnificent in scale and detail; and the private Shaikh Lutfollah Mosque with a near perfect dome and unsurpassed tile work. Set in a garden a few minutes away the exquisite Chehel Sotun pleasure pavilion has very fine 17th-cent. figurative wall paintings.

24 Feb - Day 9
Natanz, Kashan. An early start for the last of the long drives (483km to Tehran). At Natanz, the cobalt blue and turquoise façade of the Friday Mosque is one of the most exquisite sights in Iran. Kashan has an outstanding Seljuk mosque and a number of large and richly embellished 19th-cent. courtyard mansions; we visit two, Tabatabiyeh House and Borujerdiyeh House. The Fin Garden is perhaps the most beautiful of classical Persian examples. First of three nights in Tehran.Espinas Hotel,126 Keshavarz Building, Tehran. Telephone: 021 83844.www.espinashotels.com

25 Feb - Day 10
Tehran. The Qajar period surges to a crescendo of enrichment at the Golestan Palace, which also houses fine carpets and other objets d’art. The archaeological section of the National Museum of Iran is of international importance and includes items from places visited on the tour. Displayed in vaults of the National Bank, the State Jewels Museum is an accumulation of gems and goldsmithery without rival. Return to the hotel mid-afternoon, or extend the day with another visit. Overnight Tehran.

26 Feb - Day 11
Tehran. The Carpet Museum displays major examples of historic Persian carpet art. Return to the National Museum, which also has one of the world’s greatest collections of Islamic arts, from the earliest period to the end of Qajar, all Persian. In the hills to the north, the Reza Abbasi Museum shows precious Persian miniature paintings. Final night Tehran.

27 Feb - Day 12
Free before flight.

QR 499. Dep Tehran 22:40.

 

28 Feb

QR 499. Arr Doha 00:15.(2h 05m)

QR 946. Dep Doha 02:10. Arr Singapore 14:45.(7h 35m)

Crowne Plaza, 75 Airport Boulevard #01-01, Changi Airport Singapore (SIN), Singapore 819664.

Tel +65 6823 5300.

 

1 Mar

Singapore

Transit Hotel, Changi Airport.

2 Mar

SQ 241. Dep Singapore 07:05. Arr Sydney 17:55.

Bells in Katoomba

We had known for a while that bells were to installed in St Hilda's Anglican  Church, Katoomba.  The bells have arrived and are lined up along the southern wall of the church.  The tower has been undergoing repairs and modifications.

Here they are, all six of them.

The two largest bells - the tenor (the biggest) is on the left.

Five wheels waiting for their bells to be attached.  You can also see a single wheel behind the tenor on the southern side of the church.

The ringing room will be on the ground floor (music to my ears - no medieval stone staircases).

And a couple of close-ups for those still reading! Notice how shiny they are - before the dust and oxidation and various crap has begun to stain them.

And after that, we enjoyed a lovely view of the Jamison Valley from the hotel.

Back in Sydney

Now back in Sydney.  Two loads through the washing machine and then off for a snooze.  Theresa May is on telly, outside 10 Downing Street.  It all seems so far away now!

Pigeon passenger - and now in Singapore

On our second last day in London, we saw a pigeon in Euston Square station.  He/she boarded our train and kept on nibbling chips, crumbs or whatever he could get his beak on.  Then yesterday, we saw a pigeon on our tube to Paddington.  Got a pic this time.  Who needs cleaners when the pigeons do the job for you?

We arrived safely in Singapore after a 12 hour day flight.  We had two breakfasts yesterday!  Went to the Transit Hotel where we slept for 7 hours.  Beginning the gradual adjustment to a new time zone.  We had breakfast/lunch this morning at the airport.  This time I had Red Ruby at the ice stall.

Last night in London

For dinner, we went to a nearby pub - Marquis Cornwallis - and Kin Mun had his last fish and chips in London.

Now we have packed up and ready for bed. Five am rise tomorrow to catch train to Heathrow and then SQ  305 to Singapore.  Due to arrive 05:30 Singapore time, 07:30 Sydney time or something like 21:30 London.  Next post hopefully from Singapore.  

Battle of Britain - Capel le Ferne

We caught the fast train to Folkestone (55 minutes) and then a taxi .  We told the driver that we wanted to go to the Battle of Britain Memorial.  He asked "Which one?"  We told him, and then I asked, "Is there another one?"  "Yes", he said.  Kin Mun's heart sank!  Indeed, there IS another one at Hawkinge, also nearby, but we didn't have time nor energy for two visits.

BTW, ever heard an Englishman pronounce Folkestone? Not "ou" as in "folk" but  "ʌ" as in "but".

This memorial has been developed in stages.  First to open was the statue of the young seated pilot looking over the white cliffs towards France.

 

There were the replicas of a Hawker Hurricane and a Supermarine Spitfire (in that order).

Also The Wall, where the names of "the few" were listed.  The few were indeed a lot.

And a bust of Sir Keith Park, a kiwi, who commanded the squadrons that defended London.

All this is on the edge of the white cliffs.  We ventured closer to the edge and had a glimpse of Folkestone.

There is also a visitors centre, but didn't take any pics of it.  All in all, it was an evocative memorial.  Uxbridge was the opportunity to view a piece of history, BoB was just one part of the aviation story at Duxford.

And lastly, they do have some nasties in England.  The sign said so.

Dinner with Anne - at Mosob

We had a lovely dinner with Anne tonight.  Her recommendation was MOSOB, an Eritrean restaurant at Westbourne Park. 

We were given explanations and instructions.  You eat with your hands and the injera  bread, to be used to gather up the food, was like a pikelet.  The dishes are served on a plate, for sharing.

 This is the plate, as served to our table.

And before eating.

And half an hour later.!

And chai - which was literally a tea of spices.  We looked in the pot and there they were - cardamom, cinnamon and cloves.  No black tea to be seen.

And they also have desserts.  because Eritrea was annexed by Italy at one stage, there is an Italian influence.

The owner later came over to talk to  us - about his background, experiences, and Eritrea.  The only thing most Australians know about Eritrea is Fred Hollows and his opthalmic surgery.  So we had a delicious meal and learned a lot, as well as enjoying time with Anne.

Basildon Bell Tower

It was an early morning to get to Basildon in time for their service ring.  But we made it. This is the tower, which is in the main town square, next to the church.

And you can see the bells from the outside!!! For me, who can't cope with heights, this is the FIRST time I have seen a ring of bells in place.  They leave them in the "up" position.

Inside the ringing tower.  There is air-conditioning AND heating but the ringers told us they were not plugged in. The young man was ringing up one of the bells.

And looking up.

Just in case you forget which bell you are ringing.

Kin Mun got to ring.  They were willing to give a visitor a go on a service ring.

And the tower moves as they ring.  Like a mini earthquake.  The lights above were shaking.
This is how they store the ropes/sallies.  Roger told us that at the bottom of the tube is a lamp that dries out the ropes if they get damp.

They have a warning about the bells being up.  And there is a spiral staircase, but much better than the old medieval ones.

And afterwards we went to the local shopping center for morning tea.  We know when to capitulate on ordering coffee.  Just have tea - which was very good together with the Victoria Sponge.

    

Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Today was our tour of Whitechapel Bell Foundry.  It occupied a smaller area than Taylors, and it was not a working day. But the process of making the moulds, melting metals etc was explained.  Whitechapel don't provide the sallies/ropes - they outsource this locally.
A scene in the Foundry 

Our guide, on the stand used for bell tuning.
OOPS- This is Alan Hughes, master bellfounder and fourth generation of Hughes family to have operated the foundry!!!  More than a guide but the man himself. 

Bells already tuned and ready for delivery - inside view.

More bells

Wheels

Handbells

Memorials for workers who have died - either during their working lives or after retirement.  They have now run out of space.

More foundry scenes