1. Emam mosque
Esfahan, Iran.
(March 1999)

This beautiful mosque dominates the
Emam ("leader")Khomeini Square in
the heart of the very pleasant city
of Esfahan. The main dome is 54m high
and double-layered. The mosque was
built by Shah Abbas I and completed
in 1638 after 26 years. Under the
strict Islamic rules Iranian women
have to wear a black chador("tent").
In more liberal parts of the country
like Esfahan and Shiraz,they often
only wear a head-scarf.

2. Scenery
Qarah, Iran.
(March 1999)

In Esfahan I had met 4 other
Dutch cyclists. Together we
cycled most of the way between
Esfahan and Shiraz. The route
via Semirom and Yasuj was very
scenic with snowmountains, little
villages and steep ups and downs.
The roads in Iran are very good
and mostly asphalt; due to a
sudden part with gravel surface
on one of the decends I had a
big fall. Luckily my companions
managed to get me and my bicycle
in shape again to reach the next
major town.

3. Desert crossing
Bam-Zahedan, Iran.
(March 1999)

In Kerman I had succeeded in get-
ting a 4th extension on my original
5-days transit visa; by then I had
stayed already 1.5 months in Iran!
The road to Pakistan first rounds 
the west side of the Kavir and Lut
deserts before crossing the latter.
In one long day of 170km I cycled
from Fahraj to Nosrat Abad. Dangerous
driving of trucks and signs of
exhaustion and dehydration made it
a tough, but impressive experience.
In Zahedan, the major town before
the Pakistani border, I bought a new
(3 months) visa, since the one I had
managed to get in Istanbul with much
difficulties (valid for only 1 month)
had already long expired!

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