Spent today sightseeing in Esfahan after again connecting with our local guide Maryam. we started at Naqsh-e Jahan or Imam Square and had a much more in depth visit to the mosques than we had had two nights previously. Maryam was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain everything we wanted to know. A couple of interesting spots along the way included the arched gate where one would whisper in one corner and because of the acoustic design,could be heard in the distant corner, and also the spot where one can hear the echo of paper rustling - simply brilliant acoustic designs. We also visited Ali Qapu palace and the delightful teahouse, whose name escapes me, off the north east corner of Imam Square that is decorated with all sorts of interesting objects hanging from the ceiling. We wandered the endless tunnels of the bazaar for a while before stopping at a miniaturist where Sue indulged herself and bought a painting on camel bone box. Then off to lunch at a revolving restaurant at the Aseman Hotel. There I had possibly one of the best pepper steaks ever (I was sick of kebabs by now) cooked on a bed of cabbage and served sizzling hot - mmmm, nooshe jaan as they say here or simply bon appetit in English As the period between 12.30 and 5.00pm tends to be siesta time in Iran we opted, at Maryam's suggestion, to visit her apartment for a welcome break and refreshment of tea and Iranian delicacies and also a chance to remove the ever present hi-jab scarf. Refreshed we again hit the road to visit the 40 columns palace this time. This is so named, despite only having 20 columns, because of the reflection in the adjoining pool leads to one seeing 40 columns. Maryam then dropped us back at our hotel where we again rested for a while before setting out again for Imam Square. A few gift purchases later and then we tried an upstairs traditional restaurant for dinner. Good food and interesting but not quite in the same league as last night's Bastani restaurant. Again we were engaged in lively and friendly conversation with our neighbours. A walk back through the now, less scary, bazaar alleyways to our hotel and turned in for the night.
Spent today sightseeing in Esfahan after again connecting with our local guide Maryam. we started at Naqsh-e Jahan or Imam Square and had a much more in depth visit to the mosques than we had had two nights previously. Maryam was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain everything we wanted to know. A couple of interesting spots along the way included the arched gate where one would whisper in one corner and because of the acoustic design,could be heard in the distant corner, and also the spot where one can hear the echo of paper rustling - simply brilliant acoustic designs. We also visited Ali Qapu palace and the delightful teahouse, whose name escapes me, off the north east corner of Imam Square that is decorated with all sorts of interesting objects hanging from the ceiling. We wandered the endless tunnels of the bazaar for a while before stopping at a miniaturist where Sue indulged herself and bought a painting on camel bone box. Then off to lunch at a revolving restaurant at the Aseman Hotel. There I had possibly one of the best pepper steaks ever (I was sick of kebabs by now) cooked on a bed of cabbage and served sizzling hot - mmmm, nooshe jaan as they say here or simply bon appetit in English As the period between 12.30 and 5.00pm tends to be siesta time in Iran we opted, at Maryam's suggestion, to visit her apartment for a welcome break and refreshment of tea and Iranian delicacies and also a chance to remove the ever present hi-jab scarf. Refreshed we again hit the road to visit the 40 columns palace this time. This is so named, despite only having 20 columns, because of the reflection in the adjoining pool leads to one seeing 40 columns. Maryam then dropped us back at our hotel where we again rested for a while before setting out again for Imam Square. A few gift purchases later and then we tried an upstairs traditional restaurant for dinner. Good food and interesting but not quite in the same league as last night's Bastani restaurant. Again we were engaged in lively and friendly conversation with our neighbours. A walk back through the now, less scary, bazaar alleyways to our hotel and turned in for the night.
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