Travel Letters

Kerman and the General

Kerman (pop 850,000)

Kerman Province

Islamic Republic of Iran

May 25, 2022

Salam,

During his lifetime, General Qasem Soleimani was a controversial military and political figure in Iran.  I learned that some families were supportive of him.   Others not.

But in response to his untimely death of “unnatural causes” in 2020 at the airport in Baghdad, Commander Soleimani was elevated to the status of a revered national hero.  Hundreds of thousands attended his many funeral processions around Iran.

Qasem Soleimani is buried here in the Kerman Martyrs Cemetery.  Each day a government official arrives to lay a wreath at his grave.  He is joined by dozens of other mourners from Kerman and from Qanat-e Malek, Soleimani’s home village.  Black clad women prostrate themselves on the black granite marker.

Dasht-e Lut

Dasht-e Lut

The Lut Desert

Kerman Probvionce

Iran

May 19, 2022

Hello,

Before venturing into the desert itself, we stop at the ruins of an ancient town, an abandoned caravanserai, and a sign for the Nebka Park.

Around the sign are sand “dunes” raised several meters above the stony, completely lifeless level ground. The dunes contain complete ecosystems of trees whose roots hold the whole structure together against the forces of wind and possibly even occasional rain.

The Western Desert of Egypt - Travel Talk

Jomtien Beach

Thailand

November 11, 2022

Sunny and Warm

Hello,

This past Monday I was a speaker at the Bangkok International Travelers Meetup.  I chose to speak about my February 2020 journey through the Western Desert of Egypt. 

At the meetup I spoke for about an hour and shared many photos and several videos.

Today I have posted a small selection of about thirty of my favorite images and videos.

Icehouse and Cedars

Kerman Province

Iran

May 19, 2022

Hello,

We made two stops during the long ride from the gulf coast to Kerman.

Sirjan:  We sat on the grass and enjoyed a watermelon picnic in the shadow of the Sirjan Icehouse. *

Sirch:  In a fertile valley at the edge of the desert we visited the village of Sirch and posed for photos in the shade of the ancient twin cedar trees. **

Hormuz Island

Hormuz Island

(Pop. 5771)

Persian Gulf

Hormuzgan Province

Iran

May 17, 2022

When researching Iran and planning my trip, I knew I had to visit Hormuz Island.

Hormuz is known as the Red Island.   Also, the Rainbow Island.

I am not disappointed.  I am so pleased to be here.

The multi-colored landscape is wonderful.

Qeshm: Fish 'n' Ships

Qeshm Island

Persian Gulf

Iran

May 18, 2022

Hello,

Today, on Qeshm, we visited the Mangrove Forest. the Fish Market and the shipyrds where the huge "arks" are under construction.

Below is an excellent article about the lenj vessels, the ancient transport ships used in the Persian Gulf and beyond.

Jan

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