Iran

What an eye opener was Iran the friendliest people. We were always being stopped for a chat and can we take a photo.The most stunning women every where .Very modern and vibrant place not at all like it is potraid by the western media .Just run by a mad man and his gang . This is the 4th country I ahve been in that has had western world sanctions imposed upon it and it seems to me all that happens is the population gets on with life and beome more unitied, inventive as a result the sanctions having almost the opposite effect.

The history of this region is truly remarkable and realy brings home to me how very young and niaeve Australia is upon this world . The countries we have visited have a t some stage being empires ruling vast tracts of the then known world in some cases for centuries such as the Greeks ,Romans ,Persains and dont forget the Khans who ruled from China to Poland for nearly 400years early last century.

Garden of the Emperors palace in Tehran

Bob and mates where ever we went locals wanted photos taken with us

Heading into the hills around Tehran where the 40 plus degree heat disappeared into mountain streams and tea houses

More CHia any one

Fredom Square and the urge to use his hands

Black Swan at Pericippolis did Anthonthy bring the Black Swan 2000 years ago?

Nomads bike in there camp

Little Nomad

2 more little Nomads

Old Mate cooling off in 3000 year old spring that just runs downthe road in Fashan near the New Nuclear Power station.Water seems abudant in this desert country where the rain fall is about 75mmls and te temperature varies fron +40 to  - 40.

Hills near fashan

Old mate taking a break in and Old Fire Temple some 3000 years old

Happy Bob

1500 year old street in Abayane and pot below

The Donkey is a bit younger

Kazaksthan

Kazaksthan

Asian Winter Games Skating complex u just need to catch a number 62 bus and u are in the ski fields .

Horses are a huge part of Kazak life from milk and meat production to manual labour .They are loved by all and very much revered.

Modern Buildings with the mountain vista in the background abound throughout Almaty as the resource boom fuels the economy 

The vast openess of the steppe is truly beatiful with vast areas of plains hills and  mountains bringing images of the Great Khan and his conquering hordes to the imagination.

Russian Orthodox Church in Almaty has been restored to its former glory and is once again been used for the purpose it was built for it is constructed entirely out of wood and has no metal nails ,screwws or bolts used in its construction .Unfortunately I was not able to take photos inside to show the intricate carvings and paintings. 

Grren topped montains ensure clear crystal streams flow abundantly through the kazak hills east of Almaty .The aie air is pure clean and does the lungs a power of good after a longish walk on a hot day in t search of a lift back to town and the bus home.

A small water fall just so pristine in the hills and a very much welcome sight a fter a trek up the hills

Even Hippos need a lift some times

A truly beautiful and friendly place is this part of the world the food is great although I dont recommend the The Rehabilitation Cocktail as this results in a totaly stomach and bowel clean out and rebuild. Samosas from the street vendors just awsome. To catch a taxi just stick your hand out and a car will stop and if going your away will take u for a small fee.Even late into the night and early morning the girls still travel this way and are completely safe .