Shiraz, Iran.
August 2012
Well here we are, in the famed city of Shiraz. Legend has it that French crusaders brought grapes from Shiraz back to France and formed the modern say Syrah or Shiraz that I so love to enjoy on an evening out.
Regardless of whether this is true or not, Shiraz the city is a must see when visiting Iran, it is right at the heart of the ancient Persia and is one of the mostly lively and liberal minded cities in Iran. Although many come here to visit the mighty persopolis and the surrounding attractions, the city of Shiraz itself is a gem, full of gardens, tombs of grand poets and offers up opportunities to meet some of the friendliest people in all of Persia.
I have to say, the irony of how many Persians are in Vancouver did not set in to me until visiting Shiraz. Time after time while traveling in Iran I am asked, where are you from? I respond, Canada, and then they ask, ahhhh are you from Vancouver? I have an uncle there, or a cousin, or brother, sister, friend, etc. And the truth is, I am from Vancouver, and as I mentioned in my earlier post, I have some very good friends that are Persian in Vancouver. So immediately I have been able to establish a bond with so many people around this country, simply by just growing up in a place so many of them know or wish to live. A cool connection indeed.
Henry, Fabs and I stayed at a lovely little guest house in the centre of Shiraz, within walking distance of the famed undercover night market. We ate some fantastic food, and Fabrizio's couch surfing contacts guided us all over Shiraz. We visited lavish gardens, the beautiful tombs of the Poet's Sadi and Hafez, and saw the impressive gate that one enters into Shiraz. One quirky experience we got was when Fabrizio and I were stopped by a few soldiers outside the gate of Shiraz, the young men were dressed in full uniform, and I have not seen soldiers act so serious since I was at the Iran border with Afghanistan. The soldiers wanted nothing more than to take pictures with us and were thrilled to meet us and speak to us through our friend. Ironic indeed it is, an army that is supposed to hate me taking so much joy in having their photo taken with me. And one of the guys was a straight reincarnation of the Persian King Darius, I have said it before and I will say it again, Persians are dam good looking people.
The next day, Henry, Fabs and I embarked on our journey to visit the Tomb of Cyrus the Great, one of the most famous Persian kings. We also visited Necropolis, which I would describe as Iran's version of Petra(The famous Jordanian city, featured in Indiana Jones' Last crusade), and of course the mighty Persian imperial capital of Persepolis. Being a guy who loves history, this was a day that shall last forever in my mind, rivaling even the experience I had five years ago in Egypt when I first saw the pyramids. Persepolis lived up to expectations and the other sites were just the icing on the cake. Iran is truly a marvel for one to explore, and I have merely scratched the surface of its historical potential. I know now, that due to my time frame I will not be able to see all that is in Iran, not even close and am already planning on a return trip!
The scorching hot day in Persepolis gave way to of course a fine round of ice cream covered in pistachio nuts, a Persian staple. And smoking a hooka pipe, hanging out with some other young Persians watching the sun set down over Shiraz was the perfect ending to such a glorious part of this country.
I maintain that if anyone of you reading this plans to visit Iran, a trip to Iran is not complete without seeing Shiraz and its surroundings.
The only thing I have missed out on is the opportunity to have a glass of Shiraz in Shiraz! I was told by my contacts here that on my next visit to inform them in advance and they will contact some of their christian or Jewish friends(Shiraz has a large and thriving Persian Jewish community) and make it happen! I am stoked and cannot wait for my next visit.
Henry, Fabs and I are about to part ways. I will be heading north to Esfahan tomorrow, Henry will be catching a domestic flight up to Tehran and Fabrizio is heading off to see some desert castles in Bolochistan, near the far east of Iran.
Thank you so much to all those that made Shiraz such a special stop. I will always maintain that a "Glass of Shiraz in Iran, is always HALF FULL". I am more historically armed, and I know now that I will be back to Iran again, and I haven't even left yet!
Cheers and god bless.
William Delaney
 |
| Me, Fabs and the Persian Army. |
August 2012
Well here we are, in the famed city of Shiraz. Legend has it that French crusaders brought grapes from Shiraz back to France and formed the modern say Syrah or Shiraz that I so love to enjoy on an evening out.
 |
| One of the many beautiful gardens of Shiraz. |
Regardless of whether this is true or not, Shiraz the city is a must see when visiting Iran, it is right at the heart of the ancient Persia and is one of the mostly lively and liberal minded cities in Iran. Although many come here to visit the mighty persopolis and the surrounding attractions, the city of Shiraz itself is a gem, full of gardens, tombs of grand poets and offers up opportunities to meet some of the friendliest people in all of Persia.
 |
| Ancient gardens in Shiraz. |
I have to say, the irony of how many Persians are in Vancouver did not set in to me until visiting Shiraz. Time after time while traveling in Iran I am asked, where are you from? I respond, Canada, and then they ask, ahhhh are you from Vancouver? I have an uncle there, or a cousin, or brother, sister, friend, etc. And the truth is, I am from Vancouver, and as I mentioned in my earlier post, I have some very good friends that are Persian in Vancouver. So immediately I have been able to establish a bond with so many people around this country, simply by just growing up in a place so many of them know or wish to live. A cool connection indeed.
Henry, Fabs and I stayed at a lovely little guest house in the centre of Shiraz, within walking distance of the famed undercover night market. We ate some fantastic food, and Fabrizio's couch surfing contacts guided us all over Shiraz. We visited lavish gardens, the beautiful tombs of the Poet's Sadi and Hafez, and saw the impressive gate that one enters into Shiraz. One quirky experience we got was when Fabrizio and I were stopped by a few soldiers outside the gate of Shiraz, the young men were dressed in full uniform, and I have not seen soldiers act so serious since I was at the Iran border with Afghanistan. The soldiers wanted nothing more than to take pictures with us and were thrilled to meet us and speak to us through our friend. Ironic indeed it is, an army that is supposed to hate me taking so much joy in having their photo taken with me. And one of the guys was a straight reincarnation of the Persian King Darius, I have said it before and I will say it again, Persians are dam good looking people.
 |
| Watching the sun set over Shiraz with the couch surfers of Iran. |
The next day, Henry, Fabs and I embarked on our journey to visit the Tomb of Cyrus the Great, one of the most famous Persian kings. We also visited Necropolis, which I would describe as Iran's version of Petra(The famous Jordanian city, featured in Indiana Jones' Last crusade), and of course the mighty Persian imperial capital of Persepolis. Being a guy who loves history, this was a day that shall last forever in my mind, rivaling even the experience I had five years ago in Egypt when I first saw the pyramids. Persepolis lived up to expectations and the other sites were just the icing on the cake. Iran is truly a marvel for one to explore, and I have merely scratched the surface of its historical potential. I know now, that due to my time frame I will not be able to see all that is in Iran, not even close and am already planning on a return trip!
 |
| Shiraz by night. |
The scorching hot day in Persepolis gave way to of course a fine round of ice cream covered in pistachio nuts, a Persian staple. And smoking a hooka pipe, hanging out with some other young Persians watching the sun set down over Shiraz was the perfect ending to such a glorious part of this country.
I maintain that if anyone of you reading this plans to visit Iran, a trip to Iran is not complete without seeing Shiraz and its surroundings.
 |
| Me and Henry at the Tomb of Cyrus. |
 |
| The tomb of Cyrus the Great. |
 |
| Henry living the dream in the Iran heat. |
The only thing I have missed out on is the opportunity to have a glass of Shiraz in Shiraz! I was told by my contacts here that on my next visit to inform them in advance and they will contact some of their christian or Jewish friends(Shiraz has a large and thriving Persian Jewish community) and make it happen! I am stoked and cannot wait for my next visit.
 |
| Glorious Petra. |
 |
| Entrance to Persepolis. |
 |
| Necropolis. |
Henry, Fabs and I are about to part ways. I will be heading north to Esfahan tomorrow, Henry will be catching a domestic flight up to Tehran and Fabrizio is heading off to see some desert castles in Bolochistan, near the far east of Iran.
 |
| Top View of Persepolis. |
 |
| Henry reading about Persian history. |
Thank you so much to all those that made Shiraz such a special stop. I will always maintain that a "Glass of Shiraz in Iran, is always HALF FULL". I am more historically armed, and I know now that I will be back to Iran again, and I haven't even left yet!
 |
| Team AWESOME, we shall meet again Mr. Tindal. |
Cheers and god bless.
William Delaney
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