Tom Chun, self-proclaimed "International Man of Leisure" sends another report from the field.
Dear Friends,
In Abu Dhabi, we marvel at the lights and marbel-constructed Emirates Palace, a "7-Star" hotel that will set you back a few thousand dollars a night. It is truly a palace! This and the Burj Al-Arab in Dubai (the other "7-star" sail-shaped hotel) in Dubai makes me wonder what you get for the extra two-star rating?
Super-size it! Dubai is a city in the desert on steroids! Everything has to be bigger and better than anything else in the world. They are planning to build the tallest building, the Burj Dubai. There are two man-made palm-shaped Islands with multi-million dollar beachfront property, all sold out. The city is like Las Vegas, except this city is built on tax-free commerce rather than gambling. You can even ski inside the Emirates Mall. All this in the middle of the desert! The heat is unbearable with high humidity, it feels like a sauna outside.
From Dubai we fly into Tehran. Don't believe everything you see or read in the media about Iran! The city is more modern than I had imagined. It is a big city wth big city problems: pollution, lack of good mass transit, etc. Traffic is almost non-stop with many cars from the 70s and beyond. No McDonald's, KFC, or Starbuck's here! It's actually refreshing! From Tehran we fly south to visit Persepolis from the ancient Persian Empire. My stubborn human mule refused pull me up 102 steps, what an useless ass! Just kidding! Fortunately, there was a back entrance to Persepolis for wheelchair users. I find the people in Iran very friendly, especially the beautiful and hospitable people of Shiraz (about ten hours south by car). I even got a pinch onfiltered=) From Shiraz we head north towards Isfahan, the main square of Isfahan has a beautiful "7-colored" mosque in what was originally a polo field. From Isfahan back to Tehran, we drive pass along the heavily guarded underground nuclear plant in Narantz. Unfortunately, I didn't get my hands on any uranium or plutonium, otherwise I would be a rich man!!!
We are now in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This Central Asian country along the old Silk Road was formerly part of the old Soviet Union. Too bad I can't understand anything, it's all in Russian!
Sorry, again, no pics! It will have to wait.
Cheers,
Tom
"International Man of Leisure"