Preview of Tsimko's blog at TravelPod. Read the full blog here: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tsimko/1/1020081889/tpod.html This blog preview was made by TravelPod using the TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow creator. Entry from: Kashan, Iran Entry Title: "Abyaneh & Kashan" Entry: "In order to reach Abyaneh we first took a morning bus to Natanz, realizing along the way we needed to stay on the bus a few kilometers longer to get to a turn off. However, by conductor we were asked for ridiculously high price for those few kilometers, which we refused and were kicked out in Natanz. We hitched and were lucky to hop on a pick up heading our direction, saying "no toman" to the driver ensuring no money will be paid in the end. After the turn off we were driving through nice hilly scenery, shortly reaching Abyaneh. Nevertheless, the driver asked for US$ 10. Angry we offered him one dollar to cover the petrol, which was similarly angrily refused. Abyaneh is a remote more than 1500 year old village located in the elevation over 2000m, making it an ideal place for cooling down. Apart from some Iranian tourists it felt almost deserted, although few local elderly citizens in beautiful traditional clothes were sitting by the road observing visitors. Red mud-brick houses looked very interesting, especially being placed on a steep slope, however only the core area looked original. We climbed up to castles on both sides for fine views not only over the village but also over the landscape with mountains reaching almost 4000m. Back to the main road intersection we were taken by a tour bus. We had plenty of time to observe Arizona-like dry surroundings with deserted roads as it took around an hour to hitch a truck. We arrived in Kashan in the evening and after naan (bread) based dinner took a taxi to a camping area (recommended to us by an Afghani we met in a city park), putting up our tent amongst some others. Even though nine hours of sleep helped us, my lack of sleep wasn't completely cleared. Back in the downtown we walked through the market and after a quick stroll in the traditional houses area and fort ruins with Marcin we said good bye to each other as he rushed to Tabriz and then to Armenia. I had a cup of tea in one of the teahouses located in a dome, which felt peculiar and then checked the only cheap hostel in town for vacancy. Negative answer meant I decided to leave Kashan, even though missing out Fin road attractions. Both Abyaneh and Kashan are worth seeing, finding budget accommodation can be a nightmare though." Read and see more at: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tsimko/1/1020081889/tpod.html Photos from this trip: 1. "Abyaneh 2" 2. "Abyaneh 1" 3. "Abyaneh 4" 4. "Abyaneh 3" 5. "Abyaneh 5" 6. "Abyaneh 6" 7. "Abyaneh 9" 8. "Abyaneh 8" 9. "Kashan 1" 10. "Abyaneh 7" 11. "Kashan 2" 12. "Kashan 3" 13. "Kashan 4" See this TripWow and more at http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00d5-629c-a78c?ytv4=1

• published: 21 Feb 2011
• views: 322