Interesting "facts" in Iran- Part 2

20:20 Jia Ying 1 Comments

Ok, There are a lot of interesting stories I experienced in Iran.
so, for sure, there going to have Part 2 about Iran.
For those who curious about Part 1, here is the link : http://mush4crazy.blogspot.com/2013/09/interesting-facts-in-iran-part-1.html


Brief information about Persepolis : The most significant tourist attraction in Iran. The earliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BCE. 
"If Great Pyramid represent Egypt; then Persepolis represent Iran. "

Persepolis

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8. No KFC, McDonald, Visa credit card.....etc~~
Hmm... major credit card like Visa and Mastercard can not be used due to U.S sanctions.
In simple word, most of thing that relate to US is banned in Iran.
Therefore, we need to bring enough cash, and change in Iran.
In simple word, Iran and US is not a very good friend.... There is no US embassy in Iran.
So, no KFC, no McDonald, no Starbucks, no........etc...
However, you have to try their local brand fast food restaurant, which their quality and taste are even better than McD,KFC.... Their burger is really big, just look like the photo display.


9. Facebook in Iran
I'm a bit surprise that Iran have same situation like China, which banned the use of Facebook and most of the popular websites worldwide in their country.
So, I as a FB regular user, therefore away from FB about 10 days...( not yet break my record...haha!!)
* Anyway, you still can use some software to unblock the firewall and access to FB, but loading speed will be extremely slow.

10. Food- Chicken Kebab, Persian Rice~~
Eat local food is most important part in a travel.
Before going to Iran, I had tried some Iranian food.
So I'm quite used to have local food in Iran, and it's delicious!!!
Portion is normally big, with valuable price.
I would like to recommend some food in Iran I love!!!
Chicken Kebab : Kebab is traditional Middle East food, which is also quite common to find in Europe in fast food style. In Europe, Kebab is like sandwich, with a layer of pita and some small piece of meat.
In Iran, chicken kebab is in stick, marinated with some spice, cook in grill ,
normally will eat with Persian rice ,salad and grill tomato.
Local Iranian love to eat Lamb Kebab, which is generally same style as Chicken Kebab.
I'm not a lamb lover, but I tried a small bite; It's taste good too...

Chicken Kebab & grill tomato.

Persian Rice

Persian Breakfast

This carrot juice with ice cream ( I forgot the local name of this juice) is cheap. Not so sweet because pure carrot used to make this juice.

Carrot Juice with tradiational Ice cream

11. The price different of entrance ticket for local and foreigner
I'm not very sure about how Malaysia tourist attraction entrance ticket price difference between Malaysian and foreigner. I'm quite sure the difference is not so much like in Iran.
In Iran, foreigner need to pay 5 times more than Iranian .
For example, entrance ticket to Persepolis, Foreigner price : RM15, Iranian price :RM 3 ( Approximately Price convert from Rial;  Information for non-Malaysian : 1 Euro= RM4.20 )
It's seem not so much, but when you go to 5 attractions per day, then you will understand.
In Iran, there is not discount package or tourist card, like go 2 musuems together get 10% reduction...etc
and almost all attraction need ticket, no free entrance...
Is it ridiculous?? Hmm, anyway,  each country have their own law....

12. Airport security check
Iran is an Islamic, preserve country. It's interesting when I passed through airport security check, there is clear separation between Male and Female. In the whole section of security check, only female officer checking your bags or body.  

13. Super grand Mosque
Yes, It's super awesome view when you see full of mirror pieces interior decoration in Mosque.
It's blink like diamond. You will amaze with their design and construction.
Some Palace for King were also built with awesome, complicate interior design.
It's a must to visit Mosque when you come to Iran.



14.  Desert along the highway~~


15. Handicraft, Persian Carpet
The quality of carpet and handicraft are well known throughout the world.
Most handicraft and carpet are handmade, with tiptop material, reasonable price.
Therefore, most of tourists will buy it as souvenirs.



16. Visa for Malaysian?
Anyway, I'm very confuse about the visa law between Iran and Malaysia.
From most of the website information, Malaysia is one of the few countries that can enter Iran without Visa.
However, when I "proudly" want to pass the custom without any Visa, the officer ask me to go to Visa office in airport to get Visa on Arrival. ( ok, my "proudly" turn to "shame" immediately, hahaha :p)
and I didn't pay any fee for the visa, but I need to filled some annoying personal detail form.

17. Traffic in Iran
Ok, the traffic in Iran is SUPER CRAZY.
I feel so nervous for the driver, and I'm also nervous when I want to cross the road.
If I drive in Iran, I guess I will bump to another car or people easily.

18. Camel riding experience
It's totally different feel from horse riding.
Anyway, the camel I ride is not big, a bit feel like riding a horse or donkey. Plus I didn't ride in desert....
But, I don't care~~~~  It's CAMEL!!!! hahahaha~~~


~~~Stay tune for more travel update ~~~

One of my blogger friend had written her experience in Iran too. Here's her article about Iran 
http://www.mytravelaffairs.com/2014/06/30/iran-interesting-facts/

Like my blog FB page : https://www.facebook.com/mush4crazy
 
Another blog : http://mush4room.blogspot.com/

Interesting "facts" in Iran- Part 1

23:26 Jia Ying 0 Comments

I will never forget how I made my decision to travel to Iran, a country that is not common for travelling.
Most people might curious, and shock when I told them I'm going to Iran for travel.
"What?!, Why?!" Everyone look me weird~~
Even I myself don't know how to tell my family that I'm going to Iran, for travel....
This 10 days trip will never become a reality without my Mexican classmate as my travel companion and my Iranian classmate to host us AND all the Iranian friends that I know during this trip.
It's the most unique and special trip in my life.......
I would like to conclude this trip with some interesting thing, that you will only know when you are in Iran.

The Azadi Tower in Tehran, Iran.

Let's start ~~~

1. Iranian are very very very very very very very very very FRIENDLY~~~
Seriously, their friendliness will make you feel " Are they really sincere??"
No, No, they are really, truely, sincerely 100% friendly....even it's a stranger, a passby-er....
At first, I really feel uneasy when Iranian looked me, with their sincere curiosity ( Yes, for them, it's fresh to meet a foreigner in Iran)
and I can hear from them, saying something like " Chinois, Japonium" ( saying that I'm Chinese, Japanese)
Their friendliness made me think back about myself. Indeed, compare to them, I can say Malaysian friendliness is still a very big gap. A lot to learn from Iranian.
Here I show some example I experienced....
In my whole Iran trip, I didn't even stay in hostel or hotel. I and my Mexican friends were host by Iranian, even the tour guide home. Did you ever heard a tour guide offer their customers a place to stay in Malaysia? Not in Malaysia, but it's happen in Iran. We really met a very nice tour guide for 2 days Shiraz trip ( South of Iran).

Besides that, in a bus travelling, the bus driver has a very friendly friends, who want to invite us to come to his home. In fact, we have our own schedule and it's impossible to accept his invitation. At last, even we just talk to each other through phone, that Iranian is so friendly to treat us drink. You might think that it's just stranger, maybe a bad people. However, you will understand how sincere Iranian treat people and make friends.

From left: Me, my tour guide in Shiraz, Samaneh, and her 2 brothers.

2. Iranian Dinner Time at 10:00pm
For me (and most of Malaysian) , 10:00pm is Supper time.(sitting in mamak stall, drinking teh tarik, eating roti canai, watching sport channel maybe...)
For Iranian, 10:00pm is the time for DINNER. A proper dinner with their family.

3. Persian number used ~~
Before that, when I went to a country that I don't know their language, at least, I can still understand the number.
However, this time, all number in Persian..... car plate, receipt, price tag, telephone number,money.....etc...
All in Persian number.....

Price in persian number

Car plate in persian number

4. Huge paper money
It's easy to become Millionaire in Iran.
Their currency in Rials.  RM1 = 10000 Rials.
Once I change my 100 Euro into Rials. It's end up give me back a big stack of paper money.
How I wish this big stack money is in Euro~~~

Paper money in Iran.

5. The Iranian guys in Iran. 
Yes, some of the Iranian guys make me think of foreigner worker in Malaysia.
Slim, dark, wearing high waist trouser.
ok, this is just my opinion, as a Malaysian. (no offence....)
There are many Iranians come to Malaysia for working and studying. ( Iran and Malaysia have a good relationship in diplomacy. )
and honestly, my university in Kuala Lumpur before, even have a Iranian food stall inside the campus.
Therefore, it's normal to see Iranian guys, and make me think of foreigner worker in Malaysia.

6. Headscarf for all female
This is the most annoying part in whole trip.
All female, no matter who are you, which religion you are,
Once you are in public area in Iran, you must wear headscarf.
The period during our travel, which is summer, super hot and dry weather...
But, still, I need to wear headscarf..... :(

Dinner with Iranians

7. Non-alcoholic beer in Iran
Iran is an Islamic country, so following Islamic law, It's prohibit to consume alcoholic drink. ( That mean you can't find any alcohol drink in whole Iran. )
and so, there have non-alcoholic beer.
It's look so interesting to know their taste.... How can a beer without an element of "alcohol" ..
The taste end up like a juice.....

Apple flavour non-alcoholic drink in Iran

To be continue~~~ 

One of my blogger friend had written her experience in Iran too. Here's her article about Iran 
http://www.mytravelaffairs.com/2014/06/30/iran-interesting-facts/


Like my blog FB page : https://www.facebook.com/mush4crazy
 
Another blog : http://mush4room.blogspot.com/