Worldly Wanderlust - Iran
Christopher Teo
Content Editor (Cube), PS21 Office
Public Service Division, Prime Minister’s Office
Mr Teo recalls a heart-stopping moment as soon as he arrived in Iran when custom officials disappeared with his passport for a full 15 minutes. But when they returned and awarded him that prized entry chop, his Persian adventure of a liftetime began. Iran is an amazing gateway to mesmerising scenery, breathtaking architecture and lively bazaars that pulsate with trendy people, he says. Like the hijabs that partially conceal the made-up faces and dyed hair of its fashionable womenfolk, Iran’s multi-tiered beauty can be uncovered by gently peeling off its delicate layers.
He singles out Persepolis (the one-time ceremonial capital of the Persian empire, with its ruins of biblical proportions), its nearby cliff-side tombs of Naqsh-e-Rustam and their millennia-old rock carvings, and the ancient cities of Yazd, Shiraz and Esfahan, as must-sees. But what impressed him most were the friendly locals – “there will always be someone who wants to talk to or help you.”
Getting there and around: Emirates and Qatar Airways fly to Tehran, with a transit in other cities like Dubai or Doha. Qatar Airways and budget airline Air Arabia fly to Shiraz from Doha or Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, respectively. Low-cost buses and trains connect most cities in Iran.
TIPS
- Prices are generally low, but bring sufficient cash (US$100 a day, to be safe) as foreign-issued credit and debit cards cannot be used at most merchants or ATMs because of the on-going US trade embargo.
- To surf the internet, install VPN apps on your smart devices before your trip as most Internet sites are blocked in Iran.
- Female visitors should bring scarfs to cover their heads when in public places.
Nov 27, 2013
Randall Lim