Top Menu

Navigation

Author Archive | Gilles & Heidi

Tourism And Politics

By on 4. August 2014 in Mozambique
Statue of Samora Machel, Mozambique's First President, Baixa District, Maputo

Statue of Samora Machel, Mozambique’s First President, Baixa District, Maputo

Mozambique is another example how vulnerable the tourist industry is. Even minor incidents can quickly lead to an exodus of tourists. In Mozambique’s case it was skirmishes near Beira between political parties competing in the upcoming election. This led to traffic restrictions on the stretch between Vilanculo and Beira. Cars and busses had to travel in convoys. All this was dragged through in the South African media and immediately a rush of cancelations set in. With South Africans being the main customers, it is definitely hurting Tofo and Vilanculos. Continue Reading →

0

Diving With Giants

By on 3. August 2014 in Mozambique
Whale Shark (Rhincodon Typus), Praia de Tofo, Tofo, Mozambique

Whale Shark (Rhincodon Typus), Praia de Tofo, Tofo, Mozambique

It was the Whale Sharks that made us do the horrid eight hours trip from Maputo, squashed in a small bus. At least in the shuttle of the Fatima Hostel, we were not tortured by blasting 100 decibel music usually played on public busses in Mozambique. Continue Reading →

0

Maputo – Déjà Vu

By on 2. August 2014 in Mozambique
Baixa District, Maputo, Mozambique

Baixa District, Maputo, Mozambique

After a very, very long trip from Europe, we breathed the salty air of Maputo, a city Heidi had such fond memories of. Its crazy mix of faded colonial Portuguese architecture and post-colonial precast concrete with slabs (vulgo “Plattenbauten”), left a lasting imprint on her. Continue Reading →

0

It Took A Day

By on 1. August 2014 in Mozambique
At Inhambane Airport, Inhambane, Mozambique

At Inhambane Airport, Inhambane, Mozambique

The trip Vienna – Frankfurt – Addis Ababa – Maputo worked out like a Swiss clock, maybe except the fact that the once sleepy airport of Addis Ababa has turned into a mess with Ethiopian Airlines doubling its fleet within the last 2 years. The infrastructure of the airport certainly cannot cope with the masses, there is simply not enough of everything: busses, X-ray machines, toilets, food stalls, competent staff, whatsoever… Continue Reading →

0

Travel Guide To Iran

By on 28. April 2014 in Iran

Grand Escapades’ Travel Guide To Iran – Friendliness, Culture, Modernity: So Far Away From The Clichés!

The Shah Mosque - Maydan-e Imam or Imam Square in Esfahan

The Shah Mosque – Maydan-e Imam or Imam Square in Esfahan

Itinerary And Time Of The Visit

We spent two weeks in Iran in April 2014, and covered the cultural heartland of Iran: Shiraz, Isfahan, Na’In, Yazd, Kashan, Qom & last but not least Teheran. Due to the lack of time, we did not travel the north of the country, nor did we go to the deserts. Continue Reading →

1

Budget Guide To Iran

By on 28. April 2014 in Iran, Travel Budget

Grand Escapades’ Budget Guide To Iran – Easy To Travel On A Budget!

Iran-170

Type Of Travel

This was a short trip (2 weeks), with a “flashpacking” to mid-range standard of travel.

As far as hotels are concerned, we chose rather budget guesthouses and hostels, except in Shiraz and Qom, where we splurged a little and enjoyed good mid-range hotels. Otherwise, we were not pinching pennies. Several times we chartered taxis, even for longer trips. This added up, but it was a confortable, relaxing trip. Continue Reading →

2

Meeting The Locals in Iran

By on 26. April 2014 in Iran

In Teheran, IranIranian friends in Vienna had arranged a meeting with Sasha and Mahse, a young couple who lives outside of Teheran, making a living by selling compost they produce and giving yoga lessons. Together we visited the National Jewel Museum where the many foreign tourists truly stunned them. They were not aware that tourism had arrived back in Iran. It was a great day that ended with a superb dinner in the home of Sasha’s sister. Sasha and Mahse both studied in India and definitely represent the very secular Iran. We truly hope to meet them again. Continue Reading →

0

Skiing In Teheran

By on 26. April 2014 in Iran

Iran-186Our visit to the royal summer palace brought us to the very north of Teheran, so close to the nearby Alborz Mountain Range. So why not check out the skiing area? From the last subway stop at Tajrish Square it is short cab ride to the Tochal Telecabin, which brings you to the fourth highest ski field in the world. The cabins are tiny, but were obviously designed for 6 persons. The ticket up to Station 5 was not cheap, but what the heck. Only skiers were allowed to go even further up. Continue Reading →

0

Teheran’s Many Museums

By on 25. April 2014 in Iran
Golestān Palace or Kakheh Golestan in Teheran, Teheran, Iran

Golestān Palace or Kakheh Golestan in Teheran, Teheran, Iran

Of all the great museums the National Jewel Museum certainly is the Number 1 and that term does not do it justice. We wandered through the semi-dark rooms with our mouths wide open. The beauty of the stones and jewelry was captivating. We felt we could not leave and had to look again and again, crowns, thrones, globes – all studded with huge gems, giant pearls, others so small it was hard to imagine how they could be fitted on a string. Continue Reading →

0