Son Cary’s 29th birthday! Happy birthday to you and mom.
After two days in a downtown hotel we have moved to Ehsan’s family home while waiting for our Tajikistan entry date and flight of next Monday. The hospitality of his family is wonderful and it looks like I may gain a few needed pounds with the delicious cooking and abundant fruit. I started the ride at 215 pounds and am now down to 185 which is below my high school graduation weight back in 1971. Jocelyn and I really like the after lunch nap times too!
Mashhad has one of the world’s five Islamic Holy Shrines. This one is dedicated to the 8th (8 out of 12) Imam (leader), Riza, a decedent of the prophet Mohammad. The beautiful mosque is the largest in the world. Muslims from all over make this destination a pilgrimage. We had a fascinating tour of this shrine as it prepares for Riza’s birthday celebration.
On this ride we passed many dried fruit vendors. The sheets are dried fruit.After 1,004 Iran miles!Moving into a Mashhad downtown hotel for two days.We visited a new bike shop in Mashhad. They offered us a free service on our bikes. We passed this offer up since they are working fine.An apartment painting.I like old wood doors.
Saying goodbye to Afshin, our driver. What a nice guy! We had a great adventure thanks to him,Ehsan and Ali from FPA Tours. For any Americans, Canadians, or British interested in biking Iran contact us as a government licensed tour guide is required to obtain your visa.We visited Iran’s only Holy Shrine and the largest mosque in the world thanks to Ehsan and his mother, Zohreh, pictured here with us. What a wonderful host!Where’s Waldo? Full veils required to enter. I had to wear long pants!Pictures say a thousand words. What fascinating and beautiful architecture.The tile work is stunning.
The crowds were amazing.Decorated with lights to celebrate the Imam’s, Riza, birthday celebration.
This is 24 caret gold!What a priceless enlightenment of the world on this journey.One heck of a tile job!
From the left Ehsan, his father Hosein, mother Zohreh, and sister Nooshin. What a nice family!We are really living it up with all the food along with this snack spread! A cousin visited and brought cupcakes.We will be flying to Tajikistan Monday.
