Sometimes you need to drive long ways to see a Mack truck

[Brocky]

Vlad, Again a big Thank You!!!  I had read about the blue tile mosques, But your pictures of them make them very beautiful, as well as the engineering feats to build both the mosques and the shopping areas.

[Vladislav]

7 hours ago, other dog said:

Thank you Vlad, those are just some fantastic pictures! Did you take those with a camera or your phone? If you took all those with your phone, that's the kind of phone I want.

Your welcome Tom! 

All these pics were taken with a phone. Chinese Xiaomi I bought a year or so back. Actually the cheapest one I could find regarding my requirements. They were simple though - two SIM slots and removable memory card. It cost me $200 - something I belive. 

I still have my camera on this trip but use it very seldom. It's old now, doesn't make good pics in motion and when it's getting dark. And phone is always handy what's the most important for quick ocassional shots. This particular one makes pics of a quality which seem suitable for me. The only thing I miss is optical zoom. But resolution allows to zoom by crop to 1,5-2 times without notable loose of sharpness. 

Also very handy I can immediately send pics to friends by Whatsapp. And posting here is also posible without computer. Which would mean removing the card, downloading pics from etc. You know that. 

[Vladislav]

My way from Isfahan was laid to Persian gulf. I didn't go to Bandar-Abbas where you can take a ferry to Dubai or visit isle of Keshm. That was too far to South which meant hot. So I drove to a city of Bushehr. It's also on the gulf coast but nearly 500 km Norther. And nearly 700km less to drive. 

Large portion of the road was serpantine with very steep turns and elevations. Two lanes for the most of the rocky stretch. I stopped a couple of times at view points and the scenaries were amazing. In the evening the environment looked like a moon surface. Bad thing I had to cruise a good lot of km of that serpantine in the dark. And local driving style is absolutely crazy. It turned out Ok though. Saw the MH and RD concrete mixer. MH was 633 with Cummins engine and Reyco rear suspension. The mixer unit looked more like Russian made off a KamAZ truck. I saw many KamAZ in Iran too. 

[Vladislav]

Reached Bushehr in the night, load myself down in a hotel and took the next day "off". Rest luggage in the hotel and drove the bike over the city and than to some park area aside of it, nearly 10km off. There was a nice place for public rest with a beach, walk paths, benches, trees, grass etc. Nearly 1km long along the sea coast. And with about no people there. I took my clothes off and went to the sea. The air temp was nearly 37-38 Celsias and the water I guess was 30-32C. Like milk right from a cow as we call that. Swam in the sea for about half an hour before a couple other people showed up in a hundred steps from me.

Saw some remarkable monument on a ring in the city. Those figures were definitely firefighters. The square was named by them too. And I also found a fire station right over the street. But it didn't look interesting. Just a pick up truck painted red parked in a garage. 

[Vladislav]

Worth to poing out I only saw one Mack truck in that area. I mean I drove 300km from Isfahan to Bushehr and than 300 more from Bushehr to Shiras. And saw NO Mack trucks both ways. This red R-model was seen parked in the street in Bushehr. And that was the only Mack I saw in three days. 

[Vladislav]

Went to a city of Shiraz from Bushehr. That was also a capital of Persia at a certain time. The center is very historical with ancient citadelle. Unfortunately saw no Mack trucks on the way. 

[mrsmackpaul]

It is amazing to me how much effort was put into the architecture of these ancient places

 

Shiraz, is that were the wine Shiraz wine started, I can only assume so 

Thanks for the photos Vlad

 

Paul

[Vladislav]

Just now, mrsmackpaul said:

It is amazing to me how much effort was put into the architecture of these ancient places

 

Shiraz, is that were the wine Shiraz wine started, I can only assume so 

Thanks for the photos Vlad

 

Paul

Not sure on the wine Paul. 

There's interesting point about alcohol in Iran BTW. Officially alcohol is prohibited in the country. You can not buy it in a food store or order in a restaurant. And when you enter the country custom officers ask you on any alcohol being imported what is out of law. 

At the same time I was offered to drink by locals many times. And had to use my excuse being by bike. As I was told people make home made wine, usually of grapes, and some distillate hard drinks too.

[Vladislav]

Same city, Shiras. A mausoleum of some holy person of Islamic religion. Actually there were two of them in neighbouring buildings. They are actually mosques too. The interior is covered by millions of pieces of mirror which were cut into a certain shape (triangle, square) and fitted by certain angles. The amount of job is unbelivable. And the look is out of any comments. 

[Vladislav]

Ok, further we go. Saw very well cared Iran-Kaveh R-model at a gas station. 

[mowerman]

Excellent thanks for that. That’s a beautiful building. Max are not too hard to look at either. I was going to say that area looks like Reno. The beach scenes are 250 miles from here. Basically all we got is sticks and  rocks

[70mackMB]

Vlad, l see many of the trucks have small triangles on the top of the mirror arms. Any idea what those are for? Very very interesting following your adventures across the continent. Told my wife she will have to sit down and read your posts, start to finish! Too much for me to explain to her what you are doing! 😂 Thank you!    .....Hippy  

[other dog]

Those mirrors in the Mosques- that's just amazing! The whole building is amazing! 

[harrybarbon]

14 hours ago, Vladislav said:

Same city, Shiras. A mausoleum of some holy person of Islamic religion. Actually there were two of them in neighbouring buildings. They are actually mosques too. The interior is covered by millions of pieces of mirror which were cut into a certain shape (triangle, square) and fitted by certain angles. The amount of job is unbelivable. And the look is out of any comments. 

Hi Vlad, wonderful photos. During daytime there are no people around, is that because it is too hot or why? This would be a great tourist destination however and sadly political and other reasons prevent citizens of many countries from experiencing the amazing history in person. I would love to see what have enjoyed. I also notice that your photos it is very clean and more people are out at night. Thank you for your photos and information.

[Vladislav]

12 hours ago, 70mackMB said:

Vlad, l see many of the trucks have small triangles on the top of the mirror arms. Any idea what those are for? Very very interesting following your adventures across the continent. Told my wife she will have to sit down and read your posts, start to finish! Too much for me to explain to her what you are doing! 😂 Thank you!    .....Hippy  

Hippy, to me it seems like those triangles are just one kind of reflectors. Overall Iranians like to add multiple different items on their trucks. And also looks the regulations aren't hard on that. I saw purple tail lights in the traffic, saw them blinking/flashing when brakes are applied, saw red/green/blue marker lights at the front side of a vehicle. So looks those triangles just ocassioned handy when the guy was furbishing his truck. 

Another interesting detail is head light sorrounding plates. They are custom/home made of stainless steel. But the ribs are made by hitting a chiesel or other specially shaped tool. Actually the same approach old Eastern cooper plates and pans were made. 

And right now I noted the mirrors have Huskies not Bulldogs attached. Wonder were there original Brockway mirrors of that style? Or just one more custom trick? 

Hope your wife will enjoy reading. Maybe after she's done with that she would be able to explain to me what I actually were doing there?? 😀😀

[Vladislav]

10 hours ago, other dog said:

Those mirrors in the Mosques- that's just amazing! The whole building is amazing! 

Tom, glad to know you liked that. Checked out Wikipedia right now and it's stated there that those buildings are of 12th century! 🤭

[Vladislav]

Just now, harrybarbon said:

Hi Vlad, wonderful photos. During daytime there are no people around, is that because it is too hot or why? This would be a great tourist destination however and sadly political and other reasons prevent citizens of many countries from experiencing the amazing history in person. I would love to see what have enjoyed. I also notice that your photos it is very clean and more people are out at night. Thank you for your photos and information.

Yes, looked like that. Actually it was not really hot at a daytime on my feeling, nearly 34-37 Celsias. Going to be hotter soon I guess (and was told). Probably that's a tradition and people prefere to spend those noon hours working at home or in a shade in their yards. I even found out a few shops being closed at a day time were open in the evening. 

Speaking more about the temps specific is the most territory of Iran is mountains or high above the sea level - 1500m on avarage. So its cooler high above the sea than in different areas which are same distance to South but lower. 

[harrybarbon]

Last week I was talking to a man who was of Kurdish heritage and he lived in the region of Iran that was originally part of the greater Kurdish country. He described his homeland was above sea level 1,000 m, many cedar forests, the land is very fertile for growing all types of fruit trees, grain crops and good for sheep grazing. He also said the summer weather was comfortable but winter was cold and snow. Sadly in my schooling we did not receive a broad education of the geography of many countries other than our homelands.

[Vladislav]

Just now, harrybarbon said:

Last week I was talking to a man who was of Kurdish heritage and he lived in the region of Iran that was originally part of the greater Kurdish country. He described his homeland was above sea level 1,000 m, many cedar forests, the land is very fertile for growing all types of fruit trees, grain crops and good for sheep grazing. He also said the summer weather was comfortable but winter was cold and snow. Sadly in my schooling we did not receive a broad education of the geography of many countries other than our homelands.

Really interesting. There are some Kurdish people living in the West- South West of Iran. Along with Eastern part of Turkey, and also I belive in parts of Iraq and Syria. I spoke to many of them on my way. Their language has many similarities to Farsi. And not to Turkish. Some of those folks wore their traditional national clothes. 

[Vladislav]

One more not truck related event. Looked over a map and found a place which was called a desert camp. It was nearly a city of Yazd and when I was driving there I noted the city was sorrounded by desert. It was a dark time though so I couldn't see the scenary. That camp was just in a few km from the city so I figured I would go there on the next day. Turned out the road was a dirt road, actually dry clay or stones and I needed to ride nearly 7 km of it. Absolutely not suitable conditions for a sport turer bike. But I like adventures. 

After I passed 3 or 4 km a sandy spot was taking place on my way. Not really long, maybe 2-3 meters and not deep definitely. So I could pass it with care having my legs off the steps. The next one was longer and the 3rd spot looked so unfriendly so I was about ready to turn back. But after a bit of considerations I passed it too and went further. The weather was hot by the word but not extremely. And I had a bottle of water I emptied up to its half already. After a few hundred meters a turn took place with a board telling me to turn left to the camp. And go 3 more kilometers. After a bit of time I made a stop and catched a couple of pics which represent "a middle of nowhere" the best way I could ever imagine. 

[Vladislav]

Went further and in a couple km could see the camp. Reached its entry and found a big sandy spot which looked really doubtfull to pass. The bad thing that entry was in about half a km from the buildings so too long to walk to ask for assistance or so. And I had my race boots on, nothing of pleasure to go in them. The good thing there was a slight decline which would help me driving. Driving back would be much more seriouse trouble instead. 

Again after some considerations, a few stepping and moving sand by my boot to check out how deep it was (not deep) I bit the bullet and drove in. Successfully. After I reached the buildings I found two guys there who told me they had a room with AC but shower and toiled were in another building nearby. Food was also there and it definitdly looked like I was the only visitor at the time. On my question of what I could do there the answer was walking a dune, ride a camel, ride a 4x4 bike, ride in a off-road pick up on a passenger seat. I resolved to drink Coke and walk the dunes. The nearest and really high one was right behind the camp. I was told to walk in shoes because of the sand was hot but could also go without in the evening and in the morning. To a bit of my surprize a few people came to the place closer to the evening to eat, drink, walk the dune and drive 4x4. So I could also have a few conversations. But all other visitors went off after it became dark and I was the only guest who spent a night over there. To me it was interesting experience since I have never been in a desert. 

Speaking the sands I recalled I has a portable compressor with me so I deflated both wheels down to 0.8 Bar and what a difference! Drove back in the sand with no issue! Steering became very "special" on a hard surface though but that was not of big trouble and I brang the pressure back after reached asphalt. 

[mowerman]

Amazing bud thanks again for all your photos… bob

[Vladislav]

Saw this beast the other day. 

The owner said that's Kenworth. But Google seach stated that's Crane Carrier Company from Ohio. The engine was Cummins as the owner said. 

[Geoff Weeks]

Yeah CCC, made alot for the military and likely oil patch work.  Cab may be IHC, I think I remember CCC used IHC cabs.

[mowerman]

Hell, I see FWD Peterbilt, and international there quite a rig I like it thanks for that vlad