In the Caspian Sea today, woooo. We wake up to a stunning sunrise as it lights up the mountains behind camp, although quite cold we make a coffee while packing up to speed to process. The wagon idles away, somewhat loudly, getting our bum heaters warm and giving the engine and trans a chance to warm up before some serious elevation changes.
Our day starts with a tiny drive back down the mountain, followed a by a quick hike to go check out the waterfalls listed on the map. Lovely little walks. Not the biggest but they get points for being remote with no tourists. But of course, then there are tourists, back on Chalus road we find the traffic. Oh boy, Asareh warned me of this, day long traffic jams during the weekend. Luckily for us its maybe only 10 minutes before we carry on. At least the view was lovely.
The drive overall is worth the business of the road as it winds through the mountains. I suggest taking a drive if you ever get a chance. The breakfast stops and mangal shops make the trip, you will never go hungry. And speaking of hungry, we were now along the Sea so it was time to eat yet again. We stopped at Keshti restaurant which served an incredible meal in the local flavours. And as a bonus its nautical themed, so ya, do what you want with that info.
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- Traffic jam
Our first try didn’t get us onto the beach
We finally find an opening a few kms past our lunch break where I can get our wagon onto the beach, a quick pose up, and some stretching. For some reason Pina hates photos lol. But he does enjoy the travels.
I should add, today we stopped at Noosheen pastry, and these guys make the best coconut cookies. period. plus all sorts of other flavours. our car is basically out of room in the back with cookies and chocolate now.
Our goal for tonight is up in the air but we figure we will get an Iran equivalent of Airbnb as we are ready for an easy night and it had been a slightly longer drive than planned. We decide to turn south a Lehijan and motor towards Deylaman. The road winds through the mountains and the traffic is next to nothing. Its win win, windows down cruising. Arriving in town we begin calling the signs on the power poles, I see a very cool looking house in the trees, even says out of town. Well that’s me sold. Asareh does the blank stare at me, then gives me the “Awwww that’s so cute, you think that’s a real photo” anyways long story short, the house was yellow, and not grey, and out of town to an Iranian still means small village. There were 3 trees though! But honestly, the house was great and a good price the people were very friendly and welcomed us right in. Back in town, we grab the required ingredients for kebab tomorrow and break for brekky. I know know enough Persian I am able to order bread on my own.
