We wake up and start making coffee only to be interrupted by the new security on staff who are not impressed with our parking location. After some explaining they understand but still want us out before the big boss gets in, fair enough. We will do breakfast somewhere else.
Our first stop is a large dam, which I am not allowed to view as a foreigner, even though you can see it on google maps, and everyone tags it on Instagram, but hey, rules are rules. Asareh is pissed about it as it I a bullshit rule. Cause she can drive the wagon to the damn, without me. It just doesn’t make any sense. Either way, we turn around. I forgot to mention, on the way up we had our first breakdown, a straight up show stopper. I had been watching the fuel usage and it was a bit high, then on the hill climb the egts were through the roof.. hmmm.. all fuel no boost, by the time Asareh is out of the car I have already repaired the failed vacuum hose for the vnt controller. We are ready to rock and roll!!
We stop after the damn at a truck stop for lunch, stunning feed, even park next to a bog stock Pajero, here they get the hood ornament and better chrome it seems. And honestly for the price it makes sense. Our plan for tonight is to head over the mountain pass the get to the Iraq side of Kabir kuh, the road winds and climbs for what seems ages.
But it all pays off as we find a stunning little area to pull up. No one for miles for once. We set up and enjoy the view as the cat dose his thing in the trees, as he is slowly getting better at climbing. As we sit Asareh noticed a plant called kangar, which is a deep rooted thistle which you can pick, cut the roots off, boil the roots and add it to yogurt, this stuff is amazing. So we spend the next half hour prying these little plants from the ground. Its tough work but so worth it.
Dinner is liver (Jigar) and fat. Mixed with the yogurt as a side dish we are rather happy with the turn out. Night sets in and we see no wind for once, except the lovely breeze that keeps the tent cool.
