May 28 Isfahan - a whirlwind visit

In Isfahan there were fewer black-enveloped women and more glamour on the streets, but still the veil and/or headscarf seemed mandatory.  Inspite of that 'restriction', many of the women's clothes were quite stunning. Due to a changed train schedule, we only had an afternoon and evening in Isfahan and we took that at a gallop. Not surprisingly after our long overnight train trip and whirlwind tour, by late afternoon I was done in. I'm not sure that people in their 20s, AKA our guide, understand that people in their 70s don’t move quite as fast as they do - but I suspect she had a script she wanted to stick to.  We covered over 6km in a few hours included a break for a large very late lunch - we would have settled for a light snack but being Ramadam food options I suspect were a bit limited (and she wanted to show off her city).

Down a narrow walkway led us to a quite lavish restaurant with bubbling water and gleaming tiles

Before lunch we visited Hasht Behesht Palace which was small, but quite exquisite. After lunch we were taken to another very lavish palace and garden which are now a museum 

Hasht Behesht Palace

The frescos were exquisite (the lower ones were protected by glass)

Chehelsotoon Palace now a museum

The Chehelsotoon water gardens 

The frescoes and mosaics in Chehelsotoon Museum were magnificent

Heritage listed C17 Naqsh-e-eJahan City Square 

The market flanking Naqsh-e Jahan, the city square

From lavish palaces to the heritage listed C17 city square - Naqsh-e Jahan. It was vast and almost deserted when we arrived but when we left the large market which flanked it, crowds were gathering to celebrate the end of fasting for that day.  The contrast was staggering. While near the markets we got roped into a ‘buying-opportunity’ which was obviously pre-arranged.  We weren’t interested in buying but our protestations fell on deaf ears and we were too polite to make a bigger fuss. We’re learning very slowly to be a bit more hard nosed (talking of noses by this time a slight sniffle and cough had matured!) but onward to the capital she cries ........