Iran had been a country at the top of my travel wish list for a long time, so when I made the call to resign from my job and travel for a year, adding it to the itinerary was a no-brainer. Before I knew it, I was in Armenia and it was time to start sorting a visa. I’ll write more about the destinations I visited in my next post. For now, I’ll be reflecting on a few of my experiences in Iran. The people, their genuine hospitality, the unique experiences that helped propel Iran

Our first obstacle was a two metre drop through a concrete vent, easy enough to lower ourselves into. The next challenge wasn't so forgiving however - a three metre drop too high to jump down, especially with a sea of broken glass and jagged metal fittings awaiting us. I lower myself down carefully, reaching for a slightly wobbly concrete slab that would be my only foothold. Once I felt foot on concrete, I could then grab a long-disconnected electrical cable and use that to s

After a four-day detour back to Yerevan in an ultimately futile attempt to pre-organise a visa for Iran, it was time to resume my travels in southern Armenia. I arrived at the bus station in plenty of time, avoiding my earlier issue of bag storage on the bus. Four hours after departure we crossed the border; immigration formalities were virtually non-existent – my passport was registered and I was given an address in Stepanakert where I could gain my visa. While southern Arme