been captured by the 2,500 year old Persepolis . Located further south , 60 kilometres northeast of the city of Shiraz ( Fars Province ), these UNES- CO World Heritage listed ruins were built over a period of years by the Shahs of Persia , started by Darius I of the Achaemenid Empire .
The “ Persian City ” was later sacked by Alexander the Great , fortunately many of the relief ’ s are still evident and tell of the symbolic importance of the bull , lion and griffin , and of how visitors were processed through the Palace to deliver gifts to the king .
The city of Shiraz , is where the grape of the same name was first grown . The grapes are still grown , yet wine production no longer exists .
After 2,400 kilometres , with temperatures rising to over 40 degrees C , and humidity to over 80 %, I reached the southern port of Bandar Abbas for the short sea crossing to Dubai .
I shall cherish the memory of Iranian hospitality forever . Their smile , their gifts of sweets , fruit , and tea has touched me in a way I have never previously experienced in a country . Iran , thank you . MH
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