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Iran planning

Friday, February 26th, 2010

After tackling Russia in 2008, I don’t think any country could match the bureaucracy, inefficiency and non-tourist friendly levels the post communist country did. Therefore planning for Iran turns out to be not all that difficult. The key for me lies in my NZ passport, the passport that everyone likes given we are too small to piss anyone off and desperately need immigrants so let people come to our country which in turn allows us cheaper visa fee’s. So while the main issue for most people is the complicated and often failed attempt at obtaining a visa, I am relying on the fact that I can get a visa on arrival at the airport.

Fingers crossed of course. Enough experience with these types of countries has taught me to be slightly wary of such promises despite being made by the Iranian consulate in NZ. I do however have an email from them stating this and a downloaded document from the website confirming it, both of which I will take with me in case of any problems at the border. So with the visa issue aside I have my ticket booked to Dubai and now one onwards to Shiraz, a town in the southern part of Iran. Thankfully with with help of uppersia.com who helped me book a ticket with Iran airways, given that is was all written in Farsi making it slightly difficult to book. This website and the guy who runs it are ridiculously helpful and super friendly.

So visa sort of organised, plane ticket booked. I have a Middle East guide book from my last trip so generally that about as much organising as I do. Although I will attempt to book a train ticket to Istanbul before I go.

6 weeks to go. More importantly is trying to get myself organised to leave NZ hopefully indefinitely this time

getting out is harder than you think…last day at home

Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

Today is my last day at home and I have been running round trying to tie up loose ends, mostly things I should have done ages ago but never got round to it.

I have been finishing up with life at home over the last few weeks and of course, a few interesting events just to make getting ou of this country a bit harder than usual.

First of all, I finished uni last week, hurray, very exciting, almost 4 years of studying so its nice to come out with 2 degrees I can hopefully get a job with eventually. However I almost missed my last exam because I thought it was 2 days later than it really way. So I found out an hour before it started that, no it was not on Thursday it is in fact now, in 2 hours….well on the bright side I could have missed it compleately! So maybe not the greatest final mark to finish off with but at least it is finally all over!

The next fun thing was some guy crashing into my car and being useless about giving my his insurance details despite me practically ringing him every day for a week. My car is now undrivable because it can’t get a warrent with the damage so have had no car for 2 weeks which has been a pain. So now I am taking him to court! Yeah! I filled something withthe disputes tribunal yesterday so my dad will represent me and I will get some money out of him (hopefully!). So the whole thing has just been a massive pain in the neck, but hopefully have left it to be sorted out OK and I will come out with at least oney to cover the damages. Super annoying.

And so now I think I am all ready to head out, leaving tomorrow morning at 10.50am. Have my bags packed (almost) and a hostel booked, so now just need to pack away all my stuff and get ready to go. Feeling a little bit nervous but know I have survived a lot more so I know that I will be OK in the end

I’m going to Russia…

Friday, June 20th, 2008
Hurray, I have my passport back! Complete with a big Russian Visa sticker. Its scary not having your passport, its like my key to freedom and without it I am useless...so its nice to back safely in my hands ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Great Russian Visa Chase

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008
Well according to this $45 USD piece of paper I am now officially invited into Russia, in fact I even have a whole itineray and hotels booked- not that I will ever stay in them. The beaurcracy ... [Continue reading this entry]

the last stretch

Thursday, April 24th, 2008
I'm about to begin my last term at uni on Monday, how exciting, that means in 6 weeks classes will be over and I only have one exam, then I will be qualified! Not qualified enough to actually do something ... [Continue reading this entry]

let the planning begin!

Sunday, November 18th, 2007
I have booked flights! Hurray! although not leaving for another 7 months I thought I might as well book a ticket so I feel like I'm working towards something. So flying out on 3rd of July, a couple of nights stop ... [Continue reading this entry]