The Wondrous South

Day One: Arrival at the Port

(This trip took place in 1390 [2011–2012], and I have written about it briefly.)

After leaving beloved Baluchestan behind, we headed south.
Hossein and Abdolrashid were waiting for us. We had been friends online for many years, and this was our very first meeting in person. Because the journey had taken longer than expected, we didn’t plan to stay in the south for long; our schedule was limited to two or three days.

Given the little time we had, we decided to visit the Hara mangrove forest, and perhaps—if time allowed—explore another route as well.

We mounted the boat on its four-wheeled trailer and, quite literally, took it through the streets of the port city! After causing a short traffic jam, we finally brought the boat down to the shoreline and launched it into the water. It was an incredibly exciting and unforgettable experience

Hara Mangrove Forest

The wonders of the Hara mangrove forest simply cannot be captured in photos or video. This is a place that truly must be seen—and experienced—with time and patience. Our good fortune was that Hossein owned a personal high-speed boat equipped with a very powerful upgraded engine, which allowed us not only to enjoy the journey itself but also to explore the mangroves thoroughly.

Without this kind of access and an unhurried exploration, visiting Hara is hardly worthwhile; otherwise, you will certainly leave with a sense of regret

Hormuz Castle

Hormuz Castle—also known as the Portuguese Castle—is an approximately 500-year-old structure located on one of Hormuz Island’s shores.

Several very old cannons are still in place; unfortunately, however, they have not been well preserved and are fully exposed to damage. Back in 1390 (2011–2012), parts of the castle appeared to be under restoration, and it has now been fourteen years since I last visited, leaving me unaware of its current condition.

We also had some boating training during the trip, though—for many reasons—it’s not possible to share photos or videos here!!!!! 😄

In Closing…

I’ll be sharing much more about the south with you soon.
For now, I’m uploading my older writings and photographs.
See you soon.

!