Proprietor: Mahan Air Co.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Proprietor: Mahan Air Co."

Crystal Caldwell
5 years ago
Views:

مجله داخل پروازی هواپیمایی ماهان گردشگری Mahan Inflight Magazine Tourism Proprietor: Mahan Air Co. Editor-in-Chief: Seyed Mojtaba Binazir Central Office: 4th Floor, Mahan Air Tower, Azadegan St.

1 مجله داخل پروازی هواپیمایی ماهان گردشگری Mahan Inflight Magazine Tourism Proprietor: Mahan Air Co. Editor-in-Chief: Seyed Mojtaba Binazir Central Office: 4th Floor, Mahan Air Tower, Azadegan St., Karaj High- way, Tehran,Iran P.O.Box: Tel: Advertisement: Agency: Eama Naghshineh Tel: (+9821) Fax: (+9821) Cellphone: C O N T E N T S Touring Iran: Qeshm Island 3 Shah Cheraq Mosque 10 Carpet Museum 12 Website: Telegram.me/mahanairchannel Instagram.com/fly_mahanair Handicrafts: Khatamkari 14 Around the World: Maldives 16

Qeshm Island Free Zone Qeshm Island is located a few kilometers off the southern coast of Iran (Persian Gulf), opposite Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir port cities The island, which hosts a

2 Qeshm Island Free Zone Qeshm Island is located a few kilometers off the southern coast of Iran (Persian Gulf), opposite Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir port cities The island, which hosts a 300-square-kilometer (116-square-mile) free zone jurisdiction, is 135 km long, and lies strategically in the Strait of Hormuz, just 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the Oman port of Khasab, and about 180 kilometers (112 miles) from the UAE Port Rashid. The island, at its widest point, located near the center of the island, spans 40 kilometers (25 miles). Similarly, at its narrowest point, the island spans 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles). The island has a surface area of 1,491 square kilometers (576 square miles) and is 2.5 times the size of Bahrain. Qeshm city, located at the easternmost point of the island, is 22 kilometers (14 miles) from Bandar Abbas while the closest point of the island is about two kilometers (1 mile) from the mainland.

Page 4 Tourism The average temperature on the island is approximately 27 C (81 F). The warmest months are June through August, and the coolest from October to January. The average rainfall is 183.

3 Page 4 Tourism The average temperature on the island is approximately 27 C (81 F). The warmest months are June through August, and the coolest from October to January. The average rainfall is mm. The island comprises 59 towns and villages. Historical records concerning Qeshm Island date far back into the pre-islamic era. Names as Qeshm, Keshm, Kish and Tunb mark the lengthy stay of Ilamids in the area, several centuries BC. On account of its strategic geopolitical situation, near the mouth of the Persian Gulf, it has been frequently attacked by invaders such as Portuguese and the English. During Sassanid Empire administration, the island was called Abarkawan. According to historical records, Qeshm Island has been famous as a trade and navigation center. Its economy flourished during the Dailamites and Buyid eras, as trade vessels sailed between Qeshm Island and China, India and Africa. Qeshm is also a supposed site of the Garden of Eden according to Cassells Bible. The women of Qeshm and Hormuz mostly wear the colorful bandari pants, loose at the top and tight at the bottom with vibrant embroidery. A loose cotton chador with rich, bright flower patterns covers their heads. Local cuisine, especially on Qeshm, which sees most tourists, is plentiful and delicious, with seafood offered once the sun sets.octopus, fish and shrimps are sautéed with onions, tomatoes and local spices, and put into a sandwich with pickled cucumbers and cabbage. A local mix of ten spices and herbs including turmeric, cloves, dried rose petals and cinnamon makes meals exemplary. In recent years, with the absence of hotels across the islands, people have begun turning their homes into restaurants and hostels. The most famous is Nakhoda (captain) Amini, a sailor turned restaurateur in Tabl village, on Qeshm Island. He has a dozen rooms, and theirs is a family business. Traditionally, homes on the islands were all built with wind-catchers. But today, on Qeshm, Loft village is the only place where they can be found. Following an earthquake in 2005, the houses were rebuilt with cement and air-conditioning. Qeshm was declared a free trade zone under the presidency of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani ( ), following a boom in Kish, another island in the province.

Q A Qeshm Attractions Qeshm Desert bit west of Qeshm there is a small but beautiful desert part with super soft sand and actual dunes.

Naz Island Naz Island is situated on the southern coast of Qeshm. At low tide, you can stroll on the soft sand full of colorful seashells and coral.

Once high tide rolls in, however, it is hard to imagine that all of this was completely dry just a few hours earlier.

4 Q A Qeshm Attractions Qeshm Desert bit west of Qeshm there is a small but beautiful desert part with super soft sand and actual dunes. It s reachable with a 4x4 car, while locals also go in there with their mopeds. The landscape is stunning to see. Naz Island Naz Island is situated on the southern coast of Qeshm. At low tide, you can stroll on the soft sand full of colorful seashells and coral. During the ebb, this stretch of land is also the preferred spot for cars and trucks to race. Once high tide rolls in, however, it is hard to imagine that all of this was completely dry just a few hours earlier. Chahkooh Canyon The striking natural beauty of Chahkooh, literally mountain of wells, has been named as such because of the wells at the beginning of the pass. The pass starts out wide but becomes more narrow, the walls nearly touching at some parts. Similar to the Valley of the Stars, Chahkooh is the result of erosion from rainwater on sedimentary stones. Page 5 Tourism

E Page 6 Tourism Stars Valley Locals believe that a star once fell on this area thereby creating the rocky

In fact, it is the result of years of erosion by heavy precipitation.

canyon-like paths, to hollowed-out spaces and smooth, round stones.

A short hike to the top and you can see the layered mountain rock embedded with seashells.

5 E Page 6 Tourism Stars Valley Locals believe that a star once fell on this area thereby creating the rocky shapes that make it seem as if from another planet. In fact, it is the result of years of erosion by heavy precipitation. The valley is composed of marl and sandstone, and the rock formations vary from tall pillars, creating canyon-like paths, to hollowed-out spaces and smooth, round stones. With a little imagination, the eye can make out the shapes of faces, hands, animals. A short hike to the top and you can see the layered mountain rock embedded with seashells. Khorbas Cave Overlooking the Persian Gulf, Khorbas Cave is part natural, part man-made. The caves are connected from the inside by a series of tunnels said to have been carved out by ancient Iranians. It is said that this cave may have been used as a look-out system to warn against impending attacks.

Hara Forest Located just behind Qeshm s northern in this forest is an 8,000-hectare biosphere reserve of mangroves, or hara as they are known locally.

The mangroves are rooted in the salt water of the Persian Gulf, but the filtration system of the bark extracts the salt, allowing sweet water to reach the leaves.

6 Hara Forest Located just behind Qeshm s northern in this forest is an 8,000-hectare biosphere reserve of mangroves, or hara as they are known locally. The mangroves, roots, and sludgy beds surface during the low tide, but this forest disappears during the high tide. The mangroves are rooted in the salt water of the Persian Gulf, but the filtration system of the bark extracts the salt, allowing sweet water to reach the leaves. S This forest is mainly used for fishing, tourist boats, and a small amount of leaf-cutting for livestock feed. Sea turtles, crabs, shrimp, snakes, herons, cranes, and pelicans are among the animals that call this forest home. The seeds fall into the water, where wave action takes them to less moving parts of the sea. Hara seeds become fixed in the soil layers of the sea and grow. Between Qeshm and Khamir horbor there is slow flow of waves; so most of the seeds stay there and grow. not only The oval and long leaves with very narrow end-base, are appetizing but also have nutritious values for livestock and are equivalent to barley and alfalfa. The roots of Hara trees are higher than the ground level for their respiration (photosynthesis). According to environmentalists, about 1.5% of the world birds and 25% of Iran s native birds annually migrate to Hara forests, which is a national park. While it is possible to go at low tide, boats can only actually go inside the forests at high tide so it is advisable to time your visit there. It spreads from Hormoz strait to the east on Oman beaches and the Indian Ocean. Avisina, the great Iranian scientist, called the trees Hara, which are called "Timer" in Sistan and Baluchestan and "Toul" in some southern parts of Iran. Arabs call them "Shoura" and "Azam". Hara forest is the common name for Mangrove forest. Basically the Hara tree grows in an area that high tide covers it; so at the higher sea beds any of these kinds of trees can't be seen. The Hara tree grows to height of three to eight meters and has bright green leaves and twigs. The tree is the salt-water plant. It usually blossoms and bears fruit from mid-july to August, with yellow flowers and a sweet almond-like fruit. Page 7 Tourism

Page 8 Tourism H Portuguese Fortress This fortress was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century when they seized Qeshm in a strategic effort to maintain control over Hormuz Strait.

Namakdan Salt Cave Namakdan, literally salt shaker, is the longest cave in the world. Situated in the southwestern part of the island, the cave is a result of sea water accumulating in the faults.

According to recent researches, breathing in the caves may be useful for curing asthma.

7 Page 8 Tourism H Portuguese Fortress This fortress was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century when they seized Qeshm in a strategic effort to maintain control over Hormuz Strait. The fortress was used for over a century, and today, four watch-towers, a number of cannons, and two cisterns still exist. Namakdan Salt Cave Namakdan, literally salt shaker, is the longest cave in the world. Situated in the southwestern part of the island, the cave is a result of sea water accumulating in the faults. The long corridors lead to the breathtaking dome decorated with white, salty chandeliers and stalactites. The caves are more than 6 km long. According to recent researches, breathing in the caves may be useful for curing asthma. Coral Reefs Next to the tropical jungles, the coral reefs constitute the second richest biome of the world, covering an area about 600,000 square kilometers which constitutes 17% of all the sea surface area. In the coastal waters of Iran, so far 28 species of coral reef have been identified on the margins of 16 islands in the Persian Gulf and two coastal regions (Bushehr s Taaheri Harbor and Chabahaar Bay). They belong to the marginal (flat or scattered) species. The living corals of the world are located in surrounding waters of Qeshm Island.

Emam-Goli Khan Square Emam-Gholi Khan Undiladze, who defeated the Portuguese army in the Persian Gulf was a famous Iranian Georgian serving the Safavid Empire.

The Portuguese had captured the Misland since 1507 AD for more than one century till Emam-Gholi Khan defeated them away in 1622 AD.

8 Emam-Goli Khan Square Emam-Gholi Khan Undiladze, who defeated the Portuguese army in the Persian Gulf was a famous Iranian Georgian serving the Safavid Empire. He followed his father Allahverdi Khan Undiladze, as the Iranian chancellor and the governor of Fars. The Portuguese had captured the Misland since 1507 AD for more than one century till Emam-Gholi Khan defeated them away in 1622 AD. Tala Wells Qeshm Island has resorted to many ways to find the water it needs. One of those ways is to drill wells in the rocks, which sometimes end in gypsum layers and are capable of holding water healthy and cool for a long time. The mound overlooking these wells direct rain water toward the wells and it is for this reason that they are called talla wells ("tal" means "mound" in Persian.) These wells are located near Laft village and it is said that in the past the number of these cisterns equaled the number of days in a year (366-equal to leap-year) and every day one of the wells was used for water. Rainwater, which is prized like gold, is directed to the wells from the hills around. Some historians believe that these wells are related to Achaemenid and Sassanid dynasties. Some sea turtles in Qeshm have be seen whose shell are 2m in diameter in summer they lay eggs on the coast neighboring Shibderaz or Namakdan mounts. Page 9 Tourism

9 Page 10 Tourism The Glittering Mausoleum of Shah-e-Cheragh

Shah-e-Cheragh is a funerary monument and mosque located in the city of Shiraz, in Iran, where lies the tomb of Amir Ahmad and his brother Mir Muhammad, sons of the seventh Imam and brothers of Imam

The brothers tombs, originally only simple mausoleums, became celebrated pilgrimage destinations in the 14th century when the pious and art-loving Queen Tashi Khatun erected a mosque and theological

After carrying out essential repairs, the queen ordered the tomb to be covered with millions of pieces of colored glass that glitter in the light and magnify its brilliance a thousand times.

10 Shah-e-Cheragh is a funerary monument and mosque located in the city of Shiraz, in Iran, where lies the tomb of Amir Ahmad and his brother Mir Muhammad, sons of the seventh Imam and brothers of Imam Reza (p.b.u.h). Amir Ahmad and Mir Muhammad were hunted down and killed by the caliphate on this site in AD 835 during the Abbasid persecution of the Shi ite sect. The brothers tombs, originally only simple mausoleums, became celebrated pilgrimage destinations in the 14th century when the pious and art-loving Queen Tashi Khatun erected a mosque and theological school by the tombs. After carrying out essential repairs, the queen ordered the tomb to be covered with millions of pieces of colored glass that glitter in the light and magnify its brilliance a thousand times. Shah-e-Cheragh is one of the most beautiful mosques and an important pilgrimage center of the city of Shiraz. The wide mosque is flanked by two minarets and dominated by a dome is located in the west wing. The high eaves are supported by thick octagonal columns connected by a wall of green marble, carved entirely of wood. The entrance is guarded by a heavy door, plated with gold and enamel with a glass panel at its center. The pilgrims kiss and fondle the door as you enter. Inside, the enormous dome above the shrine is inlaid with hundreds of thousands of pieces of finely crafted tiles, and the interior walls are covered with myriad pieces of dazzling glass intermixed with multi-colored tiles green, yellow, red and blue, interspersed with glasses of paler shades sometimes. High and large windows down to the ground are largely made up of mosaics of stained glass which are reflected in the mosaics of mirrors. Embedded in the walls everywhere are verses from the Quran written on silk paper and framed. The green marble floor is covered with thick red Iranian carpets and magnificent crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling above.

Page 12 Tourism Carpet Museum of Iran Just north of the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Carpet Museum houses more than 100 pieces dating from the 17th century to the present day.

The permanent collection is downstairs while upstairs is for temporary exhibitions.

11 Page 12 Tourism Carpet Museum of Iran Just north of the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Carpet Museum houses more than 100 pieces dating from the 17th century to the present day. It s a great place to see the full range of regional patterns and styles found in Iran, plus a few unique carpets such as the Tree of Life with Kings and Notables. The permanent collection is downstairs while upstairs is for temporary exhibitions. carpet-weaving is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished manifestations of Iranian culture and art, dating back to the Bronze Age, but as the materials used in carpets including wool and cotton, decay into dust during the course of time, archaeologists couldn t make any special discovery during the archaeological excavations. What have remained for us from the early ages as evidence of carpet-weaving are nothing more than a few pieces of worn-out rugs.

Ala edin Mosque in Konya and Ashrafoghlu Mosque in Beyshehir, Turkey.

12 Such fragments do not help very much in recognizing the carpet-weaving characteristics of pre-seljuk period (13th and 14th centuries AD). Among the oldest pieces discovered are those found in Eastern Turkestan, dating back to the third to fifth centuries AD, and also some of the hand-weavings of the Seljuks of Asia Minor on exhibit in Ala edin Mosque in Konya and Ashrafoghlu Mosque in Beyshehir, Turkey. These pieces attracted the attention of researchers earlier this century, and now they are kept in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art in Istanbul and the Mowlana Museum in Konya. In a unique archaeological excavation in 1949, the exceptional Pazyryk carpet was discovered among the ices of Pazyryk Valley, in Altai Mountains in Siberia. It was discovered in the grave of a Scythian prince by a group of Russian archaeologists under the supervision of professor Rudenko. Radiocarbon testing revealed that Pazyryk carpet was woven in the 5th century BC. This carpet is meters and has 36 symmetrical knots per cm2.the advanced weaving technique used in the Pazyryk carpet indicates a long history of evolution and experience of this art. Most experts believe that the Pazyryk carpet is the final achievement of at least one thousand years of experience and history. According to this theory the art of carpetweaving in Iran is at least 3500 years old. In the1970s, the founders of the Carpet Museum of Iran established this Museum with a limited number of Persian carpets and kilims, in order to revive and develop the art of carpetweaving in the country, and to provide a source to satisfy the need for research about the historical background and evolution of this art. The Carpet Museum of Iran, with its beautiful architecture and facade resembling a carpet-weaving loom is located on the northwest of Laleh Park in Tehran. It is composed of two exhibition galleries covering an area of 3400 m2.the ground floor gallery is assigned for permanent exhibitions and the upper floor gallery is considered for the temporary exhibitions of carpets, kilims, and carpet designs. Page 13 Tourism

13 Page 14 Tourism Khatamkari; Artistic Heritage Khatamkari is one of the Persian arts of marquetry wherein the surface of wooden or metallic articles is decorated with pieces of wood, bone and metal cut in a variety of shapes and designs.

Materials used in this craft can be gold, silver, brass, aluminum and twisted wire. Various types of inlaid articles and their quality are known by the size and geometrical designs.

This craft consists in the production of incrustation patterns (generally star-shaped), with thin sticks of wood (ebony, teak, ziziphus, orange, rose), brass (for golden parts), camel bones (white

14 Materials used in this craft can be gold, silver, brass, aluminum and twisted wire. Various types of inlaid articles and their quality are known by the size and geometrical designs. Smaller pieces result in a higher value of the artwork. This craft consists in the production of incrustation patterns (generally star-shaped), with thin sticks of wood (ebony, teak, ziziphus, orange, rose), brass (for golden parts), camel bones (white parts). Ivory, gold or silver can also be used for collection objects. These sticks are assembled in triangular beams, assembled and glued in a strict order to create a geometrical motif such as a six-branch star included in a hexagon. Marquetry designing is highly elaborate. In each cubic centimeter of space, up to approximately 250 pieces of metal, bone, ivory and wood are laid side by side. This art, to some extent, has existed in Iran from long ago. Inlaid articles in the Safavid era took on a special significance, as artists used this art on doors, windows, mirror frames, Qur an boxes, pen and penholders, lanterns and tombs. The ornamentation of the doors of holy places predominantly consists of inlaid motifs. These specimens can be observed in the cities of Mahshad, Qom, Shiraz and Rey. In the Safavid era, the art of marquetry flourished in the southern cities of Iran, especially in Isfahan, Shiraz and Kerman. In some royal buildings, doors and various items have been inlaid. The inlaid-ornamented rooms in Sa dabad and Marble Palace in Tehran are among masterpieces of this art. In Safavid era, khatamkari was so popular in the court that princes learned this technique alongside the art of music or painting. Currently, this art is being practiced in Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran. Inlay masters, preserving the nobility of their art, have brought forth great innovations in this fine art. Woodcarving is one of the outstanding Iranian arts, which require dexterity and artistic skills. It provides wood, ivory or bone in simple or complex shapes for use in khatamkari. Excellent specimens can be found in historical mosques, palaces and buildings. Some of the Iranian inlaid works are preserved in museums in Iran or abroad. Page 15 Tourism

However, visitors are often surprised to find that there are more things to do in the Maldives than what they

15 The Top 10 Things to Do in the Do Everything or Nothing The Maldives conjures up idyllic images of over-water bungalows and pristine beaches. However, visitors are often surprised to find that there are more things to do in the Maldives than what they expected. There s something for everyone, regardless of whether you prefer an active or inactive vacation. This makes the Maldives a very versatile destination! Read on to see what activities are popular.

Snorkeling The Maldives is made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. Therefore, the snorkeling is naturally spectacular! All resorts in the Maldives offer this activity.

Scuba Diving The Maldives is regarded as one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world.

16 Snorkeling The Maldives is made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. Therefore, the snorkeling is naturally spectacular! All resorts in the Maldives offer this activity. However, ideally, you ll want to choose an island with an in-house reef where you can go snorkeling directly from the beach. Scuba Diving The Maldives is regarded as one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world. You ll be able to get up close and personal with an abundance of sea creatures including turtles, mantra rays, moray eels, and rare whale sharks. Varied reef structures and deep channels provide exciting diving opportunities. The optimal time to go scuba diving is from January to April. However, most liveaboards operate from November to May. Snorkeling is swimming with a snorkel a mask and a tube that allows you to breathe through your mouth when floating underwater near the surface of the water. Scuba diving allows you to go deep inside the water to examine the bed of the sea or lake, wearing a tight fitting diving suit, and breathing through an oxygen tank. Dolphin Spotting Trips The Maldives isn t just known for its snorkeling and scuba diving. It also ranks highly as one of the world s top dolphin destinations. Dolphins are everywhere in the Maldives.

Visit a Local Village Culture vultures needn t feel deprived at the Maldives!

Many resorts offer excursions by boat to local islands and fishing villages.

Tourists can even stay in village guesthouses (some of which are quite boutique and attractive) and experience the simple local way of living.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, jet-skiing, water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, kite-surfing -- you name it!

17 Visit a Local Village Culture vultures needn t feel deprived at the Maldives! Due to a change in law, tourism is now permitted on inhabited Maldives islands. Many resorts offer excursions by boat to local islands and fishing villages. Guests at the Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa have the option of exploring five neighboring islands by bicycle or on foot. Tourists can even stay in village guesthouses (some of which are quite boutique and attractive) and experience the simple local way of living. Water Sports All kinds of water sports are possible in the Maldives. Kayaking, paddleboarding, jet-skiing, water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, kite-surfing -- you name it! Many resorts provide a selection of these activities for free. For an extra adrenaline rush, the Four Seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavar and Lily Beach Resort are two resorts in the Maldives that have jet-blades that will propel you out of the water. Yoga Yoga retreats are growing in popularity in the Maldives. Some resorts also offer inhouse yoga classes, including morning and sunset yoga on the beach, followed by pranayama and meditation.

Spa Treatments Need to relax and rejuvenate? There s possibly no better place to get a spa treatment than the Maldives, with the soothing ocean as a backdrop.

The Lime spa at Huvafen Fushi is the world s first underwater spa, with two glass-walled treatment rooms.

Its defining feature is its Night Spa with four special lunar rituals on the beach. If you re a nature lover, don t miss the spa at the Six Senses Laamu.

18 Spa Treatments Need to relax and rejuvenate? There s possibly no better place to get a spa treatment than the Maldives, with the soothing ocean as a backdrop. Many resorts in the Maldives have spas. However, some really stand out for their unusual settings. The Lime spa at Huvafen Fushi is the world s first underwater spa, with two glass-walled treatment rooms. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa spa is situated on its own separate island, which guests are transported to by boat. Its defining feature is its Night Spa with four special lunar rituals on the beach. If you re a nature lover, don t miss the spa at the Six Senses Laamu. Its cocoon-shaped treatment rooms are made from twigs and branches twined together! Boat Cruises Don t want to spend all your time at a resort in the Maldives? Boat cruises are a popular thing to do, with various options from sunset cruises in local dhonis to longer overnight and multi-day luxury yacht cruises. Many resorts have their own boats, which are available for guests. Surfing You can even catch a wave in the Maldives! If you want to get away from the crowd, head south.

Tehran Tehran is the capital of Iran and is the most populous city in Iran. The city was the seat of the Qajars and Pahlavis, the two last monarchies

Tehran Tehran is the capital of Iran and is the most populous city in Iran. The city was the seat of the Qajars and Pahlavis, the two last monarchies of Iran. Take a journey through more than 250 years