Wednesday 28 June 2017

My 19 Day Iranian Azerbaijan circuit - From the Caspian rives to Tabriz and Takht-e Soleiman - Day 12 (morning cont.) - Urmia Salt Lake; Kandovan village - The 20th of May 2017


We stopped by the Urmia Salt lake briefly, so as to take some pictures. This landlocked salt lake, which is said to be in danger of extinction is nevertheless one of the world's largest.
 
 


















The weather seemed to be changing as we left the Salt Lake and we soon found out that a rather strong hail storm was on its way. We had a very simple though tasty lunch at a small restaurant on the road before having reached the village of Kandovan.





















The village of troglodyte homes exemplifying the man-made cliff dwellings reminded me of Cappadocia, despite the fact that in Kandovan most of the volcanic mudflow of Mount Sahand cut-homes are effectively inhabitted. We strolled around the multiple alleyways going up and down, having briefly stopped at one which has been turned into a small local Museum and gift shop, where I ended up buying a fairly interesting naive-like framed painting.
 
 
 
Many of the house façades had a rather "modernized" touch because of the fit in windows and doors. It was obvious for all of us that the village does strongly rely on tourism, taking into account the number of gift shops selling local handicraft






























































At the end of the visit some of us gathered in one of those "covered" up kiosk-like tea-houses to have some tea.























 

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