Only “problems” are when you are sitting at home and watching news on TV. “Iran is evil” – all you can hear on TV. A long time ago I learned don’t trust news as nowadays journalists are looking just for sensations, accidents or conflicts. I spend two perfect weeks in Iran disconnected from mass media. Just I came back, switched on news and it was again the same – Iran did that or that.  Hmm… It seems I visited totally different country.

It was no surprise my family and some friends where asking me: “Iran? Why Iran?” when I told about my plans. I knew people who already have been there, I knew some Iranians and I couldn’t find any reason which could prevent me to visit that country.

I was thinking about Iran for long time. Two years ago I won Lonely Planet travel guide giveaway on Fresh Roads blog. I could choose any LP guide available at the time. I picked [amazon_link id=”1741791529″ target=”_blank” ]”Iran”[/amazon_link].  Two years later I visited it at last.

What can I tell? It was no any issues with safety.  In any hotel or hostel you can find similar advice like this from on hotel in Tehran:

Dear Guests in Tehran,

To ensure a secure and pleasant stay in Tehran we would like to draw your kind attention to the following points:

1. Only stay in authorized hotels or apartment hotels with valid license and sign.

2. Nobody is allowed to search you and inspect your private things. Only the Police (with uniform and the police car) presenting the valid ID can check your ID or ask for it.

3. Leave your passport and valuables in the hotel safe. Do not leave valuables in the room. Do not carry large sums of money; carry only what you need. Check your belongings regularly.

4. for traveling in the city a copy of passport and a hotel card would be enough for presentation to the police or when necessary.

5. Always carry with you card information of your staying hotel. In case of any problems the police can help you to your hotel.

6. Avoid connecting strangers. For visiting places or strolling in the town, ask your hotel desk for help or guidance.

7. Both for inner city and country roads, use authorized transportation. When possible let the hotel desk clerks make these arrangements for you.

8. For exchange go to the banks or ask your hotel desk for help.

9. In the event of an emergency please call 110.

But all these are just common sense things you use in any country you travel. It just shows there is nothing special about security in Iran.

Most people I met were very friendly and helpful thought a lot of them don’t speak English, but still they will try to help you if you are asking for direction or looking for something. Of course there are taxi drivers who wants to charge you double price comparing to locals, but it is nothing to do with your safety.

I wasn’t worry about safety before my trip and I will tell “yes” even with more confidence now if somebody will ask me “Is it safe to travel in Iran?”

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Without travel insurance you could be exposing yourself to financial risk and potentially lose thousands of dollars. This could lead to a disaster holiday, a holiday cut short or a real inconvenience. Here a few great reasons why you should purchase travel insurance for you and your family whilst going away on holiday.

Illness and Injury

The most common reason why people get travel insurance is due to medical emergencies. Anything can happen to you or your family whilst on vacation. Especially when in a new environment overseas, your immune system may not be used to the environment and may be more reciprocal to receiving viruses and bacteria. Or when travelling in a new environment some people are not aware of the dangers surrounding them and are more susceptible to getting into an accident. In some cases hospitals do not provide care, accommodation or consultation unless patients have insurance or cash up front. If you get into an accident, fall sick and your holiday is cancelled or cut short getting the right insurance will potentially cover you for all the money you paid for the holiday. It is important to ensure you and your family is covered to protect yourself in the case of a medical emergency or accident whilst away.

Lost and Delayed Luggage

Travelling is stressful enough yet alone worrying about whether your luggage will make it to the other end. Every year many airlines lose or mishandle people’s personal luggage. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics figures show that in the year of 2011 on average 3.39 mishandled baggage reports were filed per 1,000 passengersⁱ. In some cases you may not be able start your holiday without your personal goods or anything to wear. However when covered with the right travel insurance you can be reimbursed for the essential items needed if your luggage has been mishandled. Don’t let your luggage worries ruin your holiday. It is important to ensure your personal goods are covered in the case of delayed or loss luggage.

Weather Delay and Natural Disasters

After a long flight around the world you find your connecting plane has been cancelled until tomorrow due to bad weather and you have to stay overnight at the airport hotel, what’s worse you find out your airline does not cover your accommodation and your clothing is in transit.  In most cases airlines do not reimburse or cover any expenses due to weather causes, as it is not within their control. Natural disasters and bad weather occur frequently around the world and many holidays and airports are affected. Having the right travel insurance will cover you for delayed, cancelled flights and other expenses incurred due to weather and natural disaster causes.

If you’re not sure whether any of the following events are covered in your travel insurance check the terms and conditions of the policy. When on holiday you should be relaxing not worrying about falling sick, missing luggage or bad weather, travel insurance will cover you when unexpected things go wrong. Stay worry free, get travel insurance and protect yourself and your family on your next holiday.

ⁱ http://www.bts.gov/publications/national_transportation_statistics/html/table_01_65.html

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But I want to paraphrase it as not only good things happens there.

Somebody probably checked my photos in 7 super shot post and can be surprised why in posts about trip to Sri Lanka I was using pictures from flickr. Explanation is in this picture:

That is that I found in the bag after night ride on the train in India.  The photo camera bag was empty. Only lens cap and hood left and my beloved Canon 20D and Tamron 18-50 lens were gone. I even don’t know when it did happen. My large backpack was  chained to the bedpost and another small day pack with camera bag inside I was keeping beside my head in the bed.
The train arrived to the destination very early. I checked my bed for any my stuff I could leave and got out of the train. The hour later I opened my day pack and saw empty camera case. What?!?!
During night I did left a bag for a couple minutes, other time the bag was always with me. I can say only one word – incredible. How did somebody managed to steal it?
Nobody could believe it can happen in India, but it did…This camera probably three or  maybe even four times traveled around the world with me. It is quit old Canon camera and  had a lot of wear signs, so it didn’t have much value. Not the camera and lens were biggest lost. I lost flash card with all pictures from my journey to Sri Lanka.
The rest of day I spent in police office. Everybody was very nice, but of course nobody could promise anything and I didn’t have much hope. Actually I didn’t have any hope to recover my camera with my photos.
Are there any travel insurance which covers stolen items? Of course if won’t restore images, but at least it would be possible to buy another camera. Let me know if you know such insurance coverage.

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Actually it were two powerful earthquakes in Christchurch today. It happened less in a year from last large  earthquake in Christchurch on February 22 this year. In this video possible to see what was happening.

In case you are planning your travel to New Zealand, you should check what situation is in Christchurch area as it can be not safe to enter that area.

Check this map www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/today what is happening there right now.

For latest news and updates check live coverage of NZ earthquake on ABC News 24 www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24

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• Beware of crowds. Be particularly cautions on trams, buses, subway, when visiting sights, in harbours, at markets and restaurants, beaches and other public places.
• Always carry your bag zipped up or closed and preferably carry it in front of you.
• Keep your money and bank cars in you pocket at all times.
• Beware of people impersonating policemen. Never obey a stranger’s request to show your wallet.

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Be careful !!!

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Here is list of official websites where it is possible to check roads current status:

• ACT road conditions
• New South Wales road reports
• Road Conditions in the Northern Territory
• South Australia Road Reports and Traffic Restrictions
• Road and traffic information in Queensland
• Victoria road conditions
• Western Australia Roadworks & Road Closures

Have a safe trip!

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It made me start thinking what was most dangerous creature I met during time I lived in New Zealand. I love New Zealand’s safe nature – no poison snakes or grizzlies in the woods, there are no deadly animals in New Zealand at all. But there are some not so friendly species and here is mine top 3 :

3. Kea – mountain parrot. It won’t hurt you (at least I didn’t hear any accidents), but need to be careful and not leave any bags unattended in the mountains. Bird can open your bag and take anything from it. In the above picture you can see kea checks my backpack. Also it is better not allow get too close to your car as it likes to rip rubber parts. It is funny to watch some bus drivers running around the bus and trying to keep keas away from it. You definitely will meet these birds in Southern Alps.

2. Mosquitoes. Is anywhere in the world mosquitoes free place? In new Zealand they can be met anywhere.

1. Sandflies – probably most painful species in New Zealand. At least I didn’t see anything worse then it. It is so itchy. Somewhere I read they shouldn’t be active after sun set, but most bites I got then it was starting getting dark. Or may be it was time of day when I wasn’t moving enough? By maori legend the god Tu-te-raki-whanoa created sand fly to make people move and work instead of admire the beauty of Fiordland.

West coast of South Island is the worst. So be prepare for it.

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