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A Kish of tradition!
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OUT AND ABOUT Kish impresses with its past and present
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BACK IN TIME There are many places worth a visit in this ancient city
From far away – that is from the clear blue sky – Kish Island appeared to be a tiny little spot in the Persian Gulf. But once we landed at the sleek, well spruced-up airport, it’s not just its expanse that stood out but also the fac
t that this island houses vast traces of the ancient city of Harireh.
After all, Harireh was one of those ancient cities which the Iranian poet Saadi has referred to in his masterpiece “The Rose Garden” and historical evidence suggests that this ancient city was a trade hub.
Experts at ICHO (Iranian Cultural Heritage Organisation) estimate a population of over ten thousand in the city 800 years ago.
Today ruins of the ancient city of Harireh are reminders of the bygone era. But as we went around this island there seemed so much from the past, pointing at the glorious heritage that Iran stands for.
One of the two important places in the list is Qanat. It is a subterranean aqueduct, which includes a network of wells and underground tunnels to transfer water. It is said to be unique in the world with an antiquity of 2000 years.
The other one is Payab, which is the traditional water reservoir. It was created by the islanders. It has been restored recently and added to the tourist attraction list.
Though many shopping centres and luxury hotels, cultural centres, parks, marine and water sports facilities have sprung up on this island, the fact remains that tradition still holds ground. Even on the cuisine front.
Unique setting
In fact, the one day we spent on this island, lunch was served in a cave-structured restaurant. The service and the cuisine was one of the best. The crew of this restaurant was manned by a woman manager.
I must say that contrary to the common perception, Iranian women were seen controlling significant professional areas and women employees were seen at workplaces, in the different cities of Iran we visited. Anyway, moving back to this island, I must add that for dinner our hosts took us to a traditional Iranian eating joint and I can never forget the ambience and the relaxed setting.
It was an outdoor eating joint set under trees with abundant sitting space, traditional music played in the background and food was being cooked in the open (not far from where we sat). There was the choicest of dishes – right from the Iranian kababs to chai and chicken.
Free trade
Over food different aspects related to this island were discussed. The Kish Island is the first Free Trade Zone of Iran and is located 18 km off the Southern coast of the mainland Iran.
This island is 300 km away from Bandar Abbas (port city of Iran) and 200 km from Dubai.
And its international airport is well connected, said to be drawing over a million tourists per year.
Perhaps, this heavy flow of tourists explains the large number of hotels, motels and restaurants.
HUMRA QUREISHI
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
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