Did you do much in 2025?

[Olddaddy]

51 minutes ago, TMax said:

Technically yes Australians can visit Iran (at this point in time only god knows why though) however the following is from our governments smart traveller website.

 

Wow

No Australian embassy there 😮

[Tomtravel]

I was in Iran ca 10 years ago. Stayed in a hotel in Hamadan. There was a futball team having a dinner and me. Hot guys. One hot guy came to me, said quietly he is a masseur of the team and if I want a massage, I could visit him in the room number x. It was so unexpected that I forgot the room number immediately.

Next day I went to see the game..eventually visited the masseur guy in Yazd, stayed in his place (an other futball game) but nothing happened. At least I saw a bit life in Iran, which was surprisingly nice, if you ignore the political side. Exchange rate made it very affordable as well.

I met some students and a gay student whom I invited to the hotel for a hookup.

One bus stop in Teheran had most flamboyant drag or trans escorts I have ever seen in my life. They were openly soliciting.

I asked guys how often people are whipped? Not so seldom, mostly because of alcohol and illegal sex. One interesting story was, a boy fucked a girl in car, police found them and the court decided they must marry. Iranians are young nation and Teheran had/has quite a bit party and hookup culture (all underground of course).

I gave somebody a bottle of whiskey (nonmuslims can own alco), he asked to place it in a trunk of the car to avoid holding of a bottle, which is illegal for him.

I found it interesting that the country does not look so islamic at all. Turkey looks more islamic.

[PeterRS]

3 hours ago, Tomtravel said:

I asked guys how often people are whipped? Not so seldom, mostly because of alcohol and illegal sex.

The problems for non-Muslims arise when they are asked - where did you get the alcohol? For it is forbidden to be sold anywhere in Iran. Also tourists are also forbidden to drink it. When I arrived in the country I was slightly concerned about customs inspections because I had forgotten to delete a stack of naked guys in compromising positions on my iPad. It turned out the only concern was booze. They checked my hand baggage and my suitcase to doublle check.

I have written before that my guide's father in Shiraz made his own red wine. I was asked if I would like some. It was delivered to me in a bottle which had earlier contained vegetable juice. I was asked to ensure the bottle was thoroughly washed when the wine was finished so there was no smell of alcohol when I placed it in the room trash bin.

As for alcohol-free beer, I tried it on my first night in Teheran. Hated it! I stuck with pomegranate juice most of the time.

[Tomtravel]

I bought my Red Label in Istanbul tax free shop and at the arrival customs  in Teheran airport x-rayd my carry-on bag, I assume they saw the shape.  Was not an issue.
Nonmuslims can actually go to some Armenian restaurant in Teheran which serves alcohol.

I dont care about alcohol but I knew its highly appreciated gift.

[Keithambrose]

24 minutes ago, PeterRS said:

The problems for non-Muslims arise when they are asked - where did you get the alcohol? For it is forbidden to be sold anywhere in Iran. Also tourists are also forbidden to drink it. When I arrived in the country I was slightly concerned about customs inspections because I had forgotten to delete a stack of naked guys in compromising positions on my iPad. It turned out the only concern was booze. They checked my hand baggage and my suitcase to doublle check.

I have written before that my guide's father in Shiraz made his own red wine. I was asked if I would like some. It was delivered to me in a bottle which had earlier contained vegetable juice. I was asked to ensure the bottle was thoroughly washed when the wine was finished so there was no smell of alcohol when I placed it in the room trash bin.

As for alcohol-free beer, I tried it on my first night in Teheran. Hated it! I stuck with pomegranate juice most of the time.

I tried alcohol free beer in Saudi Arabia,  I agree, moved on to fruit juice.

[Tomtravel]

Google says all alcohol import to Iran is illegal and only recognised minorities like jews and christians can „consume in private settings for religious purposes“.

So it was my charm that saved me from troubles😀.

[vinapu]

4 hours ago, Tomtravel said:

Google says all alcohol import to Iran is illegal and only recognised minorities like jews and christians can „consume in private settings for religious purposes“.

So it was my charm that saved me from troubles😀.

no, officer at X-ray was a gay

[PeterRS]

9 hours ago, Tomtravel said:

Google says all alcohol import to Iran is illegal and only recognised minorities like jews and christians can „consume in private settings for religious purposes“.

So it was my charm that saved me from troubles😀.

I was wrong and you are correct. Shops and restaurants are not permitted to sell alcohol but certain religious groups like Armenians may make and consume their own. No tourist of any religious persuasion may cosume alcohol.

[unicorn]

On 12/12/2025 at 10:09 AM, Tomtravel said:

...I found it interesting that the country does not look so islamic at all. Turkey looks more islamic.

I've never been to Iran (or any other predominantly Shia country), so I'm curious if you'd clarify what you mean by that. I've always found the Shia and Catholics amazing in their ability to ignore their holy books. The Koran definitely forbids paintings and artwork of people or other animals, so I'm always astounded to see the Shia parading paintings/sculptures of their "saints." Similarly, when I go to a Catholic church and see all of these paintings and other artwork of saints (notwithstanding the Bible's prohibition of painting/artwork of anything in Heaven and Hell), I feel more like as I were in a Hindu Temple rather than a Christian place of worship. The only difference I see between Catholics and Hindus is that the former pray to the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, etc., but the Hindus pray to Ganesha, or Shiva, etc. Were you referring to the Shia practices when you said Iran doesn't look Islamic?

 

[Tomtravel]

I had a feeling in Turkey, you see much more often minarets and mosques, hear calls for prayer.  Somewhat less In Teheran. Also people clothing in Teheran is quite fashionable and high style, especially ladies, not overly conservative.