Hi All

Thanks for all the info - very helpful. I got in contact with Hussein by email and he replied after some time that he could help me out with a carnet but that he lives 2000kms away from Bandar Abbas and I should give him notice so he can make his way down and meet us at the border. He said that it would cost around $300 per bike. He did give me a number to call - 09144138096 but I havent called it yet as Im still doing the visa first.

I hear conflicting ideas about getting on the boat without a carnet. I heard that immediately at customs you would be put in prison if you didnt have the carnet at this point and also that you wouldn't be allowed to actually get on the boat in the UAE without the carnet already in place. So I am a bit nervous to use someone who would meet me at the border but at the same time I guess this is all part of the travelling experience!!!!!! Still, this is our first country and I don't want to get nicked on the first day!!!!!

However, I do have a big problem about getting the carnet here with the ATC as
1. all my money is in UK bank accounts and don't wanna transfer money over as I will loose on the exhange rate.
2. I will have to use a guarantor to get the money back as I won't be in the country again and this seems to complicate things as the guarantor also has to put down a deposit?

All in all, I see it as a challenge and it will be sorted. Iran is definitely a country that I want to visit and this will probably be one of my last chances as I won't be returning to this region any time soon!

I willl let you all know of any further developments.

Thanks
Lou