Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Middle East
Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree28Likes

Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Dec 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Posts: 21
Hi guys,

I'm not newly joined member here, so you can count me as real person and member of the HUUB, I guess

I traveled Iran last year, and after entering Iran from Armenia, I was passing by Urmia. There I met Hossein.

I can say that I'm shocked by this bad stories about Hossein. My experiance was totally opposite!

Hossein is real enthusiast, a person really wanting to help. He want to help even if he is not sure how, and that is this guy biggest sin. But aren't all Iranians like this?!?

On my way back, I passed Urmia one more time, and again met Hossein. All time I used his SIM card that he gave me when we met for the first time.

Obviously there are two sides of every story. This are my experiences, and I'm really glad that I met him.
  #2  
Old 5 Dec 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: near Bern
Posts: 21
Iran

Once I've arrived Iran from Armenia, i get in contact with Hossein from Urmia. The gay also rides a bike and he is very interested in traveling. For the first view days in Iran, i was living with Hossein and his family in Urmia. Together we visited the countryside, lakes and his friends. I also was invited for a wedding. For me it was the chance to know quickly about life and people in this wonderful Country.
  #3  
Old 5 Dec 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Belgium
Posts: 10
I cant comment on the chap in question but I have crossed Iran.

The Turkish/Iranian border isnt that bad, certainly not as bad as the Turkmenistan or Russian border.

I too was scared into getting insurance by my contact, 100 odd dollars for the week but I doubt I really needed it.

I was stopped a couple of times by the police and they werent interested in seeing papers, more curious about where I had come from.

All in all one of my favourite countries that Ive travelled through and I would certainly go back
  #4  
Old 8 Dec 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dubai
Posts: 35
Friendly but for a price

A mate of mine stayed at Hossein's place for one night last September. An interesting experience according to him but he was a little surprised when Hossein's father requested 50 USD for the home stay (plus money for petrol and other bits and bobs) on departure.

Probably worth the experience but would have been better if known beforehand...

Not sure others have had the same request.
  #5  
Old 12 Dec 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dubai
Posts: 35
Hossein contacted me on Facebook to ask me to edit my last message because "its not good for him"... Asking my mate to pay 50 bucks for his 1 night stay was a mistake of his father apparently... Good to know but I doubt my mate will see his money back any time soon...
  #6  
Old 12 Dec 2012
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,364
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeroen berghuis View Post
Hossein contacted me on Facebook to ask me to edit my last message because "its not good for him"... Asking my mate to pay 50 bucks for his 1 night stay was a mistake of his father apparently... Good to know but I doubt my mate will see his money back any time soon...
I find it interesting that this banned/ex HU member is badgering people through other social media to change their comments. I will draw my own conclusions.

He'll probably be contacting me next.
__________________

TBS.com
  #7  
Old 12 Dec 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Slovenia (EU)
Posts: 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeroen berghuis View Post
Asking my mate to pay 50 bucks for his 1 night stay was a mistake of his father apparently...
It was not a mistake!!!

He asked us for 80 usd for two days!!! We give him 60 and we really regret it!
We also had bad experience with changing the money in the bank, missing around 100 bucks at that day exchange rate. We realize it too late in Isfahan. Also, we were a taxi for his family.

You will not miss anything if you skip Urmia and Hossein
__________________
BlogOverland travel tours
  #8  
Old 14 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Perth West Australia
Posts: 153
Similar experience as others

Hi Guys

Hossein has asked my to request Jereone deletes his comments.

I've just read through all this and all that Jereone says is true.

Also the insurance thing, yes around 100 Euro for a week or two is fairly expensive. I didnt think there was any alternative so didnt go looking elsewhere. This was the last insurance I bought for this trip.

My biggest concern was with the tripmeter and GPS mileage being reset on my bike when I foolishly loaned Hossein the bike for what i thought was 10 minutes. Turned out more like 5 hours! Never doing that again. for anyone.

Left me with a bad taste in my mouth but I put it down to experience, smiled and carried on.

Hossein and his family are nice, but to be perfectly frank, if I'd had known that it would cost me, I probably wouldn't have gone there in the first place.


For more on this, read my blog here.
Perth to Perth: Welcome to Iran! here's the bill.
__________________
Steven
Perth to Perth 2012
  #9  
Old 30 Dec 2012
Banned
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Iran
Posts: 40
Quote:
Originally Posted by NejcT View Post
He asked us for 80 usd for two days!!! We give him 60 and we really regret it!
We also had bad experience with changing the money in the bank, missing around 100 bucks at that day exchange rate.
we told that they have to charge every day and they accept it happily
and i took him to the bank for changing money and official rate was low,thats surly is not my Fault
  #10  
Old 13 Dec 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bitburg/ Germany
Posts: 135
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeroen berghuis View Post
Hossein contacted me on Facebook to ask me to edit my last message because "its not good for him"... Asking my mate to pay 50 bucks for his 1 night stay was a mistake of his father apparently... Good to know but I doubt my mate will see his money back any time soon...
What the F***? How can you make a mistake in asking for that money? Maybe the amount was wrong....

I'm so dissapointed about Hossein!!! That he is contacting people so hard shows me just that the conclusion we'd drawn has been absolutly right!!! Btw he is still contacting me after every single post here, that it isn't the truth, pretends stupid explanations and says it will hurt his "reputation" and so on....

Man, they only one who hurts your reputation are you self!!!

He is very desperately trying to care about the "business" that he is obviously loosing ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by NejcT View Post
It was not a mistake!!! ....
You will not miss anything if you skip Urmia and Hossein
I totally agree....
Take the east side along the lake and visit Tabriz!
That's what I'm going to do next year!

Ciao

Alex
__________________
world-ag-traveller.com
  #11  
Old 13 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
Yup, two of us now giving this guy and Urmia a miss due to the postings here. Even if he'd been up front about charges, that would have been fine - no-one minds paying for food/accommodation/help but pretty much everyone resents being duped and/or ripped off.....
Closed Thread


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:26.