Vakil Teahouse, Kerman, Iran

Well, this was a bit different. The teahouse is inside a former bathhouse, with tiled walls and a tinkling pool in the centre. Tea (and a smoke) can be taken at a table, or lounging on a cushioned bed. No cream teas served here, but we did have a lovely china teapot and sugar swizzle sticks and delicious cookies. We also had a go with a hookah pipe, which was a highlight for me. I’d never tried one before, despite seeing and smelling them all over the place in various countries I had visited. I always rather liked their fruity aroma in Middle-Eastern cafes. I gave up smoking many years ago, but how often do you get to smoke shisha in an actual Iranian teahouse? We all had our own mouthpiece thingies given to us, so hygiene was maintained. I don’t think I managed to get it to bubble up much, but at least I can say I tried it (and felt rather like the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland, although no mushrooms were involved). We also got to hear a santur being played, which I will share with you here.

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