Life in Kish Island, IRAN

The stories you hear from people who had been in Kish,Iran were never pleasant. I did not know that Kish Island is part of Iran. So I was shocked when news finally came to my senses. My ticket was booked so there is no backing out. I am blessed to have my cousin with me as she also needs to exit the country in order for our companies to process our working visa.

My company paid for my ticket but I had to shoulder the rest of the expenses. It is a 30 minute flight from Dubai to Kish. The problem is there was a delay in our flight. I was scared and excited. We bought some groceries to save some money. Our food together with our clothes were checked in. People from the airplane to Kish airport were not very accommodating. We were asked to wear abaya before they stamp our passports. (Wearing abaya and head cover is very uncomfortable.) Upon exit of the airport, there was already a bus waiting to fetch us to our hotels.

Our first choice was Goldis Hotel. I know that some people wanted to stay in Farabi because it was just beside the ticketing office. As for us, we were advised to stay in Goldis because it was safer. Yes it is far from the ticketing office but we would rather pay 10 dirhams for taxi and be safe. There were rumors about Venus and Farabi hotel which scared us. The bus stopped at Farabi Hotel first which is already fully booked. A man came in the bus and asked for our passports. All our passports were handed to that man (I wished that he introduced himself and explained why he is taking our passports.) The next stop is Goldis Hotel.

GOLDIS HOTEL:

This is my cousin Princess.

Room rates

Reception

Reward Card is given in case you decided you wanted to come back.

The hotel seemed a safe place to be in. There is only one way in and out which is guarded by a security personnel 24/7. Rooms for the boys are on the left side of the building while the girls are on the right.

My cousin and I checked in and were assigned in room 319. We were 7 in that room but it was spacious enough for our things.

Our room

Vanity table and TV with cable.

Fridge on the side and clothes drying stand

Things you might want to know about GOLDIS HOTEL:

• We had to deposit AED 100.

• The first night of stay is free.

• Hotel Fee is AED 40/day.

• Bed sheet, comforter, pillow and pillowcase are taken from room 102. (Self-service yun. Ikaw kukuha mismo.)

• Free breakfast everyday.

Breakfast served with tea

• Wifi fee is AED10/day, AED 50/week for 2 users (unstable connection but tolerable)

• Kabayan housekeeping cleans the room everyday.

• You can change your bed linens everyday. Just go to room 102. 

• You can also ask for complimentary tissue sa room 102.

• Pay phones are available near the reception.

• Filipino food are served during lunch. Punta lang kayo agad before 12noon para kayo yung first choice sa food.

  • Rice : AED 5

  • Viand : AED 5-10

  • Water : AED 5 for 6 pcs 1 Liter bottles

• Walang lutuan but sa room namin may rice cooker. Duon sila nagluluto. Pero we had to hide it because someone inspects the room everyday.

• There are grocery shops nearby. Pede tumawad sa nagtitinda. Yung ibang tindero marunong magtagalog so be careful. Meron ding pizza and cake shop sa tabi nun.

• Room is airconditioned. Pero we would often just open the window kasi malamig naman. Yung lamig ng hangin kapag magpapasko na sa Pinas yung pakiramdam.

• You can wash your clothes and hang them dry. May sampayan yung room namin for wet clothes.

• Room has fridge, tv and a vanity table.

Kish Tour Photos

This is only AED 10. Below are few photos from the tour.

On our way for the Kish tour

Things you may want to know about KISH

• Ladies clothes should be long enough to cover the butt, arms and legs.

• On your 13th day someone will knock on the door to ask you to fill up the form for the Iranian visa. On that day you will have to pay the 95 aed fee. 75 aed is the fee for the visa, 15 aed for the passport size picture. (May cover dapat yung head sa picture)
  

• On your 14th day, you will go to immigration to process the visa. The process takes 3-4 days.

RULES and REGULATIONS in KISH

I was there for 23 days! My pocket money was 1000aed and that was not sufficient enough. My best friend, Lovely had to send money through Redha Al Ansari Exchange. It's best to send money through them because you only get charged 40 aed. I forgot which exchange we went for the money. ^_^ (They know which exchange, so just ask Redha.)  

My cousins and I looked for the Christian community that gathers in the morning for daily devotions.

I was thankful for their company which kept my sanity together. The devotions kept my faith together. Some kabayan were left there by their companies. They were promised this and this but in reality they were not doing anything. That is why some ended up selling themselves in order to survive.

My favourite vendor in Kish. He knows some Tagalog words. So be careful.

Our new Chinese friends. Literally no English. Thank God for Chinese dictionary and internet.

My African brothers from the Christian Community.

Delicious bread from Kish which they will hand to you with their bare hands.

I have learned to cook Macaroni Soup because of scarcity.

This trip made me stronger mentally and spiritually. Stories of rape, prostitution and suicide are often the topic of gossips. Until now, I am thankful I got out there alive and unharmed.

Remember that our GOD is GREATER than all problems.

NEVER EVER GO OUT ALONE! Rule of the thumb for fellow kabayan. Shoot me questions if you want to know more.