Category: Travel
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October 16, 2024 – Sheki to Baku, Azerbaijan
Sheki back to Baku. The drive took a different route than to Sheki. Saw big oil drilling platforms in the Caspian Sea, the main source of Azerbaijan’s wealth, and before leaving Sheki, some of the old Silk Road caravan accommodation and Khan palace. Sheki is in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains and the mountains…
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October 15, 2024 – Sheki, Azerbaijan
Taking a two day tour from Baku to Sheki in Azerbaijan’s northwest. Part of the route went into the Caucasus Mountains on broken pavement and over some steep hills. Staying in Sheki, an old caravan stop during Silk Road days. Today, Sheki is a good sized town. Arrived after dark so have no idea what…
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October 14, 2024 – Baku, Azerbaijan
Walked to Old Baku, the area where Baku began. It was enclosed by stone walls with several gates. Many of the buildings and tower required a ticket (bought there) to enter. Then, walked up a long staircase to the Flame Towers. The three towers are lit up at night but they appear to be mostly…
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October 12, 2024 – Tbilisi, Georgia
Hired a driver who drove us north 90 miles on the Georgia Military Road to the Russian border through a valley in the Caucasus Mountains. The road is an ancient route between Russia and Georgia. The fall colors on the route really added to the dramatic scenery. Plus, it was a beautiful sunny day. Lee…
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October 11, 2024 – Tbilisi, Georgia
Visited several historic sites out of Tbilisi: a church on a hill near the old capital of Georgia, a old village in caves carved into a sandstone hilltop, another Catedral and a brief visit to the house where Stalin was born and spent his early years. Don’t know why that butcher of humans is honored.…
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October 10, 2024 – Tbilisi, Georgia
Among a number of things to do today was to enjoy a great lunch of Georgian food. We then drove to Tbilisi, the capital and largest city of Georgia. And you thought I was going to say Atlanta. Ha Stopped at a village and had a great lunch. Best food of the trip.
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October 9, 2024 – Telavi, Georgia
Drove into Georgia (the nation), a wine making powerhouse. The wine is so good and everywhere. They’re so good at making it. Georgia is the cradle of wine making, says our Georgian guide. Wine is King here. We’re a mountain range away from Russia. It’s just north over the Caucasus Mountains. Scary to think of…
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October 8, 2024 – Haghpat, Armenia
Today, we drove to northern Armenia stopping at Lake Sevan, a large lake at around 6000 ft altitude. Beautiful natural lake with water cold enough for trout and sturgeon. Then drove farther north to Haghpat in the mountains. Stopped at an old monastery where right outside a man was making apricot vodka. He offered us…
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October 7, 2024 – Yerevan, Armenia
Day trip from Yerevan to Khor Virap Monastery with a great view of Mt Ararat. Then, to the Roman temple of Garni. Then, to a canyon with what’s called the Symphony of Stone, twisted, curving hexagonal columns of basalt. Basalt is volcanic in origin. This region has extinct volcanoes, including Mt Ararat, and is still…
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October 6, 2024 – Yerevan, Armenia
Almost 1 AM so short post of some photos from today’s excursions around Yerevan. Interesting old culture here with good food, wine, architecture and remarkable history. And, it’s very safe.
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