Armenia

26-30 July

Armenia was a surprise in the way that we were not meant to go here. Having made up time in getting to Georgia and cutting short some other countries (we saw everything we needed to and never felt rushed) and the ability of our truck to travel fast. It was suggested by Will (Driver) that we could go to Armenia for 4 days. Everyone agree that this was a great idea so we headed there. Once at the border we needed to get a visa which took a whole page in our passports and we had to pay 3000 AMD each. The way we had to pay was interesting. They did not accept foreign currency at the visa office but right next to them was a money machine. Not a normal money machine but a foreign currency exchange machine. You selected you language and then the currency that you were going to exchange (USD in our case) then put your note in, accept the rate and then it gave you the money. It was much better than going to a person. Turns out that the 3000 AMD was a little less that $10USD. Money paid and visa in our passports we were free to enter Armenia! The truck made it through ok too.

The first night in Armenia we drove up a hill to see a Haghpat Monastery  which is UNESCO site. You will notice that a lot of our posts will involve churches. we arrived there just before closing time. We quickly walked around the sight took our pictures as we were being followed by and old man who worked there and he wanted to lock up for the night. We made it around and then back down for a bush camp. That night we pitched our house next to a river. It was a nice location for us, the others were on a rocky part near the road, we were next to the road too but the flowing river drowned out most of the traffic noise.  The next day we headed for the capital Yerevan.

We stayed in a hostel the next 3 nights. It was a great hostel  called Envoy and it had only just opened around a month ago. We were in an 8 bed  dorm but it felt like a 4 as it was separated by a wall from the other 4. we dropped our bag, went for a shower as we have grown accustom to do when we get any accommodation after bush camps. Then we went for a bit  of a walk around town. We had seen a few sights in our hour before getting the accommodation. so we had seen part of it and we got a map from a Spanish bloke we met in Georgia.  So we knew where we were and what to see. We headed out for some lunch, I had a dish names roysti which is a potato cake style base with strips of beef, cheese and onion on it. It was yummy and I totally recommend it to anyone who visits. We pretty much ate all our meals near the opera house. Reason being this appeared to be the food/ restaurant area and the prices were not too high for what we got. They were cheap when travelling on the £ is what I will say.

Our first night in Yerevan we went on a free walking tour of the city provided by the hostel. Most people took up the offer. It started at 21:30 so as  you do we went for some beers before hand. The walking tour took us around to all the main areas of the city. The city went off at night. It was a amazing. The city was rather dead in the day time, this could be owed to the 40+ degree heat. It went off more so this night as Armenia had just won chess champion of the world and so they put on a music concert outside the opera house. This was such a good party atmosphere and it was a Wednesday night. All the young people were out looking for dates it was just a really good fun vibe from the city. We finished the tour at the Fountain, every night at the fountain they put on a show with lights and music, much like in Las Vegas. Lots of people were watching this and it was a good show. The walking tour was wonderful to learn the history of the town and to see such a change in the main city as to the rest of the country.

The following day I went for a Brandy tasting/tour at the famous Ararat brandy factory. In Armenia they call brandy Cognac as they are allowed to as they have been making it the French way before the naming laws came into effect. However they cannot sell it to the world as cognac only to their local marked, so I went to a “brandy” tasting/tour. Upon walking into the factory you are overwhelmed with the smell of brandy and almost become instantly drunk. It was a good tour and the tasting was excellent, best part is some people on the tour didn’t like Brandy so others got to finish the glasses they haven’t touched :) Kieran shopped while I drank ahh the life of husband and wife!

On the night of the 29th July we bush camped again before heading on to cross back into Georgia. While here though we were surrounded by grass hoppers. So many grasshoppers and they were huge and annoying. All night they would through them selves onto the tent, sometimes they would even get stuck between the fly (outside tent part) and the inner sleeping section. They would just stay in there bouncing around trying to get out. Ahhh they suck big time. Even walking around in the day they would jump at you and bounce off and fall on the ground. They were weirdo kamikaze style grasshoppers.

All up our time in Armenia was interesting it was totally unexpected and we were pleasantly surprised by what the capital had to offer. I would recommend it as a location to visit if you are in the area and also a bandy tour. The city from what i have seen is always alive ever the bars a bit away from the centre still go off at night and they are always ready for a good night out. The food was excellent and the locals are friendly. Armenia and Yerevan is a country and city which will surprise you, in a great way.

 

Glen