Luahanku....君子之风: Armenia 2016

Armenia, now looking back, the process of finding out the routes without GPS and with only a basic map is really crazy but we made it anyhow. It was not easy, and like I said in my earlier article, we were lost in and around tbilisi city trying to find out way to Georgian/Armenian border, and it took us many wrong routes, many stops in between asking for help and finally with our small map an google basic map, we found our way there to Yeravan, the capital city of Armenia. So by using the map, we first drove to Marneuli by using highway, then to Sadakhlo, then to the border, where we did out Visa on Arrival, then passing through the immigration, then we bought our local insurance at Armenian border (where they accept almost all international currencies, but no credit card is accepted here). Then the local staff in the insurance company draw a simple map for us to follow, I mean the route for us to use, drive about 7KM, then junction, then turn left (if you turn right, then you are driving towards Azerbaijan). Next will be Noyemberyan, Jujevan, Ijevan, Dilijan and finally lake Sevan. But as we approached Aremenian border, it was already quite late like close to 7PM, and with the road condition starting at the border which was not very good, and also it was slowing getting very dark and we were basically exhausted, hence we decide to stop I think a town around Novemberyan. It is a rest house that I did not record the name, but nevertheless, the good we had like fish and potato was delicious and the room rate was quite cheap, around USD 30 for two. After having our breakfast the following day, then we start our driving to lake Sevan, and it was raining along the way or very cloudy, but once we crossed the long tunnel, and once we emerge out of the tunnel, suddenly it became sunny and we saw a very beautiful lake Sevan. And stop by here for a while, having our breakfast, which was very good and relaxing and then went to a hill top old church before moving our way to the Yerevan city, the hotel Roma where we intend to stay for a nite.

Along the way, you do not see much residential areas or well developed cities and many small stalls selling like corns and local cafes along the way. Lake Sevan was one of the beautiful place.

Driving to Hotel Roma was a bit hard though we only need to use one highway all the way, except that the road signs or signboards were hard to comprehend as it was all mostly in Armenian language or not very friendly. Arrived to the hotel safely (though need the help from the hotel owner to bring us there) and hotel roma was very beautiful and cheap based not he price we paid. It is quite new hotel and cosy feel inside but location wise it was a bit far away.

It was just a short trip here and not much time to explore the city. I think Yerevan city is quite beautiful and a lot of things to explore. We only manage to visit mount Garni and mount Ararat. Mount Garni we used a local driver as we were very tired and to drive out again with a lot of signboards with language we do not read will be a lot more taxing. Oh yeah, lunch at Hotel roma was very good, really delicious. And the following day, we drive to Mount Ararat, and seeing this mountain (if you are Christians, they should have an idea about Mount Ararat) and it is like amazing feeling to see the mountain view, even from far away. The driving was also quite fun, but this time around we found a better way to use the map and google basic route guide. Once everything was done, then we quickly rush back to Tbilisi and driving back is a lot easier. At the border, it is much simpler this time around, you just need to show the documents and passport to confirm that the car u take in is the car you are driving out and back to Georgia, as simple as that. Nothing much to highlight and we arrived to Tbilisi and manage to send the car to Avis car rental office at Freedom square safely and later for dinner at Europa Square which was quite relaxing this time around. And at nite time to a pub for a drink before going back to Citadel hotel for a rest. Next would be our travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, the final leg of this traveling.

A piece of art I bought at Lake Sevan, like this a lot.

once we were out of the tunnel, the view we have is of Lake Selvan which is very refreshing.

The temple at Mount Garni.

A view around Mount Garni

Mount Ararat-Beautiful

Mount Ararat-Another view

A pot of flower- On the way driving back from Yerevan to Tbilisi,,,, a place we stopped for coffee and tea and already quite close to Gerogian-Armenian border. The drink is quite cheap, may be around RM 1 for one cup of tea.

The driving, once we entered to Armenia, and it is already quite dark.

The guest house we put a nite, somewhere near Novemberyan

The restaurant where we took our dinner, the baked potato was superb

Hotel Roma, Yerevan

A picture at Lake Sevan, background is an old cathederal

Actually this gate, we are suppose or able to see Mount Ararat if the weather is good and sky is clear

I like this picture

On the way back to Tbilisi, we stopped for a snack, and here we were buying corns

Hibiscus, but purple in color

A selfie at Mount Garni

Another temple, I forgot the name of the church for now haha

A kid cycling in a town near Mount Ararat

Driving and leaving Yerevan, and the road condition here is good and perfect.

Lake Sevan, another view

Some where in a village when we take picture of mount Ararat and the boy pluck this flower plant and gave it to me as a gift and I bought it back to Malaysia and still with me