Whenever I tell people I am going on a trip to the Caucasus they usually respond with, Where? Then when I tell them it is a tour by Christian Pilgrimages they are hesitant. “Oh” they say, a bit nonplussed. “I didn’t know you were religious”, is the next comment.
This is an interesting region of the world, extremely rich in ancient history and the beginnings of human civilisation, which inevitably involves religions. Anne and I have been on a previous tour with the company and found it to be extremely well organised, with great guides and generally good fun.
Today looks no different. There was champagne at the breakfast buffet and our travelling companions were ready to imbibe. Anne and I had gone for the healthy detox water! Who are the fuddy duddies?
Our trip over was pretty smooth, full plane but uneventful until just a couple of hours out of Dubai when there was a call for a doctor and we had delayed disembarking while they waited for paramedics. All done very professionally. The transition to a smaller plane was like a trip in itself. F terminal was miles away by bus and I felt like they were driving us to Armenia. Dubai airport is HUGE.
We met the rest of the tour group in Dubai at the departure gate for Yerevan. All went well and we arrived about lunch time. Everyone was tired but after a refresh Anne and I went for a walk with Randa(tour organiser) and Nancy from Perth. Nancy is a retired lecturer in Theology and leadership and has a pink and purple streak in her hair. She is a widow too. Her husband was a fly in fly out paramedic. She retired when he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. She is a very positive person.
We went up to the sculpture gardens. They could have been lovely with there mature trees and little paths and seats but the grass isn’t mown and there were some unused buildings which might become summer cafes perhaps. It looks very Eastern block, drab and neglected. A contrast to the monument on the main road which had mown grass and spring flowers.
After the Park Anne and I went for a walk in the opposite direction and stumbled upon a fantastic food court. Everything looked delicious.
We have been so impressed with the roses. The bushes are laden with blooms and look so healthy, even at the petrol station! The round building in the background of the roses outside our hotel is a new permanent circus! Circuses are a tradition here and our guide used to go regularly – like the Mexicans go to the wrestling.
We had dinner in the hotel as everyone was so tired and the meal was very good. They are big on salads as well as grilled meats. Pretty healthy and the local wine is excellent.
We had to call the hotel maintenance as Anne couldn’t release the plug in the bidet where she had washed her clothes. Finally we collapsed into bed, dizzy with fatigue.
fleetfootkath 