3rd August 2024
The border crossings were easy, very small queues.
Armenia has a population of 2.9 million people, it’s a land locked country. It was the first country to officially adopt Christianity as its state religion. This took place in 301 AD.
As soon as I crossed into Armenia the scenery was different, lots of rolling hills, sweeping corners on the roads. There was one thing similar to Georgia and that’s the roaming cows and stray dogs.
I called into the first major town to pick up a SIM card. 15 days, unlimited data and calls, NZ$12.
I also grabbed a kebab and drink for NZ$5 at what looked like a pretty new establishment.
I visited the Church of Surb Arakelots and Church Astvatsatsin on the hill overlooking the lake Sevan. It’s one of Armenia’s top attractions.
I’m wild camping again tonight. This time in a forest near the lake.
The border crossings were easy, very small queues.
Armenia has a population of 2.9 million people, it’s a land locked country. It was the first country to officially adopt Christianity as its state religion. This took place in 301 AD.
As soon as I crossed into Armenia the scenery was different, lots of rolling hills, sweeping corners on the roads. There was one thing similar to Georgia and that’s the roaming cows and stray dogs.
I called into the first major town to pick up a SIM card. 15 days, unlimited data and calls, NZ$12.
I also grabbed a kebab and drink for NZ$5 at what looked like a pretty new establishment.
I visited the Church of Surb Arakelots and Church Astvatsatsin on the hill overlooking the lake Sevan. It’s one of Armenia’s top attractions.
I’m wild camping again tonight. This time in a forest near the lake.
Castle next to the Kura river in Georgia
Armenia’s rolling hills
One for my mum
Surp Arakelots church on the left
Altar of Surp Arakelots
Surp Astvatsatsin church
Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan, cloud coming in!
Tonight’s camp
The cloud coming in over Lake Sevan heading towards my camp!
Todays route
4th August 2024
I left the pleasant temperature of 20°C and headed down from the high plains to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Yerevan has a population of over one million.
There is no fun riding in big cities, I headed there to see the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial complex.
It had various tributes to those persecuted, an eternal flame and an interesting museum. The museum displayed text and photos of the persecuted and their story. The text was translated into English.
From the late 1800’s to the end of the First World War The Christian Armenian’s were murdered, beaten and treated like worthless human beings by the ruling Turks who controlled the Ottoman Empire. Islam was forced on to the Christians, you either converted or else.
The persecution stopped at the conclusion of the First World War when Ottoman Empire collapsed and was carved up by the European, Christian, victors.
From there I headed to Khor Virap to see the Church of the Holy Mother of God which sits on the Ararat plains only 8km from the Turkish border.
After a physical walk to the top of the mountain in 33°C it was time to head down to buy an ice cream. I needed some change to pay for the parking. The parking cost NZ$0.87.
I was a bit later than normal heading off to find a wild camp. There was supposed to be one near the church, it was another off road experience. I didn’t find anything suitable. Then I headed 20 km inland up into the hills on dirt roads. I finally found one.
After setting up camp by 7:30 and finally sitting down I had a couple of visitors. I fed them and then they were gone.
I left the pleasant temperature of 20°C and headed down from the high plains to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Yerevan has a population of over one million.
There is no fun riding in big cities, I headed there to see the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial complex.
It had various tributes to those persecuted, an eternal flame and an interesting museum. The museum displayed text and photos of the persecuted and their story. The text was translated into English.
From the late 1800’s to the end of the First World War The Christian Armenian’s were murdered, beaten and treated like worthless human beings by the ruling Turks who controlled the Ottoman Empire. Islam was forced on to the Christians, you either converted or else.
The persecution stopped at the conclusion of the First World War when Ottoman Empire collapsed and was carved up by the European, Christian, victors.
From there I headed to Khor Virap to see the Church of the Holy Mother of God which sits on the Ararat plains only 8km from the Turkish border.
After a physical walk to the top of the mountain in 33°C it was time to head down to buy an ice cream. I needed some change to pay for the parking. The parking cost NZ$0.87.
I was a bit later than normal heading off to find a wild camp. There was supposed to be one near the church, it was another off road experience. I didn’t find anything suitable. Then I headed 20 km inland up into the hills on dirt roads. I finally found one.
After setting up camp by 7:30 and finally sitting down I had a couple of visitors. I fed them and then they were gone.
Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial complex.
Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial complex.
The eternal flame
The eternal flame
TV tower. All former Soviet capitals seem to have one.
The Church of the Holy Mother of God
Wedding in progress
View from the church
Mount Ararat. I couldn’t see any remains of Moses’s boat
View from the church
Tonight’s camp
My visitors
Today’s route
5th August 2024
As night fell and the wind dropped, I was privy to a lightning display in the distance. I could hear no thunder and the stormed stayed away.
I was up at 6:30 this morning, last nights visitors were outside my tent serenading me. I think they would get three no’s on Britain's got talent.
I was on the road by 7:30, heading south east to Noravank, a 13th century monastery.
As I was on the road early, there was no traffic at all. It was lovely riding in the open hills, just admiring the views, watching the birds flying and the cows standing……….in the middle of the road!!!.
At half way, the scenery got very mountainous, very similar to Morocco. The roads became smooth and twisting as they climbed, fantastic riding conditions.
When I arrived at the monastery there were very few people there, which was nice.
When I was back in the car park after checking out the monastery, a man came up to to me and motioned, could he take a picture of his young boy sitting on James, I said “yes”. The boy was pretty excited.
Later, the boy came over to me and gave me a corn on the cob, encouraged by his parents, his mother gave me a wrap. Kindness brings kindness, or may be they felt sorry for me as I’ve been in the wilderness for days and looking a bit rough.
I booked a hotel in Yerevan, am now showered, clean shaved and smelling lovely!!!
As night fell and the wind dropped, I was privy to a lightning display in the distance. I could hear no thunder and the stormed stayed away.
I was up at 6:30 this morning, last nights visitors were outside my tent serenading me. I think they would get three no’s on Britain's got talent.
I was on the road by 7:30, heading south east to Noravank, a 13th century monastery.
As I was on the road early, there was no traffic at all. It was lovely riding in the open hills, just admiring the views, watching the birds flying and the cows standing……….in the middle of the road!!!.
At half way, the scenery got very mountainous, very similar to Morocco. The roads became smooth and twisting as they climbed, fantastic riding conditions.
When I arrived at the monastery there were very few people there, which was nice.
When I was back in the car park after checking out the monastery, a man came up to to me and motioned, could he take a picture of his young boy sitting on James, I said “yes”. The boy was pretty excited.
Later, the boy came over to me and gave me a corn on the cob, encouraged by his parents, his mother gave me a wrap. Kindness brings kindness, or may be they felt sorry for me as I’ve been in the wilderness for days and looking a bit rough.
I booked a hotel in Yerevan, am now showered, clean shaved and smelling lovely!!!
Last nights light display.
The view of Mount Ararat from my camp this morning. Looks like it got some extra snow last night
Surb Astvatsatsin and Surb Karapet Churches at the monastery
Surb Astvatsatsin Church
View from the monastery
View from the monastery. Could be Morocco.
Surb Astvatsatsin Church
Heading to Yerevan
Mount Ararat in the background
My hotel.
My route today.
6th August 2024
It was three countries in one day.
I headed back to Georgia to get to the Turkish border. Getting through the borders was straight forward.
It was three countries in one day.
I headed back to Georgia to get to the Turkish border. Getting through the borders was straight forward.
The gas mains in Armenia and Georgia are above ground. Seems a bit dangerous to me especially considering the poor driving
RSS Feed
