Armenia
Armenia is a Christian nation (the first to declare Christianity as a national religion), and former Soviet republic. There are many reminders of it's soviet days including the language spoken, and vehicles from Soviet Region are still used everywhere. These 80 year old vehicles were all we saw in the rural villages, our guide joked it's because they can all be fixed with 1 tool: a hammer. It's in the VERY mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Europe. The countries that border Armenia are: Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. It is rich in history with many religious sites, ancient ruins where many battles were fought, and natural wonders.
WHY ARMENIA? There are a few things we always take into consideration when planning a trip: time difference, travel time, weather, price and usually if it's child-friendly or not*** (more on this later!) We chose Armenia because it's only a 1 hour time difference from Bahrain! It was such a quick flight (3.5 hours total w/ two flights), and it is not a super population destination so the price was right! This region is also very hot from about April-October so the temperature was another important factor!
** Child-friendly: There was WAY more car time than expected. Nicolette screamed almost the entire time in the car when she was awake. All the hiking and outdoor time made up for it, but it was a very physically demanding trip. We wanted outdoor adventure and we got it!
Tourists in Armenia: We used a tour company for this trip because you can not truly see Armenia on your own without being familiar with the language and region. There is limited Wi-Fi outside of the big city, roads are unpaved, unmarked and often-times street signs are in Armenian and Russian. Outside of the big city, are small remote villages, primarily cash-only and little English is spoken.
Our travel day consisted of a taxi to the airport, 45 minute flight to Dubai and 2.5 hour flight to Armenia. We arrived in time to walk around the big city and eat dinner. The next day, we began our journey to Tetev which is a old village about 5 hours away. The roads were bumpy, windy, and along terrifying but beautiful cliffs. We stopped along the way to see many, many sites.
Once in a lifetime:Our B&B in rural Tetev was such a unique and humbling experience. With just a flickering lightbulb hanging from the ceiling, and beds, we knew we were in for a experience. The land in Armenia is very rich with minerals and they are able to grow produce in abundance, you see cows, chickens, roosters and sheep roaming freely throughout the villages. Roman loved waking up early to the sound of a rooster and putting on his shoes and roaming around the property (probably chasing the chickens and being a typical boy!) Living off the land is the way of life there as they are so remote, shopping in the big villages requires hours in the car. We were made eggs fresh from their chickens for breakfast and served fruit from their garden.
Let's do the adventurous stuff while we are young and able is our motto! We started hiking in Noravank (a moderate hike 5km/1h). The hiking starts from ruined Amaghu village (1527m) and passes through a path (1400m) surrounded by huge fiery red rocks. Noravank Monastic Complex of XII century situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. We are amateurs and have little kids, so this was just enough of a hike for our little family! If we had been a little more prepared, we could have done a longer hike.
A beautiful excursion to a very old monastery: by the one of the world’s longest non-stop reversible aerial tramway, an unforgettable route to Armenia’s medieval Tatev Monastery (9-13cc).
Waterfall of Shaki which appears out of nowhere after traveling an hour on a bumpy dirt road. Nicolette was the happiest here out of anywhere we visited on the whole trip. The water spraying her face brought pure joy out of her soul!
Garni Temple :Garni the Pagan Temple, built in the 1 Century AD. In 1679it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975, the Temple was restored.
Lastly, our favorite, Khndzoresk cave village. Khndzoresk is widely famous for its canyon with picturesque rock formations and ancient cave settlement. The artificial caves, some of which are currently used as stables and warehouses, used to be inhabited till the 1950s. We climbed hundreds of steps to get to the moving suspension bridge which took us to the caves. You have the option of taking a questionable 80 year old soviet vehicle back up the windy roads to the top, or climbing back up hundreds of stairs- we chose the stairs!
This was not all we did.... wine tastings, many monasteries, museums and more filled our days. At one point, we were 150 miles from Iran and the closed Turkish boarder was just 1/4 mile ahead. We were exhausted but fulfilled as we learned so much more about the Armenian culture (including the Armenian Genocide which is a very sad but important part of their history to learn) while also taking in the beauty and natural wonders of the region.
WHY ARMENIA? There are a few things we always take into consideration when planning a trip: time difference, travel time, weather, price and usually if it's child-friendly or not*** (more on this later!) We chose Armenia because it's only a 1 hour time difference from Bahrain! It was such a quick flight (3.5 hours total w/ two flights), and it is not a super population destination so the price was right! This region is also very hot from about April-October so the temperature was another important factor!
** Child-friendly: There was WAY more car time than expected. Nicolette screamed almost the entire time in the car when she was awake. All the hiking and outdoor time made up for it, but it was a very physically demanding trip. We wanted outdoor adventure and we got it!
Tourists in Armenia: We used a tour company for this trip because you can not truly see Armenia on your own without being familiar with the language and region. There is limited Wi-Fi outside of the big city, roads are unpaved, unmarked and often-times street signs are in Armenian and Russian. Outside of the big city, are small remote villages, primarily cash-only and little English is spoken.
Our travel day consisted of a taxi to the airport, 45 minute flight to Dubai and 2.5 hour flight to Armenia. We arrived in time to walk around the big city and eat dinner. The next day, we began our journey to Tetev which is a old village about 5 hours away. The roads were bumpy, windy, and along terrifying but beautiful cliffs. We stopped along the way to see many, many sites.
Once in a lifetime:Our B&B in rural Tetev was such a unique and humbling experience. With just a flickering lightbulb hanging from the ceiling, and beds, we knew we were in for a experience. The land in Armenia is very rich with minerals and they are able to grow produce in abundance, you see cows, chickens, roosters and sheep roaming freely throughout the villages. Roman loved waking up early to the sound of a rooster and putting on his shoes and roaming around the property (probably chasing the chickens and being a typical boy!) Living off the land is the way of life there as they are so remote, shopping in the big villages requires hours in the car. We were made eggs fresh from their chickens for breakfast and served fruit from their garden.
Let's do the adventurous stuff while we are young and able is our motto! We started hiking in Noravank (a moderate hike 5km/1h). The hiking starts from ruined Amaghu village (1527m) and passes through a path (1400m) surrounded by huge fiery red rocks. Noravank Monastic Complex of XII century situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. We are amateurs and have little kids, so this was just enough of a hike for our little family! If we had been a little more prepared, we could have done a longer hike.
 |
| Hiking with our guide who grew up playing in these mountains. He greeted us at his house with coffee, tea and fruit before we set out. |
A beautiful excursion to a very old monastery: by the one of the world’s longest non-stop reversible aerial tramway, an unforgettable route to Armenia’s medieval Tatev Monastery (9-13cc).
 |
| View from the tramway.. we had to take that road back (2 hrs) upon our return because the tram was closed. |
Waterfall of Shaki which appears out of nowhere after traveling an hour on a bumpy dirt road. Nicolette was the happiest here out of anywhere we visited on the whole trip. The water spraying her face brought pure joy out of her soul!
Garni Temple :Garni the Pagan Temple, built in the 1 Century AD. In 1679it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975, the Temple was restored.
Lastly, our favorite, Khndzoresk cave village. Khndzoresk is widely famous for its canyon with picturesque rock formations and ancient cave settlement. The artificial caves, some of which are currently used as stables and warehouses, used to be inhabited till the 1950s. We climbed hundreds of steps to get to the moving suspension bridge which took us to the caves. You have the option of taking a questionable 80 year old soviet vehicle back up the windy roads to the top, or climbing back up hundreds of stairs- we chose the stairs!
 |
| Roman was not the biggest fan of the moving suspension bridge. |
This was not all we did.... wine tastings, many monasteries, museums and more filled our days. At one point, we were 150 miles from Iran and the closed Turkish boarder was just 1/4 mile ahead. We were exhausted but fulfilled as we learned so much more about the Armenian culture (including the Armenian Genocide which is a very sad but important part of their history to learn) while also taking in the beauty and natural wonders of the region.
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