A traveller's reflection: Caucasus 2018: 09 Yerevan, Armenia

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Monday 23 April 2018

Caucasus 2018: 09 Yerevan, Armenia - Tbilisi, Georgia

"Characterize people by their actions, and you'll never be fooled by their words..."

(Peaceful demonstration at a road block at Gagarin)

Day 09: 23 April 2018 (Monday)

Route: Yerevan/ Bagratashen-Sadakhlo Border/ Tbilisi
Hotel: L Plaza Hotel Tbilisi, Georgia

(A morning walk after breakfast)

(Clear sky, Mt Ararat viewed from our room)

The van pick-up was around 10:00 am. On the streets there were throng of protesters, old and young marching along the main avenue and cars were blaring their horns in support.

(Our luggage stacked high at the back of the van)

(Protesters marching towards the Square)

(Solidarity of patriotic young and old)

When we reached Lake Sevan area near Gagarin, there was another blockade and cars were stranded for miles. Policemen were negotiating to let the vehicles pass but to no avail.

( Epebah is the Russian spelling of Yerevan)

(Driving out of Yerevan towards the border)

(Cars taking a detour from the main road)

(Many police cars on standby alert)

(A road block at Gegarin near Lake Sevan)

After three hours of waiting in the van, the demonstrators allowed our van and other vehicles with foreigners to pass. We drove on non-stop to be as far away from Yerevan and planned for comfort stop and lunch at Dilijan.

(The traffic was at a stand still for three hours)

(Major roads leading out of Yerevan were closed)

(No vehicles were allowed to pass)

(Waiting in vain by the roadside)

(Some vehicles made a U-turn back to Yerevan)

(Negotiation still taking place)

(Protesters jovial moments together)

(A young protester waving the Armenian flag)

When we arrived in Dilijan, the main road leading out of town was blocked by demonstrators so we had to take a detour through an alternative route. The next town is Idjevan where we had our late lunch in a nice cozy restaurant and performed our prayers there.

(The main road in Dilijan was also closed)

(Making a detour on alternative road)

(Statue of Mother of Armenia)

(A small restaurant and chalets outside town)

(Had our late lunch in the red tent)

(Feeling famish and hungry after a long drive)

(Armenian hot herbal tea on the house)

It was already late when we started driving to the Baghratashen-Sadakhlo Border between Armenia and Georgia. The border clearance was swift and efficient on both sides of the border.

(Nice scenery along the route to the border)

(Arriving at the Armenia/Goergia border)

(Georgia border crossing, simple and swift)

It was already late at night when we checked in Hotel L Plaza Tiblisi, Georgia. Our young driver had to drive back to Yerevan tonight as he wants to join the protesters and celebrate their victory.

Tonight we just want to stay in bed and rest our tired muscles...