Trekking from Ushguli to Mestia
Four days trekking in Svaneti (Greater Caucasus, Georgia)
Tag: Caucasus
Trekking in Tusheti
Villages, towers, shrines in a remote mountain region in the High Caucasus (Georgia)
Basalt columns near Garni, Armenia
“Symphony of Stones”: Spectacular but relatively unknown basalt columns in Azad Canyon
Backpacking trip Middle East and Caucasus 2008
Why spent 7 months in the Middle East? Why the Caucasus? Iran, Syria and Israel, Armenia and Turkey. So many contrasts! In Georgia we were even surprised by the war. An itinerary full of conflicts and full of religiously charged countries. But also a region full of art treasures and spectacular nature. Ultimately, this is … Continue reading “Backpacking trip Middle East and Caucasus 2008”
Borjomi and Vardzia
Hiking in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and cave monasteries in Vardzia
Start of war
On the drive from Kutaissi to Borjomi, it was clear to see that something was happening: endless military convoys and crowds of people waving at the roadside, cheering the soldiers. So this is what it looks like when a war starts. This morning Georgia invaded the breakaway province of South Ossetia, Russia is defending it. … Continue reading “Start of war”
One more toast …
It’s time to move on to a country where alcohol is not such a part of everyday culture as it is in Georgia. In my homestay in Kutaissi, I pour wine into myself from drinking horns, our arms intertwined and then smacks on the cheek. Friendship forever and all that, a toast to world peace…. … Continue reading “One more toast …”
Svaneti
Wild mountain villages in Georgia: Cycling from Mestia to the defence towers in Ushguli and a hike to the Coruldi Ridge with a view of Ushba
Gori
Stalin’s birthplace in Georgia
Haghpat and Sanahin
Monasteries in the North of Armenia
Nagorno Karabakh
The self-proclaimed Republic of Nogorno Karabakh is not recognised by anyone, according to international law it is still part of Azerbaijan. De facto a part occupied by Armenia and for those living here it is 100% Armenian and always has been. There is nothing to discuss. That is a daring thesis, since an independent Armenia … Continue reading “Nagorno Karabakh”
Tatev and Noravank
Monasteries in the South of Armenia
Yerevan
In the capital of Armenia
Kazbegi
At the toe of the Kazbek in the High Caucasus
Tbilisi and around
In the capital of Georgia
Lahiç and Şeki
Two ancient cities in western Azerbaijan
Mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan
Instead of glowing lava, cool mud and natural gas emerge from mud volcanoes. This phenomenon can be observed in regions where clay quickly reaches great depths.
Baku
Baku is oil. A whole row of oil platforms can be seen on the horizon in the bay, even in the suburbs there are oil pumps on every corner and in every second front garden, and the wider surroundings of the city are a tangle of pipelines. In the many bars, money is immediately converted … Continue reading “Baku”
Trek from Xinaliq to Lasa
Hiking through the High Caucasus in Azerbaijan: rustic mountain villages and cloud-covered mountains