Discovering the South Caucasus: Day 1 (Part 2) of a 20-Day Adventure in Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan
Unable to use the local public transportation, we had to figure out how to set up the ride-hailing app BOLT. After adding a credit card, the app kept prompting us to change the payment method, so it seemed we had to pay in cash. We then realized we hadn’t exchanged enough cash. We asked for directions down the mountain and found a bank.
It was around 1 PM, and the bank was closed for lunch. Feeling hungry, we headed to a nearby pizza place. Despite the owner’s limited English, we managed to order two medium pizzas. The crust was thin and incredibly tasty, especially with a unique garlic and sesame oil sauce that added a delightful twist.
Mr. Ren ate less, so I finished the rest, feeling quite satisfied. The total cost was less than 25 manat, which is surprisingly cheaper than what you might find in China, even in the city center.
With 40 USD exchanged at the bank, we were finally able to take a taxi. We returned to the hotel and checked into our room. While waiting, we met a guy who claimed to be from Turkmenistan. He spoke excellent Chinese and even some Shandong dialect. He introduced himself as an internet celebrity with hundreds of thousands of followers.
He secretly recorded us and joked around, showing off his signature move where he snapped his fingers, and his sunglasses would slide down to his nose, which was quite amusing. Does anyone know this Sirojboom? Why hasn’t he developed the Chinese market?
The room was small, with a bed only 80 cm wide, but it had everything we needed, including disposable slippers. After a refreshing nap, we left at 5 PM for the Heydar Aliyev Center, a landmark with a massive, flowing design. The exterior was breathtaking, and the ticket was 15 manat, but we decided not to go inside. Just admiring it from the outside was already a treat. The green lawn below and the white building above created a striking contrast, making for a very pleasant view.
We took a taxi to the Caspian Sea, where traffic was already very heavy. We passed by the 28 Mall, where we had gotten off in the morning. It was quiet in the morning but now bustling, and we wondered where all the people came from. The Caspian Sea, a high-altitude lake surrounded by many countries, showed signs of water pollution with oil slicks on the surface, but there was no fishy smell, and it didn’t affect our enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings.
We strolled on the seaside square for a while and then headed back, stopping for dinner on the way.
We had previously researched a hotel called Favorite, known for its ambiance. We ordered four dishes, a bottle of red wine, and a beer each, with a 10% service charge, totaling 104 manat. The food was average, and Mr. Ren ate a lot of the pickles he brought and finished a whole jar of chili sauce. A young man from a Hong Kong company came over to chat and invited us to their apartment. We went back slightly tipsy, washed up, and went to sleep.
Travelogue of the Caucasus
Georgia Travel
#Armenia Travel
