Week 4 (Turkey, Georgia and Armenia)

7/13

Everybody rose early spontaneously, so 7.45 on the road again.
Would love a shower and a clean toilet now ... ;-).

Laterz.

We drove to a monistary high up the mountains. The walk up there was great, but the monistary itself was not that special.

On the way back Chaz and I took the long road, which was quit an achievement for her. She was so proud of herself when we arrived.
Then a long drive to the border, along the Blach sea coast. Then something awfull happened: Chaz had lost her passport, We all searched for two hours or so, but... nothing, so she had to return to the UK.
I think she was devastated. We had to go on though. Tim, tactfull as always: 1 down, 16 to go. I, however, don't think we have seen the last of her...
All the checks costed hours, so we decided to bushcamp right after we crossed the border to Georgia.
We found a nice piece of soil close to a small bar, where the had a television where we could see the final of the World Championship football (Argentina - Germany (0 - 1), as usual).
First a couple of beers, some cheap, but lovely food and then ... an awfull karaoke show that went on during the football match at a very loud level.
And Jean asked for more of that horrible music (i was about to kill her... ;-) ).
So it became late, very late and very drunk. After the match i went to my tent (i think), but some of us managed to hold out untill 5 (so they did the full 24 h).
It was the most spec tacular final i ever saw.

7/14

Woke up at 8, with Georgia on my mind, causing a huge hangover.
Breakfasdt, ATM, payed Will the bill of my food and drinks, then a quick visit to some old castle.
On the road again now.
Long drive to a kind of Jurrasic Park. Nice to see some dino footprints, and a (transparent floored) platform with a great view.

Then bushcamping, with James and me on guitar. We're getting better and better.
A good night of sleep followed.


7/15

Rose at 6, breakfast and on our way now to the nearest big town (Kutasi).
Writing this in a bumpy truck.
Went for a 3 hour stroll through Kutasi with Carlos, which was great. Friendly people, nice view of the town, great coffee, wonderfull bread rolls (for 1,2 lira (30 cents)) and a good conversation.

Then another truckdrive, nice stop at a cool little rural restaurant, then found a nice spot along a river for a bush camp.
Just had a swim and a wash in the river, then diner. Laterz.

Songs, with Will on guitar completeed the evening. A windy night followed


7/16

Rose at 6, breakfast , on our way to some old castle. Nice but not spectacular.
Drove to a huge old cave town. Quit impressive, taking into account that it is about 5000 years old.

Crossed the border to Armenia round 15.00h. Did some shopping (man, Armenia is cheap).
Now bushcamping on a very, very windy (better: stormy) plane. It's getting cold!


7/17

Rose at 6.15, breakfast, On our way to Yerevan, capital of Armenia.
Found our hostel round 11 am, had to wait for our rooms, so updated FB, read my mail, etc.
Explored the city a bit, bloody hot, came back, showered, did my laundry, updating blog now.

Went out again for diner and one more stroll through yerevan.
Found some nice parks and squares with live music, which reminded me Ayasofia square in Istanbul.
A beer at a beer named "The Beatles" with the fellow travelers completed the evening.
Good night sleep followed until 4.30, when Jean started to snore.


7/18

7.30 up, great breakfast from the ladies of the hostel. Then read the terrible news about the crashed Malaysia Airlines plane with
almost 300 killed (180 dutch). It shocked me.
Long strolls in another direction this time. Found a nice swimming pool at a hotel, but when Carlos and I wanted to go there it seemed
that we had to pay 5000 Drams (about 8,-). Too much for a quick swim. Maybe tomorrow.
Did a little nap back at the hostel. Now updating blog.
Later the evening: walk along the "family" square, where i wanted to have a beer, but just wasn't served.
They're not too keen on foreigners i guess. Bite near the giant mall, then to the supermarket for 1L of beer for 650 (Euro 1,-) and drank that
with the fellow travelers at the doorstep of the hostel. Got some sleep, despite Jeans snoring.


7/19

Slept until (almost) 9, breakfast, spoke to Tim (who stays in another hotel (he does not like hostels)), tried another pool, but that one was even more expensive, so... that 5000 ADM was the choice for the afternoon. With a nice Jeffrey Archer novel. Had a great day.
Just back, showered, did my last laundry, coz tomorrow it's bush camping again (just for 1 day, the 3 more days of hostels in Zbilisi (Georgia capital (yes we go back))).

See you there then.

Later the same evening i met this guy from Germany, who played this strange instrument "The Hang", a kind of melodic kettle drum. It was great to hear.
James and I tried it ourselves too.

Went to bed at 10.30. On the road again tomorow.