We arrived at the sleepy hill town of Sheki at about six in the evening, but we had not anticipated that there would be so many tourists. Actually, it was the only day of Ramadan and Eid, and the entire Azerbaijan had descended on the hill town for a brief holiday. Thus, we had some issues finding a...
The highlight tour for me in Shaki was searching for an ancient Albanian Church in the tiny Albanian village of Kish. This village is 5 km from Shaki and has a population of about 6,880 people living in it. Its most famous monument is the Kish Church, a beacon of Albanian history that was built in the 1st...
Grinz Village is one of the most fascinating and unique villages in Quba. Perched at 2300 meters on a rocky plateau of rocks and gorges, it is a wild and rugged terrain, vast and very viscous, almost untamed. This was a dance of nature against the backdrop of the light blue sky; one can see snow peaks and...
The last few days in Lankaran and Astara have been magical. The weather has changed a bit; it's beginning to rain, and there is a chilly wind in the air at all times. One needs a jacket all the time as it has gotten colder. I like the chilly nip in the air and the cold wind striking...
I especially enjoyed my walks across the city parks of Lankaran. These parks are not as active or vibrant as the jogging parks in bustling cities. The park is more laid-back, with loving couples deep in conversation, sitting tightly on a bench. People walk leisurely here, unlike the normal Westerner who takes his exercise and jogs very seriously....
But the sun had now just set and the evening hue was fast disappearing. We moved from the Iran border towards the busier part of the city. Usain wanted me to meet his Khal and aunt; he wanted to introduce me to the Arabzade Family. A husband and wife living in a modest traditional Lanka-ran home. They were...
Located in the Lankaran district of Azerbaijan, the Xanbulana lake is an enclosed water reservoir surrounded by a vast forest area. The lake is a great scenic and picnic spot for families, friends, and even couples. Anyone who wants to see and explore the hills and natural lakes of this region must visit this lake and soak in...
The day started late for me as I had some trouble sleeping due to the soda fizzy water that I had been drinking at the hotel. The soda upset my stomach, and I slept in until late morning. Consequently, the day began late, but it soon picked up pace when my driver, Usain, arrived. Our first stop was...
Lankaran boasts a rich ancient culture, believed to have flourished since the Bronze Age, dating back to the 3rd to the 2nd century BC. It was during the reign of Kara Khan in the early 18th century that the Tailesh culture was established here. Since then, this region has been predominantly inhabited by the Tailesh people. Dozens of...
