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 the beads of raindrops that trickle from the sky.
It was time now to make the journey from Lankaran back to Baku; this would take us almost three hours. But the fun part was that we would be trailing the shores and beaches of the Caspian Sea, which covers almost half of it. The rest of the scenery is green, and there are lush meadows where fat lazy cows chew the green grass. There are brown and barren mountains, and one can see a gas field or a gas plant spewing orange flames into the air, reminding us how gas-rich this land is. There is a lot of gas, especially methane, under its core surface. Sometimes it comes out from water fountains, and at other times it comes out of mud volcanoes and even caves and marshland.
Our black vintage Mercedes whizzed past on a pacey autobahn as I just slumped back into my car bucket seat to enjoy the view. It was breathtaking with the folk music playing in the background; it was heaven on earth for me as I was getting a very warm fuzzy and soothing feeling in my heart.
This country is definitely wet, and Lankaran is the wettest of the lot. But I like the little raindrops as they fall from a grey sky with a creamy hue. I got a very mellow and relaxed feeling throughout the drive back to Baku.
My English-speaking driver, Usain, has done wonders by improving the quality of my tour and travel in this country. He introduced me to his friends, his family, his kids, and even his aunts and uncles. I really felt like family here. I was at peace. I felt relaxed and at home; the people of Azerbaijan are the friendliest in the world and very warm and hospitable. It has been a very unique and pleasing experience traveling here and exploring its cultural roots and heritage.
The vast Caspian Sea would stare at us during our car journey, rich blue with a sandy shore. The Caspian Sea had to be captured by me, and I did just that. It is a vast sea, emerald blue in color; at times, the sea color changes to turquoise. I spent a few minutes snapping pictures of the sea and the birds that flew in the sky. I was very relaxed today, and that would show in the pictures also.
We arrived in Baku by four in the afternoon, and by five, I settled myself in my room looking forward to the rest of the tour unfolding. But I know for sure there are a few more surprises left for me on this journey as Azerbaijan keeps throwing up its wonders in front of my very eyes.”