About 10 years ago I learnt about lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in Eurasia, of its crystal clear waters and fantastic views. Ever since then I’ve been dreaming of seeing it with my own eyes. That, and experience the unique hospitality that I’ve heard so much about.
I crossed Georgia and rode through the beautiful mountain landscapes of the northern Armenia, plenty of curves with surprisingly good asphalt for the most part and a few road construction stretches, which I started liking since recently.
Arrived late and woke up for the sunrise to a gorgeous view of the lake right from my window.
Around lake Sevan
Enjoyed a coffee looking at the crystal clear water of Sevan.
Bikini packed, bee is ready, let’s go ride around the lake to find my perfect beach!
Oh look, mountains! And remote curvy roads with no traffic at all.
And let’s take this mean looking gravel road up that hill to take a photo of the lake.
And oh look, wild horses!
And some abandoned villages.
A shepherd with a whole bunch of sheep crossing a valley in the middle of nowhere. Beeeeeh 💛
- Where are you going?
- Up that hill
- Don’t do it, behind that hill is the Azerbaijan border. The war is on. Three days ago we got bombed here. Please turn around and go back to the lake.
Back to the lake… And.. wait a second… sunset? But.. but… what about that perfect beach plan I had in mind?
At that moment I still had 1.5 hours to get back to the hotel. It got dark and very cold. I was passing by some seemingly abandoned villages and a lot of military equipment, some of it destroyed by bombings and shootings. And the whole thing seemed surreal…
Noravank Monastery on the way to Yerevan
Visiting the Noravank Monastery was a magic experience. Magic, pure magic! Do you know this feeling when your emotions are so overwhelming that you want to shout out loud but all you can do is whisper? So I whispered. So quietly that only the canyon around me would hear. So that only the road through the forest would know. So that the wonderful energy that breathes through these unearthly places keeps our souls at peace. At peace with ourselves, with each other, with nature, and with this world that all of us call home.
Just about 30km before reaching Yerevan I stopped to watch the sunset over Ararat, the holy mountain. Its 5.137m peak is the highest point in the area and can be seen from practically anywhere around Yerevan. And yet, the best view point is considered to be at Khor Virap, which itself is a holy place, an important monastery and pilgrimage site, one of the oldest in Armenia.
One full day in Yerevan to rest, walk around, enjoy the coziness of the city. Was really surprised and very happy to find a few sculptures by Botero (Colombian artist) in the very center or Yerevan, reminded me of the time I spent in Colombia 4 years ago.
The vastness of barely inhabited landscapes. The endless hills. The monasteries.
And all the wonderful people that I met on the way. Nowhere else in the world have I ever met so much hospitality and kindness from complete strangers. So much willingness to help, to share, to make sure you’re comfortable and happy. When you are absolutely sure that no matter what happens, there will be someone to help you out.
Leaving Armenia with a heart full of love and hope, hope for the best for this small but absolutely outstanding country and its people 💛
