On to the Caucusas

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Seven hours on the bus today, the countryside reminded me a little bit of Mongolia. I found the hotel easy enough before wandering out to see a few historic mosques, have another shave and track down a few cans of Efes. In the morning I visit the ancient Armenian capital of Ani which was initiated in 961 and later abandoned after earthquake and warfare sealed its destruction in the 14th century.

The church of St Gregory perched dramatically above the Arpa Cayi river gorge was certainly a highlight as was the massive cathedral built in 967. The Menusher camii (mosque) has wonderful views of the river gorge and of Armenia. Other highlights include the restored city walls and the Zoarostrian fire temple although little remains of this structure.

On returning to the city I had another chicken kebab before walking around town and organising a bus ticket to Hopi a stones throw from the Georgian border. Five hours I thought this trip would take, yeah right, it took nearly nine, many of those hours were winding through mountains, I must have passed though twenty tunnels and crossed many bridges, but eventually the bus wound its way down to the black sea town of Hopi.

From Hopi it was a quick trip in a taxi to the border crossing at Sarp and then I was into my 7th country, Batumi was just a short taxi ride away.

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Photos

St Gregory's Church
Ani

A church converted to a mosque
Kars

Ruined hammam
Ani

Fresco on the wall of St Gregory's
Ani

Mosque
Ani

Ninth century cathedral
Ani

The cathedral
Ani

Armenian church
Ani

Ruins of a Zoarostrian fire temple
Ani

Armenia on the right bank Turkey to the left
Ani

Caves cut into the river bank
Ani

Locals outside the city walls
Ani

A huge Turkish flag flies above the city
Ani

Soviet era statue
Batumi

Walking a long a stony Black Sea beach
Batumi

Mcdonalds
Batumi

Roman military fort
Gonio

Roman plumbing
Gonio

A pretty flower
For my wife