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Published: September 25th 2008
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A pedestrian promenade runs all along Baku’s Caspian coast close to the city centre. It’s a great place for a stroll and it’s very clean and safe. It takes about an hour to stroll along its length and there’s lots to see and usually something going on.
The day we took a wander by the sea there was an oil workers’ exposition taking place. We paused to see a model of an on-land oil drilling station and to read the numerous information boards. As it was all in Azeri, we could only guess what it said! No doubt with an upcoming General Election it was all about Azerbaijan’s success in the oil industry!!
An orchestra were busy warming up for a free concert. We waited for about 20 minutes, had a wander to decipher more information boards, waited another 20 minutes or so then gave up. Who knows what time they actually got started!
Half way along there is an old oil rig. Today it is used as a giant digital clock. It’s a shame you can’t actually see the numbers displayed when the sun shines but it’s the thought that counts.
Wherever you are the skyline
The Yacht Club
Part of Baku's bid for the 2020 Olympic Games! is dominated by the huge communications tower. We haven’t yet discovered if it’s possible to visit but it’s certainly on our “to-do” list. Likewise the masterpiece of Soviet architecture,
Dom Soviet which stands at the far end of the promenade doesn’t look too open to visitors which is a shame.
Also at the far end is the port of Baku. It wasn't too busy when we looked on but with all those cranes it must be at some time. If that's your thing, I guess you'd love it!
There's also the Yacht Club about half way along. We didn't see much activity but it forms part of Baku's bid to stage the 2020 Olympic Games. The city haven't been shortlisted for 2016 but are following a list of recommendations from the IOC. That includes building 60 new five star hotels and replacing the city's old buses with new models. We benefit from that as the route we use was the first to get new buses!
Various museums and theatres are within easy reach of the prom. The Puppet Theatre is somewhere we look forward to visiting. You get a taste of what’s on offer just crossing the
road by the underpass. There are lots of displays about different productions from the past. The carpet museum is supposed to be really interesting too. The building is certainly magnificent but we won’t be going in until the days get colder.
Souvenir stalls and cafes are all over the city too. It’s great to see the Russian
matruska dolls on sale and I can’t imagine we will look at them for a whole year without purchasing a set. The soviet furry hats look a sure-fire buy for the winter too!
The night of our walk there was a big fireworks display too. From our apartment we were able to watch it in comfort and it was quite a spectacular event.
We are here to teach though, and we have had our first few days of classes. It’s been fun and we have lovely students once again. The classes are small, mostly groups of only one or two, and the standards are high which makes for easier work!!
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Mrs B
Clare Louise Beni
Carpet museum hey?
Well I never. Got me giggling that one. Have fun, take care.