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| Behind me is the monastery of Khor Virap (click image to enlage) |
Among the most beautiful experience before getting old is traveling and exploring new countries around the world. Being a migrant worker here in the Middle East gives me so much opportunity to travel nearby countries.
Recently, I have visited Armenia from Saudi Arabia, to tell you. I'm not really familiar of this country at all. As it isn't very popular tourist destination, until recently, that I have seen YouTube videos of Filipinos traveling to Armenia.
I was curious by then and wanted to go on my own as well. Last June 2018 during "Eid" occasion, I have more than a week holidays. Instead of staying at home and doing nothing, I have decided to book a ticket going to Armenia.
I was very excited since this is my second country to visit after United Arab Emirates. Armenia is a country located in the border line between Europe and Asia (Eurasia), thus it's like the window to Europe. I got a ticket from budget airline based in Dubai since there is no direct flight from Saudi to Armenia.
Filipinos can visit Armenia by visa-on-arrival
Filipinos can visit Armenia by visa-on-arrival
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| The Yerevan Cascade, the City's iconic landmark. |
It was afternoon when I arrived in Armenia from my flight Saudi-Dubai-Yerevan (capital city.) The flight is around 3 hours more or less, since I went on June, the weather in Armenia was perfect according to my preference. Playing around 20 to 30 degrees Celsius maximum during the day, suitable for excursion.
Everywhere you look around you can see green grassy mountain ranges, scenic terrains, fresh rivers and tranquil lakes. Armenia share Western and Asian cultures since it is along the border line between these two continents. Armenians are very kind and helpful, although its hard to find someone speaking English well.
Nevertheless they would try their best to assist and help you along the way, Yerevan is the capital city of Armenia. The city tells itself its thousands of years of history and tradition, ancient buildings and old edifice are still being used and preserved. Armenia is a country known as the first state adopted Christianity as its official religion.
No wonder why there are many medieval monasteries scattered all around Armenia dated hundreds if not thousands of years old. These magnificent monasteries became the most visited tourist attractions in Armenia. My trip will not be completed without visiting these historical landmarks.
Site seeing at Khor Virap Monastery
First stop, I went to Khor Virap, an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat plain in Armenia, near the closed border with Turkey, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Artashat, Ararat Province, within the territory of ancient Artaxata.
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| The Khor Virap Monastery, among the most visited site in Armenia. |
Seeing it personally brought me to the window of the history of Armenia and its rich religious culture. Inside the monastery there were devoted people praying and religious relics of Jesus Christ are displayed.
The Khor Virap monastery is facing towards the majestic Ararat Mountain deemed as the resting place of Noah's Arch. Mount Ararat is considered as sacred by the Armenians and it's depicted in the country's national emblem.
The view from the monastery is breath-taking, seeing the vast vegetation on the ground and the mountain ranges from afar makes me felt so relax.The night after my excursion, I head-off to the Republic Square to witness the dancing fountain. People from different ages gathered around the fountain and enjoyed the live show.
Exploring Lake Sevan, the most scenic place in Armenia
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| At Lake Sevan, the most scenic view in Armenia. |
But my visit to Lake Sevan, truly helped me reset my mind and forgot all the stressors at work. I have spent a couple of hours in Lake Sevan trying to emerge into its tranquilizing beauty before heading back to the city.
Armenians' kindness and hospitality
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| The Republic Square of Yerevan, the City's main center. |
During and after the World War 1, the Ottoman government carried-out what would become the Armenian genocide. Killing roughly around 1.5 millions of Armenian people accordingly. The genocide resulted into the diaspora of million if not millions of Armenians around the world.
And Mr. David and his family are among of them, despite of being away from his homeland for so long, he'd never missed to return to his motherland. While I was chatting with Mr. David, I can see how happy he was being home again, the smile on his face, the glitter on his eyes and his sincerity reflects the true wonder of Armenia. He'd also invited me to try Armenian local food and toured me around the city prior my last day in Yerevan.
Indeed, my visit to Armenia is among the most memorable experience trip that I ever had so far, seeing this beautiful country, knowing its history and having to meet with the locals are truly an amazing opportunity. The happiness and the therapeutic feeling that I had while in Armenia is something beyond compensable, just a perfect getaway that I need to refresh myself from the hustle and bustle at work.
Have you ever been to Armenia? Let me know your thoughts!
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