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| Mt. Ararat - Noah's Ark Landed |
Do you
know where Noah’s ark landed? It is in Armenia.
What
country is the first to adopt the Christian faith? Armenia.
Armenia is
a small country with rich history. It may not be on top of your list of the
best places to travel because of the difficulty in getting there.
But ask some
people who have been there and they will tell you how great their experience
was while having their holidays in Armenia.
The
country itself is absorbing. But its history is even more fascinating.
I have
never been there but some of my colleagues had the rare chance of visiting
Armenia and they were absolutely astonished.
It is not
a country you must not overlook.
When is the best time to
visit the country?
The best
times to visit Armenia will be May and June and/or September and October.
This
country has high-altitude climate. It is hotter than the Philippines.
During
those times, the weather is warm but it is not as warm as the other months of
the year.
Do I need a visa?
If you are
from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and the US,
then you will need to secure a visa to enter Armenia. You can stay here up to
120 days.
You may
apply for an e-visa. It is an online process in which the visa will be emailed
to you through its PDF format. You will have to print it out and present it
when you arrive.
It may
take up to 21 days to process your visa and it may cost you around $10 in US
dollars.
It is best
to apply for Armenian visa at least two months before you arrive in this
country.
Can I use my credit card
in Armenia?
Yes, you
can. But, just like in the Philippines, it is best no to rely on them all the
time.
Credit
cards are only accepted in major cities. And if you do want to use it, make
sure that it is Visa as it is the most commonly accepted brand in the country.
What is the currency of
Armenia?
The
national currency is Armenian Dram (AMD). You may exchange your US dollars into
AMD through banks, post offices, in hotels (where you will stay) and exchange
agencies.
To make it
easier for you to exchange your money, you should consider getting a tour package to Armenia. Your
tour operator would be there for you in case you need assistance traveling in
this country.
Is there an Internet
access in the country?
There is
an Internet coverage throughout Armenia. The good thing is that it is reliable
and extensive. It is also cheap and convenient.
You may
still use your mobile/cell phone but the rates can get expensive. Thus, it is
ideal to simply obtain prepaid SIM cards, which you can avail through booths at
the airport.
What is the public
transportation of Armenia?
You can
choose to ride on buses, microbuses, trolleybuses and the subway.
Minibuses
and buses are the most popular transportation in the country’s capital city –
Yerevan.
But, if
you opt to have a comfortable and affordable ride, you may choose a taxi. All
cabs have meters allowing you to pay only for the driven kilometers. The rate
is $0.25 USD for every kilometer. But the minimal amount is $1.5 USD or 600
AMD. You need to pay the amount when you get inside. It will include a travel
of four kilometers.
Expect to
pay around USD$3 when you go around the city center.
If you are
a man and you see a pinkish taxi, you must not raise your hand hoping it will
stop and pick you up. Pink taxis in Armenia are only for the ladies.
How to be a responsible
traveler in Armenia?
Just like
visiting any other foreign countries, you should respect the customs, religion
and culture, as well as the traditions of Armenia. Most citizens here are
Christians.
Hospitality
in this country is practiced. For instance, if you are invited for a meal in a
local place, you must be ready for it as you will be lavished with great food
and you must expect to participate in rounds of toasts.
When you
are invited, it is best to bring a small gift to the host. It could be
anything, from chocolates to alcohol to flowers. If you do bring chocolates,
make sure that it is imported and not local.
When it
comes to politics, Armenians are quite sensitive with some issues related to
this area. Although the citizens here like talking about politics, you should
be cautious when you express your opinion.
It is
important to remember that Armenians admire the culture of Russia and Slavic.
It is okay
to ask about life under the Soviets. But you cannot ask about Azerbaijan or
Turkey. If you are really curious about it, make sure that you exercise sensitivity.
When you
visit monasteries and churches, you should dress up nicely. By nicely, it means
modestly and respectfully. Women must wear a dress that covers their shoulders
up to their knees. You must remove your shoes each time you visit a place of
worship.
To
minimize unnecessary waste, it is ideal that you bring a reusable bottle or a
canteen and drink through a tap water. Tap water in this country is safe to
drink. So, there is no need for you to buy bottled water.
What is the country’s
most popular dish?
Barbecued
meat is the most popular dish in Armenia. You can purchase a loaf of baked bread
at 20 cents to get a full meal with it.
Or you can
have a bottle of wine to go with that meal, which will cost you around $2 a
bottle.
Should you
wish to obtain organic tomatoes or cucumbers, expect to pay around 20 cents.
When you visit the country during the summer time, you will find organic fruit and
vegetables being sold in the roads of Ararat Valley, which is outside the
capital city.
The
cuisine of the country is of Middle-Eastern. Thus, you should expect to see or
eat beef, pork, fish and lamb in their dishes.
If you are
fond of eating fresh herbs, then you are in luck as Armenians love to add fresh
herbs in their foods.
However,
if you are not the type of traveler who wishes to try Middle-Eastern cuisines,
you can go to restaurants that serve European and Eastern cuisines.
What language do people
speak in Armenia?
Although
some Armenians can speak English, its official language is Armenian, which is a
part of Indo-European language.
Now that
you know the most important tips in travelling to Armenia, it is also essential
that you know the great things that you can do when you arrive there or the
best places that you can visit in this exotic country.
Mt. Ararat
It is
where Noah’s ark landed centuries ago.
Even though
it is already a part of Turkey, the citizens of Armenia still consider it as a
symbol of their country. This is one of the reasons you can see its image on
postcards, cognac labels, etc.
Any resident
of this country can tell you the best place/position to take a photo that can completely
capture the mountain, from its foot to the top. The best place where you can
view it is from the Khor Virap Monastery. It was in its pit that Saint Gregory
was imprisoned for 13 years.
You may
climb down the steps of the Pit but be extra careful as the experience can be
freaky for those who are not used to it.
However,
you must be here in a good weather condition.
Lake Sevan
You must
not miss it when you go to Armenia. The lake changes its colors from blue to
silver.
You can do
some fishing or swim with your travel partners. But be careful when exploring
the territory as the area around it is National Park’s reserved zone.
While discovering
the lake, you may go and visit Sevanavank, which is a monastery that can be
reached through a one-day trip.
Garni Temple
This is
another historical landmark of Armenia. Garni Temple is considered to be the
oldest Pagan temple in the world. It played a significant role in establishing Armenia
as a country.
It is
nearly 2,000 years old but you can still see older structures around it.
If you are
so lucky, you may experience pagans holding a ritual in this temple.
Genocide Complex
Centuries ago,
the Ottoman Empire ordered its men to destroy all Armenians in Eastern Turkey
or in Anatolia. All women, children and older people were sent on death marches
towards the desert of Syria in February 1915.
To commemorate
those millions who died on those marches, this Genocide Complex was built.
This memorial
has an eternal flame with a pillar that points towards heaven. When you get to
look at it closely, you will find some flowers pile up in a circle and placed
around the flame.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
If you are
fond of exploring churches, then this cathedral must be on your list when
visiting this country. It is the oldest church in the world that is built by
the state.
It is in
that same spot where Saint Gregory had a vision about Christ. In that vision,
he saw Christ coming to the Earth to strike it down with a hammer. With that vision, he was convinced that God
wanted him to build a church there, which is now the oldest state-built church on
Earth. It was built after the country had been named as the first Christian
country.
With its
rich history, it is no wonder that this church is regarded as UNESCO heritage
site.
There are
other great places where you can roam around and get to know the culture and
history of Armenia. But these ones are the best places, so far.
If you are
fond of taking souvenirs, you should definitely go to Yerevan Vernissage. It is
where you can find not just paintings but other things that are up for sale. National
souvenirs, coffee machines, and expensive antiques are just three of the things
you can find and buy here.
And if you
know how to haggle, you might get those antiques at a very low price.
Carpet buying
Then, do
not forget to purchase a carpet here. Carpet weaving is popular amongst
Armenians. In this country, carpets can serve as curtains and used in the
doorways.
It is
ideal to go to a factory so you can find a customized carpet based on your
taste. However, make sure that you keep its receipt as soon as you go and check
at the airport. This is to prove that the carpet has no historical value.
On the
other hand, if you have negotiated and purchased an antique carpet, you should
secure a certificate that would allow you to export or bring the carpet to your
country.
Cognac in your bag
You are
not done yet, unless you have tasted and bought Armenian cognac. It is a must-have
item when you leave the country. Although you can easily buy it from one of the
stores there, it is best to visit a factory that manufactures Yerevan cognac.
The country
grows six varieties of grapes, so it is no wonder that they have the best
cognac in their basements. Thus, before leaving the country, make sure that there
is a branded Armenian cognac in your bag.
Surely,
there are a lot of great things that you can experience when traveling to
Armenia. If you are into history, then you should consider visiting this
country. Because of its rich history, it has become a top tourist destination
for those religious individuals. It is an ancient kingdom that, unfortunately,
is off the radar for most tourists.
Flying to
Armenia can be a challenge. But getting in touch with one of the travel
agencies there can ease it out.
Check out Armenia’s travel agency to learn more about
its packages in touring the country.
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