This was my last hike before leaving Armenia. I knew it would be a super long day, with a 7:30 am departure and a 9 pm eta return, and with a more energized and bigger group than the day before. Time has a way of stretching on these trips and I am glad I was mentally prepared for the journey.
My morning walk to the meeting point held a few surprises for me. I caught a few beautiful views of Mount Ararat and Massis with the sunrise, and then also enjoyed the hot air balloons rising over Yerevan from Republic Square in honour of Yerevan’s 2808th birthday this weekend. Interestingly despite being one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, it was a very small settlement until the 1920s, when it was designated the capital of the Republic of Armenia in 1918. Thousands of Armenian survivors of the genocide flocked to Yerevan.
The development of Yerevan as a metropolis has thus only been in the last 100 years. Soviets were busy building large factories in the city centre, but with Armenia’s independence in 1991, most of these factories were demolished to make way for residential and commercial spaces. Philanthropist Cafesjian financed the completion of the Cafesjian complex in 2002, now a key landmark in Yerevan. Yerevan is still in transition, undergoing rapid construction. It is a most interesting time to visit!
Lastiver is in Tavush near the village of Yenokavan, about 140 km or 2.5 hours northeast of Yerevan, very high up in the Ijevan mountains of the Miapor mountain range. Walking down (and up!) from the Apaga Resort is a very beautiful 7.5 km roundtrip hike, with dramatic views of the gorge, a magical setting with treehouses and a waterfall, and a cave with carvings (if you can find it!) We had a wonderful day, and were fortunate to have perfect weather to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Of course, singing, dancing, and eating are always de rigueur, as is making new and interesting friends along the way.
On my return, I was greeted by Boris and Marina at the AVC office, who were enjoying the Yerevan birthday celebrations with wine tastings on Northern Avenue. We walked over to Republic Square and watched the fireworks, while I toasted Yerevan’s birthday with my own glass of wine!
I arrived back at ICA tired but happy with another good day. I had to miss the Aré Fest Gaia Terrain art performance at ICA at 8 pm, and will miss it again the 11th, but hope to catch the art talk on the 12th. Too many things to do!!!
