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Saturday, July 11, 2015

Armenia Mania - The Vernissage Shopping Day!!!!

When it comes to knick knacks...count Yerevan Vernissage open-air market to find antiques, artworks, crystals and all kind of adorable stuff. The guys and I agreed to meet at the public square and walk our way to the market passing by pre-war era buildings being renovated.

Caucasus view from my hotel window
morning walk



Yerevan Vernissage

hat shopping




Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Armenia Mania - More Snow at Tsaghkadzor.!!! (Day 2 - extended tour)

My two young companions decided to go to Lake Sevan and Tsaghkadzor for the rest of the day to extend our snow experience and get on the mountain cable rides. It was getting really chilly on our long ride to  our destination. However, heavy snow fall greeted us along with a temporary traffic due to some car accidents. Quite a number of cars were sliding down the road so we carefully rolled along until we reachedthe part where the mountains are totally covered in snow.
snow-free sunny but chilly afternoon
snowy ride to Tsaghkadzor
front seat for 1st timer like me!!!
Road signage
snow covered road side



 Thus, another photo session ensued....






up ahead: the beautiful snowy mountains

road side photo op

my 2 new young friends

road side scenery

all thumbs up!!!!

selfieee...note the nose frost bite

BFF

middle of the road photo op

As we enter the Kotayk Province of Armenia, the quaint resort town of Charentsavan is astoundingly picture perfect.









Bloopers: When Karma Strikes Back! 

The snow had turned to icy sleets and it was very slippery. George and his friend were trying to balance themselves until they reach the side of the snow cable car where fresh snow covers the ground. I found it quite comical as their arms flayed on air to keep their balance. I was too arrogant thinking I can manage on my own.

One step...

And I found myself wildly grabbing the cold air and eventually end up on my bottoms. And that my dear friends, was "karma" and it hurts a lot! As embarrassment started to give my face a new color, the ever dependable Mr. Gagik came running to check on me if I was hurt, so were the boys.

Besides a stinging bottom from the fall and a very hurt ego, I told them I was okay and no bones were broken. So off we go to get my first ever snow cable ride. It was totally exhilarating, feeling the cold wind brushing my face as the cable reach the high altitude. Good thing is that I am not acrophobic and heights is not much of a problem to me. However, I felt a tingle of fear when I realized that its an open cable car and the tall trees are dotted below my feet.

after the hilarious fall

awkwardly posing with a stinging bottom

the boys

a very open cable car...no survivors if you fall down from these

snow covered trees

series of selfies...(cold snow made my eyes teary)

cant resist a shoe selfie...

And we reached the top of the mountain!!!! well... it was almost knee deep in snow...full fresh snow fall...just like what I saw in the Christmas cards from US.

super cold!!!!



driftwoods???

postcard perfect snow covered benches

the lovely scene on top of the mountain

deep snow....

chilling my bottoms

the three stooges

our thumb ups pose...mine is inside my jacket pocket!
Right after our snow cable ride, Mr. Gagik brought us to Lake Sevan. Actually were supposed to visit the famous Sevanavank, a monastic complex near Lake Sevan (Gegharkunik Province). Unfortunately the complex was already closed by the time we arrived so we went directly to Lake Sevan for a short visit.

Sevanavank Monastery at the end of the road

Lake Sevan


Lake Sevan as our background


getting some faraway view from Sevanavank
It was a good tour all in all. We walked awhile in Yerevan and dine in at a pizza parlour (wherein all people were gawking at me...you know its the Asian thing :) ) Had some photo op with Armenian girls while waiting on the queue for money changer too.

Yerevan City Symbol Key

lovely Armenian girls
Winter landscape

nativity scene
tucking in some pizza with the boys












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