On The Edge Of The Old City
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
AZERBAIJAN - CAVIAR - LAND OF FIRE
AZERBAIJAN - CAVIAR - LAND OF FIRE
The most tourist-oriented part of Azerbaijan would be the city of Baku. From the mysterious century's old Maiden's Tower on boulevard, and the Palace of the Sirvan Shahs built in the 15th century, Baku offers up it's historical presence with the Caspian Sea lapping at the city's door. The ancient walled city section"the old city" of Baku, the Maiden Tower, and the Palace were designated a World Heritage site by
UNESCO in 2000.
"the Walled City of Baku represents an outstanding and rare example of an historic urban ensemble and architecture with influence from the Zoroastrian, Sassanian, Arabic, Persian, Ottoman and Russian cultures" says UNESCO and after visiting the city the description is overshadowed by the reality. It is antiquity. It is civilizations mixed over the centuries.
Close by Baku is the Clangerland Mud Volcanoes and ancient petroglyphs. The town of Surakhani, about 20 km northeast of Baku, is home to the Zoroastrian Fire Temple. The area was noted over the centuries where fire came out of the land, this all on the fact the area was one of the richest oil deposits in the world. Ancients came from many nearby lands to collect "fire fuel" Since recent time and heavy oil Barron exploitation over the years, the oil has been depleted from the land, but Oil Rigs stand out in the Caspian within site of Baku and modern day Oil recovery continues to be a major source of revenue for the country at large.
There is a book one could write to describe more about Azerbaijan and TRAVELSAPIEN would suggest a visit now that the old Soviet rule is gone and Azerbaijan works to export it's potential as a major tourism destination. As to the Caspian area it is well worth it but in Azerbaijan do not expect the trappings of any western tourism destination. Expect it too be short of perfect with accommodation, transportation, highways and infrastructure not being to Western expectations. As to the people they are happy, fun loving, and can cook up a storm. Great food. Wonderful interaction. Great culture. Wonderful music. Good times, with almost no tourist trappings. Even finding T-shirts to take home is a difficult task. Enjoy the ancient surroundings. A region known for fabulous carpets. Make the trip. Azerbaijan lies on parts of the original SILK ROAD and it's history is notable.
It is hard to find Tour Operators that service the area as yet but for your own curiosity try www.azerbaijannews.net and www.bakuonline.com and www.parstimes.com so as to acquaint yourselves with the area. American Express is recognized with an agency called
www.si-travel.com and there is www.caspiantravel.com too. Out of the UK, but on line you might want to check out www.silkroadandbeyond.co.uk Going on your own it is best you can speak Russian or Azi or both. English is not widely spoken by the older generation although younger ones will give it a really good go. Suggestion is know you cannot expect language or service like New York. Then again New York? Hmmm.
If you really want to go "out of the box" TRAVELSAPIEN can say Azerbaijan is an adventurous tourists dream. Take advantage before the crowds discover it.
PS- As to Caviar. Ohhhhh my. The real thing. Extremely inexpensive by Western markets. If for nothing else try fresh caviar on a variety of fabulous local offerings be it bread, on top of eggs or out of the dish. Caspian caviar is worth saving up for. Forget western foods in Azerbaijan as the local fare is inexpensive and absolutely delightful. See you on the Boulevard.
The most tourist-oriented part of Azerbaijan would be the city of Baku. From the mysterious century's old Maiden's Tower on boulevard, and the Palace of the Sirvan Shahs built in the 15th century, Baku offers up it's historical presence with the Caspian Sea lapping at the city's door. The ancient walled city section"the old city" of Baku, the Maiden Tower, and the Palace were designated a World Heritage site by
UNESCO in 2000.
"the Walled City of Baku represents an outstanding and rare example of an historic urban ensemble and architecture with influence from the Zoroastrian, Sassanian, Arabic, Persian, Ottoman and Russian cultures" says UNESCO and after visiting the city the description is overshadowed by the reality. It is antiquity. It is civilizations mixed over the centuries.
Close by Baku is the Clangerland Mud Volcanoes and ancient petroglyphs. The town of Surakhani, about 20 km northeast of Baku, is home to the Zoroastrian Fire Temple. The area was noted over the centuries where fire came out of the land, this all on the fact the area was one of the richest oil deposits in the world. Ancients came from many nearby lands to collect "fire fuel" Since recent time and heavy oil Barron exploitation over the years, the oil has been depleted from the land, but Oil Rigs stand out in the Caspian within site of Baku and modern day Oil recovery continues to be a major source of revenue for the country at large.
There is a book one could write to describe more about Azerbaijan and TRAVELSAPIEN would suggest a visit now that the old Soviet rule is gone and Azerbaijan works to export it's potential as a major tourism destination. As to the Caspian area it is well worth it but in Azerbaijan do not expect the trappings of any western tourism destination. Expect it too be short of perfect with accommodation, transportation, highways and infrastructure not being to Western expectations. As to the people they are happy, fun loving, and can cook up a storm. Great food. Wonderful interaction. Great culture. Wonderful music. Good times, with almost no tourist trappings. Even finding T-shirts to take home is a difficult task. Enjoy the ancient surroundings. A region known for fabulous carpets. Make the trip. Azerbaijan lies on parts of the original SILK ROAD and it's history is notable.
It is hard to find Tour Operators that service the area as yet but for your own curiosity try www.azerbaijannews.net and www.bakuonline.com and www.parstimes.com so as to acquaint yourselves with the area. American Express is recognized with an agency called
www.si-travel.com and there is www.caspiantravel.com too. Out of the UK, but on line you might want to check out www.silkroadandbeyond.co.uk Going on your own it is best you can speak Russian or Azi or both. English is not widely spoken by the older generation although younger ones will give it a really good go. Suggestion is know you cannot expect language or service like New York. Then again New York? Hmmm.
If you really want to go "out of the box" TRAVELSAPIEN can say Azerbaijan is an adventurous tourists dream. Take advantage before the crowds discover it.
PS- As to Caviar. Ohhhhh my. The real thing. Extremely inexpensive by Western markets. If for nothing else try fresh caviar on a variety of fabulous local offerings be it bread, on top of eggs or out of the dish. Caspian caviar is worth saving up for. Forget western foods in Azerbaijan as the local fare is inexpensive and absolutely delightful. See you on the Boulevard.
Monday, March 14, 2005
Thursday, February 17, 2005
MUSTIQUE IS NO "MYSTIQUE"! Studio54 at sea
Another "mysterious" island with the snob appeal. Come to think of it "The man who bought Mustique" was portrayed as just that. Colin Tennant, otherwise aristocrat, ortherwise Lord Glenconner purchased Mustique Island in the seventies and introduced it to his hob-nob friends including the likes of Princess Margaret of England and Mick Jagger, the grand dad rocknroll legend. They built their hide-a-way villa's there. Jagger and Bianca were still an item then. Others soon followed and Mustique became "Mystique" so to speak. The rich and famous jollied this luxurious island, had it's debaucherous parties within Glenconner's fanciful empire and friends like David Bowie, Jagger and era notables leading the limbo spirit. Since then Mustique has degenerated into a "wannabe" for the "lot of dot-com millionaires" so said Tennant. Colin Tennant was forced to sell his gatherings sometime in the mid-eighties but the dancing elves of vanity, continued and they even made a movie called The man who Bought Mustique circa 2001. A boring mishmash of the "Basil Fawlty of the aristocracy" said one critic. No matter the rich and famous still frequent this island in the sun located in the Caribbean and the ghosts of the Scotttish Lord who started it all begins to vanish into obscurity.
Stay for a week? Well think of about $35,000 US for a nice villa overlooking the ocean. No. That IS rental NOT purchase. There are lesser locations but Mustique still retains it's Mystique. So often the names are synonomous. Information is not that readily available on this mystical retreat but you may be tempted to seek out the URL www.mustique.com The regional airline on the site can perhaps steer your quiry to the right people. An Island resort site of interest is www.cottonhouseresort.com or www.mustique-island.com for additional information.It's good to know there are many who can enjoy such luxuries as this secret of the rich and famous, and, why not. Have fun.
Stay for a week? Well think of about $35,000 US for a nice villa overlooking the ocean. No. That IS rental NOT purchase. There are lesser locations but Mustique still retains it's Mystique. So often the names are synonomous. Information is not that readily available on this mystical retreat but you may be tempted to seek out the URL www.mustique.com The regional airline on the site can perhaps steer your quiry to the right people. An Island resort site of interest is www.cottonhouseresort.com or www.mustique-island.com for additional information.It's good to know there are many who can enjoy such luxuries as this secret of the rich and famous, and, why not. Have fun.
TRAVEL-THE CHANGING DYNAMICS
WOMEN TRAVELING MORE With changing generations travel finds more relevance and distinct differences in interest by family and by gender. The opportunity for travel has become easier and easier. Today one sector of travel that has gained rapid strides is all female travelers. On their own or with a friend, this covers all ages with a great many woman taking to "Adventure Travel". Not just soft adventure but the more traditionally male visions of Safari, Rafting, Treks, Mountain Climbing and although not a high degree of difficulty Fly Fishing. Female independence in free time travel has come into it's own. The word is they also tip better! Just kidding. Maybe. Well, better than the fly fishermen anyway.
This should be no surprise as woman pioneers in travel have been doing their thing for centuries. Encarta spells out woman travelers of note. In 1869, Dutch explorer Alexandrine Pieternella Francoise Tinne' went out to be the first European woman to cross the Sahara Desert. Unfortunately it goes, visiting some area tribesmen she was robbed and murdered by her guides. Poor tip perhaps. In 1892 Isabella Lucy Bird Bishop became the first woman to be elected to the Royal Geographic Society. She is noted for circling the globe some three times and lived to tell about it. Notable other was Austrian, Ida Reyer Pfeiffer -wrote A Lady's Voyage Round the World, published in English in 1852. One of the first white woman to visit parts of eastern and central Africa was American May French Sheldon. Yes. There are many more.
Woman today refresh the challenge and are making up a vertical of travel growing extremely fast while the boys play golf or simply sit on the couch. Go Girl. It is your turn!
For the interested reader check out www.womentraveltips.com
www.adventurouswench.com Hey! What's that all about ? If that doesn't beat all take a look at www.minniepauz.com and for more travel try www.sacredjourneys.com No it is not religious, but meets travel of a higher order one would think. Women travelers are seemingly well served by the Tourism Industry and surely will grow.
TRAVELSAPIEN does NOT endorse offerings or the links on the URL's mentioned. TRAVELSAPIEN points to the sites for the purposes of information as too just how much interest and involvement there now is in this area of distinct gender travel.
This should be no surprise as woman pioneers in travel have been doing their thing for centuries. Encarta spells out woman travelers of note. In 1869, Dutch explorer Alexandrine Pieternella Francoise Tinne' went out to be the first European woman to cross the Sahara Desert. Unfortunately it goes, visiting some area tribesmen she was robbed and murdered by her guides. Poor tip perhaps. In 1892 Isabella Lucy Bird Bishop became the first woman to be elected to the Royal Geographic Society. She is noted for circling the globe some three times and lived to tell about it. Notable other was Austrian, Ida Reyer Pfeiffer -wrote A Lady's Voyage Round the World, published in English in 1852. One of the first white woman to visit parts of eastern and central Africa was American May French Sheldon. Yes. There are many more.
Woman today refresh the challenge and are making up a vertical of travel growing extremely fast while the boys play golf or simply sit on the couch. Go Girl. It is your turn!
For the interested reader check out www.womentraveltips.com
www.adventurouswench.com Hey! What's that all about ? If that doesn't beat all take a look at www.minniepauz.com and for more travel try www.sacredjourneys.com No it is not religious, but meets travel of a higher order one would think. Women travelers are seemingly well served by the Tourism Industry and surely will grow.
TRAVELSAPIEN does NOT endorse offerings or the links on the URL's mentioned. TRAVELSAPIEN points to the sites for the purposes of information as too just how much interest and involvement there now is in this area of distinct gender travel.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
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