Armenia: Traveling Solo
11:39 PM
Visiting Armenia
For most people, it is very difficult for them to travel to new places on their own. But for me, I prefer to be alone, it's not that I don't want to travel with other people though. It's about availability. I read this article once, saying that you also have to experience traveling alone. Explore and just take a leap for the unknown. Discover new things and discover traits that you thought it never existed... I know it will be very difficult but hey, you know how to speak, It's always good to ask. If you get lost, then ask.
Before going into the places I've visited in Armenia. Just want to share with you the details on how to get a visa, accommodations and tours as such. Well, first of all we Filipinos are so lucky that we don't need much requirements in applying for Visa. As an expat, we only need the Visa application form (you can download it online or you can get it once you arrive at the airport) and the visa fee of $8 or 3000 Armenian Dram in equivalent. I downloaded the form to avoid waiting for the queue.
Booyah!!! Here's a sample of my Aremenian Visa. Yassszzzz!! :)
Fees for those who need visa:
For Single Entry Visa- (up to 21 days) 3000 Armenian Dram or $8
For Single Entry Visa- (up to 120 days) 15,000 Armenian Dram or $41
For Multiple Entry Visa- (up to 60 days) 20,000 Dram or $55
For Multiple Entry Visa- (up to 120 days) 40,000 Armenian Dram or $110
Please do check your passports and try to search online if you are exempted from applying for a Visa.
Traveling on a budget.
I booked my ticket and hotel accommodations through an agency. It was on promo. You can check directly on airline promos and hotel if you wish. The ticket was around 900-1000 AED and the hotel was about $30. I stayed at Yerevan Hostel, because it was cheaper and it is near the city. I stayed in a dorm type room with backpackers as room mates. I met new people and made friends. My pocket Money was $300 and I had $200 as an emergency fund just in case. But believe me, $300 is enough for my 3 nights 4 days trip. You wouldn't believe I had $85 remaining, plus I didn't use my emergency money. Yes yes,I know what you're thinking. How is possible? Well the exchange rate is $1 is equivalent to 476-480 Dram. So my $300 bucks turned into hundreds of thousands. Lol
I booked my ticket and hotel accommodations through an agency. It was on promo. You can check directly on airline promos and hotel if you wish. The ticket was around 900-1000 AED and the hotel was about $30. I stayed at Yerevan Hostel, because it was cheaper and it is near the city. I stayed in a dorm type room with backpackers as room mates. I met new people and made friends. My pocket Money was $300 and I had $200 as an emergency fund just in case. But believe me, $300 is enough for my 3 nights 4 days trip. You wouldn't believe I had $85 remaining, plus I didn't use my emergency money. Yes yes,I know what you're thinking. How is possible? Well the exchange rate is $1 is equivalent to 476-480 Dram. So my $300 bucks turned into hundreds of thousands. Lol
Getting the value for your money.
There are options online on where to get hostels or cheap hotels. Staying in a hostel is more practical than staying in an expensive room. You are not in the hotel most of the time during your stay. Plus the upside is, you can meet new friends, It's safe because you have your own cabinets with locks. You have a kitchen, lounge area ,Tv and Bathrooms.
There are options online on where to get hostels or cheap hotels. Staying in a hostel is more practical than staying in an expensive room. You are not in the hotel most of the time during your stay. Plus the upside is, you can meet new friends, It's safe because you have your own cabinets with locks. You have a kitchen, lounge area ,Tv and Bathrooms.
This is the Hostel I stayed in. The staff were helpful and friendly. I met some new friends from Czech Republic, Iran, Russia and from the UK.
My tip is:
Before going to the country you want to visit try to research a bit, on what places you need to see and go, so that when you arrive you can just tick them off your list one by one. And also I didn't book a tour package on the hotels itself. I try to weigh my options, I will go with the cheapest and most affordable way on how to explore the country. I will tell you how did I do it in a just a bit. So Everything is set, Let's go to Armenia! :) Yey!!
Before going to the country you want to visit try to research a bit, on what places you need to see and go, so that when you arrive you can just tick them off your list one by one. And also I didn't book a tour package on the hotels itself. I try to weigh my options, I will go with the cheapest and most affordable way on how to explore the country. I will tell you how did I do it in a just a bit. So Everything is set, Let's go to Armenia! :) Yey!!
Armenia International Airport
The flight from Dubai to Armenia was about 3 hours via Fly Dubai. I arrived at Yerevan Airport by 3pm. Then first thing thing you need to do is to apply for the visa. The security personnel will guide on where you need to go. Because I already had my visa form, I went straight to the visa application desk. And payed $8 and hhwwaalla!
The agency arranged the transfer from the airport to the hotel. So guys! Welcome to Armenia!! :)
Let me just give you a quick intro/ history of the country.
It is historically located between the Black, The Caspian and the Mediterranean seas, comprising of a territory of around 400,000 km2. The republic of Armenia is located in the north east of the Ancient Armenia and shares a border with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.
Over the course of the millennia the combination of spirituality of the Armenian population and their incredible capability to adapt gave rise to the seemingly invincible Christian race. Now considered as one of the oldest civilizations in the world along side Assyria, Babylon and Persia. It was believed that Noah's Ark came to rest after the great flood in the Great Peak known as Mount Ararat and the Armenians are descendants of Noah. More than 15, 000 monuments, the oldest of which is 6,000 years old prove the significance of Armenia as such.
It is a city where one can feel accepted characterized by peace, security and political stability. Visiting Armenia means entering humanity's purest traditional roots and discovering one of the most fascinating legendary enclaves of Europe.
So buckle up and lets explore the pearl of Europe.
So buckle up and lets explore the pearl of Europe.
I was alone in the car, the driver didn't speak English. I just showed him the voucher and basically we did understand each other through sign language and with the use of some visual aids. Lol It was tough, but hey. hahaha
Day 1: Republic Square ; North Avenue ; The Opera House ; Vernisage; Swan Lake
After checking in at the hotel. I decided to explore Yerevan on my own. Since it was already 4pm-ish. I decided to walk around. The receptionist gave me a map of the city and the Hotels details just in case I get lost.
After checking in at the hotel. I decided to explore Yerevan on my own. Since it was already 4pm-ish. I decided to walk around. The receptionist gave me a map of the city and the Hotels details just in case I get lost.
Vernisage, where you can buy souvenirs and other gift items.
Near Yerevan Republic Square
At Yerevan Metro Station
Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take pictures inside the metro station for security reasons. The train station was a bit old, but it gave me a feeling that I am no longer in the Philippines nor Dubai. It was the beginning of Summer, but the breeze and the ambiance of the place felt different. Yerevan had this romantic rustic vibe to the place. You can still feel the cold hue in the air.
A local playing an instrument at the Metro Station welcoming me to the city.
Republic Of Armenia Capitol
Republic Square
The square was designed by architect Alexander Tamanian within the 1924 main plan of Yerevan city. The construction of the square started in 1926, replacing the previous square. The first phase of the construction was completed in 1929. It was further developed until 1952 and finally completed in 1958.
The square was known as Lenin Square The statue of the Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin was erected in the southwestern forehead of the square in 1940 and dismantlement in 1990, prior to the independence of Armenia. It is now replaced with a large TV monitor.
The oval shaped square has a stone pattern in the centre, meant to look like a traditional Armenian rug from above. The dancing water fountains are located at the northeastern forehead of the square in front of the National Gallery. The buildings around the square are made of rose and white Armenian tufa stones, fortified on a basalt-made ground anchor. The clock of the Government building tower was made in Moscow and transferred to Yerevan in July 1941. The diameter of the clock is 4 meters, the length of the big hand is 188 cm, while the small hand is 170 cm.
The Republic Square is the place where ceremonies and meetings are held with the most notable one is the yearly military show of the Independence Day.
Along the streets of North Avenue
Northern Avenue is a pedestrian avenue in Yerevan, Armenia, opened in 2007. It is located in the central Kentron district and links Abovyan Street with Freedom Square on Tumanyan street. It has a length of 450 metres (1,480 ft) and a width of 27 metres (89 ft).
Located in downtown Yerevan, the avenue is mainly home to luxurious residential buildings, high-end branded shops, commercial offices, coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Although it was planned by the main architect of Yerevan Alexander Tamanian in 1924, the actual plan was never implemented during the Soviet period. A decade after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Yerevan City Council decided to set for the construction of the avenue. According to the original plans, the National Gallery and the History Museum at Republic Square were never meant to be built on the current location, so Northern Avenue ends near their building, rather than opening directly into Republic Square.
The construction of the avenue started on 26 March 2002, based on the original plan of Alexander Tamanian which was developed and redesigned by architect Jim Torosyan.
The construction of the avenue was financed by the private sector. First, the government bought up all the small informal properties along the route of the street, consolidated the land into larger, more feasible lots for high-rise developers, and auctioned those lots off. This process was done section by section, and raised a great deal of complaints from the previous landowners.
Based on its revised design, the Northern Avenue is home to 4 small squares and 11 buildings with an average height of 9 floors. Many types of stone were used in the construction including basalt, granite, travertine and tufa. The avenue has a 2-story underground parking area.
The official inauguration of the avenue took place on 16 November 2007. However, it was entirely renovated in 2014, and the 2-story parking area was partially converted into an underground shopping mall, with escalators leading on the Northern Avenue.
People are looking at me every time I walk, Maybe its because theres are no Asians around Armenia for that matter. People are very friendly though. I feel like a celebrity to be honest. People are asking me to take a picture with them, with their children and their family. Lol!So I obliged. haha I feel that they are welcoming me with open arms, people on the streets say "Hi!", "Hello, where are you from!?" I felt special....
One of the many drinking fountains around the city.
Fresh Flowers around.
The Opera Theatre of Yerevan
The ground-breaking of the Opera-Theatre took place on 28 November 1930 during the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of Soviet Armenia. On January 20, 1933, the building was officially opened. Soon after the theatre foundation, a ballet troupe was established. Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was the first ballet performance in 1935.
Based on Tamanian's design and under the supervision of his son the theatre hall was completed in 1939, and the opera building was renamed after Alexander Spendiaryan. Large-scale construction works did not finish until 1953, when the entire building was finally completed with its current shape.
The opening of the theatre promoted the creation of new national operas and ballets. The first Armenian ballet was Happiness by Aram Khachaturian. On the basis of this ballet the composer soon created Gayane which has been performed all over the world. Many other Armenian composers have written operas and ballets. Over the years, these artists have worked at the theatre: singers Gohar Gasparyan, Tatevik Sazandaryan, Mihran Yerkat, Pavel Lisitsian, Haykanush Danielyan, Nar Hovhannisyan, Gegham Grigoryan, Anahit Mekhitarian; conductors Konstantin Sarajev, Michael Tavrizyan, Aram Katanyan, Yuri Davtyan; ballet masters A. Petrosyan, M. Chmshkyan, Vanush Khanamiryan, Vilen Galstyan; painters Martiros Saryan, Minas Avetisyan.
Since 1935 a unique Armenian opera, Anoush by Armen Tigranian, has been performed in Yerevan opera theatre. It was a great step in Armenian opera history. Anoush is in the repertoire of the theatre until now.
Since it was opened, the Armenian National Opera & Ballet Theatre has performed more than 200 different operas and ballets by Armenian, Russian and Western European composers. The theatre company has performed in more than 20 countries, e.g. in Russia, Spain, Lebanon, USA, Greece, Germany. In 1956, the theatre received the status of National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.
The theatre has also hosted concerts performed by Charles Aznavour, Ian Anderson, John McLaughlin, Akvarium and many others.
Swan Lake
Monuments and Art sculptures are seen around the city. Proving their diverse talent relating to music, art, history and architecture...
I really enjoyed roaming around Yerevan. My first day is a bit tiring but its all worth it. Finishing my day off with a good meal at Segafredo North Avenue. Watching the Fountain Show at Republic Square... Day 1 is over...
(You can watch the Fountain show at Republic Square daily. 9pm -10pm sometimes they extend it until 11pm.)
Cheers!! Tomorrow is another day. :)
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