Announcement

Collapse

Forum Rules (Everyone Must Read!!!)

1] What you CAN NOT post.

You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this forum to post any material which is:
- abusive
- vulgar
- hateful
- harassing
- personal attacks
- obscene

You also may not:
- post images that are too large (max is 500*500px)
- post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or cited properly.
- post in UPPER CASE, which is considered yelling
- post messages which insult the Armenians, Armenian culture, traditions, etc
- post racist or other intentionally insensitive material that insults or attacks another culture (including Turks)

The Ankap thread is excluded from the strict rules because that place is more relaxed and you can vent and engage in light insults and humor. Notice it's not a blank ticket, but just a place to vent. If you go into the Ankap thread, you enter at your own risk of being clowned on.
What you PROBABLY SHOULD NOT post...
Do not post information that you will regret putting out in public. This site comes up on Google, is cached, and all of that, so be aware of that as you post. Do not ask the staff to go through and delete things that you regret making available on the web for all to see because we will not do it. Think before you post!


2] Use descriptive subject lines & research your post. This means use the SEARCH.

This reduces the chances of double-posting and it also makes it easier for people to see what they do/don't want to read. Using the search function will identify existing threads on the topic so we do not have multiple threads on the same topic.

3] Keep the focus.

Each forum has a focus on a certain topic. Questions outside the scope of a certain forum will either be moved to the appropriate forum, closed, or simply be deleted. Please post your topic in the most appropriate forum. Users that keep doing this will be warned, then banned.

4] Behave as you would in a public location.

This forum is no different than a public place. Behave yourself and act like a decent human being (i.e. be respectful). If you're unable to do so, you're not welcome here and will be made to leave.

5] Respect the authority of moderators/admins.

Public discussions of moderator/admin actions are not allowed on the forum. It is also prohibited to protest moderator actions in titles, avatars, and signatures. If you don't like something that a moderator did, PM or email the moderator and try your best to resolve the problem or difference in private.

6] Promotion of sites or products is not permitted.

Advertisements are not allowed in this venue. No blatant advertising or solicitations of or for business is prohibited.
This includes, but not limited to, personal resumes and links to products or
services with which the poster is affiliated, whether or not a fee is charged
for the product or service. Spamming, in which a user posts the same message repeatedly, is also prohibited.

7] We retain the right to remove any posts and/or Members for any reason, without prior notice.


- PLEASE READ -

Members are welcome to read posts and though we encourage your active participation in the forum, it is not required. If you do participate by posting, however, we expect that on the whole you contribute something to the forum. This means that the bulk of your posts should not be in "fun" threads (e.g. Ankap, Keep & Kill, This or That, etc.). Further, while occasionally it is appropriate to simply voice your agreement or approval, not all of your posts should be of this variety: "LOL Member213!" "I agree."
If it is evident that a member is simply posting for the sake of posting, they will be removed.


8] These Rules & Guidelines may be amended at any time. (last update September 17, 2009)

If you believe an individual is repeatedly breaking the rules, please report to admin/moderator.
See more
See less

Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

    Originally posted by Mos View Post
    not a big difference from getting a easy visa at airport and getting your passport stamped right away. It's just like an extra 5 minutes
    also $$$ but they're coming from Europe...
    Azerbaboon: 9.000 Google hits and counting!

    Comment


    • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

      ARMENIA ABOLISHES VISA REQUIREMENT FOR CITIZENS OF THE SCHENGEN STATES

      ARMENPRESS
      2 October, 2012
      YEREVAN

      YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Armenia facilitates the entry to
      the country for European citizens. Euro Union 27 states, besides non-
      members of the structure namely the citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein,
      Norway and Switzerland can visit Armenia without access visa. As
      Armenpress reports citing Government official web site the issue is
      included in the agenda of October 4 session.

      Will the decision contribute to the development of tourism?

      According to the draft the abolition of visa regime with the mentioned
      states will spur tourism development which in its turn will create
      more favorable conditions for the establishment of active relations.

      Within the frame of cooperation with EU member states more favorable
      political and economic environment will be formed, which will also
      spur the expansion of business relations.

      Access facilitation is done by reciprocity principle

      Currently Armenia is negotiating with EU over access visa faciliation
      aimed at further abolition of access visas. According to that agreement
      Armenian Republic citizens are scheduled to receive access visa by
      a more facilitated procedure. Simplified access is stipulated for
      proper categories of citizens: official delegation members, scholars,
      students, journalists, art and sports figures, close relatives of
      EU legally residing people. Schengen access visa price is also set
      to be reduced by 35 euro and made it free of charge for the above
      stated categories including children and pensioners. By abolishing
      access visa demand unilaterally Armenia has further intentions to
      accelerate the signing of facilitation agreement. We have positive
      experience in this context namely Ukraine and Moldova.
      Plenipotentiary meow!

      Comment


      • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

        Georgia vs. Armenia: Which is Better for Travel?
        BY FELIX GERVAIS ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 | 5 COMMENTS

        inShare
        1

        This summer I visited Armenia and Georgia, two countries that are not major travel destinations yet, but are getting increasingly higher traffic. And that’s deserved, because they both rule. Interesting historical sites and ruins, low prices, wonderful nature, friendly locals, an overall very safe environment, and easy access in and out, as both countries are served by decently-priced flights from Europe and (unlike their fellow post-Soviet Caucasian neighbor Azerbaijan) have gotten rid of the painful bureaucratic visa application procedures*. Both Georgia and Armenia are worth visiting and spending a lot of time in, and while they are obviously very similar in some ways, they are not twin brothers at all.

        A lot of people asked me to compare them, and I figured that it would be a pretty good idea to do so. Below you’ll find a criteria by criteria comparison of each country combined with a point system — as if this was a contest. So let’s do it!

        CAPITAL CITY

        Georgia wins this one. Unlike a lot of travelers who find Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is bland, I did enjoy its vibe, central square, convenient size and superb national museum, but Tbilisi is on another level. Yerevan is an average capital and a good transportation hub; Tbilisi might be one of the most underrated cities in all of Europe.


        Tbilisi
        OK, OK, maybe it lies technically in Asia, but culturally and ethnically I consider Georgia to be way more Eastern European than anything remotely Asian. Its old town is full of rough edges and reminds you at every street corner that people actually live and breathe there, as opposed to some old towns that feel like Disneyland, and the more modern parts have a very interesting vibe to them as well. There are lots of cultural gems here to be harvested. Truly, Tbilisi is a place where one can walk for hours, get lost several times, and keep walking.
        Advantage: Georgia

        NATURE

        Again, the point goes to Georgia. And once again, it’s not because Armenia is lackluster — with its terrific hills, gorges, forests, lakes and what not — it’s just that Georgia is way too damn good. Fans of hiking might go into bursts of convulsions upon seeing the peaks of Kazbegi and Svaneti, those places are insane! Georgians think that their country is the most beautiful in the world, and frankly I can hardly think of places that rivals it.

        Advantage: Georgia


        Mountains of Svaneti, Georgia
        PRICES

        Georgia is extremely affordable and will break your bank only if you splurge stupid. Armenia, meanwhile, is truly a CHEAP country to visit. On several occasions during the first few days travelers will wonder “What the hell?! Is it really THAT cheap?” upon being quoted a price, as they mentally calculate the conversion rate once more just to make sure. Getting around by marshrutka (15-seat vans), eating locally bought food, using the same water bottle and refilling it at public taps, and staying in local homestays can set one back less than $15 a day. Sure, some of the incredibly low costs are a result of the recovering economy and ethical travelers shouldn’t abuse of it, but it does feel good not to have to watch the finances too closely, even when on a budget.

        Advantage: Armenia

        FOOD

        This one is not even close. Georgian food is interesting, hearty, varied, and always served in copious portions. Sitting here typing this, my mouth is watering at the idea of having a huge khachapuri, the home-style cheese-filled flat bread that is their most famous and ubiquitous staple. They also have surprising variety in their stews, eggplant-based dishes, salads, dumplings, and combined with their incredibly fresh produce and world-famous wine, every meal becomes a culinary adventure.

        Armenian food, on the other hand, is… meh. You can eat well in Armenia, of course, but the choice tends to be either some greasy kebabs or pizza slices from street stands, or some Russian restaurants that serve good grilled meat and that’s it. Home-cooked fare ain’t that spectacular either, mostly “functional” food without much flavor or originality to it. And Armenians are not people that eat out a lot, so there are very, very few restaurants, unlike in Georgia where a lot of little cafes serve awesome food. Georgia gets double points for this one (quality and availability).

        Advantage: Georgia x 2

        COMMUNICATION

        Both countries have an official language that is unrelated to any lingo you might know, difficult to pronounce, and written in a completely foreign-looking script. Also, the quasi-totality of locals speak perfect Russian, a heritage from Soviet times, and surprisingly don’t mind using the language at all even among themselves — despite the frictions they have with the Russian government (especially Georgia). A few phrases of Russian will get you very, very far.

        However, just as in every country where Russian is spoken (in Central Asia, Ukraine, and of course Russia itself) English is not widespread at all. It’s as if English and Russian were mutually exclusive! Some Guidebooks might say something along the lines of “the new generation speaks English as a second language rather than Russian” but that is complete bullsquash. You will encounter locals who know English in ecotourism areas, some homestays, and the odd University student or returning expatriate, but don’t ever ever expect any random person to speak it.

        So, who gets the point for ease of communication? Tough call. Georgia has more tourists you can tag along with, and among them LOTS of Poles and Israelis who are very likely to speak at least broken Russian and help you get by, but Armenia has a large returning diaspora and therefore you are very likely to encounter locals who speak native-like English (or French, German, etc.) more often than in Georgia.

        Advantage: none

        EYE CANDY

        What!?! I am a heterosexual single male, and it’s not a sin to merely look.

        There are chicks in Georgia, just like every place in the world that doesn’t start in “On” and end in “tario,” but the ladies of Yerevan are complete stunners. Period. Point Armenia.

        Advantage: Armenia

        MONASTERIES

        Armenians will remind you every time: their country is the first ever Christian nation. I am far from being a huge fan of organized religion myself, but the branch of Christianity encountered in Armenia (and the one in Georgia, similar but not quite identical) is not the obscene, in-your-face, obtrusive Jesus-this, Jesus-that found in the USA. Non-spiritual travelers are left alone, but can still immerse themselves in the cultural aspects of the religion that are omnipresent in the area.

        There are numerous monasteries, and in my humble opinion, the Armenian ones are cooler than their Georgian counterparts. A lot of them are way out and you need to go on a long hike to even reach them, but once you do you have the whole place to yourself. And they are all free to visit, unlike a few in Georgia where some clever money-grabber decided to impose an entrance fee. More on that below.

        Advantage: Armenia


        Lake Sevan Monastery
        INDEPENDENT-TOURIST-FRIENDLINESS

        This one is a delicate one, and is very subjective. Bluntly, Georgia is more touristy than Armenia. As soon as you leave Yerevan you are way out of any “Western backpacker” beaten path.

        That ain’t to say that Georgia is like Koh Phi Phi, Venice, Cuzco or any other similar xxxxhole, but it’s undeniable that some parts of the country are heading (in my very humble opinion) in the wrong direction. Mestia, the hub for trekking in the otherwise fantastic Svaneti area, is, as of 2012, nothing more than an ugly pile of rubble and construction waste as they are building large hotels. The place might soon become a theme park, even though not more than six years ago it was a completely unspoilt (but granted, dangerous and bandit-ridden) area. Don’t get me wrong: Svaneti deserves tourism. It just needs to take it easy on the over-development, something that is of course hard to fathom when you go from a remote untouched area to a haven for backpackers who come by the dozen almost overnight. Time will tell… but for now, even at the time of my visit, the greedy attitude towards foreign tourists had already begun to point its ugly nose, with random farmers asking 50 lari ($30!!!) to open a church door, and jeep drivers asking the equivalent of a monthly Georgian salary for a two-hour ride. That is a small minority, as every single person without exception in non-touristy areas, and the vast majority in touristy areas, aren’t like that, but it does happen and leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Even with all ethical considerations from me, being fortunate enough to hail from a rich country and travel for pleasure and blahblah, I can’t approve of that, and thus must give the point to Armenia, where it doesn’t cross the mind of the common folk to even try ripping off foreigners.

        Advantage: Armenia

        Conclusion

        So, when all is said and done, the final score is:
        Georgia 4 Armenia 4

        I wouldn’t have seen it any other way, as I had an equally good time in both countries. So do yourself a favor, and go check ‘em both out for yourself!

        *About visa procedures, or lack thereof: Georgia is visa-free for most nationalities, and an Armenian visas cost 3000 drams ($7!!!) and are available on arrival at any point of entry — a two-minute thing.

        Azerbaboon: 9.000 Google hits and counting!

        Comment


        • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

          Georgia vs. Armenia: Which is Better for Travel?
          Georgia .... LOTS of Poles and Israelis..
          Thats two good reasons to avoid Georgia completely.
          Plenipotentiary meow!

          Comment


          • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

            So... this has to be the coolest modern sculpture in Yerevan, right?

            Comment


            • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

              Originally posted by TomServo View Post
              So... this has to be the coolest modern sculpture in Yerevan, right?
              Damn! Like it's straight out of Final Fantasy or something.
              Azerbaboon: 9.000 Google hits and counting!

              Comment


              • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

                Early Soviet Armenian map of Yerevan:



                Notice how Yerevan is spelled -- it was before changes were made to the early reformed orthography. Of course the final change should be reversion to the traditional.

                Comment


                • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

                  Originally posted by TomServo View Post
                  Early Soviet Armenian map of Yerevan:



                  Notice how Yerevan is spelled -- it was before changes were made to the early reformed orthography. Of course the final change should be reversion to the traditional.
                  Ah, but it's not actually a map of a real Yerevan, it's a map showing Alexander Tamanian's proposed remodelling of Yerevan.

                  All sorts of recent urban obscenities have been justified thanks to its existence. Tamanian's redevelopments never got started in the Kond district, and it was not until the 1990s that its remaining late-medieval buildings were demolished and replaced by today's crap, same for the north-south avenue - not until this decade were the numerous Tsarist-period buildings demolished to make way for it. I doubt that Tamanian would be as highly regarded today if the full extent of his rather megalomaniac-like urban redevelopments for Yerevan had been carried out in his lifetime. However, and ironically, it would have been better for today's Yerevan if they had been completed - architectural standards were higher back then, and completing his full plan would have blocked the inferior stuff built there during the last two decades.
                  Last edited by bell-the-cat; 02-22-2013, 02:17 PM.
                  Plenipotentiary meow!

                  Comment


                  • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

                    Is this still happening?

                    Comment


                    • Re: Trip to Armenia (including pictures)

                      Originally posted by TomServo View Post
                      I don't believe so
                      Someone can definitely correct me if they have seen anything different recently, or read something about it
                      But while I was there up until August, I didn't hear any discussion of it, and didn't see any work being done on the building

                      Comment

                      Working...
                      X