AZERBAIJAN THE LAND OF FIRE
AZERBAIJAN THE LAND OF FIRE
The (unitary semi-presidential) Republic of Azerbaijan is another transcontinental country in the Caucasus Region, and its capital is Baku. It was also once part of the former Soviet Union and bounded by the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains, spanning Asia and Europe. It has a population exceeding 10 million and borders Russia, Georgia, Iran, Armenia, and Turkey (all Caucasus countries). Azerbaijan is a democratic, Muslim-majority, secular state. Moreover, it has an oil and natural gas base economy accounting for over 90% of the total exports. Additionally, it exports food and agricultural products, machinery, metals, and textiles that make up the rest of its revenues. Two things stood out for me most about Azerbaijan, they are; the people and prices. Azerbaijanis are outgoing and super-friendly people, and the country is inexpensive. Please continue reading to learn what it is like to visit Azerbaijan the land of fire (Odlar Yurdu).
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WHY IS AZERBAIJAN THE LAND OF FIRE?
Azerbaijan in ancient times was called Aturpatakan (Adurbadagan) in Persian. The name Azerbaijan when disjointed; Azer means “Fire” and Baygan “Protector” which means “A place where the holy fire is protected.” However, as we know it today, Azerbaijan is known as the land of fire. Why? Legend has it that after Prometheus stole the fire from the gods, he went to the Caucasus Mountains. They also tell the tale of a careless shepherd who started the fire in the 1950s after discarding a matchstick.
However, more realistically, because it is a country rich in natural gas, and due to seepage through cracks in the earth, this hillside always has a fire. A perfect example is Yanar Dag, “the fire mountain” along the Caspian Sea, which has been burning for over 65 years.
Besides this, Azerbaijan has many of the oldest hearths on earth. These hearths are remnants of their Zoroastrian days when they worshipped fire thousands of years ago. Consequently, in Azerbaijan (the protector of fire). Yanar Dag, the Ateshgah (Zoroastrian) Fire Temple, and the prominent Flame Towers are testament to this.
Therefore, fire and flame are the national symbols, and Azerbaijani culture has always and continues to revere fire. For these reasons, Azerbaijan is the land of fire and lives up to its reputation even into the 21st century.
APPLYING ONLINE FOR AN AZERBAIJAN E-VISA
The Azerbaijan visa application procedure is very straightforward: You apply on the official Azerbaijan Visa website and fill out and complete the online application form. Additionally, you must submit a passport-size photo (no more than six months old) and the scanned copies of your biometric page in your passport and other documents stipulated to the Azerbaijan Embassy. Once you are successful, they will email a soft copy of it to you. You must print or scan (soft copy) because you must present it at the airline at check-in before being allowed to board the aircraft.
Note; Having a U.S.A, Canadian, or Australian Visa was not one of the prerequisites for applying for the e-visa. As long as your country is one of the countries allowed to do so online and not at an official Azerbaijan Embassy. On arrival, no physical visa was placed in my passport on arrival, just an entry stamp.
ENTRY INTO AZERBAIJAN
Entry into the Heydar Aliyev International Airport was easy. There was no jet/air bridge for a direct walk from the plane to the building and vice versa on departure. Instead, they used shuttle buses for arrival and departure from this airport (I am uncertain if this is the norm for all flights/airlines). Even though it is the busiest and biggest airport in the Caucasus Region, it was quite easy to navigate. Whether you are a first-time traveller, have a disability, or are together with children, this airport is user-friendly.
The immigration section was small, and the service was quick. The female officer did not ask for proof of accommodation or length of stay. I handed her my passport and printed visa. She flipped through the entire passport. Then I received an arrival stamp, a pleasant smile, and “Welcome to Azerbaijan.” I was then off to luggage pickup, an easy exit through Customs, and out the door to transport in minimal time. On departure, the TSA Officers were pleasant and quick.
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DEPARTING AZERBAIJAN
Please note that on return to the airport (Departures), inform the taxi of the exact terminal. This information would benefit you in determining which building they will take you. The terminal number (received when you web check-in) determines the building you should go to. Otherwise, you will have to exit the main airport building, back outside, and walk almost 10 minutes to what looks like an entirely different airport building. Because as previously mentioned, the airport is humongous.
Additionally, on entering the airport, you must go through baggage screening. Security Agents will scan all your luggage before proceeding to the airline’s check-in counter (it is the first of two).
10 THINGS VISITORS SHOULD AVOID DOING IN AZERBAIJAN – the Land of Fire
- Do not take anything from Armenia into Azerbaijan. If you have an Armenian stamp in your passport, they will not deny you entry, but immigration officers will thoroughly question you. So, it is advisable to leave the Armenian keepsakes behind.
- Visitors to Azerbaijan who plan to stay longer than ten (15) days must register with the State Migration Service. Usually, if you stay at a hotel or guest house, they will do the registration on your behalf. However, those staying at hostels or private dwellings must do so themselves. Failure to do so comes with hefty fines when exiting the country.
- Do not speak about Armenia. There are disputes between the two countries, so mentioning their name will not be pleasing to the Azerbaijanis.
- Always have your passport with you when out in public. According to the law, foreigners must do so at all times. Police occasionally stop and check, and those without can face a fine.
- Do not litter because it comes with a hefty fine. Wherefore there are so many bins, and why it is so clean.
- Do not be disrespectful to women. They respect their women and have top priority. Therefore, the cat-calling, etc., may be considered disrespectful and impolite in Azerbaijan. I can recall one occasion when a gentleman called out to me, “Hello”, I said, “Hi”, and he asked, “Where are you from?” I responded, “The Caribbean”, but before he asked anything else, a male police officer shouted something to him in their native language. He waved and continued walking, and I just laughed and did likewise.
- Do not bad-mouth Azerbaijan to the locals or other visitors, because they consider themselves very hospitable.
- Women should dress modestly and avoid revealing clothes, especially when visiting religious sites (sometimes it is necessary to cover the head when entering a mosque).
- Before heading to Azerbaijan, know that in some areas, the temperature reaches 46 degrees Celsius in the summer and a bone-chilling -7 degrees Celsius (the coldest was -13 degrees Celsius in 1990) during winter.
- Keep public affection to a minimum because it is frowned upon in Azerbaijan.
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Azerbaijan the land of fire Cont....
TRANSPORT OPTIONS TO THE CITY OF BAKU
From the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku to the city center, it is approximately 20 – 30 minutes according to traffic. Taxis are the most expensive and convenient, take about 20 – 5 minutes, and cost an average of US$15.00 – US$20.00 (AZN 30 – 37) Additionally, there are other transport options like the shuttlebus called Aero Express that operates 24 hours a day, costs less than US$1.00 (1.3 AZN). It takes about 30 minutes to the city and is the slowest and cheapest option (only the BakuKart is accepted, not cash). There is also Uber, Bolt, and Yandex, which cost less than taxis and are approximately US$5.00 – US$10. 00.
ABOUT THE CITY OF BAKU
Baku’s unofficial Persian name is the “City of God” and the “City of Winds.” It is a windy city, similar to Tbilisi (the windy city), the capital of Georgia, the transcontinental nation in the Caucasus. Baku is the lowest-lying capital in the world because it is 28 meters (92 feet) below sea level, ahead of Amsterdam (second place at 12 feet below sea level). It is also the biggest city worldwide below sea level. Baku has been around since the Bronze Age and is the biggest city on the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Region. The city’s population is more than two million and comprises modern and historical buildings. Considering that some buildings in the city date back to the 12th century.
Baku is the original oil city of Azerbaijan because of the abundance of oil and gas therein and the environs surrounding it. As a result of the numerous oil refineries and the black smoke and soot coming from the oil refineries, they once referred to it as “The Black City.” Oddly enough, it does not feel or look like it. It is simply a clean, gorgeous, and very developed city. I call it “the Dubai of the Caucasus/Europe.” Baku has many intricate and beautiful architecture. The most prominent are the Flame Towers, the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, the Maiden Tower, the Socar Tower, and many more.
The city is massive, so there is no way to walk the entire thing in one day. Furthermore, some parts have as many as six traffic lanes in either direction. Throughout the city, they prominently display the Azerbaijan flag on apartments and government buildings and even digitally. Even my room had the flag, and might I say it is beautiful. Baku city centre has many cafes, shops, restaurants, high-end stores, parks, boulevards, beautifully tiled walkways, and gorgeous waterfronts.
Further, I found two things quite noticeable in Baku. What were they? Like Morocco, the Western kingdom of Africa, the moon appears bigger than on my side of the world. The other was that Baku had lots of tourists from around the world. This surprised me somewhat, especially during the winter months, in the low travel season. I can only imagine what it is like during the high travel season and summer months.
I met visitors from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, the Philippines, Russia, Kazakhstan, and others. However, most visitors were from Iran, India, and Pakistan. Because Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country (partly in Eastern Europe and West Asia), it is near these countries, some as little over an hour plus by plane.
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Other important Tips You Should know about Azerbaijan
- The languages spoken – Azerbaijani (official language), Avar, Russian, Azeri, Lezghinn, Talysh, and Armenian.
- Official currency – Azerbaijani Manats.
1 USD = 1.70 AZN
1 Euro = 1.90 AZN
1 GBP = 2.20 AZN
- The Tiny Book Museum in Old Town, Baku, is a private museum. It is the first private museum of tiny books worldwide. The museum has the world’s biggest collection of more than 5,600 “teeny weeny” published books on display (some so small they fit into a bottle the size of a thimble). In 2015, they presented the Museum with a certificate from the Guinness Book of Records as the largest private museum of miniature books.
- Azerbaijan was the first Muslim nation to emancipate women and still today one of the most gender-friendly Muslim nations. Consequently, they were the first Muslim nation to grant women a universal franchise. They truly love and respect women in Azerbaijan. (I can say first-hand that they do, the women and girls seemed to be well-loved).
- December 25th (Christmas Day) is not an official holiday in Azerbaijan, nor is it widely celebrated because it is predominantly a Muslim country. However, minority Christians gather with their friends and families to celebrate. The Orthodox Christians celebrate it on January 7th. Nonetheless, there were some Christmas decorations, even though minimal, and a Christmas market in the city.
- The Heydar Aliyev Center is the symbol of modern Azerbaijan. Zaha Hadid designed this architectural masterpiece and won the London Design Museum of the Year in 2014.
- If you are an Armenian, someone with an Armenian name or Armenian-sounding name, you will more than likely be denied entry into Azerbaijan. Additionally, there are no border crossings (land, sea, or air) between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
- Azerbaijan has more than 350 mud volcanoes, some dating back to twenty million. That makes them the most concentrated nation on earth for mud volcanoes because of its size.
- Capital punishment is illegal in Azerbaijan. They abolished it in 1998.
- Azerbaijanis consider bread as sacred and a symbol of prosperity and abundance. Therefore, never throw crumbs or leftovers in the trash. Wasting it is a no-no, rather they hang leftover bread from a meal on a tree or generally just somewhere high, than throwing it away (I guess the older generation do).
- Azerbaijan has lots of oil reserves worth trillions of dollars. In 1901, the nation’s oilfield was the primary supplier of more than half the world’s oil. Additionally, during World War 11 they supplied more than 75% of the oil produced in the Soviet Union.
- Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan has the largest KFC outlet in the entire world. This outlet is in the city’s former Sabunchu train station, constructed in 1926, and 1,600 square meters (17,000 square feet). It is currently under renovation.
- Mountains cover more than 60% of Azerbaijan’s landmass.
- Azerbaijan is the first Muslim country to have theatre plays and operas.
- More Azerbaijanis live in Iran than in Azerbaijan. They report that they account for 15 – 25% of Iran’s population, far greater than the number of Azerbaijanis in Azerbaijan.
- The government of Azerbaijan owns all of the oil and gas found in the city of Baku. If any homeowner finds oil on their property, it belongs to the government, not the homeowner.
- Do not make the “OK” sign because it is unacceptable in Azerbaijan. They consider it rude and offensive. Similarly, pointing with your finger, it’s a no-no. Use your entire hand to point in a direction.
- It is customary to remove your shoes before entering, when visiting someone’s home because it is a sign of respect. Additionally, it is common for them to offer food and drink. Therefore, it is polite to accept as a sign of acceptance of the hospitality.
- The national animal of Azerbaijan is the horse, not just any horse but the Karabakh horse, and is known for its cleverness.
- If an Azerbaijani invites you to their home for a meal, it is customary to wait for the host to begin eating before you start. It is also polite to eat with your right hand, because, in their culture, they consider the left hand unclean.
- According to the tour guide, Azerbaijan has the cleanest, most expensive oil worldwide and is green in colour.
- The territory of Azerbaijan was separated from Iran in the first half of the 19th century through the Russo-Persian wars. (It is why many monuments and streets, especially in the city, carry Iranian names.
- Tea is Azerbaijan’s national drink. Traditionally, they serve it in a pear-shaped glass, similar to Turkey, with a slice of lemon. What is different about their tea service is they serve it with lumps of plum or sugar held in the mouth while you consume it, (I can testify it is delicious).
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ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijanis are hospitable, super-sweet, and great hosts. They simply adore their guests. Before arriving at the airport, I was mentally prepared to “hold my corner” before/during/after my flight and during my time in the country. I honestly thought they were aggressive, unfriendly people. Yet, I do not know why I assumed such a thing, I guess I looked at too much world news on mainstream media! Additionally, I knew nobody who visited or heard anything good or bad about Azerbaijanis, so I was open-minded.
Anyhow, from the moment I arrived at the airport check-in in Georgia, I was already using my translator to communicate with both men and women, all smiling and pleasant. During the flight, it was the same. I guess being the only black person on the flight sparked their interest and curiosity. Those who did not want to try communicating just smiled at me, and others only knew the words, “Where you from?” but no other English words after I answered.
On arrival at the airport, the immigration and customs officers were all pleasant. Moreover, I even got one of the officers in the customs area to take my photo under the “Baku sign” because it was the only visible one I saw in the arrival section of the airport. At the arrival hall, I met some Filipino ladies who wanted photos together, and before we asked anyone for assistance, an Azerbaijani offered to take the shots for us.
Throughout my stay in Azerbaijan, I felt welcomed and at peace. Everyone treated me great at the supermarkets, stores, markets, restaurants, and everywhere else. All the people were hospitable and curious as to where I was from. Moreover, sometimes, while pictures, some locals suddenly joined me to have their photos taken alongside me, said “thanks”, smiled, and continued walking.
The Azerbaijani children were very polite and friendly. It seems their guardians raised them to be well-mannered. They said hello or just stared and smiled whenever I passed by. I remember the day I was walking by the public square, and the children of kindergarten age (apparently on a field trip with their teachers), shouted “Hello” to me. Then two approached me, held my hands, and said, “Hello, how are you?” The other children laughed and clapped. “How sweet is that?!”.
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Similarly, one afternoon, I sat in the park, and five teenagers held my interest for over an hour, speaking perfect English (because they currently teach English in schools), and were curious about the wider world. Surprisingly, most of them had never heard of the Caribbean. I guessed they were happy to practice their English with an English-speaking person. They were polite and interested in geography, not the typical teenage stuff.
Overall, everyone was pleasant, helpful, and friendly, including the children, elderly, men, and women. Even more, the airline staff at Azerbaijan Airlines were super-nice and friendly, both check-in and air hostesses. I must also congratulate the airline for their excellent service. Not only did they not hassle me for slightly overweight luggage, but imagine on a less than one-hour flight from/to Georgia, they served refreshments (eats and drinks). Compared to the two other airlines I flew on this trip, with almost five-hour-long flights, they never offered passengers a glass of water the entire way.
I truly love the Azerbaijan people. They deserve to be in the top 5 spot on my list of 21 friendliest people and countries to visit. The welcome and excellent treatment I received was overwhelming. Thank you to the hotel owner and his wife, who brought me fruits, nuts, and homemade pie. The chocolate shop owner who gave me free Azerbaijan candies after my purchase. I am saying thanks. All the shop proprietors who offered me discounts, thank you! The restaurant that refused to accept payment for my first meal in the country, even though I insisted on paying. Unrelenting, they said, “No, it is your welcome to Azerbaijan meal.” Thank you! To all who contributed to my wonderful vacation, I say thanks, especially to thanks to A. Nuriyev, Ramen, Anara, Elmur, his wife, and all the lovely people I met in Baku.
What’s more, I keenly observed that the women and girls in Azerbaijan seem very contented, loved, and adored by the men in their lives, whether they be fathers or spouses. The interactions between husbands/fathers alongside their wives and children seemed very special and close-knit. It was visible that the men were very devoted and attentive towards the females and put them first. Even I was always treated with respect and politeness.
AZERBAIJAN SAFETY AND SECURITY
Regarding security and safety in Azerbaijan, I felt super safe. It felt like any regular day in any safe country. There were no pickpockets, no bandits, and I cannot recall seeing any beggars or homeless people. I heard of no robberies or any gun violence. During my stay, I walked day and night fearlessly without worrying about any threat to my safety because it felt totally safe. Besides, only the police and army are allowed access to guns in the country. Unlike those countries who freely give their citizens access to them. This means fewer guns circulating in the country and thus the likelihood of someone using them for crimes.
HOW EXPENSIVE ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS, MEALS, AND TRANSPORTATION?
Prices for everything in Azerbaijan were relatively inexpensive (except its out-of-city tours, which I found expensive compared to many other countries). Azerbaijan is cheaper than Georgia (except for its tours). The country is inexpensive for meals, accommodation, and all public transport (metro, buses, and taxis). However, to make travel even cheaper and hassle-free, the BakuKart and BakuCards are inexpensive and offer additional benefits.
The BakuCard is an official Baku transport card with special benefits like free public transport (including the Airport Express line), some museums, and discounts at cafes, restaurants, etc. The card comes packaged for 24 hours, 72 hours, or 7 days, and more than one person can use it. BakuKart is a single smart card for payment on the metro and BakuBus. The card comes in plastic (reusable) and paper disposable at 2 Manats for 4 rides with unlimited access to all public transport without purchasing individual tickets for different transports.
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MUST HAVE ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR ALL TRAVELLERS
These are my essentials and gadgets I can never do without for a smooth and stress-free vacation. All are available on Amazon for direct links to the products, information and suggested uses.
For MUST-READ BOOKS (#ad) Think and Grow Rich is an excellent book for those who are looking to improve their life and personally grow and develop. (#ad) How to win friends and Influence people another self improvement and and social skills development read. (#ad) The Art of Travelling Alone For those who wish to learn how to save, plan, and travel alone on a budget. All offer an excellent read …perfect for long airport layovers and during your flight. CLICK HERE for the entire list of travel essentials and uses/descriptions
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ABOUT AZERBAIJAN FOOD
Traditional Azerbaijan cuisine today is still prepared with ancient cooking methods. The culinary traditions of the Iranian, Turkic, and Eastern Europeans influence their cooking styles. Traditionally, cooking in copper and clay pots has given their cooking a distinctive flavour (Saj is one such dish). Azerbaijani dishes consist of an abundance of seasoned meats, especially lamb, game, beef, and fish (from the Caspian Sea), vegetables, herbs, and spices. They create most dishes from local produce they grow during the summer and imported spices. For this reason, Azerbaijan food is unique and very delicious. Below are some of the traditional dishes you must try when visiting.
AZERBAIJAN FOODS YOU MUST TRY
- Plov – Azerbaijan’s national dish (a meat and rice-based dish or pilaf, prepared in many variations. Some such variations are onion plov, dried fruit plov, beans plov, chicken plov, shah plov (traditional rice with fried dough), chilov plov (bean plov with fish), and shirin plov (sweet dish).
- Dovga (Azerbaijani creamy yogurt soup, made from yogurt, and herbs such as mint and dill. They combine it with rice, chickpeas, lentils, and sometimes meat. Then served with a sprinkling of sumac, a tangy spice).
- Dolma (a Balkan favourite, where they stuff grape leaves, tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant with a mixture of meat, rice, or vegetables, such as; eggplant, tomatoes, and sweet peppers).
- Piti (this is a soup made of lamb and baked chestnuts. Sometimes, they add vegetables, plums, and quince for taste).
- Gutabs (these are Azerbaijan patties made in a semi-circular shape. They fill them with meat, vegetables, cheese, and greens and cook them on a griddle, then served with sumac and yogurt).
- Lavangi (this is a baked dish comprising fish, duck, or chicken mixed with walnuts, onions, and seasonings, then baked to perfection. Sometimes, they add other stuffing like sour prunes, raisins, pomegranate juice syrup, and cherry plums for variations).
- Kyufta/Bozbash (this is an Azerbaijan meatball soup that is rich, spicy, and hearty. The meal consists of large meatballs in peas, potatoes, and mutton bones broth, and sometimes they add turmeric and saffron and serve with crusty bread).
- Djiz-biz/Ciz-Biz (a rational Azerbaijan dish of fried liver, lungs, intestines, and heart of cow, sheep, and lamb. Sometimes, according to the season, they add potatoes and tomatoes to the dish).
- Buglama – Traditional Lamb Stew (lamb pieces steamed in a small amount of its juices with onions, tomatoes, peppers, bay leaf, and black pepper for two hours on an open fire).
- Kebab/Kebap – Azerbaijan Kebab (marinated minced meat like chicken, beef, or fish, threaded onto skewers sometimes, with vegetables, and then grilled on an open fire. It is a different variation to the Turkish kebab).
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MUST DO/VISIT SITES OF INTEREST IN BAKU/AZERBAIJAN
- Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre and Heydar Mosque (the cultural center is the most recognized architectural landmark of Azerbaijan and worldwide. It is a very interesting, and impressive, museum). The Mosque is simply gorgeous and has the wow factor, especially when lit at night. They also feature it on the Azerbaijan 200-dollar currency note).
- Baku Old City (a definite must-see, it shows the history and architecture of Baku, both modern and ancient. It is the melting pot of cultures with lots of cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops, and a really nice vibe).
- Baku Boulevard & the Flame Towers (walk along the city coastline and enjoy the scenic and beautiful skyline. It is simply amazing and surrounded by lots of skyscrapers, beautiful gardens, restaurants, and cafes). The Flame Towers is the most unique and prominent landmark in Baku and you can admire it from the boulevard.
- Highland Park/Dagustu Park (a simply gorgeous park that offers an excellent view of the city day or night. Use the tunnel tram to get to this area for a picturesque view of the Flame Towers).
- Maiden Tower (this 15th-century tower was constructed using stones without cement to hold them in place and is still holding strong even in the 21st century. It is in the Old City and listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list of Historical monuments. Furthermore, it is one of Azerbaijan’s national emblems and thus featured on Azerbaijan’s 100-dollar currency notes. If not for anything else, go for the view from the top overlooking the city. Be prepared to climb lots of stairs.
- Azerbaijan Carpet Museum (the design of this building is a very unique. amazing architecture. It is even more interesting inside with 19th-century carpets on display and historical information about carpets).
- The Ateshgah (Zoroastrian) Fire Temple aka the Fire Temple of Baku (a castle-like religious temple that has housed a burning flame for many years. It is in Surakhany Town, outside of Baku. It was once a place of worship, especially by Hindus, Sikhs, and Zoroastrians, until 1883. They nominated the Temple for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988).
- Palace of the Shirvanshahs (built in traditional Islamic style, and contains lots of Azerbaijan’s history. It is an excellent place to get a feel of their past, and is a definite must-see).
- The Juma Mosque of Shamakhi aka the Friday Mosque of Shamakhi (this is the oldest Mosque in the Caucasus Region). According to the legend, it was built in the 6th century (743/744 AD) and was the first Mosque in Azerbaijan.
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Gabala (is a must, it is a little over 4 hours’ drive from Baku, and takes you to some very interesting sites. You will visit Shamaki, Oldest Mosque in the Caucasus Region, view of the Kozel 7 tier waterfalls, the Nohur Lake. Additionally, you can ride the cable car to the Yamish Gozal Mountain and view the Caucasus mountains).
- The Yanar Dag Mountain – Fire Mountain (is a popular tourist attraction, and many flock to Azerbaijan yearly to get a glimpse of it.
SUMMARY
Azerbaijan is a beautiful country. What makes it even more special is the warmth and friendliness of the people. I was surprised by its hospitality because not in a million years did I think I would have met such an outpouring of love from a country seen in world news to allegedly be in strife with its neighbour Armenia. Moreover, it is a country unknown to many I have spoken to. Nonetheless, I am so happy I visited and experienced all the country had to offer. Furthermore, there is no better vacation than one where a country is safe, clean, and cheap, and you feel the warmth and friendliness of the people. I highly recommend Azerbaijan the land of the fire, to all travellers, especially the budget traveller. Visit and Enjoy.
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