Foto: The old city with the modern skyline in the background (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Azerbaijan - We quickly head into Baku’s old city. One of the highlights is the Maiden Tower. Large groups of children and local tourists gather in front of it — everyone seems eager to go inside. This creates bottlenecks on the narrow spiral staircase. Since people ascend on the outside, descending becomes difficult. Eventually, we make it up the seven floors to the rooftop of the 29-meter-tall tower. From here, we overlook Baku and the Caspian Sea. A heavy layer of smog hangs over the city. In the distance, I can just make out the silhouette of the Flame Towers, Baku’s most striking modern buildings. We walk along the city walls, where runners with route maps are participating in some kind of race. Some appear lost, looking for the right path. The city heat is stifling. I'm glad we’re just walking. Down at the boulevard, I wade briefly into the Caspian Sea — I just had to do it. No beach here, only large rocks. We stop for lunch at a shaded terrace.
Mud Volcanoes of Gobustan
Azerbaijan - South of the town of Gobustan lie several mud volcanoes. "It’s more fun than it sounds," writes the Lonely Planet. On a whim, we take a turnoff a few kilometers before Gobustan. It turns out to lead to a small airfield — clearly not the right place. ...
Sheki Palace
Azerbaijan - Just after ten o'clock we arrive in Sheki. Inside the fortress walls stands the summer palace of the Sheki Khans. We park our car near the fort and walk through the gate. On either side, women call out asking if we want to visit their museums. We decline. ...
The Fire Temple of the Zoroastrians
Azerbaijan - Our guide Mehmet explains that Azerbaijan is rich in oil, a resource that helps the country develop economically. Outside the city, we see oil pump jacks scattered across the landscape, continuously pumping oil from the ground. Our first stop is Ateshgah, ...
The Prehistoric Rock Engravings
Azerbaijan - South of Baku lies the impressive Gobustan National Park, an area famous for its prehistoric rock carvings. Some of these engravings are more than seven thousand years old, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of the early inhabitants of the region. ...