Tatev to Sevan

Took the cable car from “Wings of Tatev” to the monastery, home to a medieval university with 1000 monks and students.

The monastery grounds contain an “oscillating pillar” which may date back to about 900 AD.  By adjusting the angle of the pillar, monks were able to align the marker stones around it to various constellations.

“When I consider the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and stars you have created, what are mortals, that you should be mindful of them?”

We drove on, round hairpin bends  and avoiding flocks, to a lunch stop for salads and trout against the background of a burbling river.  Then more zigzags to an ancient caravanserai on a Silk Road – a windowless stone building with one chamber for human travellers and one capable of holding 300 horses – or camels if they could get through the door.

We reached Lake Sevan, the largest in Armenia, at the lively town of Martini, the first since leaving Goris. Lots of people about, tending vegetable gardens or walking in the streets, and a wide range of shops including banks with ATM.

We reached Noraduz in a thunderstorm, and debated whether to get out of the coach to look at the famous graveyard.

Luckily I had waterproof jacket and trousers in my day pack and a spare pair of almost dry socks to put on afterwards.

Since we were running late, Rafik suggested going straight to a restaurant before checking in at the hotel. I did not want to eat out, having food in my bag, but was persuaded.