Armenia - A Dreamy First Snow Adventure in the Land of Noah
Coming from a sun-loving country in Southeast Asia, I have longed dreamed to see and experience snow. There's something about ice cold weather that always makes me excited to explore outdoors. And when that golden travel opportunity presented itself (inexpensive plane ticket + approved vacation leave), I immediately said yes to the trip.
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| Snow-capped mountains |
But it's already the month of May and it's no longer winter season. Could it still be possible to experience snow? Good thing there is a country that is visa free for Filipinos located just a few hours flight from the United Arab Emirates where I used to work. Say hello the country charm of Armenia.
For many migrant workers in the UAE, Armenia is well known to be one of the alternative countries to go to while waiting for their working visas to be released. Many see it as an affordable and fun travel route to be explored most specially during the winter season.
My cousin who works for a travel agency was given a special package for travel agents and their families. A 3D2N stay in a 4-star hotel in Yerevan including roundtrip flight with Air Arabia is offered for only 559Dh. In May of 2019, that was only Php7,800. Crazy cheap right?!
With our luggage packed with winter clothes, we left Abu Dhabi at midnight to catch our 4am flight from Sharjah International Airport. Some 30 minutes down the road and our rented car's front tire got busted while we were in the middle of the highway. It was scary! Good thing kuya driver remained calm and managed to drive to the sidelines. Good deeds abound especially during the Ramadan season. Soon enough, help was offered coming from our Arab brothers who happens to pass by the road. Grateful for the kind gesture, we arrived safe at the airport.
Travel time from Sharjah to Yerevan is around 3 hours and 10 minutes.
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| My first glimpse of snow from the plane, the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Aragats |
Back in 2019 during our trip, Philippine passport holders can enter Armenia and obtain visa on arrival at the border. But since 2022, Filipinos can simply apply for an electronic visa online for short term stays.
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| Arrivals area |
As soon as we arrived at Zvartnots International Airport in the country's capital, Yerevan, we were warmly welcomed by Bob, a local tour guide recommended by fellow kababayans. We checked in at Metropol Hotel, ate a quick brunch before starting our day tour - a road trip up to the snow mountain!
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| Metropol Hotel |
There are a couple of tourist spots that we checked out along the way. Our first stop, the beautiful Apple blossoms which are very much visible along the road. Bob bought some green apples for us.
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| apple blossoms up close |
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| with our tour guide Bob |
Our next stop - Saghmosavank. It is a 13th-century Armenian monastic complex located in the village of Saghmosavan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. It stands beside the edge of Kasagh River Gorge. As we will soon find out, Armenia holds an important part in the history of Christianity as it was the first ever country to adopt the said religion back in 301 A.D. That's the reason why there are a lot of really old monasteries in Armenia.
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| Saghmosavank Monastery |
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| jumping for joy |
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| the large gorge beside the monastery |
Invented some 1,616 years ago by Mesrop Mashtots are these unique 39 giant Armenian letters constructed in 2005. One of the world's oldest alphabets, the large sculptures which are scattered across the rocky plain by the side of the road provides a glimpse to the diverse and rich literary culture of the country.
Now for the highlight of this trip. Up we go to Mt. Aragats for our first ever snow experience.
Our excitement just grew bigger and bigger as soon as we caught sight of the first piles of snow. The scenery gradually changed from greeneries to pure white as we go higher. Not soon enough, we found our car driving up the narrow road in between heaps of snow, it looks like we are entering heaven. I swear it's surreal!
The car stopped when we saw a barrier. From there Bob helped us move up to a much larger "playing field" and to get a better "icy-feel". Our views of vast mountain snow and cold fresh air made us feel like kiddos once again. We had fun forming snowballs, laying down and making snow angels, do snow slide, heck we even tried to taste snow! Hey, don't judge 😆
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| First snow experience ✓ |
For those who plan to travel to Armenia during non winter season and still wants to experience snow, we were told that Mount Aragats is the best place to be. It is a snow-capped mountain and the tallest in Armenia. This trip for one happened in the second week of May, it's already spring time and yet this spot is still amazing.
Before leaving the place, we ate the apples Bob gave us earlier. It was ice cold and delicious. We could now feel that freezing breeze so Bob bought us to the next stop and served us a warm Turkish coffee. From there we can see another tourist spot, the Amberd Fortress.
Standing tall at 2,300 meters above sea level is a 10th-century fortress found on the slopes of Mount Aragats. Although mostly in ruins, Amberd Fortress is a popular medieval architecture of the Caucasus and one of the most powerful Armenian fortresses remaining from the Middle Ages.
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| Vahramashen Church |
The structure seen behind Amberd Fortress is the Vahramashen Church, which is also known as the Church of Amberd and was completed in the year 1026.
After that unforgettable tour, we were dropped off back to our hotel, rested a bit and headed out for dinner walking towards the city center. Metropol Hotel has a good location spot where everything is within reach. Along the way, we passed by a huge park full of local families enjoying the cool water features. Funny thing is, as I am writing this blog today, I learned that this cool huge park held its grand opening exactly the same day we were there, 10th of May 2019! That's freakin' awesome! No wonder that day felt festive.
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This water arch installed with 30 water jets is believed to have healing effect by walking through the arched fountain.
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| Granite tiled water fountain |
Also known as Vardanyan's park, the Yerevan 2800th Anniversary Park is a beautiful, safe complex for family and friends to spend time together. I was amazed by its architectural elements, bronze statues, pavements, garden landscape, benches, lamp posts and drinking water fountain. It's open and free for everyone's use. Travelers shouldn't miss this.
Now for dinner...
I wasn't really able to research beforehand so we just entered whichever restaurant appeals to us. We first entered a small restaurant full of local diners and then we were ushered to a basement where there are more available seating. But we somehow decided to leave because it was really taking a long time for us to be served and we were hungry already. It seems the staff doesn't understand or speak English so we just left. Bummer, we really wanted to try the local food. We ended up in a snack bar, instead. Anything just to fill us in.
Right after dinner, we made our way to the plaza and lo and behold, we were again surrounded by beautiful architecture and neoclassical buildings. With a cool weather breeze, I really enjoyed the long walk.
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| Europe feels |
We stopped by the Republic Square and watch a musical fountain playing a classic favorite, "What a wonderful world". And you are definitely a wonder Armenia. Truly, this country is underrated yet packed with world-class cultural offerings just waiting to be discovered.
It was exceptionally cold that night so discovering Tashir street, a shopping gallery located underground was like a warm coffee break. We ended our first night early to get ourselves some good rest. Day 2 is another adventure to the mountains.
Check out the travel vlog on our Snow Adventure to Mount Aragats.
