Southeastern Yerevan

Khor Virap

Today we spent 11 hours on a tour bus in the area just south and east of Yerevan seeing two very old and ancient monestaries as well as a mineral water resort site and tasting some Armenian wine at a winery just outside of Yerevan. Photos will be on Facebook here soon. Since I'm entering this on Brenda's iPad, I'm not able to share photos from the day. We did wake up to to a stunning view of Mt Ararat which I did post to Facebook.

Noravank Monestary

Noravank Monestary

The monasteries we visited today are Khor Virap which is the place where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for years--which we saw and have photos. The monastery is near the foot of Mt Ararat. The second one was high up in the jagged cliffs of the southern Armenian province of Vayots Dzor called, Noravank. This monastary complex, as our guide called it, was significant because its remote location prevented an invader's attack, and it supposedly housed the spear of Christ that was used in the crucifixion. It's location was stunning and we spent much of our digital capital there!

 The last two stops were at a mineral water resort high up in the green mountains, and a stop along the way at an Armenian winery.

Long, but productive day and a soft breeze is floating through our hotel room just above Republic Square where the Yerevan faithful are celebrating their Constitution Day. Fireworks, music, and dancing water fountains are heard and seen from our balcony window.

Dad's quote of day: "Not only the religious sites were intriguing, but the incredible geological makeup of Armenia was stunning. Dr Scott Burns would have loved it!"