In 1991 I paid a visit to the touristic town of Jermug about two hours drive south of Yerevan. The purpose of the visit was to inspect a hotel offered to  Armentrade of Toronto as a Joint Venture. It was a viable project but unfortunately, it did not materialize mainly due to the multiple claims… Continue reading Սելիմի Լեռնանցքը. The Selim Pass.

I just watched a documentary about Hovanes Toumanian,  the well known Armenian poet, and intellectual, on Nor Horizon TV program in Toronto. It seemed to be the last part of a longer documentary that I have missed watching. The documentary reminded me of my visit to Toumanian’ small museum in his birth place, the village of… Continue reading Դսեղի “Ծովափը”. The “Beach” at Dsegh.

As Volodia had explained to Vazken, there were hardly any Armenian traces left in Erzurum (Garin). The site of the famous Sanasarian college had hardly any traces of his past fame. The most distinctive characteristic of the city seems to be winter skiing. Signs of winter skiing were everywhere. The two most popular tourist attractions… Continue reading Trip to Western Armenia (Part 6)

That morning the other minivan arrived at the hotel and we visited St Garabed Monastery. The road was not any better than the one to Varaqa Sourp Khach in Van, that I wrote about in part 3.  But the monastery was in worst condition than Varaqa Sourp Khach. Again, the village children led us to… Continue reading Trip to Western Armenia (Part 5)

On our way to Mush, we stopped at Tatvan, at the most south-westerly tip of Lake Van. The typical rural open-air supermarket in the city center was crowded with local shoppers and hardly any tourists other than us. After shopping for some souvenirs, we headed to Mount Nemrud. The ski chair lift although partially operated… Continue reading Trip to Western Armenia (Part 4)

We reached the city of Van almost at midnight. Early morning when I opened the window of my room, there was another surprise, it was beautiful Lake Van, in full view. I hurried out. The parking lot was full of cars, and minivans, including large luxurious tourist buses. I took a walk along the granular… Continue reading Trip to Western Armenia (part 3)

On our way from Kars to Dogubayazet, we made a stop at Iqdir, the birthplace of the legendary Armenian hero, DRO. (Drastamad Ganayan). It was late afternoon and it was Ramadan time. (A Muslim daytime fasting season). That day’s fasting time was over, and all restaurants and eateries were open. For curiosity I walked to… Continue reading Trip to Weatern Armenia (Part 2)

In the Fall of 2007 finally, I got a chance to make a trip to Historic Armenia, Պատմական Հայաստան also known as Western Armenia. Since the Armenian Genocide of 1915, there is hardly any Armenian living on those lands that currently is populated by Turks and Kurds. During the past decade or so, there are… Continue reading Trip to Western Armenia (Part 1)