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  • Wizz Air (Yerevan to Prague)

    Wizz Air (Yerevan to Prague)

    After Jonathan had left Yerevan for Milan after our two week trip, I had a wait at the airport before flying to Prague. Here’s a rather lovely artwork that was recovered from the Spitak earthquake in 1988.

    There was a large seating area at arrivals which had comfortable seats, tables and power points. It wasn’t clear whether this was part of the seating area for the restaurant, but I thought that if it was they’d come over and I’d buy a coffee. One hour and twenty minutes later, a staff member came over asking what I’d like, so I requested a menu. Twenty minutes later the menu was delivered to the table, and as no-one had returned for another forty minutes, I left for my flight.

    It’s not possible to use a digital boarding card as in most airports, so I had to wait for the bag drop desk to open to collect my boarding card. This is a free process and it was all suitably efficient.

    After a lounge visit, which I will return to in another post, it was time to board.

    Boarding the aircraft, which was registration HA-LDH, an aircraft that I don’t think that I’ve been on before.

    Waving goodbye to Armenia, after a really fascinating trip to the country.

    In the background is the Government’s aircraft, an Airbus A319-100 which the Republic of Armenia has used since 2007.

    I had been a little disappointed that the seating Gods had given me a middle seat, but with some rearrangement, I was able to move to an aisle seat.

    The airline’s planned new routes and I hope to go on some of these.

    The flight was, yet again, without any incident. It was over three hours, which is about as much as I can cope for in a Wizz Air aircraft, but the crew members were professional and it was all clean and comfortable. I have very little to comment on here as Wizz Air really have everything done to a fine art and nothing was of note. The pilots gave useful updates in their announcements, including an update en route and also details of the weather and other such things.

    After having arrived in Prague, the introduction of the EES system was causing delays at the border for, mostly, UK residents from other flights. I’m already registered on the system and I was at the desk for just twenty seconds, but there was a wait whilst others were processed.

    And safely through border control and ready for a couple of days in Prague.

  • Yerevan – Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

    Yerevan – Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    This rather modern and interesting looking building is Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan is a major Armenian Apostolic church complex built to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of Armenia’s adoption of Christianity as the state religion (which is traditionally dated to 301).

    Construction of the cathedral started in 1997 ready for the opening in 2001, with the architect being Stepan Kurkchyan. The cathedral is dedicated to Gregory the Illuminator, who converted Armenia to Christianity from Zoroastrianism in the fourth century. There are some relics from St. Gregory, but as is common with these things, there are numerous right arms from St. Gregory around the world.

    Although the cathedral is large, it didn’t feel ostentatious or excessive, I quite liked how it felt functional. The building can fit 2,500 worshippers in and there’s a basement with numerous extra rooms, offices, worship space and a library.

    We entered when there was a large service on, so I didn’t want to take more than this photo as it felt a little intrusive. Shortly after this, the large curtains were swept across, it was quite a sight, although I’d better add that this wasn’t a response to my taking a photo. It all felt quite welcoming, I liked how it was a little understated but yet still grand.

  • Yerevan – History Museum of Armenia (4th Century BC Bone Tools)

    Yerevan – History Museum of Armenia (4th Century BC Bone Tools)

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    It was the age of these items that intrigued me the most, they all date to the fourth century BC. Made from bone, they are a variety of tools, namely a hoe, a knocker and a handle. These items aren’t particularly unusual or just from this region, but I like the everyday items from this period which provide some tangible connection to the past. These are the quiet echoes of a Tuesday afternoon in 389 BC….

  • Norwich – Bar Billiards Video….

    Norwich – Bar Billiards Video….

    And thanks to Pete for videoing the conclusion of the final game of this match…..

  • Turkey – Nutymax (Snack Zone)

    Turkey – Nutymax (Snack Zone)

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    Borrowing the concept of the Snack Zone from YouTube’s Jet Lag the Game, this is one of the snacks that I acquired for the very long train journey between Ankara and Erzurum.

    Apparently these can occasionally be found in the UK, but they’re rather delicious, a similar concept to Bueno bars. Light in taste, gentle pistachio flavour and plenty of chocolate. It might be evident that I had way too much time to think on this railway journey.

  • Ankara – Ibis Styles

    Ankara – Ibis Styles

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    We only had one night in Ankara, so whilst Jonathan opted for a basement room in a nearby hotel, I went for the Ibis Styles.

    The rather nice lobby.

    The beer selection from which I could choose my welcome drink.

    The room, which was clean, cosy and warm. So I promptly opened the window to make it cold.

    They made me a coffee during the check-in and there’s the welcome snack and bottled waters.

    I went for the welcome beer of the Efes Malt, which was light, malty and really rather good.

    The breakfast room in the morning, when I first realised that there was now quite a lot of snow outside.

    The breakfast buffet.

    Delicious and healthy.

    The colourful corridor.

    I’m not sure I’ve seen a warning of a fine for not returning the keycard.

    Anyway, this was a really rather lovely hotel with friendly staff, fast wifi (this was important), a comfortable environment and clean rooms. The breakfast choice was extensive, the stay was reasonably priced and I’d stay here again.

  • Norwich – Bar Billiards Singles Tournament Round 2

    Norwich – Bar Billiards Singles Tournament Round 2

    After the first round a few weeks ago, it was time for the second round of the Norwich bar billiards cup singles last night, with Oscar playing his game before it was time for my second round game. After three games, which were very well refereed I thought, Oscar was triumphant but there was a lot of surprising and delighting going on.

    Then for my three games….. The first one went well for me, despite my struggling somewhat with this table as it’s narrower than the White Lion table. Quite a high scoring game, it’s positive to get the first game in.

    The second game went to the final ball part of the proceedings, played differently in Norwich to some other areas. This one involves going off the side cushion into the 200 hole and I promptly missed it…. I didn’t get a second chance, so that was 1-1 on frames.

    I slid behind by quite a margin on the third game and it looked all a bit forlorn. To cut a long story short, some fortune and a decision to play the second final ball concluding game quickly meant that I managed to win the final frame.

    It was a really close game, so many thanks to Rufus, although it was all a bit tense for my liking, especially when there were about 12 people watching. I know that it’s not exactly the San Siro stadium with its 80,000 seats, but it felt a bit like that at times.

    My third round game is against Oscar at the VR rooms….. Whatever happens now, I’ve got further than I expected. The results will go on https://www.norwichbarbilliards.co.uk/Singles at some point.

  • Ankara – Plenty of Taxis

    Ankara – Plenty of Taxis

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    As a random thought when we were walking around the city by Güvenpark, it occurred to me that we wouldn’t struggle getting a taxi if we needed one.

  • Ankara – Anıtkabir (Çanakkale Campaign Diorama)

    Ankara – Anıtkabir (Çanakkale Campaign Diorama)

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    There are a number of dioramas at the Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. These ones are about the Çanakkale campaign (better known here as the Gallipoli campaign) which was fought between 1915 and 1916. The allies hoped to seize the Dardanelles, take Istanbul, knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war and open a reliable sea route to Russia.

    It began with the allies making a naval attempt in February and March 1915, which ran into mines, mobile artillery and the awkward reality that narrow waters are excellent at turning expensive ships into sinking lessons. After heavy losses on 18 March, the plan shifted to an amphibious landing, but that again had a sub-optimal ending.

    The landings on 25 April 1915 brought British and French forces, alongside the ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps), onto multiple points of the Gallipoli peninsula, only to find the Ottomans dug in, well-led and fighting with a defensive advantage. Months of trench warfare followed, marked by appalling casualties, disease, supply problems and offensives that gained metres at a time and then promptly lost them again. Ottoman resistance, galvanised by capable commanders including Mustafa Kemal Atatürk himself, turned the campaign into a defining moment of national memory in Turkey, while in Australia and New Zealand it became a tragic story of identity and loss.

    This whole conflict was a real victory not just for the Ottomans, but for their prestige and honour. The Ottomans were ultimately left defeated by the First World War, but from there came the new Turkish nation.

    The text of Atatürk’s speech in the 1930s:

    “Those heroes that shed their blood in the territory of this country! You are in the soil of a friendly country here. Therefore, rest in peace. You are lying together with the Mehmetçik, side by side, in each other’s arms. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries! Wipe your tears away. Your sons are now lying in the bosom of ours. They are now in peace and will rest in peace here forever. After losing their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.”

  • Istanbul – Fountain of Ahmed III

    Istanbul – Fountain of Ahmed III

    Although I’ve completed my write-up of my trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, there was quite a lot that I missed out and have meant to come back to. This is one of those posts, but the summary of the trip is at https://www.julianwhite.uk/turkey-georgia-and-armenia-final-thoughts/, with a link to all the blog posts that I wrote up telling the story of that little adventure.

    This is the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III which is a reminder that the Ottomans were doing hydration in some considerable style. Plonked outside Topkapı Palace, it’s a public fountain and sebil (a kiosk where free water was provided by an attendant) from the early 1700s, commissioned by Sultan Ahmed III, who clearly believed that if you’re going to dispense water you may as well do it with finesse.

    It’s decadent for a fountain, but I like it.