June 2026. Yerevan.
A second night in Gyumri, exploring a Soviet amusement park,
but deciding against the wheel,
before heading back to the wonderful station on Thursday morning.
I don’t think it actually sells tickets or anything,
but it looks the part.
Three hours later we’re back in Yerevan, bags dumped back in the “Boutique” hotel on the eastern edge of the Circular Park that gives the locals a string of pub gardens, play areas and water fountains that are the city’s highlights.
The Chalet complex has the best seat in town,
facing a water fountain that gives us a light drenching almost as refreshing as the pints of Kilikia, Armenia’s Carling.
This fortifies us ahead of a first exploration of central Yereven in 33 degrees, and a climb to the summit of Cascade, a series of fountains, wild flowers and quite brilliant art.
Yes, you can take a free elevator most of the way up and save yourself a coronary, but who does that ?
Yerevan is a youthful, modern city, more Duisburg than Dusseldorf, but the Cascade is a marvel,
and the Japanese coach parties dutifully scramble to the top for the views.
And then head back down for a beer and burger at one of the two German brewery places at the base.
Paulaner one side, Hofbrau the other. It was an easy choice.
retiredmartin 