Wordless Wednesday #28 "Autumn"

You start appreciating things once you lose them.

It's been a few years since I've been desperately missing the autumn season. After leaving my country for 12 years I have never had the chance to see the leaves change into yellow, brown and red. I get so jealous every time I see kids jumping in the piles of leaves as I live in a place where most of the trees are evergreen.


This year I made up my mind to find a place where I could see autumn in all its beauty and colors. Firstly I had to ask in a Facebook group and to my surprise, I got recommended lots of places and the next weekend we took a short trip to a place called Laklouk. 


Laklouk is a region located at an altitude of more than 1750 meters. It is more famous to ski lovers for its ski resorts and that's why it never occurred to us to visit it before December. It also boasts with its raw nature suitable for hunting and beautiful panoramic scenery with half a dozen agricultural lakes.



This week My Wordless Wednesday features the photos I took in Laklouk in autumn. 

Laklouk, Lebanon

Laklouk, Lebanon

Laklouk, Lebanon

Do you love autumn and rain?

When was the last time you took a road trip to a new place?

I am linking up with

Comedy Plus

Wordless Wednesday #27 "Exploring Lebanon"

Today's Wordless Wednesday is all about Batroun, a coastal town in Lebanon you will fall in love at first sight, a real treasure of the first civilizations, among them the famous Phoenician Wall. 

For sea lovers, Batroun is a real bliss to enjoy the crystal clear waters and the white pebble beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. 

The Phoenician Wall, Batroun, Lebanon

Batroun, Lebanon

The Phoenician Wall, Batroun, Lebanon

I'm not a beach lover so I was more excited to find out Batroun's cozy narrow streets, biking routes and old souk (the local stores and cafes). 

We were also lucky to discover Lebanon's most famous brewery " The Colonel Beer" and most importantly to taste the lemonades made by the hospitable and sociable locals. BTW in 2012, Batroun entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest cup of lemonade which weighed 5,543 liters.

The Batroun Lemonade

 

Do you like road trips?

When was the last time you explored your country as a tourist?

I am linking up with

Claire Justine

Comedy Plus

Wordless Wednesday #26 " Exploring Armenia"

When was the last time you took a trip to explore your country like a tourist?

Are you guilty of craving to travel and explore other countries and cultures while you haven't discovered the hidden gems of your country?

This is the lesson I learned on my own experience. I started appreciating my motherland, its heritage and traditions only when I settled down in another country. 

That is why every time I visit Armenia, I try my best to make the most of it, walk as much as possible and not to miss any event while there.

I purchase lots of souvenirs with the hope to build a small piece of my country in my house, try every dish, especially the ones taking me back to my childhood.

Armenian Traditional Sweet Bread "Gata"

This summer I had an incredibly unforgettable time in Armenia.  I visited new cities, tried new dishes and got acquainted with new traditions.

I also did my first ever hiking (4km in total) under the rain.

The first 2 kilometers was a steep route down a gorge ( I was about to give up here) and the second one along a muddy forest path.

For the Wordless Wednesday I will skip the process and difficulties of the tour and only highlight the satisfied and beautiful ending pictures.

Have you ever been to Armenia?

If no, would you like to?

Would love to hear your answers in the comments section below.

I am linking up with

Claire Justine

Comedy Plus

Wordless Wednesday #25 "Doors"

Some of you may have noticed that I have been MIA lately as I am spending my summer vacations in my homeland, Armenia with my little girl. We mostly spend our time on playgrounds, amusement parks, and public gardens and I hardly find any time to post anything but random photos from now and then.

However I could manage to take a tour to the second largest city of Armenia, Gyumri, once well-known as the city and center of "crafts and arts".

It was my first visit to this city and I was really impressed how beautifully it has been reconstructed after the terrible earthquake in 1988.

In spite of this, the residents of Gyumri are well-known for their humor. Gyumri is also called " the laughter and humor capital" of Armenia. They are also distinguished for their dignity and conservatism. They have done their best to keep their traditions and local customs which is evident at every corner of the city.

I was especially attracted to the old doors. They took me back to my favorite old films and the most famous Armenian actor of all times, Mher Mkrtchyan, a proud citizen of Gyumri.

So, this week's Wordless Wednesday is dedicated to the doors I came across in the city of Gyumri.

Gyumri was the first city to open a theater and was home to the first opera show ever staged in Armenia. Before that plays were performed in the living room of rich men's mansions.

Have a look at the remarkable door of the Puppet Theater in Gyumri.

In the 19th century, Gyumri (which was then called Alexandropol after the beloved wife of the Russian Tsar Nicolay I)resided Greeks, Turkish, Russians and Armenians who lived peacefully together and developed different trades and cultures.

 

Gyumri is home to many prominent museums in Armenia and is the birthplace of many legendary Armenian actors, poets and writers. Their museums and house museums are located there and if you take a guide you will learn lots of interesting facts from their lives.

I am linking up with

Natasha Musing

Claire Justine

Wordless Wednesday #24 "Best of June"

Photography is not just a hobby for me, it is simply a passion.

You don't need to own the best camera to get a perfect photo. I'm just a girl who grabs her camera, mostly cellphone (imagining it is Huawei p30:) and follows her heart wherever it takes her. 

Sometimes I catch myself looking at things and people through the lens trying to stop the beauty of the moment and thinking " This would be a great photo! I wish I could take a shot right now". 

As today is the last Wednesday of June, I decided to scroll down my cellphone images and select the best 3. 

I would appreciate it greatly if you could take the time to vote for your favorite photo in the comments section below.

Wordless Wednesday " Best of June"

photography

photography

photography

With a picture you can share a moment or a memory without having to use words. 

Actually, it's not about the things you see but it's all about the way you see them.

photography

I am linking up with

Natasha Musing  

Claire Justine

Wordless Wednesday #23 "Armenia"

A piece of advice, whenever possible, try to travel in low season.

This spring I got the opportunity to take a short trip to my homeland and visit our neighbor country as well.

It was an amazing experience. We avoided the summer heat and the crowded sightseeings. Thus we felt more relaxed and energized once we were back.

This week my Wordless Wednesday is all about "Armenia" and its beauty. 

I was lucky to have my best friend as a guide who also took some amazing shots of me. 

Lake Sevan, Sevanavank

View on the capital city, Yerevan

Old city of Dilijan

I am linking up with 

Natasha Musing

Claire Justine

Comedy Plus

Wordless Wednesday #22 "Georgia"

I have always been skeptical about short trips. I used to think that when you are short of days and in a rush, that will cause more anxiety and stress than joy and pleasure. 
But when the opportunity occurred to take a short vacation to my homeland and our neighbour country, Georgia, I had no second thoughts.

And I must say that this trip was really worth it.

The 10 days were so full of events and new people and new experiences that it felt like a whole month. We were back fully recharged and energized. I especially liked that nature was in full bloom, the weather was excellent to wander around the city instead of going sightseeing under the killing sun of summer.

So, this Wednesday, I will feature the new country that I visited for the first time: Georgia and its capital city, Tbilisi.

Tbilisi, Georgia

 Georgia (Sakartvelo in the Georgian language) is a country that has developed rapidly in the past decades. It's an ideal place for any tourist. Old, narrow streets in the Old Tbilisi keep the traces of the old Georgian culture and its history. You may find yourself stopping by any house to just admire its authenticity and uniqueness.

Peace of Bridge, Tbilisi, Georgia

On the other hand, you will find amazing and jaw-dropping modern structures and buildings in the city center. Fully charge your phone and camera as you will want to take a photo at every corner in Rustaveli Avenue.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Even though not every Georgian speaks English, you will never feel lost in Georgia. Money exchange shops, phone recharge centers, public transport, and tourist information spots are available at every corner. If you need help, try to turn to the younger generation as they are most likely to speak English.

Tbilisi, Georgia

I am linking up with 

Natasha Musing

Claire Justine

Comedy Plus

Wordless Wednesday # 21 "Flowers"

It seems to be a long week and it's still Wednesday. 

The stress seems to be escalating and I am seeking for ways to pour out the negativity that's been accumulating. 

While my camera is lying somewhere piling up some dust, I grab my cell phone to capture the beauty around.
And I am starting to think that instead of investing in a good camera, I can invest in a good smartphone with a high-resolution camera. 

Meanwhile, as they say: "The Best Camera is the one that's with you now".

International  Women's Day was on Friday and I was lucky to be privileged to a long 3-day-weekend. 

Did I manage to accomplish much?

Hardly...

Did I manage to stretch my feet up and relax?

Kind of...

So here are the photos I've been taking during this weekend while I was enjoying my break.

My blog, coffee and camera!

My blog, coffee and camera!

My blog, coffee and camera!

You can check out all my Wordless Wednesday  posts here

I am linking up with 

Natasha Musing

Claire Justine

Comedy Plus