Baku Favorites

Favorite thing: I visited monument of Azeri artists that some of themes were from Iran (like Shahriar) .in there likes some places you can see "Aliev's" statue. I think Azeries like most of eastern peoples are characters adore!

Fondest memory: night in "Moaziz "resturant with folk live music,swimming in Caspian sea and Baku's peoples.

Favorite thing: Ate early so I could sit in the park before my driver arrived. The weather is slightly cloudy, very windy (I understand it always is in the morning and evening), and the temperature is in the low 70's. Absolutely beautiful. I now understand what they mean when they say classic European weather. This is close to heaven.

The tree-lined park has people strolling through it, dogs chasing each other around, birds singing and flying everywhere. It is nice to see that there are police booths every couple of blocks, all occupied, and they walk around and seem to be spending most of their time casually talking with local residents. Not a police-state feeling or anything intrusive. Just calm and comforting.

To avoid our driver getting hung up in traffic near the hotel, we get out and walk through the park, a couple of plazas, and along some back streets. I see what is meant about old world charm. People sweeping the streets in front of their businesses. Stop at the pub and get a pint of Guiness. Try for some onion rings. They have to check. Maybe the gas is not working today. If not, no hot food. No one worries. Other foods available. Beer and liquor available. Cold cuts and salads available. No problem. Love that attitude.

Favorite thing: I flew in to Baku on the 19th of July 2006 and got the visa quickly (I was one of the first arriving to the counter). With me I had two passport pictures and an application form that I had already filled in (you can get the application form from www.mfa.gov.az/eng/consular/visa.shtml).
Other people didn't have the application form or photos and had to stand to the side to fill in the form and queue for taking photos (and pay for the photos). No letter of invitation is needed.
First you have to show your passport to the passport controller and then you go on to the visa counter for the visa (it cost 40 dollars and it is valid for 30 days) and then back to the passport control to get a stamp. Even as I had a visa for Armenia there was no problems to get the Azeri visa.

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Favorite thing: Baku has a beautiful seaside promenade along the Caspian Sea. Its lenght is about 3km and offers a great view of the city. Azeris call it "Bulvar" the Boulevard. You can get on a boat ride or sit at one of the outdoor cafes or tea-houses... there is amusement park for children and a huge Wheel of Fortune for adults. It's great to walk on the bulvar if you want to see and be seen ;-) There is a huge fountain like Geyser in the sea with the height of 130m (even taller than the one in Geneve). The bulvar starts from the Palace of Hand Games in Azneft and finishes with the Sea Port by the Liberty Square.

Fondest memory: I have the fondest memories of my childhood connected to bulvar. I loved the rides there and eating ice-cream in outdoor cafes. I miss walking by the water and hearing the sound of waves, watching the seagullls fight, sitting on a bench and reading early Sunday morning... and I always enjoyed riding my roller blades there!

Favorite thing: If you are at all interested in the culture and history of Azerbaijan and Georgia, then I can recommend a good book..."Ali and Nino" tells the tale of Muslim Ali Khan Shirvanshir who falls head over heels in love with Christain Nino Kipiani. The story takes place in the early years of the 20th century, a time of great upheaval in the region...and throughout this, Ali, the narrator, struggles to understand his love for Nino the European while preserving his own cultural identity. Romance, adventure, history, murder, humour, intrigue, an insight into Islamic thought and a dramatic setting...all the ingredients for a fantastic read.
Set primarily in Baku, the two lovers visit relatives in Tbilisi, flee to Teheran during the Russian invasion of Baku, and spend time in exile in a Daghestani mountain aoul...so if you are travelling in the region, Kurban Sa'id's extraordinary novel should make the perfect travel companion.
I first read this book in Tbilisi, after my trip to Baku, and found it interesting to see which places I recognised from the story, like the Shirvanshir's palace in Baku and the old baths in Tbilisi. Since then, I've read the novel several times, and even ended up teaching it to a very advanced group of English students in Khartoum! I think this may be my favourite book ;@P

Favorite thing: Baku (spelt Baki (with an undotted Turkish i) in Azeri) is a pleasant city situated on the Caspian Sea. For a panoramic view over the whole city, the best place to go is Martyrs' Lane (see below) on top of the hill to the south-west of the centre...walk along the sea-front until you find a disused funicular railway, and take the steps to the top.

Favorite thing: Azeris are great. Baku is very safe city

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Favorite thing: Ok..azerbaijan ppls called as Azzeri ... for ladies.... more beautiful, nice and up-to-date with fashion. Here some pictures of local activities at the city centre