Azerbaijan - 2013

Cool shadow seconds before touchdown.

Coming in to land at Baku, Azerbaijan, over the Caspian Sea. Dozens of oil platforms.

Our Baku host from couchsurfing, Çavid, and his mum. On our first night, they put on an amazing feast of traditional Azeri dishes. In fact, every meal we had was fantastic, but the food really kept coming this first night.

Three towers, shaped like flames. And at night, the lights on them make pictures, rotating through Azeri flags fluttering, flames flickering, and patriotic flag bearers waving their flags. They are not projected, but lights on the building generate the images. Up close, though, you can not see the lights at all, and it looks like standard reflective building glass.

View through the war memorial, Baku.

A section of the walls surrounding the old town of Baku, with the flame towers visible in the background.

Looking to Baku old town, from the İçari Şahǝr metro station.

Arriving at Laza (Qusarçay Laza) in the fog. We got dropped a few kilometres away, and walked the rest of the way. That afternoon, we never got to see more than a few dozen metres. Us, Çavid, Andrej, and Vusala. All connected because of couchsurfing.

The five of us bunked down on the floor of this bungalow, fire roaring, super thick walls, and loads of covers. It truly was a cosy night considering the sub-zero temperatures outside.