Introducing Baku (Baki)
The Azeri capital is the Caucasus’ largest and most cosmopolitan city. Few cities in the world are changing as quickly and nowhere else in the Caucasus do East and West blend as seamlessly or as chaotically. Battered Ladas race shiny Mercedes past illuminated stone mansions, shiny glass towers and tatty old Soviet apartment blocks. Pedestrianised tree-lined streets in the elegant centre chatter with teahouses and buzz with expat pubs. Unesco World Heritage status tries to slow the corporate gentrification of the fascinating Old City (İçəri Şəhər) hemmed in by an exotically crenellated arc of medieval fortress wall. Romantic couples defy Islamic stereotypes by canoodling their way around wooded parks and handholding on the Caspian-front bulvar (promenade), whose greens and opal blues make a mockery of Baku’s desert-ringed location.
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Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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RE: Night train Baku-Tbilisi
by stephanelv 13 September 2011
I'm now back from Azerbaijan / Georgia and regarding the night train from Baku to Tbilisi, it is running every night, leaving Baku at…
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Re: Eurasia travel in May 2012
by indocrazy1977 12 September 2011
God, i'm so dumb. of course, cannot cross from Syria into Israel!!!! Will have to fly from Baku to Tel-Aviv
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Eurasia travel in May 2012
by indocrazy1977 12 September 2011
I plan to fly to Ankaka next May, then Georgia, Baku in Azerbajan, then wiggle my way down to Jerusalem. My only concern is acquiring…
