President takes long way round

Kaitaia Friendship Club president Peter Hartnall took the long way round to last month’s meeting, and was well prepared to regale his fellow members with an illustrated presentation on his and wife Doreen’s travels to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

The couple had joined a group of 10 other tourists, the highlights in Armenia including churches and monasteries (one of them built in the 4th century), a Museum of Manuscripts, where old Bibles and documents were held, and numerous statues.

They also enjoyed the scenery, seeing Mt Ararat, of Noah’s Ark fame, in the distance, and basalt crystals alongside mountain walking tracks.

On crossing the border into Georgia they noticed some differences from Armenia, with more of a Russian influence. Cathedrals were surrounded by walls (once providing refuge from attack), and the towers were circular. A visit to a cave city and walking over the Bridge of Peace, built in Italy and trucked to the capital Tbilisi, which was lit up at night, were especially memorable.

They had expected problems with customs at the Azerbaijan border, and were pleasantly surprised at how well it went. The highlights there included a glass workshop (featuring stained glass windows made without glue or nails), the variety of architectural styles in the capital, Baku, particularly the Heydar Aliyer Cultural Centre, or ‘Wave Building,’ designed by famous Iraqi female architect Zaha Hadid, and a museum of miniature books.

Meanwhile the club ended 2018 with the traditional Christmas luncheon. Next year will begin with a barbecue at Church Road Bowling Club on Tuesday January 15, starting 4pm.