General Archives ⋆ Page 20 of 50 ⋆ The Passenger

November 15, 2019April 15, 2022

Taxi driver

If you want to order a taxi ride in Armenia, Georgia and Russia than the smartphone app gg is your perfect choice. It is the Uber of this region and all you need to do is to get yourself a local SIM card for your phone (if you don’t have roaming; I got mine with the YerevanCard package) and download the app. After starting it you will see your position on a map and correct it. Then you can choose your destination (obviously from Google Maps data) and order a taxi. That is great as you choose a touristic point of interest or a central square easily.

November 15, 2019April 15, 2022

YerevanCard

In some cities across the globe, you can buy tourist packages that often include public transport, entrance fees to museums and other sights and discounts at shops and restaurants. I didn’t expect to find such an offer at Երևան, Armenia, but I dramatically underestimated the tourism industry in Armenia (focussed mostly on Russian tourists). The YerevanCard is a comprehensive package giving you everything you need for a stay in the city. You can order it only and then collect it at tourist offices in the city.

November 15, 2019April 15, 2022

Dram

The Armenian word ‘dram‘ (դրամ) just means ‘money‘ – and it is the name of the local currency. A dram is divided into 100 luma, but there aren’t any luma coins circulating anymore. Currency symbol is Դ, but most often the abbreviation ‘dr.‘ seems to be used. The dram was introduced in 1993 and replaced the Russian ruble as the formerly official currency.

November 15, 2019February 6, 2020

Zvartnots

The international airport of Երևան, Armenia (EVN), is called Zvartnots because it is located in a municipality with that name 10 kilometres west of Երևան. The location is known for a special church from the 7th century and the airport is designed after the shape of that church. It was opened in 1961 and the newest terminal was opened in 2007. It has only one runway but it looks really modern and is well-organized.

November 14, 2019November 22, 2019

Visa or no visa

Sheremetyevo International Airport, Москва́

Russia is one of the countries with the most complicated visa rules. When I wanted to fly from Germany to Armenia, the only sensible flight was with Aeroflot via Москва́ – including switching planes at the Sheremetyevo airport (SVO). If you plan such a trip two questions arise automatically: how much time is necessary to switch planes at SVO and – do I need a visa? The first question is easily answered by Aeroflot; their website tells you the minimum amount of minutes you need.

October 26, 2019February 19, 2020

Best Western Leoso

Leverkusen, Germany, is somehow a strange city: a giant chemical factory, some pure residential zones, a city centre with shopping opportunities – all lined up along river Rhein, a major street and the railway tracks. If you’re travelling by train you might want to have a hotel close to the station and then the Best Western Leoso is a good choice. It is located just 500 meters north of the station and is easily accessible on foot. Don’t expect a beauty – it is a huge hotel block and getting into it feels like travelling in time.

October 7, 2019April 19, 2022

Green Island

Ireland (or Éire) is a wonderful island in the North of central Europe. It has beautiful landscapes, real natural highlights (like the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher) and many, many sheep. The capital Dublin has a high density of interesting places, but in 2020 also Galway became a centre of attraction as the European Capital of Culture. But Ireland is also interesting in its history and the division into the mainly Catholic Republic of Ireland and the Protestant Northern Ireland as a part of the United Kingdom.

October 6, 2019October 16, 2019

Irish

Official languages of Ireland are Irish and English. If you travel on the island you don’t need to learn Irish, everybody will be able to talk to you in English (but it is always nice to know some words!). Every now and then you will probably hear somebody speaking Irish and most signs a bilingual. I didn’t experience any real problems because of that – only when I wanted to go by DART to Howth I was surprised that the destination of the train was Binn Éadair and I needed to get the clue that this is just another name for the same location.

October 6, 2019October 17, 2019

Iarnród Éireann

For two days I was travelling by bus through Ireland and Northern Ireland. And then on my way to Galway, Ireland, I decided that it was enough. Jammed into an uncomfortable bus I took my smartphone out of my pocket and booked a train ticket from Galway back to Dublin. Without registration on the website. With online payment. And with choosing a seat like in an aeroplane. One of the best decisions I made on this trip.

October 4, 2019April 19, 2022

Baile Átha Cliath

Dublin seen from Guinness Storehouse, Dublin

Dublin or Baile Átha Cliath in the Irish language is the capital city of Ireland. It is located on the river Liffey and not far away from the Irish sea. The name goes back to the Irish word Dubhlinn meaning ‘black pool’ referring to such a tidal pool near the Liffey. The city was first mentioned in the year 140 and in 842 the Vikings created an own settlement in the area. Its history is strongly connected to the history of the country and you can find traces of the Great Famine, the Easter Rising and the Irish independence war.