Azerbaijan Achieved – Our 18th Country!

Thursday July 24, 2014, 57 miles (92 km) – Total so far: 4,002 miles (6,441 km)

July 23, 2014 42 miles After a 5 day stay in Rustavi we were ready for our Azerbaijan journey to begin. It was a very hot day and Jocelyn was ill with another stomach bug. I had just gotten over my second in two weeks and she came down with it again yesterday so I knew it would be a tough day as we made many “bush” stops. She pushed through like a real trooper until the mid-afternoon heat set in. We stopped several times for Jocelyn to rest and stuck out our thumbs occasionally but there were no takers. So we continued on and at the top of a hill we spotted what appeared to be a restaurant where we could maybe get some cool water as our containers were well heated but wet which is what matters. Well, it was a motel too. Not a very nice one but still a good resting place with air conditioning that worked! There have been other times on this journey where we felt at the end of our rope but all of a sudden everything works out. This was one of those occasions. We were immediately taken in by the family. After a few cold draft beers and food we retired early. Jocelyn had read on warmshowers that within 3 days of entering Azerbaijan we must register (whatever that means). So the proprietor told us that he would drive us to the government building to do that tomorrow morning.

July 24, 2014 15 miles We spent the entire morning back and forth to a government office for the registration process. The hotel proprietor had forgotten his passport so we had to return to the hotel and back. It was a very confusing process requiring us to get copies of passports, visas, travel plans etc. It was easy checking into Azerbaijan through passport control but this part was ridiculous. I think it was overkill on an official’s account but we just stood there and smiled. Supposedly we were required to register for immigration or face a fine of $300 USD per person when we exit the country. After 3 hours all the paperwork and about 4 mantas (about $5.10 USD) all put in an envelope for mailing but we did have a very official looking receipt that we had registered for something anyway. Because of this we didn’t get on the road until 12:30. What an exhausting day already and we were leaving in the heat of it. Jocelyn was a little better but not much. We just wanted to get some east miles in and proceeded. After 15 miles we entered the really cool town of Agstafa and found a hotel with the nicest administrator, Rashad. We immediately hit it off as he is a mountain cyclist. There was quite a crowd outside the hotel as there were “Americans” in town. Rashad helped carry all our gear and bikes up three flights of stairs to a very comfortable and air conditioned room. Air conditioning is getting few and far between. We walked to a local market where once again the words “Welcome to Azerbaijan” rang out from various people. We have heard this shouted from cars too. After washing clothes and a wonderful shower I moved downstairs in the “lobby kitchen area” and set up shop with my computer. The other administrator, Orkhan was there and the three of us hit it off as we talked everything including politics which is very rare for me. They are both Muslims and even though I am a Christian the camaraderie was very apparent. Once again we were reminded that this journey is all about the people you meet.

Our ride out od Rustavi, Georgia.
Our ride out od Rustavi, Georgia.

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Riding into a big drop off.
Riding into a big drop off.
Our morning rest stop...
Our morning rest stop…
which included fresh grapes from the vine...
which included fresh grapes from the vine…
so sweet and delicious.
so sweet and delicious.
A Georgian Police Station.
A Georgian Police Station.
A new housing tract.
A new housing tract.
From the left...Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
From the left…Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
Don't quite know why the "good luck" as we exit Georgia.
Don’t quite know why the “good luck” as we exit Georgia.
Our only entering Azerbaijan picture as we were asked to leave.
Our only entering Azerbaijan picture as we were asked to leave.
I guess this will do. It translates as "a good way".
I guess this will do. It translates as “a good way”.
Interesting.
Interesting.
What's left of a castle.
What’s left of a castle.
"The shadow know..."
“The shadow know…”
An oil changing place...
An oil changing place…
including ramps.
including ramps.
An Azerbaijan sunset.
An Azerbaijan sunset.
We asked for a roll of toilet paper so a trip was made to purchase this.
We asked for a roll of toilet paper so a trip was made to purchase this.
Not exactly "Charmin".
Not exactly “Charmin”.
No seat either.
No seat either.
Another cool flag.
Another cool flag.

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Water stop.
Water stop.
Jocelyn cooling off.
Jocelyn cooling off.
Rashad presenting me with an Azerbaijan flag.
Rashad presenting me with an Azerbaijan flag.
Orkhan. What a fine hotel in Agstafa.
Orkhan. What a fine hotel in Agstafa.

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One thought on “Azerbaijan Achieved – Our 18th Country!

  1. Hello from hot Florida!
    I know we cannot complain because our a/c works well all day. Set at 79F it is very comfy with a fan going overhead. I wish the same for you and hope that your good fortune continues in this very difficult part of the world. We have the rain almost every day of course, so water is never a problem, except the hose gets really hot.
    I am grateful to these kind people you mention and know that your safety is our biggest concern. I hope Jocelyn feels better soon. She misses my baked goodies and our BBQ dinners.
    Good to know you are a registered alien in AZ!
    Stop when you can and hydrate as you know!
    Love always, andee monster

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