Kennismaking met berg Ararat

'n Daguitstappie in Armenie met Envoy Tours na die grens van Turkye was 'n besonderse belewing.

                                            Ararat: altyd so mistig misterieus. Altyd sneeubedek,
                                                    vulkanies en meer as 5 kilometer bo seevlak

                                    Sedert ongeveer 1915 nie meer in Armeense grondgebied nie.
                                                      nou anderkant die geslote grens met Turkye

                                              Ararat, met Khor Virap* regs op voorgrond.

Op pad terug van Khor Virap, stop ons vir middagete by Viri, die klipkunstenaar. Dis 'n eenvoudige huis met buitetoilet, maar die groot sateliet TV het 'n ereplek en is aan tydens die ete.  Viri se vrou is 'n uitmuntende kok en ons word oorlaai met hulle gasvryheid.

                                                       'n Voorbeeld van Viri se klipkuns

                                                        Van Viri se gereedskap

                                               Viri wys vir Kia hoe om 'n waterkruik te dra

                                                            Kia op Viri se stoep

                                             Kia en ons gids op die Ararat-toer

                                                                    Kia en die kok

Bron: Wikipedia:    The Khor Virap * (Armenian: Խոր Վիրապ, meaning "deep pit" or "deep well") is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat plain in Armenia, near the closed border with Turkey, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Artashat, Ararat Province. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of Armenian Catholicos.

Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for 14 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Saint Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor, and they led the proselytizing activity in the country. In the year 301, Armenia was the first country in the world to be declared a Christian nation. A chapel was initially built in 642 at the site of Khor Virap by Nerses III the Builder as a mark of veneration to Saint Gregory. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1662, the larger chapel known as the "St. Astvatsatsin" (Holy Mother of God) was built around the ruins of the old chapel, the monastery, the refectory and the cells of the monks. Now, regular church services are held in this church. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Armenia.