1. On the walking tour with guide

2. Logan doing a half-turn and holding rattle and sarong

3. Republic Square on Independence Day

Photos

OK - I give up - will try and post photos tomorrow!

Walking tour of Yerevan and 17 years independence

Amazing how quickly time is going! Logan and I have been here nearly 5 weeks now. Firstly - pic of Kate (my sister) and Sam's little on Jayden. He is very cute and apparently gaining weight fast!

Logan and I are settling into a routine now.  I am learning to cook (I think I can hear laughter from here!) and Logan is learning all the other skills necessary to be a smart baby. Last week was grabbing toys, this week its the half-turn.

As a family we went for a 2 hour free walk around Yerevan run by the Envoy Hostel here. It was really interesting and we had a funny smart guide too. Funny thing is I was more worried about Pete's behaviour than Logan's because Pete hates tours - but both boys behaved well!

Then on Sunday night we went out for dinner to celebrate Armenia's Independence and had a walk around the busy Square.  Look at he next post for the photos...

New nephew/cousin

Yay! We have a new nephew. Jayden Allen arrived last week. He is very cute (unfortunately I have no photos to post though) I was actually on the computer every 10 min last week waiting for photos - they never arrived though. Luckily I have Facebook and Skype!

Mum and Bubs are doing well. Jayden weighed in at 3.75kg - just a tiny bit more than Logan.

Wow - Logan is developing fast this week. He is picking up toys now and smiling a lot (especially at his Dad...grrr does he forget who feeds him?) Speaking of - bit of a growth spurt this week - which is great... now he's headed for the 50th percentile in weight.

He has been sleeping thru the night since 8 weeks and most of the time is just a lovely satisfied baby...always sleeps when we go out :) 

Pleased to see NZ's weather is improving. Its lovely here now...Autumn and so comfortable. Not looking forward to the Winter though!

Logan's first sail

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the comments :) I was hoping to post some video today but unfortunately we are still figuring out how to get the video on the computer - so photos will have to do.

Yesterday we went sailing on a catamaran for Edith (one of Peter's friends) birthday on Lake Sevan. This is basically the only big body of water Armenia has. It is apparently the third largest high-altitude lake.

We got down to the lake at 1pm (after Pete had done the fruit and veggie shopping and made breakfast!) and went sailing for four hours. Logan seemed to really enjoy the fresh air and sunshine at first - but when he started to grizzle a little we took him downstairs into the cabin where he promptly fell asleep (and stayed asleep for the next six hours!)

That allowed us to have dinner after sailing in a small Armenian restaurant selling fresh trout as well as other BBQ'd meats. The food here is very delicious and fresh. Lots of cheese, yoghurt, fresh vegetables and breads are served with most meals. Jalapenos and pickles are often served too. And , of course, vodka for the toasts - which are always positive, flattering and warm.

Speaking of Vodka - Pete got 20y Brandy for Father's Day. Very considerate of Logan as I do believe Mum loves the brandy too. Happy Father's Day to all Fathers, Grandfathers and Great Grandfathers out there xxx

Key to photos 

 1. Hayley on the catamaran

2. Edith and her friend Alex

3. The view from the boat

4 and 5 Logan on his first sail 

Trip to the markets and around Yerevan

Thanks for the comments - like all of you I wasn't sure I could do this myself! 

Friday was quite fun. Walked Logan down to Republic Square and had lunch in a cafe there. It was all going so well till I had to pay and they didn't accept credit card which was my only way of paying! Fortunately there was a bank across the road so I was escorted there by the waiter and paid cash (it wasn't like I would do a runner with a pram!)

Friday night we went out for  a lovely dinner and Logan performed like a star. I really hope this behaviour continues! We have found that - as long as he is part of the action he has no problems. If you try and put him in a quiet room - that's when the trouble starts!

On Saturday night we had a lovely dinner with Iranian food...mmm...very good!! And salty - so the red wine went down a treat :)

Yesterday we had another trip to the markets which Pete loves doing and I can think of a few people reading this post that would love it too! Probably the only downside is the multiple butchers along the pathway. If you ever thought that meat came from a fridge - this sight would quickly change your opinion. Oh - and there are no fridges... so the meat bakes there in 30-40 degree heat....

But the fruit and veggies are amazing - you can get anything - peaches, plums, nectarines, berries (the punnet shown was $3.60 - with raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and another berry I do not know!), figs, pomegranites, oranges, bananas, even kiwifruit!

Following this we went for a big walk around the Opera House and Vernaissage ( I think that's right) where artists display their works.

Today I did a big walk from the apartment back to that area. It is much busier on a weekday - though I think it must be school holidays. I have never seen so many well-dressed 15y olds - seriously our school balls were more casual. Though I could do with some fashion advice from some of them!!

Key to photos:

1. Logan and I in the park around the Opera

2. Logan and Pete foreground of Opera

3. Logan getting ready to tackle the markets (Pete dressed him!)

4. Berries at the market

5. Fresh produce on the way to the market

6. Republic square

  

Arrived!

Hi everyone! We have been here one week now. As you can see - although Logan is less than 8 weeks - he already seems interested in books!

It was a long flight from Auckland to Singapore - especially with 5 pieces of hand luggage! (and having to get off in Brisbane) but it really was great spending the week with Tracey and Andre. 

The next part of the journey wasn't too strenuous - except there was no Business lounge for Armavir in Dubai. Don't think I have ever seen so many people lying on the floor in an airport! At least they had nice big toilets with a change table (Yes!!!)

It was wonderful seeing Pete again. He looked so smart and clean too - made me feel a bit self-conscious after travelling for a few hours! Fortunately he was most interested in how little Logan was no longer quite so little! 

So - my impressions of Armenia so far? It's very different. The weather is lovely dry and warm (well 38 degrees yesterday!) It's quite dusty and very lively on the streets. People drive like maniacs (including recent ex-pats!!) The people are lovely and infatuated with Logan (tho - says proud Mum - who isn't?) 

We went to the markets on Saturday... kept thinking of my Mum who would be in seventh heaven. Its the end of the apricot season but there are peaches the size of baseballs, and figs and sweet sweet grapes and plums. And heaps of other fruit I have not seen before. The fruit cost around $2 a kilo too - and we were probably overcharged!

The apartment is huge. Two massive lounges big kitchen and dining and balcony. Our ensuite is bigger than a lot of bedrooms and we have aircon. Along with cable and a water cooler makes life a lot easier. If only we had a mobile interpreter!!  We have part-time help which is great too - but they don't speak any English at all so it can get interesting.  Armenians love babies and they love to tell me what I should do with Logan - even in Armenian. I know it is cultural but it can get very frustrating!

So today - when Logan wakes - we are going for a big walk around the square. I will take my guidebook because eveyone knows I am a tourist anyway and we will report back! I will try and take a photo too.