The war in Nagorno Karabakh received little publicity in the 1990s but resulted in an unrecognized state accessible from Armenia with Azeri refugees forced from their homes which were subsequently torched.
Look at Wikipedia for a full history and there remain sporadic border skirmishes to this day. A Google Earth search will show an extensive trench system on both sides and many abandoned towns which can be spotted by a lack of roofs and inhabitants.
Our Armenian Niva hire car proved superb and in restricted border areas allowed us free access as the same Lada Nivas are used by government agencies.
First stop was Stepanakert for the National Day where many weapons and large hats were on display.
Our visa did not specifically mention Agdam but in cases such as this it is always best to press on and give a firm handshake and broad smiles to any officials en route.
A fine ZAZ 968 yielded some trim for a restoration project back in the UK.
faintly insulting to Islam the way Agdam mosque is kept these days.
849 by nowillj, on Flickr
No more trains to Baku!
[url=https://flic.kr/p/ubsRmY]
797 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/33994701@N03/]nowillj,
Despite the hostilities we had no grief at all, even in sight of the front line. If you fancy going then combine it with a trip to all the grot that Armenia has to offer and rental cars can cross into Nagorno without problems. See: http://karabakh.travel/en/tourist-tales/77/[/url][/url]
Look at Wikipedia for a full history and there remain sporadic border skirmishes to this day. A Google Earth search will show an extensive trench system on both sides and many abandoned towns which can be spotted by a lack of roofs and inhabitants.
Our Armenian Niva hire car proved superb and in restricted border areas allowed us free access as the same Lada Nivas are used by government agencies.
First stop was Stepanakert for the National Day where many weapons and large hats were on display.
Our visa did not specifically mention Agdam but in cases such as this it is always best to press on and give a firm handshake and broad smiles to any officials en route.
A fine ZAZ 968 yielded some trim for a restoration project back in the UK.
faintly insulting to Islam the way Agdam mosque is kept these days.
No more trains to Baku!
[url=https://flic.kr/p/ubsRmY]
797 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/33994701@N03/]nowillj, Despite the hostilities we had no grief at all, even in sight of the front line. If you fancy going then combine it with a trip to all the grot that Armenia has to offer and rental cars can cross into Nagorno without problems. See: http://karabakh.travel/en/tourist-tales/77/[/url][/url]
