4-8 Back to Baku

Another day of wandering around Baku.  Our plan was to walk outside of the old city to the funicular that takes you up the hill where the flame towers are.  We passed one of the fountains we had gone by before - only now it had water and was working.

The third tallest flag pole in the world with the Azerbaijan flag.

When we got to the funicular we discovered it was closed on Mondays!  This is what we could have done.

Below - fountain in front, funicular is the rounded glass building on the left, with the flame towers in the back.

Baku has some wonderful modern buildings as well.  Below is the Carpet Museum.

We passed this building on our way from the airport to our hotel.  It is the Caspian Waterfront Mall - or will be when it is finished.

Back to the Carpet museum

On the other side is this weird hand clutching at a tree.

A sports complex.

Reflections on one of the windows of the mall.

Very near here is the Ferris wheel.  I had fun with the fisheye lens.

We took the short 15 minute ride around the wheel.  Not near is photographic as the Singapore Flyer - and not near is expensive!  Baku is in a building frenzy - but still has lots of areas to fill in.

Then back on the ground - a couple of fisheye photos.

Around the Old City and the busy streets they have build underground pedestrian walkways.  In fact if you try to cross the street on ground level you will probably get a jay walking ticket.  But with the fences up now for the Formula One Race coming up I don't think you could jaywalk unless you could climb a 10 ft fence.

Next thing on our list was to go back to the Shirvanshahs' Palace - this time with exact change for the tickets. 

But first, we are back at the little square with the bust of the Poet of Independence, Ahmad Javad.  I had not noticed the last time we saw it that the head had all these carvings in it.  They are depictions characters from his works of poetry.

Finally into the Palace.

 

What was the throne room.

Trays for serving sweets.

Bathing shoes.

 Two sets of typical women's clothing.

A replica of what the Old City might have looked like during the Shah's heyday in the 1400's.

The Shahs tomb.

Antiquities found in the area.

The Palace from the other side.

The prayer room.

The bath house.

We had lunch around 3pm as we did yesterday.  I ordered lentil soup - which we shared in two bowls.  It was surprisingly good!

Mike ordered Lamb and greens pilaf and I ordered the fried fish with vegetables.  I should learn - if it tastes fantastic the first time you have it - it can only disappoint the next.  I love whole fish and the fish itself was very flavorful.  But the vegetables were soggy and greasy. 

Walking back to the hotel we passed this fountain again.  It was on this time and surrounded with people taking selfies and photos of others.

And as we will be leaving for Georgia tomorrow morning - one last shot of our street.  Doorway on the right is into our hotel.