As we are leaving Nakhchivan, the road is rising toward the high points of Tendürek, and the landscape is suddenly opening in front of us. A cool wind is coming through the window, and the lines of the mountains invite your camera. Each curve of the road is becoming the first memory of the journey.
Approaching Tatvan, the large crater of Nemrut greets us. The lake’s surface is mirroring the clouds, and each step we make on this path reveals to us traces left behind by ancient flows of lava. At the viewpoint, we stop, feeling the scale of this natural wonder in all its uniqueness.
In Ahlat, the fine craftsmanship on the tombstones of the Seljuks comes alive before your eyes. The carved patterns in the stone are whispering tales of the centuries. In this deep silence, this meeting becomes one of your most personal contacts with history.
Lake Van’s shores open up to your breath, while shades of blue accompany your way. We get closer to Akdamar Island with a boat, and the reliefs of the church come into view. While we walk through the courtyard, we notice one by one all the scenes carved in stone.
While we climb up to Van Castle, the city and the lake come together in a single frame. Daylight travels across the walls; the traces of the past stand side by side with the liveliness of the present. It is from here that we read the rhythm of Van like a painted landscape.
During the city tour, new doors have been opening up for us: the smell of the market, the sound of the streets, and the local flavors. With a glass of tea rising from a thin-waisted cup, we are taking a short break. As we are getting ready to return, a clear route and a desire to come again have been staying with you.
