Day 137: Rest day in Baku

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One of the best things about this journey has been taking a place that you knew the name of but could never have placed on a map, and getting to discover what’s great about it. 

We’ve had a great day discovering what’s special about Baku, and there’s quite a lot to find.  

The old walled city is a feast of sandstone vistas with many 12th Century buildings, as well as a good many from the 19th Century oil boom, all cared for and cleaned so they are a beautiful light sand colour.

The walls of the old city

The walls of the old city

Cobbled streets and sandstone is a great combination

Cobbled streets and sandstone is a great combination

…but, the contrast with the modern city is stark

…but, the contrast with the modern city is stark

The modern buildings compliment the old historic architecture with new designs that are genuinely breathtaking. The Heydar Aliyev Center is unlike anything you’ve ever seen - a rollercoaster of white concrete soaring above the landscape. The Flame Towers are a dramatic addition to the horizon - punctuating the Soviet era blocks with fluid and dramatic glass sculptures.

We were impressed.

The Heydar Aliyev Center is a national museum, but many people are here just to see the building

The Heydar Aliyev Center is a national museum, but many people are here just to see the building

Beautiful flowing sculptured shapes, blended into the concrete base like it’s risen in some enormous concrete explosion

Beautiful flowing sculptured shapes, blended into the concrete base like it’s risen in some enormous concrete explosion

The conference centre next door is pretty innovative too

The conference centre next door is pretty innovative too

This was all fantastic for Tiger with his new camera

This was all fantastic for Tiger with his new camera

Playing with angles and reflections

Playing with angles and reflections

Tomorrow - F1.