 FFI Impressions
Tweed Valley - Australia to Baku – Azerbaijan
20 May – 2 June 2008
In the frame of FFI Citizen Exchange Program Baku Club has summarized its first exchange – hosting Tweed Valley – Australia Club between 20 May -1 June 2008. Australian Ambassadors visited first Baku, then Sheki. During their stay in Baku they had a very loaded but interesting program. In Baku their tour began from Honorary Square, Martyrs Avenue, Funicular and then they visited Icheri Sheher, Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs’ Palace. In the evening they were given a welcome Party in Shusha restaurant.
The other days they visited the following places: Sangachal Oil Producing Terminal, The Carpet Museum and The Museum of Applied Art, Azerbaijan Museum of Independence and Public Theatre Museum, Museums of Literature and Education, History Museum, S.Vurgun Museum, U. Hajibeyov Museum, Symphonic Concert at the Phylormonic, the ballet “Swan Lake ” at Opera and Ballet Theatre, a tour to Mardakan –Mir Mohsun Aga Mosque , Dendro Park Flower Garden and Murtuza Mustafayev’s Museum, Atashgah –Fire Temple in Surakhani, Gobustan Rock Mountain Monument, Bulbul’s Museum, Baku Boulevard – Tour on the Caspian Sea, etc.
We also had a chance to be in some excellent restaurants that serve traditional meals; Khan Bagi, Khelife, Dervish and also in the summer house in Fatmai where the guests were in the sea and enjoyed the warm atmosphere in the community – friendship family.
On day 8 , 27 May Tuesday we all left for Sheki- a land of rich culture, picturesque nature and delicious cuisine. We started early in the morning and continued the way enjoying the beautiful nature of Azerbaijan. We stopped in ancient Shamakhi region to have lunch and some rest. At 16:00 p.m we reached Sheki and located in the ancient historical hotel “Karvansaray”.
During their stay in Sheki Australian Club members had a chance to be to the following interesting historical places as Sheki Khan Sarayi, Mustafa bey Garden, Akhundov’s Museum, Galarsan - Gorersen Fortress, Albanian Church in Kish Village, Sheki Silk Museum, Juma Mosque, Markhal Recreation Center, Soyug Bulag, Sheki Handicraft Association, etc. The last place to visit was “Joy”- a nice place for rest in Orta Zeyzid village where we had a Farewell Party for Australian Club.
The Australian Ambassadors had a great deal of hiking throughout the northern region of Azerbaijan – Sheki that has many mountain trails on which hiking is really very enjoyable. On June 1, we left Sheki and visited some more picturesque of Azerbaijan – Oguz and Gabala regions and had lunch in the lap of nature.
We reached Baku late at night. On June 2 at 02:20 am wishing them good luck we saw our friends off to France.
We have had the first exchange in the history of Baku Club and gained pretty good experience via sharing with our Australian friends and also learned a lot from them. We really understood the motto of FFI that the main thing is “ Faces not Places”. Here are impressions of some Australian ambassadors on our country.
Impressions of Australian Club members:
“ I was amazed by the merry club members’ energy. Some of the highlights for me were the Carpet Museum, History Museum and historic Rock Monument. Many thanks to ED, President and all Azerbaijan FFI members for a wonderful exchange.” -Keith Herbig
“The Baku Exchange has been packed with activities that kept our group on the go every day and they were all very interesting and enjoyable. The cities’ history and preservation of striking buildings were admirable. The enormous development of high-rise apartments throughout the city was obvious everywhere as were the roads and bridges. Wherever I went I found the people of Baku friendly and helpful.” -Warren Chambers
“What a delightful group of friends we have made in Baku! - We found the locals so helpful and friendly. Food - was very healthy + most enjoyable + locations excellent! “- Roger Barany, Jill Youngblutt
“Where do I start the friendly faces - the music that makes you want to dance when the children would want to dance with you and try out their English and welcome you to their beautiful country. Our host family gave me the warmth and caring of my own family, I’ll miss them.
The food is beyond belief-it is fresh, very tasty and different. The people of Azerbaijan in the streets, on the metro were so courteous, men standing for children, women and older men, it was lovely to see. The sights and culture around Baku were more than I personally expected. The beauty of the mosques, Martyrs’ Lane, Ballet and Philharmonic orchestra just fabulous!” - Jan Davis
“I have been hosted by the most wonderful family all of whom could speak English. The program was excellent. Congratulations on your hard work and the organization put into our exchange! Hope that our club can host your club in the near future and you will have a chance to meet our families as well. What a great exchange! “- Ruth Nott
“I have had the greatest experience – from my wonderful host family and the efforts of our organizers to have such a lovely time in Baku and Sheki”. - Marion Roberts
“The greatest surprise was the people of this country, the enthusiasm of everyone we met and spoke to. We will always think of Azerbaijan and its friendly people who are welcoming and full of confidence. Thank you to everyone who organized this exchange”. - Pat and Jack
“This is only our third exchange with FFI and up to this point it has indeed been a wonderful experience. We have enjoyed every minute and we feel we were spoilt by our kind hosts! We have made new and lasting friendship with
Azerbaijani people. Congratulations on a job well done! We can never thank you enough!!!”- Roy and Lesley Schirmer
“We have been particularly interested in the history and culture of the country. Thanks to the organizing group who have done so much to ensure an enjoyable exchange.” - Des and Val Ireland
“Our time in your country has gone so quickly. We appreciate all the time and work you have done to organizing our program. Faces not places!”- Doug and Lorrene Brown
Written by Khalida Rustamova
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