Baku, Azerbaijan
Today was my final full day which I had left as a free day. My first issue I had to resolve was my online check in for my flight tomorrow morning. The flight times had changed by 10 minutes and the only option I kept getting was to cancel this flight or book another flight. I didnt want to do either so would have to goto the Turkish airlines office in person at the airport.
First I discovered another Orthodox Church by the main train station on google maps. The morning Sunday service was taking place.
At the train station there was supposed to be an airport bus. I looked everywhere but there was no sign of it nor anyone to ask. The other option was to take the metro a few stops to where the bus also picks up closer to the airport.
At the metro station was a big bus terminal but no signs for the bus. I tried asking a driver but he said no. The only other option was to take a taxi. I wanted to find out how to get there as I might need to come by transit tomorrow as my ride from my apartment seemed unreliable.
The taxi was 8 Az ($5.60) and the guy said there was no bus to the airport. At the airport I needed to find the Turkish airlines office to complete my check in which was being blocked online due to a 10 min time change.
The guy in the office didnt seem the slightest bit interested that I couldnt check in. This is after all 'the worlds favourite airline'. He looked in the computer and said it was fine. I said that I cant check in so he replied try again later. Some help when I made a special trip coming and had even been emailing the website about the problem.
I decided to goto the check in counter. They said the same thing, it was ok, and to come back tomorrow. I asked how other people are able to check in and get their boarding cards. They said everybody has to come in person and nobody gets online boarding cards. I had to leave it at that since everyone was in the same situation. Interesting how the 'worlds favourite airline' operates.
Outside there was an airport bus and vending machines to buy tickets. Cost is 1.30 Az (.90 cents) very cheap for an airport bus. It went back to the train station where I had been looking this morning.
Back in the city I wanted to walk to the waterfront and check some sites but this was all blocked off due to the Formula 1. I couldnt see the Government house but instead went to the pedestrian street.
I found the National Museum which was supposed to be open today but they were also closed due to the Formula 1. Nearby the Museum of Literature was also fenced off and inside the Formula 1 ticket holders area. Apparently the Formula 1 was more important than their national culture.
Inside the city walls would be the only parts unaffected. Entrance to the Palace of the Shirvan Shahs was 15 Az ($10.50). This partially made up for missing the other museums.
Although the exhibits were interesting it was only a couple of rooms and not much for 15 Az.
Outside was a lower level but you didnt need tickets so anyone could go. There was a small mosque and building with tombs.
It was interesting exploring but again this was all free and not part of the 15 Az ticket. There was however a lower level tomb that required a ticket and partially made up for the price.
Outside was the miniature book museum which surprisingly was free. There was also a medieval style gothic mosque.
They an alley I could see another minaret so followed it to another mosque. I then navigated my way thru the winding streets to the Beyler Mosque.
This is now a historic book museum and has various religious and scientific texts.
I saw posters for a puppet museum which was unique. The tourist office told me it was the other side of the old town so I had to walk all the way back. When I got there it was closed and they told me it was a theatre and shows are in the evenings on certain days but not today.
Finally I made my way back. I'd been looking to get the inside glass cleaned in my phone camera and I found someone who did it for only 2 Az ($1.40), very cheap!.
There was a lot I didnt get to see due to the Formala 1 (Government House, National Museum, Museum of Literature, Carpet Museum, Little Venice). Too bad I didnt know about this or I would have arranged dates to avoid if completely.
see also today's vlog - https://youtu.be/Xl9boySfrzI
2025-05-22