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www.jardindelily.com  Domain name is for Sale!

Have a look at Godaddy.com’s auction site or premium listings, if you would like to buy.

Or contact C’est La Vie, Lily (the owner of the domain name).

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Where to Sell Your Travel Photos

While being a lifetime traveller, I simply feel crazy about taking shots of every corner and any nuances I witness wherever I go. There are so many amazing places on Earth, smells, shapes and feelings that are worth being remembered. As I always take my camera with me wherever I travel to, I take endless pictures of things that touch my heart and soul.

Keep reading

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Goght- an Ultimate Corner of Solitude

   Reblogged from C’est La Vie, Lily:

We say “Birthday comes only once in a year, but if you celebrate it right once is enough…”.

This year, I celebrated my birthday to the fullest, filled with emotions and pleasant surprises. Though, a day or two after the birthday, you may feel emptiness, a hole inside your soul…

This is how it happens usually… But not this year and not in this case…

Post-birthday weekend, last summer weekend (last one for us travelling outside the city) we spent it in a secluded village of Goght.

Read original article at:

www.cestlavielily.com

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One Sweet Day in The Magical Town of Roses- Rapperswil-Jona

 “A Rose speaks of Love silently in a language known only to the Heart…”

                                         - Unknown

A Town of Roses… Rapperswil-Jona… The first time I heard this name, I fancied love and romance… I thought of a place that turns into a heaven for the loving hearts, as soon as they enter the magical garden of roses…  

It was summer 2016, when I was planning my trip to Zurich, I came across a piece of information about Rapperswil-Jona situated on the shore of Lake Zurich- the German part of Switzerland.  It was like a flash bomb! I felt a sparkle in my soul and thought to myself: “As soon as I arrive in Switzerland, I will make my way towards the charming lakeside promenade of the wonderful town of roses…”  

 The City of Roses has a lot to offer for wanderers- from picturesque medieval town to fascinating natural setting filled with roses all around. In Rapperswil-Jona, you will find four rose gardens, one of which is designed especially for the blind.

In July 2016, I took a train from Zurich and went in the direction where my heart desired… After an hour-long trip, I arrived in Rapperswil-Jona. The train station was just in front of the beautiful lakeside promenade. So when you get out of the train station, you can find the medieval town just around the corner. The tranquil old town overlooking the Lake Zurich elicits a special type of charm… Have you ever heard the phrase about cities that do have a soul? Well, Rapperswil is one of those places that gently speak to you and leave a tender touch on your soul…

If you’re looking for ways to recharge your romance, Rapperswil-Jona is an ultimate delight that will make your heart sing and reignite the spark between your loving hearts... The subtle fragrance of roses, calming water sounds of the Lake Zurich will leave you in a peaceful state of mind and give you the chance to reconnect with your special one on a deeper level… That heart-pounding, sweaty-palm feeling you get when you’re first falling in love will intensify its power with enchanting blossom of roses…

After getting a piece of information from the local tourist office, I continued my way towards the fascinating lakeside promenade. Then I found myself in the biggest Rose garden of the city…  

“If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I’d be picking roses for a lifetime” – Swedish Proverb

While walking through the beautiful garden of Roses, these words were twinkling inside my brain… It seemed to me the one who created the Rose garden had always someone special in his heart and mind… Someone who would live in eternal sense of Love and affection… 

On this gentle summer day, I was chasing the fragrance of love, which took me to the other side of the lake and Capuchin Monastery, overlooking the marvellous view… The melody of romance whispered in my ear: “This is a place where my senses feel alive… This is a place I want to be admired…”

I passed through the charming medieval town and as a final note, I visited the Rose garden for the visually impaired- the first rose garden for the blind in Switzerland, containing 1522 plants from 75 fragrant varieties, which are all labelled with embossed letters (Braille) and normal lettering.

If you would like to know more about this fascinating city, have a look at official website of Rapperswil-Jona tourist office:

Rapperswil-Jona

PS: When planning your trip to enchanting City of Roses, make sure you type in the correct name that is Rapperswil-Jona. Do not confuse it with Rapperswil, which is another Swiss town located in the Canton of Berne.

Author: Lilit Mkrtchyan

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When Dreams Come True...

They say once in your lifetime, you will get a chance which you might not want to lose…

I have always had a crazy passion for tourism, with an infinite desire to discover hidden corners and unique cultures and plunge myself into the unknown. As a true voyager, I was full of thirst for adventures craving to sense the adrenaline rush while trying unusual activities. If you are like me, filled with the lust for adventures, read the story behind the scene to get inspired: 

It was a cold winter day, the beginning of January. Those messy celebrations of Armenian New Year were coming to end. We were on the way back home from another New Year’s visit when we saw something incredible just in front of the Opera house in Yerevan. A huge balloon surrounded by an endless crowd. I looked at the balloon with bizarre smile and felt excited. It seemed there was a whole new world inside this grand circle object- a world of fantasies, deviant reality and joyfulness! We went closer to observe it further and inquire about its possibilities. The balloon was planning to stay there for only five days, till the fifth of January.

Flying on a hot air balloon has been a lure for me for the last few years and I simply did not want to lose this chance!

Despite the high temperature, I was full of determination to try out this unique experience. Everyone was making an effort to convince me to change my mind, by saying that it is dangerous to fly high in this fever-like state, but I was firm like steel!      

I knew that I would not forgive myself, if I missed this opportunity.

So on the third of January, I was standing in front of the Opera house and gazing upon this marvellous circle object. The fly team was busy with preparations and since that day the wind was trying to put barriers, it was taking more time to get prepared. It is worth mentioning that the project was organized by the Skyball team. Meanwhile I was waiting for my dream to come true, I talked with some of the team members and got to know a lot of amazing facts. For example, they told me that the hot air balloon is tied up to the trees and cars from four sides, as it is not allowed to fly too high in the city. But outside the populated areas, the balloon can fly as high as 3000-4000 metres. The Skyball balloon is designed for four passengers and one pilot, so it is pretty small but cosy.

While looking at the fire of the balloon and imagining the height it will go through, I felt somehow scared. The girl from the Skyball team saw my fear and told me that the “pilot” (this is how they called the man who was ruling the balloon during the flightJ) was also afraid of the height. This made me feel relieved.

When the magical moment finally came, I felt the power that goes beyond and far above my soul. The wind intensified the fire and we flied high above the Opera house.

I saw My Yerevan from the bird’s eye view. It was pure like crystal, warm as sunshine, light as cotton. I gazed to the other side of the scenery and observed the glorious building of the Opera house, filled with pride and grace. For a moment, I believed I had wings to fly and thought to myself: “This was worth risking! This is a memory I will always carry with me throughout my whole life!”   

Outside Yerevan, the hot air balloon of the Skyball operates in places like Sevan and mountainous regions of Armenia. I fancy how delightful it might be to fly above inconceivable landscapes of Armenian highlands and feel intangible marvels of Armenian nature. Arzni, Yeghvard, Aparan, Garni, Goris, Tatev and Odzun are on the list of the Skyball’s route.    

If you are in Armenia and feel thirsty for adventures, check out the Skyball website for more information:

http://skyball.am

Last but not least: do not forget to put on warm clothes when opting for this crazy adventure.

Author: Lilit Mkrtchyan

Photo Credits: L. M.

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My Genuine Obsession with Horses: How It All Started

Some horses will test you, some will teach you, and some will bring out the Best in You- Unknown

Quite often it is assumed that horses are creatures designed especially for males, by taking into consideration the phenomenon of cowboys- wild and masculine boys! As for me, I feel there is a special connection between horses and girls. I believe we understand each other better and may connect with one another on a deeper level. We know the unique feminine approach towards them which may spark a light in their eyes and calm their hearts.

It would not be true to say that my fascination with horses began since my childhood.        

My admiration towards horses was revealed much later and presently, I am simply in Love with Horses! I feel a special kind of bond with these lovely creatures. Every time I see a horse on my way, my heart starts trembling from joy and infinite delight…

My first very bright and memorable horse-riding experience took place in summer 2012, in a small Dutch town Rhenen. It was a horse-riding school for different levels. There were horses of diverse colours and ages. I was given a very special one- a seventeen years-old female horse with humble eyes. She had a truly feminine name “La Farola” and was an enchantingly-beautiful white horse, adorned with red ribbons.

This was the start of my genuine obsession with horses, which I believe will last for a lifetime…

Some time later, after returning from The Netherlands, I decided to try horse-riding in my native country Armenia. It was a lovely day of May, we went on a trip around Ashtarak, then visited the village of Parpi in Aragatsotn region and on the way back home we made a spontaneous stop near Ashtarak Bridge to explore “Ayrudzi” horse-riding club. I confess that was my idea to stop there! How could I pass through a spot full of horses, without even gazing at them?

They say you can spend a cheerful weekend in this club filled with stories and unforgettable experiences… So, we decided to find it out if that was the case. When we approached the club, I immediately noticed a big dog and expressed my fear to get out of the car. Yes, I acknowledge that I am afraid of dogs! It started since my childhood, from an unpleasant experience that generated this fear in me. I also assume that despite my fear, I do love dogs. How it can be so, you may ask. Well, it is possible, believe me. You can even be afraid of your loved ones at times of despair or excitement.

Getting back to the horse-riding experience, my father tried to convince me to get out of the car, by pointing out at the clever eyes of the dog. And finally, I did. Soon we started talking with the owner of the club, who suggested the brown horse that was running on the arena. This time it was a male horse. I felt fragile next to him: fragile, but safe. The owner helped me to jump on the horse and started explaining what I shall do.

A small note: if you are a beginning horse-rider, it is advisable not to move independently and hold on tightly to the horse.

So, we made circles with the horse, the man showed me some tricks how to control the horse and I felt pure delight… It was a feeling that is hard to explain with words. You better try it for yourself and see how amazing this can be.

It’s true when they say “Some horses will teach you and some will test you. But there are those that will bring out the Best in you!”. This male one has revealed the best in me, by teaching how to control my emotions and actions, while at the same time rejoicing in the fragile scent of elation and gratification. It was my first horse-riding experience in Armenia that I will always keep in the deepest corners of my heart.

They also say that horses can be a mirror to your soul. My relation with horses has revealed a hidden aspect of the real me: the one that says: “don’t stop, take out risks and be spontaneous sometimes…” Only by taking risks, we can truly find the fuel within our soul that can burn a light and help experiencing the most beautiful moments of our life.    

What is especially attractive about “Ayrudzi” horse-riding club is its diversity of activities: besides taking risks and feeling the magical moments of horse-riding, you may spend a leisure time with your friends or loved ones in this hidden corner of romance. This is a platform that can bring emotional, sporting, as well as informative benefits. During the    horse-riding at “Ayrudzi”, personally I learnt a lot of nice things from the owner of the club: for instance, he told me that white horses are not born white; they change their skin colour throughout years after birth. This discovery was really fantastic for me! I have always had a special tender attitude towards white horses, but now it came out that white horses are not born white as per se.

If you want to feel the magical moments of horse-riding at “Ayrudzi” riding club, have a look at their Facebook page: Ayrudzi . But make sure to have an interpreter with you and wear comfortable shoes when visiting the club J    

Author: Lilit Mkrtchyan

Photo credits: L. M.      

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Useful Tricks on How to Use Armenian Public/Private Transport

So you arrived in Armenia and feel astonished by the abundance of mini buses in and around the capital Yerevan? Well, you are not alone! We- Armenians feel confused as well from those mini buses, or otherwise called “marshrutkas” :)

While the “marshrutkas” are really cheap, at the same time they are uncomfortable: not enough space to seat or even stand. Yes, you read me well- to stand! Quite often people travel standing in “marshrutkas” (I mean travelling a short distance- inside Yerevan, for example)! It is not convenient, though at times it can be really funny to brighten up your whole day J When you ask an Armenian person “how can you travel like this”, he or she will smile and answer: “what can we do, we get used to this sort of things”. That is the nature of Armenians- to adapt to variety of circumstances: good and bad, comfortable and uncomfortable. Otherwise, we would not be able to survive for so many centuries.

Of course, we have buses, too. But those are operating in a very small quantity as compared to mini buses. Although you may use them as well if you have got the time. Personally, I prefer waiting for the buses than using the mini buses.  

Another factor that might let you to get out of the bus or a mini bus is that sometimes the drivers do smoke, despite the existing law against smoking in the transport! This is really dazzling for me as well and whenever I see the bus driver smoking or trying to smoke, I ask him not to smoke. If you ever happen to come by such case, just say these magical four words to the driver and he will stop smoking (at least, he is obliged to):

Khndrum em, mi tskheq! (I wrote it down in Latin fonts, so that you understand it easier. Armenian is very complicated to pronounce, if you are new to itJ). That means: “Please, do not smoke”. This is your right to ask for!

Some other phrases that might come in handy when using Armenian public transport: if you want to drop off the bus or a mini bus, you need to say out loud: “Aystegh Kangneq!”, meaning “stop here”. I know, I know… This is ridiculous, especially if you come from a developed European country, USA, Canada or New Zealand, where in such cases special buttons inside the buses come into use. I feel your discontent quite well, as I have spent some time of my life in The Netherlands, where so many things are developing very fast. But this is the way it works in Armenia. I really hope and want to believe that one day my country will adopt the use of those buttons and many other positive developments as well…

If in any way you feel not ready to go through those “barriers” when using Armenian public transport, another option for you could be the taxis. Oh right! Sometimes they do smoke in taxis, as well… In this case, I recommend you an alternative: there is the GG transporting system operating both in Armenia and the neighbouring Georgia. You simply download the GG application on your mobile phone. Whenever you want to order a taxi, you just double tap on the icon and the taxi will be at your service in about five minutes. What is especially attractive for me with regards to GG service is that it is a non-smoking one (extremely valuable attribute in a widely-smoking country like Armenia). You will never ever meet a GG taxi driver smoking inside the car.

Now you already know some tricks on how to use Armenian public transport and taxis. So I wish you good luck and cheerful time in our beautiful country :)  

Photo Credits:  Lilit Mkrtchyan