"Sacred Trinity" Qobustan Rayonu by Assenczo

Volcanoes belching and farting through mud does not sound particularly appealing and maybe it is not for some. No doubt this is not going to dissuade others determined to explore a feature so typical of the region - bowel movements of mother Earth in different shapes or forms such as gas letting oil oozing and guess what mud volcanoing. I am pretty sure this is an earthly mark that can be seen from space so do not miss it!

Dreaming of getting rich

This sight of oil rigs might send shivers through the backs of sensitive people in the context of BP troubles in the Gulf of Mexico but in this case, at this time, the only impediment to entering the waters is the rocks along the shore. Not in view is a neighbouring beach, diligently fenced off where people succumb to the gentle powers of the Sun- but this is another story. More important is probably the fact that the oil industry seems to be in full blossom and it has not damaged the environment, at least in this area. North of Baku is where the best beaches with the cleanest water are located, so this is not even the maximum. A pleasant stop and time for pensive contemplation after tiring treks trough mud volcanoes and the abyss of history, this spot half way between Baku and Qobustan seems to hit the ...spot.

The irony of times

Qobustan is a town that you do not have to see - what a thrill when you have just come out of Baku, the biggest city in the land. What the outskirts have to offer is way more interesting. Here you have the option of watching the seismic (or whatever the scientific word is) activity of the planet or tread through stones to discover ancient carvings or just dip your feet in the largest lake in the world, called Caspian Sea. Closer examination of the entrance plaque provides a glimpse in the change of times. The heading says "Qobustan" in Latin script but the rest is the original from the 50s in Cyrillic when the project of research and preservation of the area was initiated. This is perfectly appropriate considering the fact that the caves contain the marks of different civilizations even prehistory which technically does not fall into this category. The modern times reflect the ancient ones in their fluidity and underline the different trends that merge in this region of the world. What to do, times dictate and we follow!

• Pros:Easy day trip from Baku
• Cons:taxi is necessary
• In a nutshell:Close enough and yet so distant