Fish and fruits
Citrus fruits abound, together with the less well known, but delicious, feijoa, and grapes from the many vineyards; in fact the list seems endless when it comes to what grows well here. Fish are plentiful too, of course, with the region being on a river and at the seaside. When driving to Lankaran you can’t miss the cheery roadside sellers with their old cast-iron bathfuls of balıq (fish) lining the roads anywhere near the sea or rivers. Look out also for the colourful sunflower fields and for the jigsaw picturesque scenes of horses assisting with the potato harvest. Some gigantic glass houses are extending the growing season and providing a much needed source of tomatoes and cucumbers throughout the winter months. All organic, in case you want to know. You can’t miss the big new football stadium, impressive and shiny, home to the Khazar team, and indicative that Lankaran is a happening place. Listen out for ‘Halay’ – the town’s famous group of Grandmother singers! Lankaran’s many parks are trim and tidy but for real nature visit nearby Hirkan National Park and Xanbulan Lake. You might not see the Caucasian Leopard, but it’s exciting to know it’s there.
Other trips include a drive up to the village of Lerik in the Talysh mountains. The mountain and forest scenery on the journey is stunning and this area is home to some of the world’s oldest people. Gosh, it’s so beautiful here that if this was your home you would be happy to have a long life too.