Sun, sand and surf (without the sand or surf or, in my case sun) is up for 
offer at Lake Sevan. Jet skis whizz past gentle windsurfers as young couples cuddle while half-assedly paddling in their rented paddle boats. Lakeside cafes overflow with holiday makers as the tea (or beer) flow freely late into the evening. It is a super popular summer escape for the Yerevan elite and "little people" alike. Fresh air, comfortable climate (in the summer) and more fun than you can stand. 10 wonderful weeks in summer, a perfect getaway from the everyday. So what the hell was i doing there at the beginning of November???
Well, I knew what I was getting myself into. The plan was to head up to the lake for some peace and quiet. I had a bit of an 
unlucky streak with noisy hotels elsewhere in the country, so I headed somewhere I knew NOBODY would be. Boy was I right, maybe too right. The coolest thing about lake Sevan is the accommodation. While there are "luxury" hotels, I was interested in something they call "domniks" (little houses). Basically they are converted shipping containers, giving the whole lake-side a trailer park feel. And being VERY off-season, it was hard to even find any of these open. Finally, a babushka at a little cafe hooked me up with my very own little metal coffin. A dream come true.
Oh yeah, did I mention there's a church?! I know! I was in total shock!! 
It's not like there freakin' everywhere in the country. But seeing as it was in the backyard of my paradise mansion, I figured "OK, one more, but that's it!" Sevanavank (the name of the monastery) is old and it was built by some guy who did something important, blah blah blah. Sorry but after the 1,000,000th church you sort of lose 
interest. However, one interesting fact about this church is it was built on Sevan Island. That island no longer exists, it's now a peninsula. A Stalin era water redistribution plan caused the water level of Sevan to drop by 20 metres!! Recent efforts by conservationist have seen it raise 2 metres since 2002. Quite a feat I must admit..
The city of Sevan is about 6km from the lake. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any public transport, so you either have to walk it or get a taxi for 1,000 Lari. From Yerevan, buses and mini-buses leave when full from behind the Yerevan Drama Theatre. There's also a train that makes the trip, but only in the summer. As far as lakes go, Sevan is... well... a lake. But for little landlocked Armenia, it's the closest they'll get to seaside debauchery.
