We then got ready for the day and headed down to the lobby to grab a cab. Unfortunately there was a bit of a mix up and we ended up waiting for said cab for close to an hour. That said, we both had things we were doing and our day wasn't particularly booked, so we were in no hurry to get the cab or rush the staff. We then did get a cab after much unneeded apologies and headed north around the heart of the city to the Baku Caves.
As we reached the site there was a huge ridge, standing completely independent of any sort of elevated range. That said it had sheer cliffs that must have been a few hundred feet high with beautiful stalagmites (?)(the ones that hang down... maybe stalactites...) Anyway, beautiful scenery. At the base of the ridge there was a set of stairs, which i'll get to. In short, the caves are home of a local temple (Buddhist I think, though they really just seemed known as the Baku Caves). So, as you walk towards the ridge and the caves there are a number of local vendors selling snacks and the like.
A bit closer the path split to follow the ridges sides. We only went to one side but there we saw a small pond with hundreds of japanese colorful fish and what seemed to be a little playground. we continued to walk towards the end of the ridge, where there was a small cave entrance to what appeared to be a cave/room for prayer. On the way we'd passed a couple of small independently roofed structures. Each one seemed to be small areas for prayer, and they were all pretty.
What was most interesting was the stairs. Rising from the ground in the center of the ridge was a flight of rather narrow and steep steps, rising to the main cave. Along the side of the steps rose a HUGE golden statue. Anyway, on our way up the steps our view of the city went from good to better. Similarly, our views of monkeys improved the same way. Turns out monkeys love these caves as they were everywhere. But, we continued the climb, and if I counted correctly we reached the top after 272 steps.
At the top we stood at a massive cave entrance. The cave ceiling had to be a good hundred feet high or so, and there were random wholes through which the sun illuminated the walls and floors. Around the walls were carvings in many colors of various different religious sculptures. I was surprised when this cave did not end in a back wall though. Instead there was another (though much shorter) set of stairs leading out of the cave tunnel. There we emerged on a circular plateau where the ceiling had been broken through or eroded away or never existed. It was like an island of sunlight surrounded by high looming stone walls and a cave as the only exit. It was pretty sweet.
So, that was the Baku Caves. That led to the trip back to the hotel, which was a bit more adventure than one hopes. We told the cab driver the location, and he proceeded to say he knew... and then seemed to not. So we had a bit of trouble getting back but managed just fine all the same. I also think he simply misunderstood the directions and wasn't attempting to scam us. In the end we paid an extra 2-3 dollars but it wasn't worth fighting over. So back at the hotel, in spirit of relaxing... I took a nap. It was a delicious nap.
Then for our last event and dinner. This I'd been waiting for since Singapore. Originally I had found a steamboat restaurant online, but a manager at the front desk gave us a recommendation to one he goes to. It was a little further away but in was willing to do that for having someone vouch for the place. So, we reached the restaurant wand were seated with a pot of two soups; chicken broth and a hot/spicy.
The style, being steamboat, is basically fondue meets bbq. There's a buffet style table PILED with veggies, fish, fishballs, shellfish, dumplings and all sorts of goodies. All of it is uncooked and awaiting our pot of boiling soup. I watched another group go at it and had to chuckle. I tried to mimic them, and just went down the line piling up a plate. Conversely, at first Margaret was being very selective and taking 2 of each thing. Once pointed out we were both scooping up large plates. It was nice using our neighbor table as a guide...
Anyway, there were shrimp, crabs, clams, muscles, fish, veggies noodles, dumplings and so much more I can't even describe. Gallon with this there we're 5 different dipping sauces and free refills for the soups. Over the next 1-2 hours we each ate a couple beeping plates of seafood. It was a lot of fun. We also topper it off with all you can eat ice cream. I found the peach ice cream to be by far my favorite.
Dinner also led to a pun that continues to make me smile. As Margaret was struggling (I was too at this point) but we were trying to finish what food we'd taken... I was mid shrimp and asked Margaret: "are you gonna be able to finish that fishball or are you going to prawn it off on me?" I was likely too proud of this pun... but that's ok.
Anyway, if was a great dinner to bid farewell to the southern hemisphere. Tomorrow we head to japan!
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