Brave Ones in the Caucasus

The tenth or anniversary travel adventure of the Brave Ones finally takes the men to the Caucasus, where they actually planned to go a few years ago. On this trip, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia are waiting to be discovered - neighboring countries, which, unfortunately, are not at all friendly to each other. Teet and Kristjan have accumulated age and experience over the years, so the preparation for the trip is even more thorough. In the first episode, we see small pieces of the upcoming exciting adventures in different countries. We get an idea of the extraordinary hospitality of the local people, and we get the impression that Two Brave's adventure this time will mostly be spent dancing.

The journey of the Two Braves begins in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Baku is a city with a colorful history, where about a quarter of the country's population lives, and there are many different strict rules. Filming is prohibited in many places and this makes the work of travel agents difficult. It is not made easier by the group of three guides who, due to circumstances, are just starting their journey in this position. Kristjan will have the opportunity to show his acting talents and reincarnate the main character of the cult film "Diamond Hand".

The adventure of the two heroes continues in Azerbaijan, or the Land of Fire. On the way to Gobustan National Park, men can experience truly extreme offroad driving. The lunar landscape of the national park resembles a Hollywood sci-fi movie, and mud volcanoes simmer all around. The origin of the numerous rock paintings in the national park and the depicted objects raise several questions for Kristjan and Teet. The journey then takes the men to the city of Quba, home to the world's largest community of mountain Jews. Teet and Kristjan quickly find a common language with the locals and have a pleasant time.

A new day begins in the luxurious heart of Baku, where there are both Bentley and Ferrari showrooms, as well as a large Dolce & Gabbana department store, which many capitals of the world can only dream of. In the temple of the fire worshipers and at the "burning mountain", the men see the natural "eternal fire" as the gas seeping from the ground is ignited before the eyes of the tourists. Guide Vuqar is a true example of Azerbaijani hospitality and invites Brave Ones to his home for dinner. And a day trip from Baku takes the travelers to the most isolated village in Azerbaijan.

The penultimate day in Azerbaijan begins in the country's most famous wine region and in a restaurant there. Then we will visit the town of Gabala and the amusement park Gabaland there. After a short drive, you will reach the city of Sheki, which was once the crossroads of the Silk Road for various merchants. Among other things, Kristjan explains the mystery related to the origin of snowmen. With a heavy heart, the men leave Azerbaijan and fly to Georgia, where they are greeted by their old friend Tiit Pruuli at Tbilisi airport.

The travel adventure continues in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. We will find out why Tbilisi is nicknamed "city of sounds" and Georgia is nicknamed "land of wolves". Since the Estonian man is a dancing lion, one of the Georgian folk dances will be learned and the lively day will end by enjoying the local sauna rituals. Kristjan meets his former schoolmate, who takes the men on an adventure to the suburbs, where tourists don't usually go.

Driving along the picturesque serpentine of Kakheti, reach the town of Kisiskhevi. During the following day, you will once again experience the extraordinary hospitality of the locals, this time at a wine estate run by two brothers. Kristjan finds his way to the manor's kitchen, where he prepares an ancient local dessert, then learns how to make hinkaals, puri and khachapuri. However, you can try the tea, how the winemaking is done in the Georgian way. A very old and unique way of winemaking is also tried, this activity is also accompanied by a fun dance characteristic of Georgians. The most important person of the wine estate, or Tamada, introduces the customs of toasting, which is also very important in this country.

The Two Braves visit a wine estate in Gurdžaani, the owners of which include a well-known Estonian businessman. At the next supra, Kakheti's best singer will perform and a particularly rare wine - Kisi' will be tried. In the town of Signag with its beautiful views, you will visit the museum where the naive paintings of the famous artist Pirosman are exhibited. After a long drive, you reach the ski resort of Gudauri, which, according to Teet, resembles a European Alpine village. This time, the travel adventure of Two Braves has reached the halfway point.

Kristjan and Teet enjoy the mountain views of the Gudauri ski resort and take the Estonian flag to the top of the Kazbek mountain. The trip continues in the town of Mtshetha, where you will meet other Estonians by chance. In the city where Christianity was first officially introduced in the world, travelers can take part in the most important religious holiday of the year. Then they visit a tea plantation with Estonian owners and Kristjan manages to buy something very special. The evening ends with another supra to celebrate the end of a successful tea plantation season.

In this episode, the city of Tskaltubo is visited, where Stalin once had the largest recreation and sanatorium center of the USSR built. Today, the former resorts are abandoned and in ruins, but they still have a grand effect. The trip continues in the popular Georgian summer town of Bathumi, where both locals and tourists from neighboring countries love to visit. The last night in Georgia is spent in a mountain hotel with beautiful views of the Black Sea.

This time, the mighty Makhuntset waterfall in Georgia, well-known in world film history, will be admired. We will visit the first dolphinarium of the former USSR in Bathumi and meet the Estonian ambassador Riina Kaljuranna and her husband, Mart Mardisalu. A night flight will take the two guys to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Ahead of you is an excursion to the Ararat cognac factory, where you can see with your own eyes exceptionally valuable spirits, the price of a bottle of which can be compared to a large bar of gold. The cognac factory surprises the two spirits in an exceptionally dignified way.

Kristjan and Teet get to know Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, which pleasantly surprises with its European urban architecture. Enjoy the park with the works of world-famous sculptors, where a multimillionaire with Armenian roots donated his collection. Men admire the enchanting views of the peaks of Mount Ararat, the highest of which is said to have landed Noah's ark. A slice of black bread helps alleviate the prolonged homesickness of Two Braves - our Muhu bread in Jervevan! We meet the Armenian-Estonian Felix Burman, who is an artist and sculptor. Local hospitality is naturally enjoyed in his home.

This time, Brave Ones will visit the only surviving pagan temple in Armenia, enjoy an exclusive picnic in a mountainous nature reserve and visit a unique natural wonder - Armenia's "Symphony of Stones". Kristjan and Madis get fresh haircuts in the old-fashioned barbershop and buy precious souvenirs from the Yerevan market. It becomes clear how beautiful and precious Armenian hand-made carpets with their own patterns are made and what they represent.

In the last part of the Brave Ones journeys to the Caucasus, the Khor Virap monastery is visited, where a fascinating legend is revealed that explains how Armenia became a Christian country. By the largest lake in Armenia, Kristjan takes a refreshing autumn bath and in the evening we enjoy the wonderful sunset of Lake Sevan. We will also visit the city of Gjumri with a tragic history, which is considered the cultural center of the country. The trip ends at a modern Armenian wine estate.