Ok so now I have calmed down a bit I just need to vent....

All the roads were closed.....taxi journey was a nightmare, but the driver was amazing going through all the backstreets and arguing with the police at all the road blocks!!!!

Eventually we got here to be told that nothing will start for ages because guess what all the delegations are stuck in traffic too....Montenegro's donkey died in the heat exhaustion and cannot be revived!!!! OMG they're in a taxi too;-))

So all it getting there....we have a hanging around moment BUT LOLOLOLOL we have just had the 5 minute curtain call for the first delegation on stage

So we finally arrived at the press centre.....after the obvious drama of the roads all being closed to get to the Arena this moring!!!! Who's bright idea was it to have a cycling race on day one!!!!!!!!

Anyway we are here....EVERYTHING is delayed so nothing is happening until much later on......gives us time to actually look around the press centre and have a quick glance at the arena!!!!

And the arena.....better shots to come later on;-)))

All photos so far are here.....

So here we have a new press-conferences schedule (and you can calculate the rehearsal time then).

There is cycling tour in the city (!!!) something backed by government - and all roads are closed. People can hardly reach press-center, including no official buses as well.

This causes some chaos and mess.

From Day 1

The band has been spotted by me in Baku airport, they've arrived almost simultaneously with my flight from Kyiv

This city really does just keep getting better and better.....last night was a a short trip the local area to eat.....tonight we went to the old town to find an Azerbaijani eating house that had been highly recommended by several guidebooks and some of the locals....the Mugham Club...

Was a really fascinating place.....open air and in a courtyard like place....there were not many guests but we all tried traditional Azerbaijani food, soups and tried the local wine of course;-))

After this we walked around the old town and watched the Flame Towers give their nightly display....truly stunning!!!!

And then down to the Caspian waterfrount to see the new Baku Crystal Hall lit up at night.....

The night sky line is really amazing and if you get a chance this city is well worth a visit....it's getting an 8 out of 10 from us so far....

A short video clip is here but honestly this does not capture how stunning it all looks....

And the rest of tonight's pictures are here;-)

Sorry the interesting Eurovison stuff will have to wait until tmorrow as there is no information today....everything is closed;-)

So last night we wandered around the local area (again) but honestly it's not a chore....the whole city is lovely and extreamly hospitable....people are wonderful, one of the nicest bunch I've ever met...

Continued under cut...

The Press Centre will not open until tomorrow at 11.00. Yesterday we were told it would be open at 9.00a.m. but this has now changed to 11.00a.m.

If I were the Montenegro delegation I would be a bit worried.....most of the press need about 30 minutes to set up to be ready to publish and if, as it seems, we all have to attend a press conference at 11.00 for "further information" then this leaves very little time to get ready....

There were not very many happy faces at the accreditation centre today....about 50-60 people had arrived ready to do some preparatory work, with more coming later today, to be told "come back tomorrow press centre is not ready"

Despite this various web sites, including the official site www.eurovision.tv still say the centre is open today.

Hummmm well we knew there would be teething problems and that some thing's would need work-arounds but to not have the press centre, the focus of most of the action for the next 6 days, ready for journalists arriving from all over the world is (being diplomatic here) not the best situation

Honestly I can't see rehearsals starting much before about 12.30p.m. tomorrow......

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