Five days in to our Georgian odyssey and what a trip it’s been, in all senses of the word. Apologies for the photo angles, I will rotate them on my return!
It unfortunately started with the ridiculous, with our return flights cancelled before we even set foot on the outbound plane. Georgian Air was like a breath of the old Won Kei Chinese restaurant in London, unbelievably rude and unhelpful. And the beige food was a throwback to a former era…
But Tbilisi was a real surprise – hugely modern in parts, as it’s only been ‘going’ for the last 10 years since the Russians finally left most of the country, but with a great Old Town, monuments and sculptures everywhere and friendly people (mostly!) trying their best to kindly speak English to us.
Day two was spent with a tour guy, heading past the salt flats up into the hills, trekking up to Davit Gareja monastery. Well, for some people it might have been a slightly challenging hill walk, but for me it was a heart pounding trek.. No health and safety here, some jaw dropping vertical edges right on the border with Azerbaijan- we even nipped over the barrier briefly to try out another country..
We then took our life in our hands and hired a car, possible madness given the lack of rules of the road, the maniac overtakers and the many dogs and cows in the middle of the street. Headed north to Kazbegi and the mountains, with the main draw being the church right up on a peak. Or was it the rather nobby Rooms Hotel with its vast sunny terrace and fabulous view of the valley..
And today, completed the compass with a 5 hour drive south west to Vardzia, the cave city. Ancient monastic dwellings on a sheet cliff face. Requiring long skirts and head coverings, as well as Sophie leaping like a springbok into various orifices for the best Insta shots… And luckily, a brilliant lunch of salad, bread, water, mushrooms and fresh barbecue trout straight from the river flowing by, all for the princely sum of £11 for the three of us.
We’ve had a right old laugh, in between ‘doing’ every cave, monastery, fortress, Russian monument and strange statue in sight. And a great outdoor restaurant and cafe scene, albeit being forced each evening to end up at the jazz bar..Though if I see a tomato and cucumber salad with Georgian walnut dressing ever again, it will still be too soon. Luckily the national dish is this cheesy eggy bready pie thing and you can’t go hungry with those on every corner…
Georgia is a fascinating place and just the right size for a 6 day explore. Back to Tbilisi tomorrow and hopefully into the sulphur baths for a thorough scrubbing before we head home. Via Riga now, at 4am. Thanks Georgian Air…
Cheers girls for a top time. Here’s to the next one x