Georgia 2016

From the Caucasus to the Black Sea to the Desert

This summer I finally had the privilege of traveling around the wonderful country of Georgia. It is a country so rich in physical variation, local cuisine and hospitality that I was pleasantly surprised everywhere I went. It was a gentler adventure than India, but a a new and exciting adventure nonetheless that I am very thankful I had the chance to experience.

TIBILISI
Tbilisi is an amazing capital. Easy to navigate on foot or by metro or bus, it feel more like a small town. It is beautiful, clean, artsy, traditional and modern at the same time. There are many outdoor cafes, churches, restaurants, museums...and trees!

 The cathedral on the left bank is so beautiful and the singing truly heavenly.

 Tbilisi Old Town at night

These are not candles or sausages..they are stringed walnuts and hazelnuts dipped in a sweet wine coating..the locals call them 'Georgian Snickers"!

UDABNO
Udabno is a beautiful southern village in Kakheti region of eastern Georgia. My destination in this desert area were the ancient David Gareji Monastery Caves. But first to check into a funky little Polish run hostel in Udabno village. The hostel was the brightest building in the village so it wasn't hard to spot!

 

Local excitement in Udabno

 A lovely hostel full of desert breezes..well needed!

Had quite an adventure on a horse trek with crazy Frenchman Florent, turned local, who took us on probably the most challenging ride of my life...But I am thankful to him for pushing us all on like that as it really was, as he said, "more funny!"

On Florent's "barn"

 The beautiful 15 km road on the way to David Gareji...the wildflowers gave off such  a sweet perfume. Hitchhiking was easy...when there were cars...

 David Gareji Monastery Cave Complex is a rock-hewn monastery complex  located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareji. Built in the 6th century, the complex includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels, refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face. They still hold animal sacrifices here (not for tourists).

 These defaced cave frescoes are along a cliff overlooking and on the border of the   Azebaijan desert

Azebaijan Desert

 

   The Azerbaijan Desert

Georgia 2016

From the Caucasus to the Black Sea to the Desert

This summer I finally had the privilege of traveling around the wonderful country of Georgia. It is a country so rich in physical variation, local cuisine and hospitality that I was pleasantly surprised everywhere I went. It was a gentler adventure than India, but a new and exciting adventure nonetheless that I am very thankful I had the chance to experience.

TIBILISI
Tbilisi is an amazing capital. Easy to navigate on foot or by metro or bus, it feels more like a small town. It is beautiful, clean, artsy, traditional and modern at the same time. There are many outdoor cafes, churches, restaurants, museums...and trees!

 The cathedral on the left bank is so beautiful and the singing truly heavenly.

 Tbilisi Old Town at night

These are not candles or sausages..they are stringed walnuts and hazelnuts dipped in a sweet wine coating..the locals call them 'Georgian Snickers"!

UDABNO
Udabno is a beautiful southern village in Kakheti region of eastern Georgia. My destination in this desert area were the ancient David Gareji Monastery Caves. But first to check into a funky little Polish run hostel in Udabno village. The hostel was the brightest building in the village so it wasn't hard to spot!

 

Local excitement in Udabno

 A lovely hostel full of desert breezes..well needed!

Had quite an adventure on a horse trek with crazy Frenchman Florent, turned local, who took us on probably the most challenging ride of my life...But I am thankful to him for pushing us all on like that as it really was, as he said, "more funny!"

On Florent's "barn"

 The beautiful 15 km road on the way to David Gareji...the wildflowers gave off such  a sweet perfume. Hitchhiking was easy...when there were cars...

 David Gareji Monastery Cave Complex is a rock-hewn monastery complex  located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareji. Built in the 6th century, the complex includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels, refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face. They still hold animal sacrifices here (not for tourists).

 These defaced cave frescoes are along a cliff overlooking and on the border of the   Azebaijan desert

Azebaijan Desert

 

TUSHETI, NORTHERN CAUCASUS

Tusheti mountainous region of Georgia is reached by what is known as the most dangerous road in Europe; It is not for the faint of heart and the locals had warned me of it before I made my decision to go there. The reason I wanted to go there was because, in the same breath, the locals told me it is also the most beautiful and the most authentically "Georgian" village in the whole country.

It's one-car-at-a-time road

We made it! Ruffles but happy..that's out great driver in the centre

Beautiful village of Tusheti

This is the watchtower/guesthouse I chose to stay in. It had three floors of dark but very charming, fairytale-like rooms. I felt like Goldilocks, trying each bed before deciding!

This was the "lobby" of the guesthouse and you had to crawl through that little door to get to the rooms

Morning in the backyard

Omalo Tusheti Ancient

Watchtowers

 

Omalo, Tusheti is famous for this group of ancient watchtowers overlooking the village

Tusheti Watchtowers