four more days in Tbilisi: and a day-trip to Kazbegi

July 20, 2015

After returning from Ushguli, we have four more days in Tbilisi with little more to do to get ready for the next stage in the trip, Nairobi to Capetown.

We take a one day tour to Kazbegi with other travelers from Canada, Pakistan, India (living in Dubai), Armenian (living in Syndey) and two young girls, Canadian and American, who had been teaching English in Russia for 2-3 years.

The drive was long, the driver a bit more sane than most, a good group of people and a nice guide. We experienced another beautiful part of Georgia.

In 1994, we cycled from Capetown to Nairobi. There is a combination of excitement and trepidation. We have such good memories and remind ourselves that things will be different and to not compare. And so...tomorrow we leave Georgia and return to Africa.

Impressions of Georgia:

1. Everywhere people ask "how do you like my country". Most common answer is love the people. In Georgia the people are friendly but more subdued

2. Money is a Lari (GEL) 1 lari = $.50

3. Food: Lobiani (pastry with beanpaste filling); Khachapuri (cheese pie like a quesadilla); aubergine (eggplant)

4. Crazy drivers: on a two lane road there will be 3 cars abreast, passing at unsafe times, using the shoulder as a lane. Example, a car passes a van that is passing a van!

5. Marshrutky=Minivans

6. Architecture is unique: In the countryside, Houses are square, two stories more than likely with grape vines and orchards instead of yards. Tblisi houses in Old town have balconies

7. Above ground gas pipes

8. Walnut trees in abundance and used in foods. Walnuts in a waxy-like glaze on a string sold on the streets

9. Groups of women in resturants as opposed in Turkey only men

10. Gori is the home of Stalin

11. Svaneti region with the Svan Towers and square two story houses attached, a style same as today square and two story

12. Caucausus Mountains

13. Cha Cha is a Georgian vodka

14. Wine country

15. Better than Speed bumps, there are free range cows, pigs, horses, dogs, cows in tunnels....all don't move with an oncoming car

16. Second hand cars from western europe and england with the steering wheel on the right side

17. Small round haystacks in small fields

Inside a dental clinic.... not the place you want to visit while traveling, but these people glued Patrick's crown back on for free!

We found a wok-shop for some nice stir-fry noodles.

Tbilisi street scene with Lady of Georgia monument on the ridge.

Day-trip to Kazbegi, a long drive up the "Military Highway" towards the Russian border into the mountains.

A monument to the "friendship" between Russia and Georgia. Our guide points out that most scenes on the wall are regarding Russian history.

In Kazbegi we ascend the hill to one of the holiest churches in Georgia and a view of the highest mountain in the Caucasus.

Patrick cannot enter the church due to his shorts (nothing new here), but Rachel goes in and lights some candles for us.

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