Packing done, van loaded and we were off to visit places in Tbilisi that Tako thought I should see before leaving. I had been sorry, for example, to miss the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity: it’s so dominant in the city skyline that it seemed a shame not to have been inside. But our firstContinue reading “A long day in Tbilisi and beyond”
Category Archives: Georgia
One last day on the road
My best sleep of the trip was to lead in to one of the best days as we headed back to Tbilisi to ‘tie up the ends’, celebrate my birthday and get me on a flight to Istanbul. I wasn’t sure I was ready to leave.. Breakfast in the cute wine bar/dining room over, pickedContinue reading “One last day on the road”
‘Free’ Svaneti
Moving on from Latali and Nino’s generous hospitality was difficult as she had spent so much time making us welcome and explaining her ideas about ways in which the Svan traditions could be passed on to future generations and be understood by the other regions of Georgia, too. Nor would she accept payment for anythingContinue reading “‘Free’ Svaneti”
On to Svaneti
Even on a somewhat grey day, the views were breathtaking and the freshness of the air invigorating. A very relaxed morning started with observing the cheese-making process, followed by enjoying a very leisurely breakfast and appreciating the glorious mountain views. Even the plastic bowls are the shame shape and size so that each Sulguni isContinue reading “On to Svaneti”
On the way to Svaneti
A stop on the shores of the Black Sea where the black sand is described as ‘magnetic sand’, driving through Poti, a seaport which has lost its former importance but where Tako’s mum has fond memories of childhood and Tako of childhood holidays, where they still have a home which, in its day must haveContinue reading “On the way to Svaneti”
Visiting Shroma
One of the main purposes of visiting Guria was to meet a young lady who had done a huge amount to add value to the education of others in her school. She set up a reading club and found ways of getting funding from outside agencies by writing proposals for how their money would beContinue reading “Visiting Shroma”
Finding Anaseuli
May 6th, the Tuesday after Easter, was to be a fairly leisurely day – or was it? We certainly spent the morning sitting in a warm room, in good company, catching up on various things we hadn’t done. Lika. our host, had had to go to a meeting in the nearby town so wasn’t ableContinue reading “Finding Anaseuli”
Honouring the dead on Easter Monday
As I understand it, Easter is the time when most families in Georgia gather for celebration and part of that celebration is to visit the graves of those who have died. Families take a whole feast to the graveside and share the time with their deceased family members. Not at all the ‘ It’s SundayContinue reading “Honouring the dead on Easter Monday”
A ‘different’ Easter Sunday
We knew we needed an early start – even more so when we realised that Shukhuti was a fifty-rather than thirty – minute drive away and the rain was torrential. There was no doubt, though, that the hardy men of the villages of Shukhuti would go ahead with the annual Lelo Burti challenge between theContinue reading “A ‘different’ Easter Sunday”
Driving to Guria
My trusty driver arrived outside the hotel on the dot of 10.00a.m. We loaded the van and were off. Driving through Tbilisi in the rain was as miserable as driving anywhere in the rain – but this was an adventure well and truly beginning. It was well past 1pm by the time we even thoughtContinue reading “Driving to Guria”
Living the Journey 