4-Georgia
Basic Info:
- Georgia is a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia.It is a former Soviet republic. The capital and largest city is Tbilisi. Georgia is divided into 9 regions, 1 city, and 2 autonomous republics,these in turn are subdivided into 67 districts and 12 self-governing cities.
- Currency: Georgian lari(GEL) It is divided into 100 tetri. Banknotes-5, 10, 20, 50, 100 lari Coins-1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 tetri, 1, 2 lari 1 OMR= 6.35 Lari (GEL) as of July 2018
- Place in the world:
- Languages spoken: Georgian , Abkhazian Younger generation do speak English.
- Visa required:As an Oman/GCC resident,no visa required
- Geographically significant structure to keep in mind:Too many!
- Best months to visit:The best time to visit Georgia is either side of the summer heat and winter freeze - in May, June and September.
- City card: Metromani card for transportation anywhere-metro,bus and marshrutkas which are mini buses.Read up!
- Flag of Georgia:It's called the Five Cross Flag .
Random trivia:
- Tbilisi was formerly called Tiflis.
- Georgia's name is believed to have derived from the Persian word 'Gorgan' (meaning "land of the wolves") though Georgians call their country Sakartvelo which means land of Kartvelians. It was derived from the core central Georgian region of Kartli and refers to the entire medieval Kingdom of Georgia.
- The deepest-known cave in the world is in Abkhazia, Georgia and is called Krubera Cave,it is 7,200 ft. deep. It takes about 27 days to reach the bottom of the cave!(if you're a trivia junkie like me-The second deepest-known cave, Lamprechtsofen, is in the Austrian Alps.)
- Georgia is in fact the seventh cheapest country in the world!
- Has the same GMT as Oman so guess what?Time doesn't change when we get there!!
- Georgia has been producing wine for at least 8,000 years and is considered to be the birthplace of the beverage. The production of the wine was accidental. The grape juice poured in a shallow pit and was buried under the ground, turning it into wine. UNESCO has listed the traditional Georgian wine making method – in a clay jar called a Qvevri – on its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
- There is a Georgian song in space-Chakrulo,a Georgian folk song usually sung at festivals and celebrations, was sent into space on the spacecraft Voyager as part of the golden record.
- According to Georgians, mom is God(I love this country already!!)
This country is supposedly the perfect destination for nature, culture and history lovers.From the various blogs I read,This one seemed the most interesting Itinerary plan so if and when I go,this would probably be what I'd do.It's a 2 week plan and made sense to me.But the following is what I've modified it into based on what I read.This blog seems to have all info needed for travel.
2 nights in Batumi
3-4 nights in Kutaisi and visit to Chiatura and Vardzia
1 night in Gori with a visit to Uplistshike
2 nights in Kazbegi, driving the military road and stopping by the Ananuri Fortress on
1 night in Gudauri, doing the wine tour during the daytime
1 night in Signaghi
2 nights in Tbilisi
Batumi:
This Black Sea coastal city is the second largest in Georgia.You can get there by taking Minibus (Marchrutka) no 31 from Parnavaz Mepe Street or Tbilisi Square. Takes about 4 hours to get to Batumi from tbilisi.If you travel to Batumi you can get a free sim card at the airport. It comes with a little bit calling time and some data.
- Batumi Botanical Garden:get info here
- Ali and Nino sculpture:Sculpture artist, Tamar Kvesitadze, based this moving sculpture upon the 1937 novel, Ali and Nino, credited by an Azerbaijani author.The statues begin to move every day at 7 p.m., merging for a short embrace, before leaving each other behind.The entire thing takes about 10 minutes.This place is part of the batumi boulevard.
- Ethnographic Museum "Borjgalo":Takes less than an hour to complete but pretty much recommended everywhere.Costs about 10 lari per person as of 2018.
4. Miracle park:There are 3 major components to this “technological” wonders park - the Panoramic Ferris Wheel , the Alphabetic Tower, and the Monument of Ali and Nino.
5.Chacha Tower: In the vicinity of Alphabetic Tower and Ali and Nino, there’s an impressive landmark called the Chacha Tower, originally built to have a chacha fountain, the Georgian national spirit, instead of a water one. Supposedly, the chacha still flows for 15 minutes once a week.
6.The Makhuntseti waterfall-dont miss the bridge!
7.The Batumi Technological University Tower: it was the first building ever to include a Ferris wheel built into the facade. Hanging 330 feet (100 meters) above the ground are eight airconditioned cabins with room for a total of 40 people.Unfortunately not operational but pretty sure it would be nice to just look at!The Batumi Technological University Tower is located in downtown Batumi and is clearly visible in the Batumi skyline.
Kutaisi:
- Sataplia cave and nature reserve-The star features of the 3.3-sq-km reserve, 9km northwest of Kutaisi, are a couple of dozen 120-million-year-old, fossilised dinosaur footprints (well displayed in a protective building), and an attractively lit 300m-long cave with a small underground river.It takes about an hour to walk round the main visitor route.
- Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery-both Bagrati and Gelati are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites as a single entity
- Parliament Building-There are tours available in the building, where you’ll be able to learn more about the design of the buildings (as well as visit its main rooms such as a hall for plenary sittings and a Bureau room), learn about the history of the parliamentary system, mission, structure and roles. The tour lasts for 60-70 minutes three times a day on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. In order to sign up for the tour, you need to contact them directly(atleast 3 days prior!)
- Colkhis Fountain-Colchis Fountain adorns the central square of the city and features large copies of gold jewelry from Vani archaeological excavations. The fountain and its 30 statues of goats and sheep.
- Chiatura-cable car city full of old rusty cable cars.There are marshutkas from Kutaisi to Chiatura (1.5 hours drive)You can see the katskhi pillar(though women not allowed-read up!)
- Vardzia-The unique monument of Georgian architecture, rock-hewn town of Vardzia, is situated in Aspindza, formerly the Samtskhe Province of Georgia, approximately in 70 km to the south from Borjomi city (at about 1 300m altitude).
Gori is Georgian for hill and is the birthplace of Stalin. From Tbilisi you need 1.5 hours to get there.
- Gori Fortress-Located on top of the hill in Gori, this fortress is a must visit, mostly because there's not much else to do in town. If you're in need of some peace and relaxation, pay it a visit. Climb is not to steep and you can reach top in 10 minutes. Fortress walls are well preserved and you may admire stone work while climbing the stairs to the top. Once on top, there is not really much to do as there is just a grass meadow, flag pole and 2 security guards. However, view of surrounding hills and town is lovely. Bring some food and drinks and have yourself a picnic on top.
- Stalin Museum-A very well curated museum in Gori built around the house where Joseph Stalin was born. It offers very good insights on the Georgian USSR head of state from childhood to death through his contributions in the Bolshevik revolution and leadership during WWII.
- Uplistsiche Cave Town-Uplistsikhe, the cave town is situated 7 km southeast of Gori on the left bank of the River Mtkvari.Supposedly very similar to Vardzia.
- Gergeti Trinity Church:One of the most well-known church in Kazbegi. It is situated under Mt Kazbegi at an elevation of 2170 meters.Takes about 2 - 3 hours one way to hike up to the church.
- Gergeti Glacier:From the church, you can continue to hike to the glacier which would take around 4 more hours one way. If you start your day early and hike the church before noon, you can fit this trail in one day.
- Ananuri fortress:The fortress consist of two fortifications joined by a crenellated curtain wall. The upper fortification with a large square tower, known as Sheupovari, is well-preserved. The lower fortification, with a round tower, is mostly in ruins.Within the complex are two churches. The fortress overlooks the Zhinvali reservoir, which provides Tbilisi with drinking and utility water. The views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains are spectacular.
- Military highway:This is a mountain road that crosses the Greater Caucasus Mountains and connects Tbilisi in Georgia with the Russian town of Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia. It passes through narrow gorges squeezed between colossal mountains, which makes for some amazing views.While the distance isn't far and the road is in generally good condition, the long wait at the border should be prepared for. Take plenty of water in summer. If travelling without changing vehicles, expect the journey from Vladikavkaz to Kazbegi to take about 9 hours.Route:North — Vladikavkaz — Verkhny Lars — Russia-Georgia border — Kazbegi — Gudauri — Pasanauri — Ananauri — Dusheti — Mtskheta — Tbilisi — South.Dont miss-Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument in Jvari Pass
This monument is a large round stone and concrete structure overlooking the Devil’s Valley. The inside is filled with tiles spanning the whole structure and depicts scenes of Georgian and Russian history.Jvari pass is the highest point of the Georgian Military highway with 2 379 meters above the sea level (there’s an obelisk marking the highest point).
Gudauri is a ski resort located on the south-facing plateau of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. The resort is situated in the Stepantsminda District, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Cross Pass, at an elevation of 2,200 meters (7,200 ft.) above sea level with skiable area enjoying maximum exposure to the sun. Gudauri lies 120 km to the north of Tbilisi and two hours drive from the Tbilisi International Airport or even a short helicopter flight from the capital. The resort offers high quality skiing opportunities.The ski season lasts from December to April.
- Sledging and paragliding
- Gudauri is also famous for its amazing Hot Wine.
Sighnaghi is a small town in Kakheti province. Sighnaghi is unique because it has fortress walls surrounding the city, which have been well-preserved.It is known as Georgia’s city of love.Sighnaghi is surrounded by a four-kilometer defensive wall with 23 towers and six gates. It’s like a mini Great Wall of China, as it undulates up and down the curves of the hills. The wall is still intact and can be walked along.Read this before planning.
Tbilisi:
- Crooked tower clock-A legacy of Georgian puppeteer, Rezo Gabriadze, is a puppet theatre and a grand crooked clock tower. Outside the Rezo Gabriadze theatre in the Old City of Tbilisi, Georgia, stands a clock tower. Built to look as if it is old and about to fall over, it is a modern creation and a tourist attraction. A large metal beam appears to hold the clock upright.It took him 30 years to build this.Part of the Tbilisi free walking tour.There is a small puppet theatre inside the tower and twice a day at noon and at 7pm you can see a show – “The Circle of Life”.
- Narikala fortress:This is supposedly one of the most impressive landmarks of Tbilisi. A famous 4th century fortress, Narikala was built by the Persians, and offers some of the most mesmerising views of Tbilisi
- Sameba Cathedral:the largest cathedral in Georgia, the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, locally known as ‘Sameba’, sits impressively on a hill (Elia hill) in the heart of the city.
- The Bridge of Peace is a remarkable icon in Tbilisi. Make sure to see it at night as it lights up the city.
- Drink Iki and eat mint cheese:head under Dry Bridge to Bagrat Mezumishvilli’s store. Iki is a medieval drink, most similar to whiskey, that became extinct when Georgia was conquered.Bagrat Mezumishvilli has a monopoly on iki since he is the only producer.The iki bottle also makes for a great souvenir!
- Chronicles of Georgia:History Memorial of Georgia pretty much like a stone henge of georgia.It's only 12 km from the Tbilisi Mall.Not many people seem to know about this gem in Tbilisi. This is how you do it.Option 1: Take the metro and get out at Sarajishvili. Take a taxi from there or walk (about 45 minutes to an hour) to the Chronicle.Option 2: Find a reliable taxi driver and fix a ride to the sculpture. Most of them don’t know the name so you must address it as the memorial at Tbilisi Sea.Your best bet is to say that you want to go to 'Sakartvelos matiene' or address it as 'the memorial at Tbilisi Sea'
- Bridge of Peace:They say that you haven’t been in Tbilisi if you haven’t crossed this bridge.The pedestrian bridge connects the Old Town and Rike Park above the Kura river.The bridge is equipped with lots of LED lights, which in the evening glow as the Georgian national flag.
- Singing fountains-In Rike park
- Cable car to Mother of Georgia statue-Happens from Rike park as well.
- Baratashvili Bridge:This is a traffic and pedestrian bridge, built in 1966, The railings of the bridge have been decorated with bronze, natural size figures of people are worth to see, especially during the night.
- Bank of Georgia Headquarters:it is made with 5 separate cube-shaped modules layered on top of each other.It looks like a Transformer? A crazy Lego jumble? A failed game of Jenga?Something quirky to do!
- Tbilisi Free walking tour
- Sulphur baths-Abanotubani according to legend, King Vakhtang Gorgasali’s falcon fell, leading to the discovery of the hot springs and, subsequently the founding of a new capital.Read Few highly recommended.This is one of them.
Kids might like: Not really a kids place to do lots of fun stuff so have to be content with history and exploring.
- Zurab Tsereteli Museum of Modern Art:Admission is free,looks interesting.
- Khachapuri is a traditional Georgian delicacy consisting of bread stuffed with gooey cheese.There are many types of these-Adjaruli Khachapuri is a round bread stuffed with cheese, there are numerous variants of the dish prepared across the country, including the raw egg-topped Adjarian khachapuri, the boiled egg-stuffed Gurian khachapuri, the Mingrelian khachapuri with extra cheese on top, and more!
- Khinkali,resembling a dim sum, Khinkali is a juicy, delicious dumpling stuffed with meat and spices. There are veggie options like potato, mushroom, cheeses, or other vegetables and herbs as well.
- Churchkhela sausage-shaped candy made up of walnuts threaded onto a long string, which is then dipped into a concentration of fresh grape juice.Tried this plenty of times and I'm definitely going to bring back some.The best Churchkhela is made in Kakheti region that is famous as the motherland of wine.
- Lobio is a super-delicious, traditional Georgian dish, which consists of Lobio (Georgian for ‘beans’) mashed with a tasty mix of onions, walnuts, coriander, and garlic.
- Chakapuli-this is a lamb stew prepared with onions, peppers, white wine, tarragon leaves and green plums.
- Chikhirtma-Chicken version of the above I'm guessing.This is a light, silky chicken bouillon that’s threaded with egg whites and finished with a zesty citrus kick. Heavy on the onions and garlic, it’s served with a big hunk of fall-apart-soft meat at the bottom of the bowl.
- Satsivi-chicken or turkey served with a thin paste of garlic, herbs, and walnut.Satsivi is mainly eaten during the winter months surrounding Christmas and New Year.
- Mtsvadi-Juicy, salted chunks of meat,usually pork are impaled on a stick and cooked over fire, along with alternate slices of vegetables,basically shashlik.
- Chvishtari is a Georgian corn bread filled with cheese from the Svaneti region.
- Sulguni is a cheese similar to mozzarella. It’s salty and it is stringy, so you can unwrap it in sections.
- Nadugi is a Georgian appetizer consisting of fresh cheese mixed with mint and wrapped, cone-like, in a thin layer of Sulguni cheese. At first I thought it was cheese wrapped in a crepe rather than in more cheese.
- Tolma which is basically dolma.In Georgia these little green packages are topped with a garlicky sauce made with matsoni which is a fermented dairy product that is served at room temperature. It’s nicely sour. It is thinner than Greek yogurt.
- Karaliokis Chiri-Hard persimmons are cleaned, peeled, strung together by the stems, and dried in the sun for a couple weeks until they are completely dried. The result is a pruney looking item that is sweet, soft, and delicious.
- Kharcho begins with chicken or beef, which is seasoned and seared before it's tucked into a sauce enriched with walnuts and perked up by torn bits of sour tklapi. After a couple of hours, when the meat is infused with spice and falling off the bone, the kharcho is ladled into bowls and served alongside baskets of chewy shoti bread, a savory vehicle for any leftover juices.
- Gozinaki- a honey and walnut brittle
- Hard Rock Cafe Tbilisi-Just because it has to be done!
- Ornamented tablecloth localled called Lurji supra
- Oak horns locally known as kantsi
Vive Valeque♡
Kavita
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