We are getting west, far west to touch and had a swim into the Black sea.
Today we have 2 spots to visit; Gori, the birthplace of the Soviet leader; Staline and Vardzia known for its famous rock caves.
We had some trouble to get out of Tbilisi and took the wrong way several times. I don’t know why but roads are confusing and the GPS was not helping that much. Anyway, out of the city, we can speed up a bit on the great Highway which link Tbilisi to west until Batumi (west city on the black sea).
Gori was only 80km away from Tbilisi and in less than an hour we were there.
We did not visit much but took some pictures of the Staline birthday place and the Gori fortress.
8km later, we stopped at Uplistsikhe. One of the oldest cities in Georgia. Founded in the 16s century, built only in rocks, the decline of the village was done by the Mongols raid, it was virtually abandoned and only occasionally used as shelter in time of foreign intrusions.
This spot was quite full of tourist but Nico still managed to take nice shoots.
We had a lunch on the way back to Gori, traditional pork bbq with potatoes and on the road again.
Next stop Vardzia (200km from Gori). It was already 3pm after lunch, so we gazzzzz on the highway until the junction and started awesome curly roads along the Mtkvari river for 100km of pure hapiness until Vardzia.
The asphalt was perfect to ride at good speed on corners but the cows, pigs and chickens crossing the roads surprised us few times.
It was probably our second best ride since Shennongjia natural park in China. The 200km round trip was awesome and we would take more if the night was not coming so fast.
Vardzia was spectacular !
Its a cave monastery site. The caves stretch along the cliff for some 500 meters.
We walked along the cliff and visited most of the cave (some were made for restaurant, some as a pharmacy and others as dormitory. 5 monks live there and every morning at 7am they ring the bell in the high arch.
I cannot imagine how difficult should be to build something like this.
We left Vardzia around 6.30pm and reach a city called Borjomi around 9.30pm. Found a nice Georgian restaurant. By chance, we met a local guide who give us hospitality in his home stay for few Lari (local Georgian money).
Write a comment