Tinu Menachery: Georgia Travel

Showing posts with label Georgia Travel. Show all posts

Hey Guys,

This was my second day in Mestia.

I woke up to the most serene and calming view ever, excited and pumped for what the day had to offer. Since I woke up really early, I made the most of it by sipping on some coffee and spending time with the home owner’s dogs. I LOVE dogs, and these two babies were the most squeezable one’s ever. It was as though two fluffy clouds were walking around on fours.

Most of the dogs is Georgia are bigger in size. There are some common breeds like the Caucasian shepherd, which are bigger than the regular shepherd dogs you see (I need to stop talking about Dogs).

Moving on, we left for the 8 hour (you read that right) hike to the lake equipped with food and water. When he said 8 hours, I mentally fainted and contemplated on my physique and strength (the latter which I do lack). I did a nervous giggle and promised myself that I’d push myself and make it uphill (short-lived).

The road uphill was steep, which is just an indicator to let you know that I ignored my previous statement even before trying. Giorgi, an experienced and seasonal hiker was definitely fascinated (read: disgusted), that I started panting in the first 20 minutes itself. However, I haven’t seen such an encouraging, supportive and patient guide ever. He was so kind and may have already grasped my lack of physical strength.

Uphill, was a beautiful journey which included 87259446565544646513556564 , 2 minute breaks. But the view, the clean spring water, the company all made it a fun and an experience I'd always cherish. We (I) huffed and puffed and walked uphill through winding lanes, houses (secluded at the top), dirt tracks, pebble tracks, and rocky terrains (aka bigger pebbles).

I was excited with the prospect of drinking water from the waterfall, and that was one of the pit stops where we had crisp ice cold water. It tasted so fresh and unlike what I have had. We reached a main pit stop, wherein we decided to have lunch and then proceed. A shade structure that overlooked a giant iron cross was a considerate stop to rest and move.

We sat there for some time, ate our lunch and joined in with a singing and dancing session with another group.

The lake was another 3 hours to go (in my case 5 hours), and since we were running short of time and breath we decided to head back through another trail. it was filled with flowers and was nothing short of a fairy tale, and I also spotted a cute little house nestled cozily amidst trees generously covering it up. It was an abandoned house, and so we decided to explore the quaint house and its surroundings.

The hike downwards was easier and much faster with one stop. We just continued amidst conversation, and picking flowers and making a flower crown. It was fun and downright crazy. But oodles of fun.

We reached back and I requested to go on top of the tower. We sat there for a good amount of time. The stillness of it all, the way nature danced and changed colors in front of us. That very moment was breathtakingly beautiful. I felt so grateful and full of happy emotions at the sight of nature. It was inexplicable.

If you plan on visiting Mestia, stay at the Goshteliani guest house and get in touch with Giorgi. His mama makes the nest bread and coffee.

Mestia will always be close to my heart. It’s a place I had gone unprepared, but loved every bit of it.

Read Part 1 HERE

Read Day 1 HERE
Read Day 2 HERE
Read Day 2 - to Kazbegi HERE
Read Day 3 HERE
Read Day 4 HERE

Hi guys,

If you do travel to Georgia, Mestia HAS to be on your list. HAS TO BE ON YOUR LIST. It’s a picturesque town in Svaneti. It isn’t as well-known as compared to its counterpart Ushuguli. The latter is a UNESCO heritage site.

However, Mestia is mesmerizingly beautiful.

This quaint town had my heart in knots, as it wrapped itself around my mind and soul. I reached Mestia post an 8-9 hours journey from Kutaisi (GEL 25). The distance and time might want you to give up on Mestia, but don’t do so.

Our Mashrutka went through winding roads and scenic locales and finally stopped on the cobbled roads of Mestia or the main junction. The place looked like a scene out of the Wild Wild West with brown structures everywhere.

I was staying at a beautiful guesthouse and had the whole room to myself complete with a beautiful view of the city. You’d see similar structures everywhere in Mestia– a defensive tower, fortified dwelling held safe within a defensive wall.

The owner of the Guest House, Giorgi, was kind enough to come over to the main junction and take me to the guest house. Mestia was completely unplanned. I reached somewhere around 7:00 - 7:30 pm and was exhausted beyond words. Nearby attractions include Ushuguli, a glacier, a cable car ride and trekking places. I chose neither and decided to relax and take in the city and its chilled vibes.

(Heads up on my lack of direction)

I walked through the beautiful cobbled paths and explored the city and finished with dinner at a restaurant that also had a live entertainment in form of local dance and song routine for its guests. The energy in the restaurant was at an all-time high.

With the band singing Georgian songs, to boys dressed in traditional attires and dancing to it, guests joining in to dance with them, matching their pace step by step. It was a sight to behold.

On my way back, I managed to get lost (again) and bumped into an amazing family from Israel. They were so warm and cordial and were excited to share their adventures. They also volunteered to stay put with me and help me find my way back (cries). It was beautiful as to how, I ended up meeting amazing people throughout my 10 day trip.

I managed to find my way back and slept off as I was to wake up early for the hike (yay). I slept like a log. The weather was so pleasant, I didn't even check for air con or the fan. I snuggled my way into the cozy blanket and dozed off, almost instantly.

Read Part 2 HERE

“It feels good to be lost in the right direction”

Read Day 1 HERE
Read Day 2 HERE
Read Day 2 - to Kazbegi HERE
Read Day 3 HERE
Read Day 4 HERE

Much Love

xoxo

Day 5 – Kutaisi

Kazbegi – Tbilisi (Didube) – Kutaisi

I couldn’t care less of how badly I had planned my travel, in terms of getting from one place to another. So if you are planning of travelling by the local bus from Kazbegi to Kutaisi, you have to go back to Tbilisi (Didube ) and get a bus from there. I inquired at the taxi stand and post muttering something in Georgian he said 600 Lari and just laughed. I’m sure he wasn’t even considering , that someone would want to cab it out from kazbegi to Kutaisi. (Anyhow, so I left from Kazbegi to go to Tbilisi).

One amazing and helpful thing (at times annoying, if you reach early), is that the Mashrutka will wait until it’s full to go from one place to another. I paid 10 GEL to reach Tbilisi and 10 GEL to go to Kutaisi.

Kutaisi as I recall wasn’t that picturesque as compared to Kazbegi and I slept off, as I was extremely tired. I got off at the center or so I thought. Now the only issue with Kutaisi is the language – I didn’t meet a single local who spoke English. They speak Georgian (obviously) and Russian (God save me). And, I had the toughest and the most amazing experience here.

Being Indian, I’m adept with hand gestures and having played a lot of dumb charades, I was positive I would master Kutaisi. I reached the center in the evening and was dropped like a hot bun in middle of nowhere. I had my hostel booking and was waving it at everyone’s face (just kidding). I was put up at Apart King hostel, which as per my research was in the middle of the city (rofl). But wait, it was close to the Colkhis fountain and the Bagrati Cathedral (Pat on my back).

Anyways, so I headed to the cop car (based on previous experience of how amazing the cops were) and knocked on their window with an ‘I’m a tourist’ smile plastered on my face (it’s a face that invokes sympathy, or so I believe it does). The cops shooed me away like a fly siting on a doughnut, but I tried again and was shooed away with a ‘don’t you knock again’ stare.

A few locals started laughing at the scene and I decided to ask them for help. But to my dismay they didn’t speak English. However, they were helpful, and post bargaining with a taxi guy and speaking with him via Google translate (I bow down to thee). I reached my hostel. My mom always told me, nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. I tweaked it a little with – there’s nothing impossible if you put your mind to it and have internet on your phone.

My Hostel was previously a hospital. I’m glad my roomie told me about it the day before I was to leave (lol. Though I did get creepy vibes, I was too tired to reflect on them). The Hostel overlooks a river and is very close to Bagrati Cathedral.

I woke early and spent some time at the river, it was so calming and gave me the needed energy for the rest of the day. I had a nice chat with my Russian roomie and since she had other plans, we went our ways.

I was fortunate to have met an elderly gentleman who was kind enough to drop me to the place where I could get the bus to Promotheus cave. As it turns out, there were no buses going to the cave from where I originally thought it would.

So to go to Promotheus, you need to head to Tskaltubo (GEL 5) and then take another Mashrutka to go to Promotheus cave (GEL 2). The mashrutka usually waits and takes you back to Tskaltubo. Promotheus was beautiful.

Once the cave tour was completed, we had a bus take us to the entrance and then the same bus took us back to Tskaltubo and then I headed back to Kutaisi and wanted to go to Martvili Canyon.

Read more about Promotheus cave HERE

There’s a combo offer for both Promotheus & Sataplia cave and Martvili and Okatse Canyon for around 50 GEL, which is extremely good for budget travelers and otherwise.

And google map came in handy, when I asked for help to go to Martvili Canyon and I met a local who mouthed off a few words and I jotted them down, sat down and checked if I could finds any on google map, and Lo behold I did. The bus to Martvili Canyon goes from the main bus station in Kutaisi (GEL 5). I walked it out, bought a Kachapuri and Natakhtari for the way, and sat on the bus that was to take me to the canyon

The ride took almost forever (not really, I was just tired). But we reached the drop off place and had to take another bus to the Canyon (GEL 2).

Read more about Martvili HERE.

I hitchhiked from Martvili canyon to the main bus area, and then found a bus that took me to somewhere in Kutaisi (I was totally lost, and ran out of phone battery as well). However, the locals were ever so kind, and I managed to charge my phone at a store which was closing for the day (but they let me in for a good 30 mins – enough for half my battery to charge. Hail Samsung).

I decided to visit Bagrati before heading to my hostel (if I could find it). Post a fully charged phone and a fully charged me, I went towards Bagrati Cathedral (as shown on map). My basic instinct is to ask the locals for directions and on reaching someplace close to Bagrati, I asked for direction and the guy offered to drop me to Bagrati (Bless him). He dropped me close to teh cathedral and we bid farewell. Bagrati is extremely beauteous. It stands proud with a blue dome perched tall over a church that has seen a good amount of wear and tear. The church is beautiful inside as well, and as per tradition, please do cover up using scarves, generously placed outside the church entrance.

There was an area overlooking the town, but since I was extremely tired, I decided to head back to my hostel and freshen up. I got lost on the way back. However, the best thing about getting lost in Georgia is that you are offered wine always. Post some amazing conversations over wine, I left to hopefully find my hostel, and as luck may have had it. I did.

I met my roomie, who asked me to join her to go to Bagrati cathedral, and I simply said yes. We both headed over to what was the most beautiful sight I cherish even today. By the time we reached, the church was already closed for the day. We went and sat at a spot overlooking the town.

It was magical to sit at a quiet spot illuminated with a few lights and look at the fully lit up city. I imagined it to be loud and bustling (which it was, almost not as loud as a Bombay or Dubai). We sat engulfed in silence and bathed in the moonlight. It was a beautiful moment captured forever in my heart.