Blogs from Georgia, Asia - page 15

-SP- Hoy he salido de Armenia y de una tacada he llegado a Tbilisi, adelantandome a mi propio plan. Mañana es jornada de descanso y turismo, souvenirs y post y lo de siempre. A Batumi tengo 400km, 300 de ellos los haré por la autopista. De ahí a Turquía. Espero estar cruzando la frontera turca el sábado que viene. Impresión de Georgia en las primeras 7 horas? Gente amable, más que Armenia, casi como los iranies. Carreteras algo peligrosas porque conducen más rápido de lo que sería prudente. Muchísimo más plano que Armenia y 10 grados más caliente! :) Por cierto, he ido al hostal guarro que nosequien me recomendó por el camino. Se llama hostel peace, un poco rústico pero tan buen situado que al lado nuestro esta el shangri-la. Pero a mi la noche ... read more

Geo: 41.6517, 41.65621435: Room 307 Hotel Era Palace - Batumi, West Georgia.Woof! It's been an interesting 24 hrs to say the least! I last updated you from our ramshackle hotel balcony in Kutasi. We set off (via a couple of monasteries) to the mountainous regions of North West Georgia to stay in Mestia which is famous for huge scenary and funny little brick towers called "Vendetta Towers". This region still practices the tradition of the blood feud, or vendetta -- a custom which nearly wipes out large families in the region. If a young man or woman is killed by a member of another family, the victim's family must avenge the death of their relative by taking a life in the offending family. The vicious circle can continue for generations. "If another person kills a member ... read more

Geo: 42.264, 42.70750600 hrs Monday: A flurry of activity as we get ready for an early start. Today we are heading to Kutasi in Western Georgia some 200 miles away. You will of course be aware that this City is built around the the Rioni River and I have no doubt your are keen to see how the refurbishment of the Bagrati Cathederal is getting on!Tbilisi has been a great 2 day stopover. The Group are now fragmenting into two or three camps. Barriers are coming down and to be frank, there are already frank conversations about who likes who etc......dangerous stuff! I don't think WW3 will break out but we are not so chummy as last week! "Old Boy" manages to stray onto a railway line yesterday afternoon just as a freight train makes an ... read more

Geo: 41.9195, 45.4708TIME CHECK: 0615 Georian Time. Yes we're in Georgia!......we crossed over the border yesterday at 1208hrs after much stamping of passports and going through a huge "check point Charlie" type affair with observation towers in the distance. Strangely enough, a group of locals strolled through on an outside adjacent footpath carrying a whole load of watermelons.....The sun has just come up.......crickets are chirruping...... traditionally dressed women are sweeping the streets around a baroque Neo classic Russian style square whilst groups of "tough" looking dogs woof and wander the streets!!!"GROUP NEWS"......We have at last had some minor tension! Nothing serious but one of the couples husbands........is "boring the pants" off everyone....he is a nice old boy but totally away with to fairies. He will quietly come up t... read more

July 12, 2015 – I had to get up early to get to the pick-up point by 9:10. The subway connections went well and I got there early. The van was coming to get me in front of a Marriot, so I went in to use the bathroom. They were a little late getting there, but not bad. Sevi and Jeremy were there again, and there was another American, Matt, teaching in Germany. There was also a young Danish couple that I really liked, as well as assorted others. Another nice group. And the tour guide was cool too. Another young guy. It was my birthday. At first I decided not to tell anyone, and then later I thought, nah. I’ll mention it. J The tour was along the Georgia Military Highway. It was built to ... read more