Things that go bump in the dark... Oh no Scott, your poor ankle. Although as I was reading about it (and even though I guessed what was coming), my inner voice still noted 'well Shelley DID tell you!'. I'm sorry :) But that could have been so so so much worse, luckily you didn't need medical attention. Going to Iceland right now would be awesome as I assume they will be in party mode after their recent success at kicking a ball better than England.
locals! Hey guys, always good to hear you have a new fav. Love the pic's and the cat. The scenery on the road to Batumi looks so green and lush. Love those little wooden houses and the big breakfasts /take away :)
Strays You know Shelley cannot help but befriend every bedraggled weird stray in the world, which is perhaps why she chose me. The scenery is pretty good in Georgia and Tbilisi is still our favourite town so far.
Bones--ancient and bruised Love those cultures upon cultures churches and palaces with their ancient bones, portentous, but forgotten history and fabulous mosaics! However, so sorry about your ankle, Scott--it sounds as if you need a bag of ice for that, not 37 degree heat--yikes. Hope it improves faster than it looks like it will, and I guess you were lucky not to have broken your neck falling down the stairs--double yikes! Best wishes!
My kingdom for a bell Thanks Tara,
In Pafos now and the ankle is on the mend but I think we need a few days with it raised and ice and perhaps a beer or two to heal it. The bruising hasn't come out yet but I can't wait as it is generally very colourful. Shelley as usual has become my slave and I just wish I had a bell. Still thinking maybe of flying to Iceland to get away from this heat.
You had our attention at cable car You continue to find those scenic views to tell us about. Is there any place to buy some fresh fruit to take with you on these tours? Going all day without something decent to eat is tough. Too bad you were a week early for the Pope. I'm certain he would have invited you to lunch. When you take these tours you just have to accept it and get your head right so you don't make yourself miserable. Was the pomegranate wine any good? I think most churches spend (waste) needed money on frills so I like the sound of these simple churches.
Fruity Pope and Pomegranate wine Shelley is always hauling fruit and tins of dog food (for stray dogs not us, but you never know how hungry you might get), but on that day she didn't because they said there was going to be the stop for lunch - silly us. We don't mind tours except when they go on too long and/or who you are stuck with. The stage that was being built for the Pope in the centre of town was right in front of one of the parks that was filled with bars and we had this mental image of him and all his cardinals sitting around drinking beers before they hit the stage - would have stuck around to see that. As for Pomegranate wine, we picked up a "better" bottle that was recommended to us, we could drink it again but if we had a choice it would be a big NO.
Well-sited churches Love these ancient churches in beautiful, mountain settings! And the relics--in Europe, having seen many slivers of the True Cross (and lots of saints' bones), I heard that if all these slivers were put together, they'd circle the earth a couple of times, but as you say, Faith. The tours sound long, but the cable car fab as well as brilliant to end with a few days to just cruise around before you really change gears. Great trip on the roads less traveled.
Truly cross Similarly I once read how that there is enough pieces of the true cross to build Noahs Ark, but the pieces we saw were smaller than half a tooth pick. Both really loved Armenia and can recommend it.
Noah Oh how I wish the Armenians around the world had put together a petition to stop that arrogant and loathsome Russell Crow from playing the part of Noah. But on to more pleasant things, I like the sound of Armenia. I got excited about the pomegranate wine until I read your review of it :(
Noah idea Oh haven't the people suffered enough. That is maybe why people gave us odd looks when we said we were from Australia, probably lucky they didn't run us out of the country.
Always curious We can't say Armenia has been on our short list of travel but have been curious. So we will be reading along with great interest. We always have to spend a little more on food than some travelers because MJ gets food poisoning frequently. Food just has to think about going bad and she'll get sick. It often prevents us from street vendors but at least it doesn't stop us from traveling. Just makes our expenses a bit higher.
Nothing wrong with going for the better food choices We are both fairly lucky in that we have cast iron stomachs. We even generally drink the tap water unless there is dire warnings about it. Pick up the occasional stomach bug big and small but nothing that has killed us yet. The good thing about being a bit robust that way is that we tend to eat at the cheaper food joints, the bad thing is that we tend to eat at the cheaper food joints. When it comes to a choice we will probably spend money on a better room and save money on the food, that's why unfortunately you don't see too many fine dining choices on our blog - but one day we will surprise everyone.
Happy Birthday, Goddess! Sorry your b'day was a cold one, but your new do is gorgeous--until I saw your photo, I was afraid you were going to be a bit Trump-like, but no, goddess is correct! Brilliant to do day trips there since it's so wonderful to not have to schlep your packs to new places. Pretty funny seeing the real, the oldest of the four lances of Christ and hey, better than tattered rugs and shards, eh? (I saw three Holy Grails in Spain--woo hoo!). While the cascades may be a monstrosity, the tyre lion (love anything recycled) and the Boteros are fab (I plan to wallow in the latter in Colombia). Best wishes on a 13-hour bus trip!
The Godess unhappy Shelley wasn't happy with her hairdo because they didn't foil her hair to the roots at the top, but it seems that the two toned hairdo is the thing here and perhaps everywhere as we have been away for a while, so she tells me, but what do I know. I hope that is a good hint that you are off to Colombia, because once you get there you will probably never leave, wish we could meet you there. The Tyre lion was so amazing we just wished we had written the artists name down, will need to google that one as it was stunning.
Glorified mass Murderer! That's what my father called him. Talk about hospitality!!!! Hello Ramos...looks a little like Daniel Craig...Bond Style! Hmmm tits!!! Lets face it Shelly you got a nice pair....would have been an awkward moment though ha! Scenery is lovely. And how's the packed left over breakfast lunch, gorgeous old girl. The visit to the holy mountain monk place sounds like a nightmare, glad you both managed to survived it.
Titterlating conversation Not a big fan of Stalin, Hitler, Trump and any other ego maniac, but it was an interesting museum. As for tit talking, most guys know how to do the sly discreet look, whilst the other drunken few just can't seem to care or it is just too hard. I guess as long as he doesn't touch there is no harm done.
Tyred and emotional Stupid us didn't take note of the artists name, we were just mesmerised by it. It was so clever how it was made of cut up old car tyres. You are right that it sort of looks like me after a few too many shandies - unsteady and shaggy.
Fat sculptures We love Fernando Botero too! Have only seen his pieces in Spain, would love to see more. Happy Birthday Michelle! Sorry to hear you didn't get a warm northern hemisphere birthday, but what matters was that the food was good :)
Not over till that the fat lady blows out the candles Thanks for the birthday wishes. Probably don't need to tell you but if you like Botero get over to Medellin and Bogota Colombia, both have great museums with his work - the guy is brilliant.
Australia calling! Hey guys, sounds gorgeous. the pic's are amazing as always. That Russian feel always seems to lend itself to aggression in some way or the other (in this case drivers). I'm sure you heard about the hooliganism in Marsa (euro cup)...Mestia looks so beautiful, i love the free animals wandering home and the kitten Shelly, nice you gave her a cuddle. Love your work guys xx
stray pussy shot I was going to caption the photo "Shelley stroking her pussy", just so we could get more hits on our site, but she just wouldn't let me. As always we are suckers for stray animals and are always carrying food for them.
Moving day Finding a hotel without drainage smells is always a plus. What a bus ride. It could have turned out very differently. We love to ride funiculars.
Putting the FUN into funiculars I always think you are having a great trip when the worst you have is bad smells from the bathroom (and not self generated). As for the funiculars, we just love them and I always think just about every mountain side site has to have that all a chairlift, and Tbilisi has both.
RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew
Things that go bump in the dark...
Oh no Scott, your poor ankle. Although as I was reading about it (and even though I guessed what was coming), my inner voice still noted 'well Shelley DID tell you!'. I'm sorry :) But that could have been so so so much worse, luckily you didn't need medical attention. Going to Iceland right now would be awesome as I assume they will be in party mode after their recent success at kicking a ball better than England.