Georgia & Armenia 2022

June 21st - Arrival in Georgia

Sprint Finish
Luggage Worries
&
We meet the Georgian Police

     Two Georgian comedians and a comic

Monday June 20 – Flight Stuttgart to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines 19:10-23:10; connecting flight to Tbilisi 01:20 arr. Tbilisi 04:35 with Turkish Airlines 376

Tuesday June 21 – Arrival and Transfer from airport (4:35 a.m.) – hotel check-in – Tbilisi city tour – Walking to Mtatsminda

The program looked good and the flight connections generous - no worries about getting the connecting flight. Ha! Ha!

Taking off over half an hour late did not help. Turbulence meant a bumpy ride, but we landed well on time. THEN: over half an hour in a plane crawling over the ground like an overgrown beetle. Passengers who could not believe we had not reached our slot and stood up after every light  jolt. Istanbul airport - Terminal B - but what do we need? Departure board - A5A and it leaves in 20 minutes. Rushing along at nearly one o´clock in a crowded airport. Made it! And our luggage?

Very bumpy flight nearly 2 hours and arrival in Tiflis / Tbilisi more or less on time. Change some money: exchange rate 3 to 1. OK. Toilet. Baggage belt! Yes, a wonderfully gary red suitcase is pirouetting on the wheel. Out to meet the driver, No problem. Hotel check-in. No problem.

Welcome to Georgia

Tazo arranged to meet us at 9 a.m. for our day´s tour.

PROGRAM: City tour around Tbilisi – the bright and hospitable capital of Georgia. Trip to the historical district of Metekhi, where you will see the Assumption Church located on the picturesque hill. Next stop is Bridge of Peace – designed by a well-known Italian architect; it is one of the most famous city’s landmarks. Going up to the Narikala Fortress, situated on a hill. You will reach the fortress by the cable car, and at the top, a spectacular view of the city opens. Going down by foot. Excursion will continue to the sulfuric baths – famous royal bath complex (XVII-XIX centuries), standing on the warm natural sulfur springs. You have easy trekking to Mtatsminda Park.

After driving us into the city centre and showing us a few sights from the car - red and blue lights flashing behind us. Driver´s licence taken, Returned with a 20 Euro ticket for an illegal turn after leaving the Government building!!

Then a walking tour of the city and the fascinating sights , cable car to the Fortress and downhill wander to the baths and river again. AS it happened Tazo took us to the funicular railway and left us to fend for ourselves for an hour. Very restful - Canstatter Wasen (or a big funfair) spread over a hilltop summit. Some lunch. Meet Tazo again and back to the hotel after stopping off on the way for a daily flea market and art market.

Lunch!Khaschapuri! Hot off the spit, filled with cheese - delicious. Local wine and schnaps (ChaCha - or similar!!)

In the meantime enjoy some views of Tiflis.


Freedom or Peace Bridge








Rike Park



Flower Seller at the Fortress


Waterfall
Big Wheel

Hot off the barbecue grill


Mtatsminda Park

Flea Market

Missing item? In my pocket!

Art Market


Go To:


June 22nd - Safety Measures - Georgia´s Largest Car Park - Hotel Sunshine & Unwise Name Choice - Barkeeper Kit
June 23rd - Best Value Breakfast - Hiking in the Juta Valley - 8 Km walk and c.300m Altitude Climb
June 24th- Cousins Wine Wine Bread Feast Rainbow
June 25th - Mountains Muck Meadows MonasteryJune 26th - 
June 27th - Monastery - Graveyard - Caravanserai - Short Walk - Winery - Bed / Typical Armenian Hospitality or Guide Advantage
June 28th - Sacrifice and Sacrilege - Etchmiadzin - Repair and Reconstruct
June 29th - Last Day - walk in the basalt canyon - church in the cliff &
We meet Arara Tours for a beer

Summary -




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