Road Trip
One of the advantages of being a flight attendant is probably being able to travel all the time. This trip after our routine job makes us feel really lucky and enviable
This time, we have the opportunity to visit charming cultural mixed Georgia. Because Georgia is located in the Caucasus region, which is the crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It borders on the West with the Black Sea, on the North and East with Russia, on the Southwest with Turkey, on the South with Armenia, and on the Southeast with Azerbaijan. This make Georgia diverse both in terms of culture and architecture.
Georgia has a population of about 3.7 million. The majority of Georgians, 87.6%, speak Georgian and about 15% speak some English. The Georgians here are very nice and give a warm welcome to foreign visitors. Even though sometimes they won’t speak English, we can still feel the sincerity, friendliness and helpfulness they have for us.
Tbilisi, located on the Kura River, is the beautiful capital city with the identity of an ancient city founded in the 5th century, but still not short of modern development with fast and reliable public transport system. You can travel around by bus, subway, or via services through applications such as ‘BOLT’
For those who are interested or like to travel outside the city, we recommend a natural path on the Caucasus Mountains, along the way you will find many interesting places worth visiting. You can rent a car for about 1,800 – 2,500 baht per day, a taxi and a minivan are also available with an experienced driver at a negotiable price. Make sure to specify your destination clearly beforehand. Otherwise, the charge may be adjusted without notice.
The Four Must – Go Places Jvari Monastery in Mt skheta,
The monastery is the 6th century sacred church of Orthodox Christianity the former capital of Georgia, located on the intersection of the Agrawi and Mikwari rivers. Inside, there was a large crucifix in the center of the hall, until it was called the Church of the Holy Cross. It was registered as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO) in 1994. Looking down from the viewpoint, you will see a view of the city of Mtskheta and the river that gives a pleasant feeling.
Panorama of Zhinvali Reservoir
This is a place that you can stop for the vast view of reservoir. You can see it while driving along the Georgian Military Highway which is also the route to Kazbegi. There are many stops where you can admire the view of the beautiful reservoir from different angles.
What makes this place worth stopping is the clear blue and green water that goes in contrast with brownish mountain view. The beauty is so breathtaking that visitors won’t mind staying here longer at all, just absorbing the atmosphere and taking more photos.
Along the way, there are locals selling various souvenirs such as hats, fur coats, shoes, or even rifles. If you’re interested, you have to make a negotiation carefully as the prices can be quite expensive for some items, while prices of some similar items can be so different.
Russia – Georgia Friendship Monument
The monument was built of stone and concrete in 1983 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Treaty of Georgievski, a bilateral treaty that marked the friendship between the Russian Empire and the east Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti in 1783 (Soviet Georgia). It is a large curved stone wall on a hill decorated with the colorful mosaic tiles. It also depicts the history and the lifestyles of Russians and Georgians in that period, in addition to the architecture of Georgia.
There is also this 360-degree viewpoint of the Caucasus Mountains. Again, you can never get enough of the scenery here. The air is so fresh and pure you just want to take it in as much as possible and keep it in your lungs for as long as possible. At the time of our visit, the wind was very strong. Many fellow tourists gave up half way. All we can say is: once you make it to the viewpoint, you won’t regret it. Admiring the panoramic view while standing on the viewing spot that extends beyond the cliff was an exciting and unforgettable experience.
Gergeti Trinity Church, Kazbegi
Church Gergeti is an ancient Christian church. Its architecture is a mix of Orthodox Church and Apostolic Church, making it one of the most famous symbols of Georgia. The beauty of the architecture lies in the large granite stones which the church is made of in the 14th century.
This cultural gem sits atop a mountain more than 2,170 meters above the sea level and beneath Mount Kazbegi, which is part of the Caucasus Mountains. Near the village of Gergeti, Kazbegi lies north of Tbilisi. From the church, you can see the beautiful Caucasus Mountains up close. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required to visit this place. Most tourists will need a local driver who is waiting on the hill to reach here. The car that we rent had a limited time, meaning we could walk down the hill for no more than 30 minutes.
For trekkers, there is a nature trail that takes them to the top within 1-2 hours. It is a real uphill task but worth the effort. Simply put, everything is picturesque. There’s not one single spot that doesn’t deserve the space in your camera.
These are just four main spots suitable for tourists with little time. If you have more time, add more stops on your route. We recommend at least a night stay at any local hotel to fully immerse yourself in the pristine, natural beauty and scenery worth millions of dollars for a fraction of a price. We recommended Hotel Kazbegi. Here, you can enjoy their spa services or a swimming pool. Those who go on a one-day trip can lunch at the hotel.
The evening here is the time for little culinary adventures in the city. There are several local restaurants in Tbilisi. We chose to fill our stomach at Terrace #21 for its lovely, cozy atmosphere and with a dining area on the rooftop. The foods were impressive! We tried cornbread with Succii cheese, beef soup, lamb BBQ and eggplant with meatballs. They were so delicious we had to make a second order.
You can say Georgia is a real treat. The visit is a true delight visually, mentally, and physically.
