Hotel Sharden Tbilisi

... were no towns for miles and miles and we almost at Tbilisi before we decided to turn off and find somewhere quite to stop. Thundering down a back road at 60 mph, we shot through a Georgia/Russia checkpoint without noticing. Oops. We did notice the Russian side however as we pulled up to a heavy duty concrete blockade manned by heavily armed, unofficial-looking Russian militia. We thought about turning and running away, but it would have been an ...

... about a 20 minute drive out of Tbilisi. There's a 6th century church overlooking the town. It's possible to walk up to it, but I decided the amount of energy I would have to exert to get up there didn't match up with how much I wouldn't see due to the rain. I made a new friend in a cafe near one of the central churches. Her name's Tamara, and she has two sons, the youngest of who is my age. She grew up in Georgia ...

... outside Tbilisi, offering for example some delicious bean soup or pizza-like khachapuris. Here I have to note, that Georgia offers also one of the best lemonades I've drunk. When we get back to Tbilisi it's nearly dark. Next I pay a bit unexpected visit to whole Tamar's family and by midnight I'm back in my hostel. 14.9.2008: David Gareja In the morning there was a Agatha Christie affair in the hostel: in the night, a spoon was put into a doorlock of some eldery touchy guy. He ...

... empty it all the time. Given that it was before 11 am I needed to call upon my constitution. 10/. After drinking we went for a swim in a fast flowing river. i can see why Drago insist on comprehensive insurance. I got in and tried to swim across. I did but ended up abut 100 yards downstream and getting out was a complete joke but really good fun. 11/. In amongst all the drinking we have fitted in some beautiful churches here in Georgia - lots of kissing of icons ...

... to prepare for tomorrow's early start. Wednesday 11 June Tbilisi - Telavi Away on time, out of Tbilisi. Stop on the outskirts where there is a massive covered market selling cheap Chinese goods. We stop for a look, have to be careful not to get lost. Buy a Mercedes cap for 2 Lari, 2 glasses chains for 4 Lari each, no reduction for quantity. Back on the road, up into the mountains, come upon an escarpment with wide views over the ...

... we got a sweet pear soda drink. The waitress told me this is what we ordered, and we didn't argue since it was ok for us and we don't like to argue anyway. Ok - so in this restaurant we don't get exactly what we order, but ok. Let it go. After lunch we came back to Tbilisi by marshrutka that stopped for us on the main road, with another Turkish guy. It was raining, something I really hate, especially when I travel. I hoped it would be over soon so we could go and travel a ...

... Walking back, I crossed the highway again and found a good place to flag the marshrutka back to Tbilisi. But they didn't come. Instead, a man and his daughter, enjoying the quaint and holy town of Mtskheta together, gave me a ride. Thank you! On the fourth day, I took a marshrutka to Armenia, but would return eight days later. Armenia is essentially a one-way trip, as borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed and hostile. to be continued in eight days...

... rmine vaesus. Mõni üksik kobedam auto liikus vene-raua vahel. "Kinnisvara arendus" on tõeliselt lapsekingades, sest klassikalist pangandust ei ole. Eraisikud nõuavad palka sulas, sest pangaarve omamine maksab korraliku raha iga kuu, lisaks konto avamine maksis sadu kroone. Laenu inress oli parasjagu 17-20%, aga hinnad Eestiga sarnased. Võib arvata, et keegi ostma ei tõtanud. Naljakas oli ka see, et vanad põhimõtteliselt hindu alla ei lasknud - las parem seisab ...

... Humour · I would not want to steal anything from you because whatever I choose would make you no longer YOU! · Your MOOD.... you are always at peace and always in such a good mood · Your love of meat · Your cheerfulness!...you definitely seemed to have a lot to spare · I, not events or other mere mortals have been granted the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which ...

... 3 nights. Nasi has been a widow for nearly for as long as I have been around. She speaks Georgian, Russian, German and some English. She has a few rules that some of the backpackers cannot stomach, like no sitting on the beds (there are chairs and sofas), no coming back after midnight, no using of electrical outlets etc. I found her quite likeable. My first day in Tbilisi coincided with their celebration of harvest (grapes?) festival. I went to an outdoor concert at their ...