Georgia - Kutaisi, Gori and Tbilisi

In May 2017 we went for short trip to Georgia - country with rich history, and one that year by year attracts more tourists. Trip there was a wedding gift from my brother Tomek and his girlfriend Sylwia - they have big experience in this destination - they made a lot of trips with their tour companygdzienaweekend.plopen in new windowthere.

Unfortunately weather was not yet good - and as it is mountain area it was changing often, and raining a lot. We started sightseeing fromKutaisi in west part of country, where most of cheap airlines are operating. It's second biggest city - almost 150 thousand inhabitants. It has been known from 6 Century B.C. In Greek mythology it was named "Ai" - city to which Jason and Argonauts went for Golden Fleece. From 2011 it is also were Georgian parliament is located.

Kutaisi - Colchis Fountain and in background Meskhishvili Theatre
Kutaisi - Colchis Fountain and in background Meskhishvili Theatre

"Glory to Labour" monument next to Kutaisi City Hall
"Glory to Labour" monument next to Kutaisi City Hall

Kutaisi - Sculpture on White Bridge
Kutaisi - Sculpture on White Bridge

On the "White Bridge" in 2004, the sculpture called "Picasso Boy" was erected. It is a representation of one of the scenes from the movie "Extraordinary exhibition", where the boy sitting on the railing takes the actors hats and jumps with them into the water.

Kutaisi - Bagrati Cathedral
Kutaisi - Bagrati Cathedral

Kutaisi - Bagrati Cathedral
Kutaisi - Bagrati Cathedral

Kutaisi - View from Bagrati Cathedral
Kutaisi - View from Bagrati Cathedral

Kutaisi - Street art - Georgian hopes of joining to NATO
Kutaisi - Street art - Georgian hopes of joining to NATO

Kutaisi - Street art by French artist Vinie
Kutaisi - Street art by French artist Vinie

Gori - Stalin Museum
Gori - Stalin Museum

Gori - Stalin first home
Gori - Stalin first home

Uplistsikhe
Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe
Uplistsikhe

Jvari Monastery
Jvari Monastery

View from Jvari Monastery
View from Jvari Monastery

Tbilisi - View on Old Town
Tbilisi - View on Old Town

Tbilisi - "Tree of Life" sculpture by David Monavardisashvili on European square
Tbilisi - "Tree of Life" sculpture by David Monavardisashvili on European square

The Rike Park was opened a few years ago and is now visited by locals and tourists. Everyone is attracted by the possibility of a moment of rest from the hustle and bustle of the city, as well as a rich set of various monuments and stone buildings.

Tbilisi - Piano in Rike Park
Tbilisi - Piano in Rike Park

Tbilisi - Bridge of Peace, Rike Park, Presidential Palace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
Tbilisi - Bridge of Peace, Rike Park, Presidential Palace and Holy Trinity Cathedral

Tbilisi - Mother Georgia
Tbilisi - Mother Georgia

Tbilisi - Falling tower on Shavteli St - part of Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater
Tbilisi - Falling tower on Shavteli St - part of Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater

Tbilisi - Old Town
Tbilisi - Old Town

Tbilisi - Old Town
Tbilisi - Old Town

Tbilisi - Sulfur baths
Tbilisi - Sulfur baths

Tbilisi - Orbeliani Baths
Tbilisi - Orbeliani Baths

Food

Georgian food is becoming more and more popular in Europe, but it's almost always better on the spot - until you get to a restaurant with descriptions in a language that you understand 😃. However, the local street food can be recommend to anyone. Khachapuri - the baked cake with cream cheese and various toppings - tasty and available on every corner.

Khachapuri
Khachapuri

Churchkhela
Churchkhela

Knitted shoes “chitebi"
Knitted shoes “chitebi"

Georgian Money Interesting facts:

  • In many places you can see Russian street signs being replaced with English, and a lot of things are translated to English - BUT - nobody speaks in this language practically there - without Russian it's hard.
  • The roads are very strange - right-hand traffic, but there are a lot of cars with a steering wheel also on the right side - there are dangerous situations - like overtaking by such cars on the right side.
  • Accommodation prices are growing from year to year, unfortunately the standard can be very low.
  • Seeing 10 or 15 year old car in a car rental company is not unusual.

Map of our sightseeing (click here to get itopen in new window):

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Contributors: Jacek Głogosz