Gorgeous Georgia - Part II

Contd. from Part I

19^th July 2019 – We started the day with sumptuous breakfast at Holiday Inn and our journey towards Kakheti, which was famous for grape vineyard and production of wine. Georgia’s major export is wine and there are more than 140 varieties of wine produced there.

Kakheti Traditional Wine Making Factory

First, we reached Kakheti Traditional Wine making factory called as KTW. We were guided through the factory and the factory representative explained about different varieties of wine. We were also offered some shots of various types of wine to taste. White wine, red wine, dry, sweet & semi sweet varieties and many more. They also explained about 10 year old Brandy which was imported from France in big barrels.

After the factory trip, we headed towards a grape vineyard and our guide explained the process of cultivation and harvest of grapes. He also explained that they also make a local sweet called chuchkela with grape juice boiled to a thick consistency and then stuffed with walnuts, hazelnuts etc.

Our next stop was at Bodbe Monastery. It is completely run by nuns living there. Except for the Patriarch, no other men are allowed to stay at this Monastery. It is a totally serene and beautiful place. An apt place of worship where you feel peaceful and divine.

Bodbe Monastery

After filling up our souls with blissful sight of the place we headed towards the small town of Sighnaghi. Paragliding activity was happening here as well. And this time I had decided to paraglide. But once I reached the spot, my stomach started churning and I was questioning the team and the pilot whether it was safe or was it scary etc. However, they comforted me that they have all safety measures taken and I just had to bear the fear for a few seconds to get a brilliant view from the top.

As they say, “Fear is only temporary. Regrets last forever”; now am happy that I wouldn’t have to regret missing it.

The team fixed me up to the parachute and the pilot was right behind me.

Paragliding

I was asked to run a few steps to take off for the glide; I would say, that was the toughest run I have ever done. A few steps and I felt I was gonna fall, but luckily the parachute took off. And WOW, what a feel it was! Flying like a bird, having the best view from the sky, all fear had vanished, and it was just an awesome moment!! Around 500 metres above the sea level and it was out of the world experience. Though only a 5 minute ride am sure I would never forget this in my life!

We landed on the plains and the team had arranged for a vehicle to pick us up from the plain to the starting point which was at the top of the mountain. Then we started on our return journey chirping throughout about the paragliding experience.

Royal Bath - Sulphur Bath

When we reached back to Tbilisi, we wanted to have a Sulphur bath and hence reached the old town. There are several hot springs in Tbilisi with high content of Sulphur. The erstwhile kings and queens experienced Sulphur baths and preferred to have their abode nearby and that was how Tbilisi was built. We visited ‘Royal Bath’ and booked for a private bath for an hour. We were provided with room which had a small waiting room, a restroom and a big bathroom with pool filled with Sulphur hot spring, a marble platform and showers. Those who require, a masseur shall also scrub and massage for a fee.

The Sulphur bath was rejuvenating to the skin and at the same time, when we came out, we were feeling so tired with the hot bath, which also resembled a sauna.

We breathed fresh air and visited India Palace restaurant for lunch at 6 pm. The food was very delicious there, very much like food back in India. We had plans to have a night walk after relaxing; but we were so tired that we skipped the walk and decided to rest.

Jvari Monastery

20^th July 2019 – The last day of our trip. We had a good breakfast at Holiday Inn and proceeded to check out from the hotel. Our plans for the day was to have tour of Mtskheta and Tbilisi – the old and new capitals of Georgia.

We started our travel towards Mtskheta and we visited the Jvari Monastery first. Before Christianity spread in this country, the people were worshipping Armas, the God of fire. A temple stood at the place of this Monastery. When Saint Nino, a female evangelist visited Georgia, the then King accepted Christianity. The statue of Armas was removed and a Cross was installed at the temple and it became the Monastery. The guide also informed us that initially the monastery was built with wood, but later it was renovated with stones. Jvari Monastery is on a small hill top and from there we were able to view the town of Mtskheta. We were also able to view the confluence of Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Next we travelled down to the town of Mtskheta. Most of the places of Mtskheta are listed under UNESCO World Heritage site. Our next stop was at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. This church, built in 4^th century, is considered as a very Holy place and called as Jerusalem of Georgia. The Church has the robe of Jesus Christ buried in its hall. A piece of wood of the Cross that was used for crucifying Jesus is also protected here and widely worshipped. The church also has secret passages to escape and protect the inmates from invasions. Several kings and queens have been buried in this church.

There is also a legend that the King who ordered for the church to be built was astonished by the beauty of the church and believed that the architect who built it, was empowered by evil and hence ordered for his right hand to be chopped off.

Cross which protects the piece of wood

There is a relief on the northern wall which shows a right hand holding the chisel with an inscription which says that

“The Hand of Arsukidze,

slave of God,

may forgiveness be his.”

(The guide explained about this legend, however I have picked the exact words of the inscription from Wikipedia)

We noticed that in almost all the monasteries and churches, the walls were painted with frescoes and have been damaged extensively during wars. I was reminded of the damages that have happened to our historical artifacts and buildings during invasions at various periods of time in our country.

The entrance of the church also had two bull heads which meant as a warning to the invaders not to enter the church.

After our visit, we roamed around the streets to find many shops and were excited to see ice cream rolls being prepared.

Ice cream rolls with fresh fruit

They used a freezing plate, added fresh fruits, chocolate sauce, and molten ice cream and prepared a wonderful ice cream roll. Please note ice creams in Georgia are super tasty.

Our tour in Mtskheta ended and we headed towards the city of Tbilisi. We took a walk around Tbilisi with our guide explaining about the political situation, the Municipality office, new and old projects for development in Tbilisi etc. He showed us the Patriarch’s house, President Palace (which is now being modified as a Hotel), the art school etc. Tbilisi houses many Medical and Technical universities and students from various countries study there.

Dog Feeders & wooden house

We crossed the Bridge of Peace again, but now in day light and reached the Rike Park to board the cable car. On the way, we saw several feeders and wooden houses for dogs in the park. The guide informed us that all stray dogs are being vaccinated and the feeders and wooden houses are set up by the Government. People who walk around may pour the water into an inlet set for it and also drop the empty bottle in the other inlet. When water is poured it gets dispensed through an outlet for the dogs and similarly, when an empty bottle is dropped, food gets dispensed through another outlet for them. The wooden houses are kept nearby for the dogs to get rest. And believe me; the stray dogs were very healthy and well fed.

Mother of Georgia

We boarded the cable car and reached Narikala fortress. After having a look at Mother of Georgia in the day light, we walked our way to the Fortress. There is also a botanical garden present there, but considering the limited time we had, we decided not to opt for it.

Narikala Fortress was built in 4^th century, but what remain now are only the outer walls that too in dilapidated condition. The fortress houses a church which was built in 1996-97, as the 13^th century church was stood there was destroyed by fire. We took a walk around the fortress and climbed on the watch towers to get a better a view of the city.

Narikala Fortress - Inside view

Next, we walked down the hill to reach the Meteki Square. It was time to bid adieu to the guide. We parted after greetings and then headed towards India Palace restaurant to have our lunch. After lunch, we walked down the street, did some shopping here and there and reached Liberty Square. We had heard of the Metro rail in Tbilisi and wanted to travel in that. So, we reached the Galleria Mall where the Metro rail station is located. We took a quick walk inside the mall and then went to Metro station. We took a train to Holiday Inn; refreshed ourselves and once our driver arrived to pick us up, we started towards the airport.

Our short trip to Tbilisi winded up with sweet memories and great moments to cherish. The Gorgeous Georgia is still fresh in our minds!