Small but Beautiful Georgia

Honestly I don’t know that there is a country named Georgia. I heard about Georgia Atlanta in USA but not the Republic of Georgia in the Eastern Europe. I discovered this small but beautiful country months before I will finish my contract while searching for countries to visit that doesn’t require any visa. For Filipinos, visa will be upon arrival but since 2014, new regulations have been implemented. Most countries need to apply visa online or E-visa.

GEORGIA is a small country but there are so many things to see, and discover. From picturesque snow caped mountains in North, magnificent villages, to colorful meadows up to interesting Black sea.

When I searched on the internet and saw the pictures of Georgia, I decided that this will be the place for me to see and stay for a month. There are many things I am grateful that I visited this country. Georgia is near Dubai and there are a lot of tour packages going there for weekend and for short holidays. It borders Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia and Turkey.  The capital is Tbilisi. You can go on Metekhi Bridge overlooking the Mtkvari river and with the Narikala Fortress on the top.

There are many sights to see or do in Tbilisi. You can go up and hike up to the biggest church which is called the Ameba or Holy trinity Cathedral Of Tbilisi. This is the biggest Cathedral in Tbilisi which you can see from the Fortress .This is an Orthodox Church and built on a hill.

Going around and near the main square of Tbilisi, there is another church fronting the road. The Sioni Cathedral. It is another Georgian Orthodox Church and behind the church , there are few homeless beggars. Aside from seeing churches, You can take a dip in Royal bath or known as the Abanotubani. Price ranges from 17 to 80 Georgian Lari. Unfortunately I really regret, I did not try.

The Metekhi Church and the statue of Gogasali across the restaurants in the Old town, the wedding palace building, where all wedding ceremonies took place during the Soviet Times. Built in year 1984 by architect Victor Djorbenadze and now a private property with uncommon building design, public service hall designed by Italian Architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas which looks like a mushroom from afar, the Dancing Statue of Berikaoba, and the leaning clock tower.

You can haggle in the Flea Market which you can find a vintage, unique, cheap, antique, retro, priceless, old, modern, unusual, second-hand, or new items. This is just a walking distance from Old town where I am staying- The Old Town Hostel. I bought old map, a decorated ceramic wine jar with miniature Georgian cover dress, and a wine list.

As I walk around Tbilisi I came across  the Dancing Statue of Berikaoba. The Berikaoba is a Georgian Holiday dance. The area on the side was boarded with steels and woods, for some construction going on. The statue is in front of a Children’s Art Gallery created by A. Monaselidze and G. Janberidze. The peasants are dressed as animals for a pagan celebration.

The famous Leaning Clock Tower in Tbilisi: The clock tower was created by the renowned Georgian puppeteer Rezo Gabriadze. On the hour, a window opens at the top and an angel strikes the bell. Below the clock, a screen opens and shows the circle of life: boy meets girl, marriage, childbirth and funeral. You can read more on here.

If you walk uphill going to the Botanical Garden, you can see  the Sameba Cathedral, You will pass on the only Mosque in Tbilisi. Here are some pictures:

More sights to see and things to do. On the other side of the hill, you can find a lady statue holding a sword known as the Mother of Georgians. You can go up to Narikala Fortress by the cable car and wait for the sunset, you can shop in Freedom square shops near Rustaveli Avenue, see the Inner city garden, visit Synagogue, walk to the Peace Bridge and have a photo in the parliament Building.

At the end of the day, You can enjoy a good ice cream in Luca Polare, grab something to eat and drink in Shardeni Street or have some sheesha. Some foods to try, Khinkali, Lobiani, and Kachapuri. Wines and other liquors are very cheap.

Tbilisi Georgia is an amazing country and I never thought that this country is really a very beautiful place to stay and unwind.