Tbilisi City Tour last part; other Tourist Spots

4-days Solo Trip in Winter Republic of Georgia 

January 28 to February 01, 2014

Tbilisi city tour 2nd part; Snowy stroll on Narikala hill

Tbilisi is the capital of Republic of Georgia and lies in the eastern part of the country in the foothills of the Trialeti mountain range. According to Georgian legends, it was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali and the superb Old Town shows off its roots as an ancient crossroad between Europe and Asia. Visiting is a full, sensory experience and to get the best out of your trip to Tbilisi, here are just a few of the amazing sights to see and the things to do.

Places to visit are Metekhi Church, Narikala Fortress, Sioni Cathedral, Tbilisi mosque, St. George Church, Mamadaviti Church, Orbeliani Bath houses, National Museum, Peace Bridge, Youth Palace, Botanical Garden, Rike Park, etc.

How to go to Tbilisi from Airport;

The cheapest way to go to downtown from Tbilisi airport is by bus #37 (yellow bus) just infront of Airport exit. Usually run daily every 0700H to 2200H at only 0.50 GEL ($0.30). Last stop is the Station Square 1 (which has also a metro station) with almost 1 hour travel time. This was the transportation I used going to Didube Bus Terminal from Didube metro station.

Tbilisi city self-guided walking tour at night (Peace Bridge)

Tbilisi city tour 2nd part; Snowy Stroll on Narikala Hill

4-days Solo Trip in Winter Republic of Georgia 

January 28 to February 01, 2014

Tbilisi city tour 1st part; foggy Mtatsminda park

Narikala is an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Kura River. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. On the lower court there is the recently restored St Nicholas church. The fortress was established in the 4th century as Shuris-tsikhe (i.e., "Invidious Fort"). It was considerably expanded by the Umayyads in the 7th century and later, by king David the Builder (1089-1125).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narikala

Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) is a monument in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, which has become a symbol of the city. The statue was erected on the top of Sololaki hill in 1958, the year Tbilisi celebrated its 1500th anniversary. Prominent Georgian sculptor Elguja Amashukeli designed the twenty-metre aluminum figure of a woman in Georgian national dress. She symbolizes the Georgian national character: in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine to greet those who come as friends, and in her right hand is a sword for those who come as enemies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartlis_Deda

How to go to Narikala hill;

From Liberty Square metro station, walk towards Abkhasi Street. Then, navigate the hill afar that can be seen with cable car and Mother of Georgia. I started to walk the hill on the side of Bethlehem Church (right side of the hill near Sololaki Hill). From Bethlehem Church, there is a series of stairways going to Mother of Georgia then road towards to Narikala Fortress.

Snowy stroll on Narikala hill (overlooking Peace Bridge & Rike Park)

Tbilisi City Tour 1st part; Foggy Mtatsminda Park

4-days Solo Trip in Winter Republic of Georgia 

January 28 to February 01, 2014

Gudairi Ice skiing; under the heavy snow

Mtatsminda Park is a family amusement facility located atop Mount Mtatsminda overlooking the Georgian capital Tbilisi. It offers carrousels, water slides, a roller-coaster, and a big Ferris Wheel at the edge of the mountain, offering a splendid view over the city.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mtatsminda_Park

Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures is a necropolis in Tbilisi, Georgia, where some of the most prominent writers, artists, scholars, and national heroes of Georgia are buried. It is located in the churchyard around St. David’s Church "Mamadaviti" on the slope of Mount Mtatsminda and was officially established in 1929. Atop the mountain is Mtatsminda Park, an amusement park owned by the municipality of Tbilisi.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mtatsminda_Pantheon

How to go to Mtatsminda park;

From Liberty Square metro station, walk towards Rustaveli Avenue until April Street. Then, navigate the end of the street until you see s wall then walk towards left until you see the Funicular (cliff railway). Funicular ride costs initially at 6GEL including the card. Entrance to Mtatsminda park is free and opens from 0900H-1800H.

foggy Mtatsminda park

Gudauri Ice Skiing; under the Heavy Snow

4-days Solo Trip in Winter Republic of Georgia 

January 28 to February 01, 2014

Kutaisi afternoon tour last part; walking the streets

There's nothing better than getting to the top of a ski lift, breathing in the cold, pure air and gazing across the snowy peaks realizing the you are about to ski down the side of a mighty mountain. The skiing is equally impressive and recent, continuing upgrades and investments mean that traditional resorts of Gudauri and Bakuriani are equal  to international standards. Located in the very heart of the Caucasus mountains, surrounded by some of Europe's most dramatic peaks, Gudauri is a resort for all seasons. During the ski season, from December to mid-April, Gudauri offers a full work-out for all levels of skiiers and boarders. True experts will want to sample some of the most challenging off-peaks slopes in Europe. 

How to go to Gudauri;

From Tbilisi Didube Bus Terminal; ride a mini-bus going to Gudauri for only 7GEL ($4) for around 2 hours travel. Departure timings from Didube to Gudauri is every 2-hour basis (0900H, 1100H, 1300H, 1500H). Then from Gudauri, just walk going left and follow the map where the skiing mountains are pointed. Departure timings from Gudauri to Tbilisi is 0900H, 1100H, 1300H, 1500H and 1700H. 1700H departure timing is very peak for locals so better to leave at most 1500H.

What I did here was just riding the three sets of chairlifts for only 5GEL ($2.9) per roundtrip set. Yes, chairlifts can also be used by non-skiers. I planned to visit the highest peak that a chairlift can reached but unfortunately snowstorm was bad during this time; I reached only Kudebi 1 at around 3,011m summit. The highest peak is 3,279m of Mt. Sadzele with 4 chairlifts supposed to be on run. I arrived around 1300H and planned for 1700H Gudauri departure but unfortunately as I advised above, minibus was full-packed by locals. Thus, my 2nd hitch-hike abroad was again commenced through the aid of a very unusual english-speaking lady waiter who asked the wine delivery car passing-by who fortunately heading back to Tbilisi area. Though all of them inside the car can't speak english, I joined them in their delivery work. I contributed 20GEL ($11.6) for gasoline share, they did not asked for it even for passenger fare (imagine for a four-hours drive across a very chilling weather). Based on this scenario, I concluded Georgians are the most kind-hearted individuals I ever met on my entire backpacking career.

Gudairi Ice skiing; under the heavy snow

Kutaisi Afternoon Tour last part; Walking the Streets

4-days Solo Trip in Winter Republic of Georgia 

January 28 to February 01, 2014

Kutaisi afternoon tour 2nd part; Motsameta & Bagrati Cathedral

Kutaisi is the traditional rival of Tbilisi for capital status, and has since the days of the Golden Fleece been considered the capital of Western Georgia (then Ancient Colchis). It remains Georgia's second largest city, but to the irritation of the proud locals, does not come even close to Tbilisi's present day size and wealth. Since the Georgian government decided to move their parliament to Kutaisi, there has been a lot of work on restoring streets, buildings, parks and monuments and the city has become much safer. But a visit here is nonetheless near mandatory to see the magnificent Bagrati Cathedral, and Gelati Monastery, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and have commanding views from the mountain slopes over the city and the Rioni river. Otherwise, Kutaisi is a relatively pleasant city, although not as attractive for tourists as Tbilisi and cities on the nearby Black Sea cost.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Kutaisi

How to go to Kutaisi;

From Tbilisi Didube Bus Terminal; ride a mini-bus going to Kutaisi for only 10GEL ($6.3) for around 3 hours travel with one stop-over. Departure timings from Didube to Kutaisi is every hour basis. What I did was I visited first Gori town then from main road of Gori town I asked a local to stop a mini-bus for me going to Kutaisi for 8GEL. I strolled Kutaisi streets from late afternoon until night.

just walking the streets of Kutaisi

Kutaisi Afternoon Tour 2nd part; Bagrati & Motsameta Cathedral

4-days Solo Trip in Winter Republic of Georgia 

January 28 to February 01, 2014

Kutaisi afternoon tour 1st part; Gelati Cathedral

The Kutaisi Cathedral of Dormition "Bagrati Cathedral", the symbol of united Georgian Kingdom, was founded by the first king of united Georgia Bagrat III Bagrationi (978-1014). According to the inscription on the facade, the construction was completed in 1003. Bagrati Cathedral is one of he biggest architectural monuments of Georgia. Its cupola was supported by four free standing pillars. On the Eastern and Northern Walls of Bagrati Cathedral there are carved inscriptions. The earliest inscription of Arabic numerals in Georgia is preserved on the Northern window of the Cathedral. The archeological excavations of the territory of Bagrati Cathedral has revealed the cultural layers of different periods, among them the fragments of a 4th century church, the mosaic floor dated to 1003 and several royal burial vaults. Since 1994 Bagrati Cathedral has been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

How to go to Bagrati and Motsameta Cathedrals;

From Kutaisi Bus terminal (where the only McDo is located), negotiate a cab for roundtrip (including waiting time for your church stroll and photo-ops) going to the three famous Kutaisi Monasteries (Gelati, Bagrati and Motsameta) for 30 GEL ($17.4) max. All taxi drivers know this places. Travel time to Uplistsikhe is around 5 minutes only. No entrance fee. I strolled this three monasteries around more than an hour including photo-ops and a little bit meditation embrace.

Bagrati Cathedral of Kutaisi

Kutaisi Afternoon Tour 1st part; Gelati Cathedral

4-days Solo Trip in Winter Republic of Georgia 

January 28 to February 01, 2014

Gori short visit tour; Ancient Rock Town of Uplistsikhe

Gelati Monastery, eulogized as the "New Athens" and the "Second Jerusalem", was one of the greatest ispritual and cultural centers of Georgia in the Middle Age. The monastery was founded by King Davit Admashenebeli (1089-1125) in 1106. At the monastery there functioned an academy, where there lived and worked outstanding Georgian scientists, philosophers and theologians. Since 14th century Gelati has been an Episcopal Cathedral. Central building of the Monastery is a central cupola church of the Virgin. Its interior is covered with paintings of different times. Alter alpse is decorated with a brilliant mosaic composition of a standing Virgin holding the Child with archangels on her sides dated to 1125-1130. Other architectural monuments are 12th and 14th centuries. These are; the Academy, Church of St. George, interior of which was painted in XVI century, a two storied building of the Church of St. Nicholas and a bell tower, one of the oldest in Georgia. Gelati Monastery was also a burial of vault of King David. Since 1994, Gelati Monastery has been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage.

How to go to Gelati Monastery;

From Kutaisi Bus terminal (where the only McDo is located), negotiate a cab for roundtrip (including waiting time for your church stroll and photo-ops) going to the three famous Kutaisi Monasteries (Gelati, Bagrati and Motsameta) for 30 GEL ($17.4) max. All taxi drivers know this places. Travel time to Uplistsikhe is around 5 minutes only. No entrance fee. I strolled this three monasteries around more than an hour including photo-ops and a little bit meditation embrace.

Gelati Cathedral of Kutaisi

Gori Morning Visit Tour; Ancient Rock Town of Uplistsikhe

4-days Solo Trip in Winter Republic of Georgia 

January 28 to February 01, 2014

Tbilisi Airport Arrival in the morning

The rock-cut city of Uplistsikhe or "The Lord's Fortress" is one of the oldest urban sites in the Caucasus. There is evidence that Uplistsikhe's vicinity was inhabited from a long time ago as the 3rd millennium BC, and the first caves were hewn out of the rock in X c. BC. The majority of the caves were cut during Classical Antiquity. The city flourished as a major religious, political and commercial center of the Eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli (Iberia) during Hellenistic (III-I cc BC) and Roman times (I-III cc AD). Uplistsikhe consisted of three parts; It had a defensive wall, ditch, several passes, tunnel, streets, water pipes and drainage channels. Some structures were reshaped or carved out in the Middle Ages. At the summit of the complex is the "Uplistsuli Church" built in the second half of the X Century. This is a three-church basilica typical only of Georgian Christian architecture. The Mongol raids in XIII and XIV centuries marked the ultimate eclipse of the town, after which it was virtually abandoned.

How to go to Uplistsikhe;

From Tbilisi Didube Bus Terminal; ride a mini-bus going to Gori for only 5GEL ($2.9) for around 30-minute travel. Departure timings from Didube to Gori is every hour basis. Then from Gori, negotiate a cab for roundtrip (including waiting time for your park stroll and photo-ops) going to Uplistsikhe for 20 GEL ($12.6) max. All taxi drivers know this place. Travel time to Uplistsikhe is around 5 minutes only. Entrance fee for this park is 3GEL ($1.74) with park timings of 0900h-1600H. I strolled Uplistsikhe park on less than an hour only including photo-ops and a little bit meditation embrace.

Ancient Rock Town of Uplistsikhe

4 Days Winter Solo Trip in Republic of Georgia

Gori - Kutaisi - Gudauri - Tbilisi tour
January 28 to February 01, 2014

"Our deeds still travel with us from afar, and what we have been makes us what we are." - George Eliot

My 30th country to visit, 27th solo backpacking trip, 6th visa on arrival application encounter outside Southeast/Northeast Asia, 5th winter travel and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Georgia is strategically located in the Caucasus mountains and borders the Black Sea. It is slightly smaller than South Carolina and borders Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Turkey. There religion is nearly 84% Orthodox Christian. Christianity became the official religion in the fourth century. Georgia attained independence from the Soviet Union on April 9, 1991. Prior to that, it was called the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. Georgia has a pleasant Mediterranean-type climate due to its latitudinal location along the Black Sea but suffers from earthquakes as a hazard.
http://geography.about.com/od/specificplacesofinterest/a/georgia10.htm

4 days Solo Trip in Winter Georgia (Tbilisi)

5th OFW vacation; Winter Birthday Get-away from Georgia to Myanmar

life anniversary celebration amidst of the stressful work in the Middle East

January 27 to February 08, 2014
12-days shortest set of vacation as an OFW 

1st OFW vacation; Come back to my homeland

2nd OFW vacation; Pinoy backpacker China invasion
3rd OFW vacation; Summer solo tour from Malaysia to Japan
4th OFW vacation; Ultimate Solo Trip from Central Europe to Promised Land 

“Every person needs to take one day away.  A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future.  Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence.  Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.  Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” ― Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now

One reason vacations don’t boost happiness after the trip may have to do with the stress of returning to work. And for some travelers, the holiday itself was stressful.

5th vacation as an Overseas Filipino worker for more than 2 years of stay in State of Kuwait. The image below shows the converted jpeg from pdf of calendar of events on my entire 12-days vacation journey. Most of this days were in Georgia and Myanmar without Philippines, my hometown.

OFW 5th vacation; Winter Birthday Get-away from Georgia to Myanmar