On Saturday we drove first to Sighnaghi and as we were in the wine growing region we had lunch and tried the wine which we found very quaffable. Needless to say we visited another church as well as a market.
This morning we woke up to pouring rain and set off to drive to Davit Gareja, a cave monastery established in the 6thC by St David one of the Syrian fathers who came to Georgia at that time. The road was in a bad way and we were glad we were not in a bus.. However enough of text without pictures so here are some photos.
Looking over some of the new buildings in Tbilisi. I think the mushroom roofed one is the Palace of Justice.
The 13thC Metekhi church
Loved this letterbox.
The Tamada or toastmaster. Georgians are big on toasts at banquets always with wine and the whole glass must be drunk in one go.
Inside Sioni Cathedral. The Georgian church is really alive. All sorts of people, old and young, men and women are continually popping in to light a candle and kiss a few icons, although I thought the toddler who had a candle in one hand and a toy gun in the other had not quite got the picture!
One of dozens of lovely balconies.
Georgians have a good sense of humour.
The archangel striking the clock at midday.
Remember Jason and the search for the Golden Fleece. He came to Colchis in Georgia and the State museum in Tbilisi has a fantastic collection of exquisite gold work from the local archeological digs most of it more than 2000 years old.
Wild roses
Sveti Tskhoveli cathedral in Mtskheta - an ancient church in an ancient city and a former capital of Georgia.
Looking down on Sighnaghi
Cherries are in season and I bought some from this man. The sausage like food is churchkhela made by threading walnuts almonds and raisins on a string, dipping them in flour and then into simmering grape juice repeatedly before hanging the up to dry. I have not tried them yet.
Wine has been made in Georgia for thousands of years and traditionally in clay pots buried in the ground.
Recognise this man? He was Georgian.
A Georgian barbeque.
I am not sure if this is Gremi or Alaverdi - it was a long day.
A cheese lady in the market. Cheese is a staple.
The vegetables are excellent.
A shepherd with his flock which we had to drive through on the road.
Lots and lots of wildflowers.
The entrance to a monastery at Davit Gareja
Some of the cave cells at the monastery of Davit Gareja.
An unexpected road in Tbilisi. There was a lot of traffic so it was a bit sad we did not quite fit it in the photo!
Fab photos Kate. You have given a very different impression to what I thought the country would be like. That is one very heavy handbag, glad it is attached to the wall.
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