Georgia - 2013

When this was built, in the 11th century, it was the tallest church in Georgia. And it remained so for nearly 1,000 years.

Our view in Bakuriani, one of Georgia's ski resorts.

Spring skiing at Bakuriani. The snow is disappearing, but grooming keeps some runs open. But this might just about be the last few days of the season. We practically had the slopes to ourselves, with maybe 20 people in total skiing or boarding. The majority of people using the cable car were sightseers.

Snow was good, weather great, and scenery, fantastic.

View down the slopes to Bakuriani.

Ruins overlook the village of Ateni, not far from Gori, Georgia.

A church on the hilltop above the cave city of Uplistsikhe. Sheep grazing by the approach road looked after by a shepherd with a staff.

The cave city of Uplistsikhe lies largely in ruins, but some remains are quite distinct, including pagan temples (later converted to churches) and dwellings.

The view up and down the river from Uplistsikhe is quite extensive and very pretty.

We nearly missed this cave, as it was a bit awkward to get to, but since it was one of the very few which had a sign, we made a bigger effort. And glad we did. The carved arches and the work around the column made it a highlight.

Some of the kids who were on an excursion who invited us to join them for their picnic. The food was made up of various things that they had brought along to share, including some fantastic home made treats. The most surprising thing to see was, amongst the bottles of Coke and lemonade, a few bottles of vodka. Upon arrival at the picnic, we were presented with a plate and a small plastic “shot cup” of vodka, and gestures were made to the immense quantities of food to help ourselves. But apparently we didn't help ourselves enough as food was brought to us and put on our plates.

After the picnic, the kids had some time to fill before they had to return to Tbilisi. They pulled out speakers and put on music and sang a few songs, including Georgian hits as well as stuff we knew like Coldplay. The activities got more boisterous, with students swinging each other around, fairly violently, and culminating in recreations of Georgian sword dances. Apparently, throwing each other in the air is part of those dances. I guess we just have to believe them. Jo did not seem to offend them by politely declining persistent invitations to be one of the thrown.

We never worked out if this guy was supposed to be putting on a show at the pub, or whether he was just a talented patron. He and a friend sang songs at their table, playing the piano accordion and a drum. When we acknowledged them with a smile and a little applause, he moved up to the “stage” area, where some equipment was set up, and he put on some music. He accompanied the music with some rhythms, throwing his drum in the air, rolling it around his body, arms, and legs, spinning it on his foot, and as caught in the photo, twirling it on the floor.

The Kazbegi church itself is old and interesting in its own right. However, its fame and lure is greater because of its location and history, and it is quite the symbol for Georgians.

The walk up through the soft snow was a bit of work, but to come over the rise and see the church was uplifting.

The church of Kazbegi.

We have no idea where they were off to. We thought that the only likely direction from the church would be down, to the village below. But they had headed in another direction entirely, and all we could think of was that there must be another church or chapel or shrine, somewhere close in the mountains.

As I said, the location and setting is the main part of the attraction and fame of this church of Kazbegi.