Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is an almost-three-hour flight from Dubai. Now, I am not a big fan of airports and flights, but for some reason this whole dance routine of show your tickets here and get your passport stamped there didn't dampen my vacation spirit. Despite the fact that the flights to Georgia are from T2 in Dubai, and it's... well, how to put it nicely... miserable.
Reached the hotel- a building from the olden times converted to a modern-day cute hotel. The Georgian running the place mentioned it got converted to a hotel about five years back but isn't sure how old the building actually is.
Anyhow, settled in the room and finally managed to wrap up the brilliantly written Girls of Riyadh, and headed out right before the husband was on the verge of losing patience at having to wait till I finish the last few pages from this gut-wrenching story. Old city, walking shoes, and eyes full of wonder are just the right combination, isn't it?
Walked in the tiny lanes of the old town to the bridge, Ryke park, cutely lit & decorated eateries with live music at every corner, the very out of a children's storybook style clock tower, stopping to take in and sometimes giggle at the wall art. But all of that was not before an early dinner of khinkholi (dumplings that you hold from the stem upside down and eat using hands or else you'd spill the insides), khachapuri (cheese on bread is the best and the worst way I can describe it), stir fried vegetables (super oily and super yum), and of course the local wine.
The days stretch longer at this time of the year and that makes it even better to don the city-explorer hat in this near perfect weather. Actually, absolutely perfect when I compare it with what we have back home - either of the two places I call home, at present.
Day two had a super eventful start. Went a floor below for breakfast and slipped down a whole friggin' flight of stairs. Was in perfect agony but the two psychos I call family have been laughing at my misery. Breakfast was simple and cute - eggs, dips, fresh jams, salad, cheese, coffee, and churchkholi (a walnut, grape, and flower dessert). Our host/one-man-army of concierge, receptionist, cook, 'George from Georgia' is how he introduced himself, told us about the borrowed history of Georgia from its various invasions. When I asked him if Georgia is more Asia or more Europe, he said - It's just Georgia. Somehow, that sums it up perfectly.
After proving I couldn't be trusted with balancing myself after years of yoga, and filled with food and stories, we headed out with our local guide Zaza, in his funky green car. Now, I'm used to the crazy Dubai style driving and I'm also used to the crazy Delhi style driving. Zaza managed to combine the two and create his own version of a roller coaster. I decided to put faith in Zaza and focused on the beautiful (and insanely fast moving) scenery outside the window. He drove us to Jvari. Jvari translates to the cross. So tells me the super adorable Zaza. Georgia is Christian Orthodox with a largely religious culture. Jvari has a 6th century church with a 4th century cross inside. Gorgeous architecture, peaceful inside, and a breathtaking view of rivers merging outside this UNESCO heritage site makes it a must visit.
The route from Jvari to Mtskheta is made of winding hilly roads sometimes with a view of the river, sounds of the forest, alongside waterfalls, and incredibly green. Exactly what my desert-eyes needed! As our host - remember George from Georgia? - said 'everyone makes wine in Georgia', Mtskheta is where we went for our first Georgian wine tasting and came back with all that's going to get opened at our next house party. Zaza meanwhile has decided not to give any wine recommendations since there are 3,000+ varieties of grapes here and we need to trust our own taste buds here. Point taken, Zaza.
After the next day's breakfast, I am happy to report, the aforementioned breakfast managed to get inside my belly without any further accidents. The jokes by the people I used to, until now, call my own, who are now walking on wafer thin ice, are relentless. I have to accept they are hilarious. But let's not tell them so.
Let's head to Kakheti instead - the hilly region of wine tastings. Kakheti is a mountainous terrain that you can reach via road from Tblisi.
Georgia is a dreamy little escape with culture, nature, history, old towns, ropeways, mountains, vineyards. If you love all of that and feel lazy sorting out visas, this is your place.
