Georgia- a land of diverse ecosystems and other Georgia Things to Do Tips

As you travel around Georgia one aspect of this relatively small country you will notice, is just how diverse an environment exists in this place.
On the west side you have the Black Sea coast, a semi-tropical region, of beaches, a rugged coastline and then there are those hills that stretch far inland, covered in forests. In parts the forests still remain but become mountainous and wild, with many forestted areas infrequently visited by humans. You can visit the spa towns in Samtskhe-Javakheti to get a different fix on these mountainous areas.
To the north bordering Russia runs the ridge of mountains to which the area takes it's name-The Caucasus. Here the forests give way to snow capped peaks and breathtaking scenery. You can even ski here or climb the awesome peak of Mt Kazhbek- Georgia's highest mountain at 5047 metres.
As you head south and to the west the climate and landscape flattens out somewhat. The Khaketi region in the west has some of the most fertile land in the world, as a result of the run off from the Caucasus mountains. Here all manner of amazingly rich produce is grown. However, it is wine production for which the area is renouned for. In Soviet times, the majority of the empire's wine was exported from here. It is also widely believed that wine actually originated from here as well!
And then there are the plains and the desert. Hot and dry, yet full of life. The monastery community at Davit Gareja used to hide out here for over a thousand years. It is still an active community. We came across a tortoise on the road here, yet there was no stream, pond or water to be seen for many kilometres!
So as you can see, Georgia's diverse lands have alot to offer, and I am sure if you go searching you will find even more than what I did!

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This was one of my favourite experiences/sites from anywhere in the world! The drive heading north from Tbilisi to Kazbegi is along the Georgian Military Highway. You cringe and hang tightly onto your seat as your car/bus, winds it's way up and through the mountains for approximately 4 hours.
Kazbegi is located just a stones throw from the Russian border and Chechyna. At night time we saw dozens of trucks transporting aid/goods through here to enroute to this troubled region of Russia.
The scenery at Kazbegi is magnificent. The town is dwarfed by the wonderfully picturesque Mt Kazhbek- the highest mountain in Georgia. No trip to Kazbegi is complete without completing a hike to Tsminda Sameba Monastery- a trully magical experience!

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Website: http://www.tbilisipastimes.com/military.html

I flew from London direct to Tbilisi which was a 5 hour flight. The inevitable culture shock you experience when visiting a new country away from your own after some time, I find is always an interesting experience. Within 48 hours I was so amazed by the richness in sights and experiences that Tbilisi has to offer, that I regretted not having the time to spend at least a week soaking up the city's lively atmosphere.
Tbilisi struggles at times with it's past. Being at the crossroads of Europe and Asia it has been conquered many times over. In more recent times by the Russians. The city has a multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-faceted face. Yet it is the basis of a great city. The devisive past is history, and by looking forward, the city will grow and prosper. It is a city of depth and character which will only be enhanced over time. A city which any traveller will enjoy and appreciate.

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Website: http://www.sakartvelo.com/Files/tbilisi.html

In 1897 Stalin was born Josef Vissarionivich Djugashvil in the Georgian town of Gori. His father was an alcoholic and died when he was young. No doubt he would have been abusive to his mother and son, setting the tone for Josef's "extreme" behaviour in his adult years. His mother, Ekaterina, was a washer woman, and struggled hard to provide for their family. Initially he tried to become a priest, however he became more fanatical over time. He became the General Secretary of Bolshevik Central Committee in 1922, and it was about this time that he changed his name from Djugashvil to Stalin. Stalin in Russian means "man of steel". He ruled the USSR from 1938 in 1953 as a ruthless dictator. It is believed a number as high as 20 million citizens of the Soviet Union died under his rule from labour camps, collective farms, and the unyielding police.
Yet despite being a mass murder of an unprecedented scale, he is still revered by many due to his ability to hold the Soviet Union together-these were prosperous times if you survived! Another important reason why he is still liked by some is his contribution to the end of the World War II. Although history has shown his reasons for playing such an influence in the ending of the war and the ensuing disarray in Europe, were still personally motivated by his insatiable appetite for power.

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Directions: Throughout Georgia you will see portraits, photos, and the very occassional statue of Stalin. In the town of Gori an hour from Tbilisi is the Stalin Museum.
Website: www.stel.ru/stalin/

I never spent any real time there. Just passed through on a couple of ocassions. Rustavi was founded over 2000 years ago has always been a strategic place lying ona plain, where the Mtkvari River flows through. The town was destroyed in 1400 by the Turkic conqueror Tamerlane, and was the birthplace of Georgia's national poet, Rustaveli, who lived from the late 12th to the early 13th century. The modern city of Rustavi was founded in the 1940's. It was a model Soviet town and was one of the largest industrial towns in the Soviet Union. Lines of Soviet block style housing were built on the south side of the Mtkvari. The factories of heavy industry to process iron ore, steel milling, maunfacture metal products and chemicals were based on the north side. Today there are miles of twisted and rusting metal in this apocalyptic wasteland.
When the Soviet Union collapsed the result for Rustavi was a complete disaster in economic terms. Just 3 of 118 plants are still active. Unemployment is around 60-70%. Naturally this brings a wealth of other social problems with it. So many have now left the city and its population has shrunk drastically. A visit to Rustavi is a sad and poignant reminder of the failings of the Communist system.

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Directions: Rustavi is 25kms southeast of Tblisi on the road to Baku. The Azerbaijan border is 35kms away.
Website: http://www.parliament.ge/TERRITORY/regions/rustavi.htm

If you come to Georgia this is a must see! Easily reached in a day trip from Tbilisi, Davit Gareja is an incredibly interesting and beautiful place to visit.
The monasteries were made by expanding caves in the soft limestone. It was said that one third of Jerulsalem's treasures were kept here. This religious complex grew until there were monastries spread over a wide area.

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Directions: about 2 hours from Tbilisi via Rustavi through some pretty rough potholed roads, then along a gravel road through Georgia's old Polygon (weapon's/army testing area).
Website: http://www.tbilisipastimes.com/gareja.html

After a stiff rock-climb you are bought to a spot you could only describe as breathtaking. The air is still, the views go on forever. As you look southwards you see the plains of Azerbaijan. Below you from where you came, you can make out more clearly the large canyon in which the main area of Davit Gareja resides.
You clamber over the ridge and down onto a sheer cliff face that fronts Azerbaijan. The walk along here is precarious, much of the areas has fallen away over the centuries. It's adviseable not to look down often. You will find yourself jumping from stone to stone to successfully navigate the many caves of Udabno Monastery. Dating shows the Monastery looks to have originally been used in the 9th to 10th century.

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Website: http://www.byzantium.ac.uk/Frameset_fieldwork.htm?Fieldwork/Reports/Eastmond_2001

The Refectory here is in an amazing condition as you can see. This is where the monks had to kneel to eat (as demonstrated by myself). The principal fresco in here depicts the last supper and dates from the 11th century!

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Directions: over the ridge at the top of Davit Gareja
Website: http://www.byzantium.ac.uk/Frameset_fieldwork.htm?Fieldwork/Reports/Eastmond_2001

The soft limestone caves have been hollowed out into chapels, churches, chambers, cells, dozens of them, each decorated with frescoes.Some are quite luminous and have been constructed with sophisticated draughtsmanship. In places as vibrant today as the day they were painted. The frescoes here date incredibly from the approximately the 9th century to the 13th century. The chapel below has many colourful frescoes, depicting Christian religious scenes. Ironic when just off to the base of this cliff is a Muslim country.

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Directions: over the ridge at the top of Davit Gareja
Website: http://www.byzantium.ac.uk/Frameset_fieldwork.htm?Fieldwork/Reports/Eastmond_2001

This is the main site at Davit Gareja, which is still being used today as a monastery! The area is on three different levels with buildings from many periods, the earliest being from the 6th century. You will inevitably run into a priest/monk here. Dress appropriately and be very quiet. It is wise to make a donation if visiting, as the whole site is entirely free to visit.
From the gateway you will pass the Church of St Nicholas(c17th). On the opposite side is the Church of the Transformation. It dates from the 6th century and this is where Davit and his companions-Lukiane and Dodo are buried.

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Directions: When you arrive by car you will arrive at the entrance to Lavra Monastery.
Website: http://www.culturalheritage.ge/english/erp/43.html