For most of you who don't know anything about this country. Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region. Located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north and northeast by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital and largest city is Tbilisi. Georgia covers a territory of 69,700 square kilometers (26,911 sq. mi), and its 2015 population is about 3.75 million. Georgia is a unitary, semi-presidential republic, with the government elected through a representative democracy.

Things you  need to know before going:


a.) Get a promo fair before going, mine was a promo with inclusions of the airfare, hotel accommodations and airport transfers. If you are traveling with connecting flights, be sure to get  a transit visa for the country you are going to. 

b.) Before getting there non-UAE residents are requested to show at least 1000 USD or at least 3500 AED equivalent either cash or account upon check in and boarding. They said it is for security purposes (because of the ISIS attack in Paris) It's the new SOP. I had a pocket money of only 400 USD, plus an extra 1500 AED and an Emergency fund (just in case). You can also bring your atm but they will charge you for about 30 AED per transaction so I recommend to just bring cash.

c.) Don't rush on booking tour packages, their offer is expensive, the tours start late and there was this staff who is very arrogant and annoying.( Holiday Factory) I have booked a tour from them and I wanted to cancel because I wanted to explore on my own , however they don't want to give me the refund even though it clearly says on the receipt that (free cancelation at any circumstances) boo!!, i ended up taking a tour that i don't even want to attend to... Lame! I spoke to the representative but he insisted that I cant cancel. I already complained to Holiday Factory but they didn't answer. Expensive and less places to visit...luckily, based on my experience, I enjoyed my travel to Georgia and got to see more than the other tourist who are staying for 4 to 5 days. I have contacted a local Tour guide (Georgian) who knows every nook and cranny of Georgia. He was nice and full of surprises. He's offering tours and airport pick up at an affordable price. (Comment or email me if you want he's contact details).

d.) I recommend bringing US dollars, because the exchange rate is higher and you will get a great value for your money. You can exchange your dollars to Georgian Lari (GEL) at the airport.

e.) Check the weather, If you're going during the winter season, I recommend you to bring thick jackets (winter clothes/gears) yes, boots, earmuffs, bonnets etc. It can really get cold, below negative, but please don't forget to look classy hahaha not a Christmas tree. lol :p

f.) Lastly, Prepare yourself. Before going I already have my Itinerary. Places I want to see and food I want to eat. You'll have a great time. Experience a culture like no other.

The flight was 3 hours from Dubai to Tbilisi Airport. The representative will greet you and will guide and will bring you to your hotel.



Day 1: Grand Palace Hotel; Church of St. George; Jvari Monastery ; Mtskheta (Old Capital ; Georgian Food (Lobio & Khachapuri) ; & Svetistkhoveli


 Welcome to Tbilisi.  :) The airport is not that big as compared to others, but the Immigration officers were very accommodating and nice. As I've mentioned on my previous post visa on arrival is needed for short term visits.

 

 Unfortunately the hotel, doesn't have any complimentary, tissue, toothpaste , water and coffee so I had to buy those stuff outside, luckily there's a store in front. But the hotel staff are nice.

Along the streets of Tbilisi Going to our first destination-Jvari Monastery .

Church of St. George

Jvari Monastery stands on the rocky mountaintop at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta, which was formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Iberia.
According to traditional accounts, on this location in the early 4th century Saint Nino, a female evangelist credited with converting King Mirian III of Iberia to Christianity, erected a large wooden cross on the site of a pagan temple. The cross was reportedly able to work miracles and therefore drew pilgrims from all over the Caucasus. A small church was erected over the remnants of the wooden cross in c.545 named the "Small Church of Jvari"

The present building, or "Great Church of Jvari", is generally held to have been built between 590 and 605 by Erismtavari Stepanoz I. This is based on the Jvari inscriptions on its facade which mentions the principal builders of the church: Stephanos the patricius, Demetrius the hypatos, and Adarnase the hypatos. Professor Cyril Toumanoff disagrees with this view, identifying these individuals as Stepanoz II, Demetre (brother of Stepanoz I), and Adarnase II (son of Stepanoz II), respectively.

Two rivers meeting together:

Mtkvari & Aragvi River

The importance of Jvari complex increased over time and attracted many pilgrims. In the late Middle Ages, the complex was fortified by a stone wall and gate, remnants of which still survive. During the Soviet period, the church was preserved as a national monument, but access was rendered difficult by tight security at a nearby military base. After the independence of Georgia, the building was restored to active religious use. Jvari was listed together with other monuments of Mtskheta in 1994 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Old Capital 

Mtskheta (Georgian: მცხეთა) is a city in Kartli province of Georgia. One of the oldest cities of Georgia, it is located approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi river.

Due to its historical significance and several cultural monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. As the birthplace and one of the most vibrant centers of Christianity in Georgia, Mtskheta was declared as the "Holy City" by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2014.

Svetitskhoveli Church

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Georgian: სვეტიცხოვლის საკათედრო ტაძარი, svet'icxovlis sak'atedro t'adzari; literally, "the Living Pillar Cathedral") is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral located in the historical town of Mtskheta, Georgia, 20 km (12 mi) northwest of the nation's capital of Tbilisi.

Svetitskhoveli, known as the burial site of Christ's mantle, has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. It presently functions as the seat of the archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, who is at the same time Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

The current cathedral was built in the eleventh century by the architect Arsukisdze, though the site itself is even older dating back to the early fourth century and is surrounded by a number of legends associated primarily with the early Christian traditions.

It is the second largest church building in the country, after the recently consecrated Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other historical monuments of Mtskheta.

Originally the Church was built in the 11th century and you can still feel and see the amazing details from the walls and from the architecture itself.

According to our tour guide, the church was also used as a hiding place during the Georgian war. Women and children were in a hidden room inside the church while the men guard the doors. You can still see the door of that hidden room but unfortunately the stairs that was used as an access was already destroyed.

Georgian Food : Lobio & Khachapuri

What better way to know a country than to experience their local cuisines. The rich and luscious culture all wrapped up into one whole meal. Before heading back to Tbilisi, we stopped in a local restaurant near Mtskheta.

LOBIO- is a traditional Georgian dish of various kinds of prepared beans (cooked or stewed), containing coriander, walnuts, garlic and onion. There are many varieties of lobio, both hot and cold.

I also got the chance to taste a Georgian Beer. It tasted good and has no after taste and smell.

While there are many ways of making lobio, the most common of which is a cold dish called lobio nigozit, typically made with dark red kidney beans which are cooked and then mashed with garlic, onions, walnuts, coriander, marigold petals, chili pepper and vinegar, and then allowed to marinate overnight. A hot version is usually made with white beans. But mine was red beans, it tasted similar to a Filipino Dish "monggo".
In other hot varieties lobio may contain meat. Beans would be put in the pot with water and spices and allowed to sit overnight. The following day, the pot would be placed over a fire or, if available, in a small exposed oven, and the beans slowly cooked. At the appropriate stages, meat and other vegetables would be added to cook. The cooked lobio would then be served in the clay pot, along with a flat bread.
Lobio, in its traditional format, progressed to become a standard recipe the ingredients of which varied depending on the area in which it was cooked.

KHACHAPURI- is a traditional Georgian dish of cheese-filled bread. The bread is leavened and allowed to rise, and is shaped in various ways. The filling contains cheese (fresh or aged, most commonly suluguni), eggs and other ingredients.
According to a 2009 survey 88% of Georgians prefer khachapuri to pizza. It is more popular among men and older people. My take on the Khachapuri is, its like a version of a "bibingka" with lots of cheese. It tasted good.

Winter feels... lol The location, the ambiance and the food. A great escape perfect for winter.

Before leaving Jvari, we went to a wishing tree. Not many people know about this and only the local Georgians know how and where to wish. Think of it as a version of the love locks in Paris, but this time its for yourself.

Take a piece of cloth, cut into a strip. Note: you should only tie the cloth on a free branch, without any ties in it. I took my hanky and tear it into a strip. haha

Rules:

   1. Have your wish thought out before reaching the place.

2. When you get down from the car, don't talk and do not mention anything.

3. Don't ever mention to anyone what you wished for.

After Jvari, we went back to Tbilisi, and proceeded with the city tour... Part 2 will be posted in a separate article. :p

(All photos are owned and copyrighted by Bryan Fetalvero. 2015 All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use, editing, reproduction, publication, duplication and distribution of the digital photos without explicit permission is punishable by law.)