Georgia (Jinvali, Ananuri & Gudauri)
3:43 AM
Day 2:
Jinvali Reservoir, Ananuri & Gudauri
Here are some shots I took along the way :)
The National Bank of Georgia :)
Jinvali Reservoir is a hydroelectric dam on the Aragvi River in the Caucasus Mountains in Zhinvali, Georgia. The Zhinvali Hydroelectric Power Plant has two turbines with a nominal capacity of 65 MW each having a total capacity of 130 MW. This dam supplies electricity of almost the whole of Georgia.
The building of the dam in 1986 formed the Jinvali Reservoir.
Ananuri
In 1739, Ananuri was attacked by forces from a rival duchy, commanded by Shanshe of Ksani and was set on fire. The Aragvi clan was massacred. However, four years later, the local peasants revolted against rule by the Shamshe, killing the usurpers and inviting King Teimuraz II to rule directly over them.
However, in 1746, King Teimuraz was forced to suppress another peasant uprising, with the help of King Erekle II of Kakheti. The fortress remained in use until the beginning of the 19th century. In 2007, the complex has been on the tentative list for inclusion into the UNESCO World Heritage Site program
Before heading to Gudauri, we stopped to eat lunch and experience another Georgian cuisine. :) Khinkhali
Khinkali is eaten plain, or with ground black pepper. The meat filling is uncooked when the khinkali is assembled, so, when it is cooked, the juices of the meat are trapped inside the dumpling. To make khinkali juicier usually warm water or broth is added to the minced meat. The khinkali is typically consumed first by sucking the juices while taking the first bite, in order to prevent the dumpling from bursting. The top, where the pleats meet, is tough, and is not supposed to be eaten, but discarded to the plate so that those eating can count how many they have consumed. In Georgia, this top is called the kudi (Georgian: ქუდი, "hat") or k'uch'i (Georgian: კუჭი, "stomach").
There is a widespread etiquette in Georgia to use only one's bare hands while consuming these dumplings; the using of utensils, like a fork, is not considered polite.
The towns of Dusheti, Pasanauri and Mtskheta are particularly famous for their khinkali.
Guduari
And then after 3 hours, we reached our destination. The moment I have been waiting for. LOL. To have a white Christmas, a winter wonderland away from the sands of Dubai and the busy streets of Sheik Zayed Road.
Gudauri is a ski resort located on the southern slopes of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. The resort is situated in the Stepantsminda District, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Cross Pass, at an elevation of 2,196 meters (7,200 ft.) above sea level. Gudauri lies 120 km (75 mi) to the north of the capital Tbilisi. The trip from Tbilisi to Gudauri usually takes two hours by car. The resort offers high quality skiing opportunities.The slopes of Gudauri are completely above the tree line and are best for free-riders and are generally considered to be avalanche-safe. The ski season lasts from December to April.
You can ride the Cable car for only 5 Georgian Lari.
After playing for hours, the guide told us that it's time to go. So I had to say goodbye to Guduari, but I promised to come back. I experienced the best of the country has to offer. Tomorrow is my last day. And I am glad I took this trip. To be honest I didn't know what to expect nor will happened to me. But it has taught me a lot things about life and about myself. Travelling alone is good. :)
Hoping to have more travels next year.
Cheers!:)
0 comments