The Caucasus region is one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse regions on Earth. It includes the post-Soviet states of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. There are tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the moment, so I chose Georgia as my destination to start my summer trip.
Stunning scenery on the way to Kazbegi sky
The "3" Caucasus countries that I know through Lonely Planet
Tbilisi - The city where sunset falls at 9 o'clock
I landed in Tbilisi at 5pm, expecting to miss the sunset, but the weather app said the sun would set between 8:30 and 9pm. It felt strange, as the sun at 5pm is still as bright as 3am in Vietnam. So I still had time to leave my luggage at the hotel, stroll through the flea market in Freedom Square and climb the hill to watch the sunset before 9pm.
Tbilisi Freedom Square at 6am - the golden hour of sunshine
If I could use one word to describe my first impression of Tbilisi, it would be the dissonance in the pace of life here. The dissonance was first of all in the chaotic system of left-right steering wheel, but the car always had its windows open and electronic music played at full volume, but the people were quiet and reserved. The walls here were covered with writings and paintings, the sidewalks were full of dogs and cats, and on every street corner there were people selling fresh flowers - a romantic touch in the hustle and bustle of a city that still lacked consistency.
The street flower rows are very similar to Vietnam.
Fresh fruit stall opens at 11am
Behind the Freedom Square, a steep, paved road leads to a small Trinity Church. Behind the church, a path and a series of rugged steps lead up to Mother of Georgia, the hill that is the center of the city. I climbed the steps to the top and looked down at Tbilisi in the beautiful golden hour.
I bought a bottle of wine from a random shop down the street and drank it during the sunset, the spires of the Catholic churches blending with the local architecture to create a mesmerizing scene before the sun set behind the mountains.
Peaceful moments in the heart of bustling Tbilisi
Flea market near Freedom Square
As the sun sets, the streets are filled with the lights of thousands of wine shops and passionate kisses on the streets. The night resounds with the song of the red accordion, Bella Ciao sowing on the oleander branches in the Liberty Square. The cold wind blows, making people want to stop and lean on the warm shoulder of the person next to them. On the streets, small bars are bustling with laughter, people are together watching a match, a movie or a story, the whole city becomes romantic like a fairy tale.
It seems that the later the night falls, the more interesting things there are for us to discover at the end of the day, because the stories only stop when the clock strikes 5am, then everyone goes to sleep and wakes up at noon and starts a new day after 11pm.
Tbilisi streets and the slope leading up to Mother of Georgia hill
Tbilisi city seen from Mother of Georgia hill
Kazbegi in the high mountains of the Caucasus
I went to Kazbegi on a day tour, departing from Tbilisi in 3 hours, stopping at some natural spots on the way that made me forget the concept of time and space. When I arrived, I felt nothing more than overwhelmed by the genuine natural scenery of the Northeast of Georgia. I arrived in Kazbegi in June, the “paradise” at that time still had snow on the mountain tops and the cold weather of late winter.
Before heading to the Kazbegi town of Stepantsminda to visit the famous Gergeti Trinity Church, we stopped at the Russia Georgia Friendship Monument. The famous mosaic depicts the history of the relationship between Russia and Georgia, but behind the wall, the natural landscape is even more magnificent with green mountains still covered with snow. Wildflowers and grasses covered my feet as I stood there looking at the view that seemed to touch the sky.
Scenery next to the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument
The breathtaking view was real, and it took a Southeast Asian like me by surprise, but it became more normal when the bus took me to the top of the hill of The Gergeti Trinity Church.
At an altitude of 2,170 m, the mysterious 14th-century church surrounded by majestic mountains has left all visitors getting off the bus in awe. Even 2 out of 12 guests joining the day tour with me decided to stay in Stepantsminda to trek the mountains around the church the next day. Currently, inside this church, the activities of the Georgian Orthodox Church and Religion still take place, the ceremonies are held very solemnly in traditional mystical costumes. However, visitors will be restricted from taking pictures of the area inside the church, all I can do is witness and feel.
The Gergeti Trinity (Church of the Holy Trinity), a 14th-century church
The church has a magnificent architectural beauty on the outside and a solemn, mysterious look on the inside.
The end of the journey in Kazbegi is an afternoon tea at the Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, a famous hotel in this area, where people often come here to ski in the winter. From the hotel's cafe balcony, you will see the whole view of the center of this famous area while sipping the extremely attractive local red wine. And then you will feel a little regretful, why didn't I know about this place sooner, why didn't I try to stay here longer... and that's when I realized I fell in love with Georgia in that moment.
Town view from Rooms hotel Kazbegi
Tourists from all over the world come to Kazbegi because they can enjoy scenery that is just as good as Switzerland but at a fraction of the price.
For some reasons, I only went to Georgia for a limited time of 3 days and 2 nights and did not know much about the country other than the places I quickly looked up on Lonely Planet on the 3-hour flight from Dubai. However, in terms of safety, weather, beautiful European scenery, local prices, visa speed, cultural similarities, Georgia is a country that Vietnamese people can comfortably travel to in the spring or summer. It is easy to get used to the Georgian lifestyle and cuisine while still enjoying the Western beauty on every corner of this country.
