Georgia was behind the Iron Curtain for almost the entire 20th Century, which makes it a very foreign place for many. Despite having gained its independence in 1991, the veil of mystery somehow still remains.
When our plane was preparing to land in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, the vast field beneath us was painted gold by the afternoon sun. The Caucasus range regally stood guard from afar. The beautiful scenery washed away all my anxiousness about the trip and prepared me for my journey to this land of unknown.
I initially thought that by September it would already be Autumn in Tbilisi, but the warm, dry wind that greeted me when I stepped off the plane indicated otherwise. It seems that September is indeed the best month in the year to visit this city.
In terms of sightseeing, there are numerous choices in Tbilisi. The lofty orthodox churches, the Tbilisi TV Tower looking over the city from atop a hill, and the Mtatsminda Park nearby the National Museum and all the interesting structures. Even if you do not have a specific target, it is already enjoyable to simply walk along the streets.
Most of the buildings in Tbilisi are around three to five-storeys high, with very European styles. Our tour guide says that some of these buildings were constructed during the Soviet era by architects from other Soviet countries, with some of them bringing the architectural style of their countries to Georgia.
Walking on the streets of the Georgian capital, one is immediately aware of the sense of serenity, as well as security. Compared to other European capitals, Tbilisi is indeed a very safe city. At least I was not robbed when I was walking on the streets with my mobile phone in my hand.
Of course, one still has to be cautious. After all, English is not a commonly spoken language in Georgia, so if there is any incident, it’s not easy to communicate with the locals.
If you want to visit places that are historically significant to Georgians, then you should definitely go to the Jvari Monastery and the ancient capital Mtskheta located in the north of Tbilisi.
Built in the 6th century on the top of a hill, the Jvari Monastery is said to be located on the same spot that Saint Nino erected a huge wooden cross when she was preaching to the Kingdom of Iberia. The king and his people were later converted to Christianity.
The monastery looks like a fortress, with stone walls surrounding it. This may be because of the strategic importance of the location. On the way leading up to the monastery, one can already see the majestic nature of the building. Although the chapel of the monastery is not big or beautifully decorated, the solemn atmosphere inside is unmistakable, with a priest sitting at the entrance selling candles and pilgrims praying quietly inside.
Standing outside the chapel, you can overlook the ancient city Mtskheta on the opposite side of the river passing by the bottom of the hill. This city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Jvari Monastery. The buildings in Mtskheta are well preserved, built around the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral that was constructed in the 11th Century.
Legend has it that the robe of Jesus was buried here. A cedar tree later grew on the burial spot, which was chopped down to build the Cathedral, but oil started to flow from one of the columns of the Church. It was said that the oil could cure diseases, and that’s why the Cathedral was named Svetitskhoveli, which means “the living pillar”.
Moreover, the Cathedral is the resting place of several Georgian kings, which makes it both a religiously and historically significant place for Georgians.
Drink around Georgia
If you really want to get to know Georgia, you cannot just stay in Tbilisi. And if you have no idea where to go, the best way is to plan your trip as a wine tasting journey, visiting different parts of Georgia and planning the route according to the wineries you want to see. After all, to travel to Georgia without properly tasting Georgian wines, is like visiting Macau without trying the cuisine.
If you need some assistance in planning your trip, you can contact the Wine Tourism Association in Georgia. You can also arrange to hire a driver and rent a car through the local travel agencies. Information suggests that it costs around US$50 per day to hire a driver, and another US$100 to 150 each day to rent a sedan .
Since wineries are spread throughout Georgia, you will have the chance to appreciate the scenic nature of the countryside, as well as the historical sites that are scattered everywhere. Some wineries even have their own tourism attractions, like the Khareba Winery that has a 7.7km long wine cellar tunnel.
Of course the true beauty of Georgia cannot be fully described in just a few pages, so it is certainly recommended that you visit this undiscovered country for yourself, before it becomes another crowded tourist hotspot.
How to get there:
Several airlines operate the Hong Kong-Tbilisi route with one stop in between. For example, you can take Turkish Airlines and have a stopover at Istanbul. The ticket price is around HK$7,000 to 9,000 per person.
Where to stay:
Tbilisi has a vast amount of decent quality hotels such as the Rooms Hotel. The location, decorations and facilities of the hotel are superb, and there is a nightclub opposite. It costs around HK$1,200 per night. Of course, there are many other cheaper choices ranging from HK$300 to HK$600 per night.
Who to talk to:
On your first visit to Georgia, it is recommended that you join the short tours arranged by the local travel agencies. You can find plenty of them by searching the Internet. Or you can contact the Host, a travel agency in Tbilisi that offers tours of different lengths. You can find it on Facebook.
What to Eat:
Georgian cuisine uses a lot of herbs, spices and cheese, as well as fresh vegetables like potato, eggplant and cucumber. A delicious entree is Pkhali, made of cabbage, eggplant, spinach, combined with ground walnuts, onions, garlic and herbs. Also try traditional Georgian combread called Mchadi. It may look like ordinary bread, but it only takes one bite to allow the cheese inside to occupy all your taste buds. Georgian dumplings, Khinkali, look like Chinese Xiaolongbao, but are several times bigger, and much thicker. Inside is minced meat, onion, with some added pepper. If you want to try some traditional Georgian cuisine, you can go to a restaurant called Barbarestan at downtown Tbilisi. For good Georgian cuisine with a modern touch, try Café Culinarium, founded by the Georgian celebrity chef Tekuna Gachechiladze. But you’ll probably need to make reservation in advance.