Once an Olympic site contender, the ski village of Bakuriani fell on tough times after collapse of the Soviet Union. A Georgian multi-millionaire is now attempting to reverse time by pouring cash into the improvement of skiing facilities and construction of new hotels and guest houses. Continue Reading »
- Around Tbilisi: Jvari, Mtskheta, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- Bakuriani, Georgia – Highlights, Transport and Accommodation
- Borjomi, Georgia – Highlights, Transport and Accommodation
- Georgian Highlights: Akhaltsikhe, Vardzia and Sapara
Filed Under: Caucasus, Georgia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 15 August 2007
Every inch of our map of Georgia seemed to covered with little icons marking churches, monasteries, ancient settlements, caves, mountains, towns, villages, and vineyards. We spent close to a month in Tbilisi, and here are a few of the nearby sights we experienced in that time. Continue Reading »
- Around Tbilisi: Jvari, Mtskheta, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- Bakuriani, Georgia – Highlights, Transport and Accommodation
- Borjomi, Georgia – Highlights, Transport and Accommodation
- Georgian Highlights: Akhaltsikhe, Vardzia and Sapara
Filed Under: Caucasus, Georgia, Travel, Videos by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 15 August 2007
“The driving here is something special; only India is worse.” – Anonymous, on the rules of the road in Georgia
The more we travel, the more stories we collect about Georgian driving habits. For example, one of the Mongol Rally teams traveling without a map of Tblisi, decided to hire a taxi to show them the way through the city. After a harrowing bob and weave through town, “rather like a video game,” the rally driver asked the taxi driver for a hotel recommendation. The taxi driver, thinking they were looking for prostitutes, replied “How much time do you need? One hour? Will that be enough?” Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Caucasus, Georgia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
6 Comments | 11 August 2007
While putting the finishing touches on our website, we spent a considerable amount of time at internet cafés in Tbilisi, Georgia. At one café, we noticed a semi-private room set up with couches, comfortable chairs and computers outfitted with webcams for video Skype calls. The typical configuration: children and grandmother crowded around the computer and Mommy or Daddy on the video screen. So, what’s going on here? Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Caucasus, Georgia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
2 Comments | 11 August 2007
In Georgia, the food is quite appropriately an expression of the culture. Warm, gooey comfort food like khachapuri (cheese-stuffed bread) finds balance with matsoni (sour yogurt). Herbs like tarragon, flat parsley, dill and coriander combine with walnuts and garlic for rich fillings and sauces. Continue Reading »
- “Georgian Food…such as nice…very tasty”
- The Lost Table: Armenian Food
- Kutabs and Kebabs: Azerbaijani Food
Filed Under: Caucasus, Food, Georgia by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
32 Comments | 20 July 2007
Thanks to the tourist bus from Iran, we made it back to Baku in time for a feast with Yahya and his family. That evening, we relayed the following story from our days in Tbilisi, Georgia:
As we shared an early evening beer on Tabori mountain in Tbilisi with our pal (who shall remain nameless for security reasons), he thrust his bottle in the direction of the skyline, and proudly toasted “to vulva!” Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Caucasus, Georgia, Humor, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
2 Comments | 14 July 2007
We were enjoying a late evening stroll in the Kakhetian countryside with Lali, our guide and host, when we were beckoned by a group of young men having a picnic at the church. Lali and Audrey sacrificed Dan to Shota and Misha, the leaders of the group, and waited out the encounter at a distance.
Homemade bacon (think glistening white chunks of pork fat) was offered up on a plate while a five liter gasoline jug full of murky white wine was dragged out and glasses filled to the rim. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Caucasus, Georgia, Humor, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
4 Comments | 6 July 2007
Before arriving in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti, we’d imagined rolling hills and old vines. Throw in some looming mountain ranges, medieval churches, bad roads, small villages full of crumbling houses, beautiful rose gardens, donkeys, old Russian cars and large gasoline jugs filled with murky wine and you’ve got Kakheti. And while the region is full of mysterious churches and historical sites, our best experiences always seemed to happen along the way. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Caucasus, Georgia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
2 Comments | 5 July 2007
Though we know we owe our readers and our blog some more Georgian stories from recent experiences, we’ll jump to the present for a moment. Today’s experience is simply too good not to share immediately.
We arrived in the western Georgian town of Zugdidi this afternoon and sought out the market, as we are apt to do. We expected the familiar piles of tomatoes, herbs, and spices scattered about requisite aisles dedicated to cheeses and meat.
What we didn’t expect was to be treated to a Georgian feast and drowned in hospitality. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Caucasus, Food, Georgia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
10 Comments | 17 June 2007
We had high expectations of Georgia. So far, we have not been disappointed. The people are warm and the place is beautiful.
We spent our first day walking around Tbilisi, permanently lost in a sea of street signs in Georgian script (a beautiful script, but completely incomprehensible to us!). No shortage of friendly and genuine offers to help us find our way Continue Reading »
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Filed Under: Audio Clips, Caucasus, Georgia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
6 Comments | 2 June 2007
