Day 2 (Oct 3rd, 2017)
We woke up at 9: 00 A.M. The temperature was 5 Degree Celsius. The weather was so cold and foggy that we couldn't see the mountain range from our balcony. Paragliding in Gudauri was one of the things that we planned to do. Unfortunately the weather was not favourable that day.
We freshen ourselves up and went downstairs to have our breakfast. We saw a new family at dining hall which came over early morning. They had a cute chubby kid who was 4 years old, and an infant at an age of 6 months or more.
For breakfast, I had long bread (which was hard to chew), spread with Nutella and Georgian honey, and also a plate of freshly cooked scrambled eggs with pepper and salt. We drank alot of special cheery juice again as it was sweet and tasty. Tip: If you feel that you cant trust the food that you're going to eat, my advice is to have fresh fruits, breads and boiled eggs as they are nutritious enough to fill your stomach.
After having breakfast, we went to a playroom which was near to the reception hall. The playroom looks amazing. Beautiful couches and tables are arranged for the visitors to play board games like chess,checkers, domino and bingo. On left side of the entrance, there was a football table and snooker table placed near the fireplace. On the corner of the room was a small bar. Beside the bar, a long wooden shelf was placed where different kinds of bottled wines was displayed for the visitors.
Me and Leah started playing the football table game. In between, the chubby kid came to see us playing and joined us. After we played football game, we went and sat in one of the couches to play bingo. We asked one of the receptionist as to how to play bingo because it looks different to what I had played earlier when I was a kid. The receptionist explained the game and she joined us. While playing bingo, there were other 2 hotel staffs that joined to see the game. One of the staff was teaching me some number in Georgian and after pronouncing it right she finally said yes and started laughing. Finally the game got over. The chubby kid won, followed by the receptionist, Leah and off course the very last..me.
As informed by the receptionist, the tour guide will come during the lunch time with other fellow tourists from Tbilisi. We went back to our room and took a little rest before the tour guide comes to take us out.
It was 1: 00 p.m, and still we haven't seen the sun coming out from the clouds. We went outside the hotel to have small walk. The weather was extremely cold. We saw some wild flowers on the way and plucked few of it.
After half an hour, we saw a mini bus coming towards us and parked nearby the hotel. We saw couple of tourists coming out from the mini bus, also the tour guide. We expected Misho (Moshi Moshi) to come, but it was another tour guide whom we haven't met before. He was tall, handsome good looking man with a beard and wore specs. Few of the tourists entered the hotel, while the others were enjoying the landscape view.
We all sat together at dining hall for lunch. The dining hall lost it's silence. Everyone was busy chattering with other fellow tourists. The foods served in buffet was delicious. There were steamed cooked rice mixed with brown beans, different sauces, kebabs, cheese, yogurts, and many more.
After lunch, our tour guide announced that we are going to Mount Kazbek -Gergeti Trinity Church. We all entered to the mini bus, adjusted our seating place, and headed straight to Stepantsminda. The trip was fun specially when tourists was singing along the Georgian Folk Song (Vargo Vargo!).
To get to Gergeti church, we need to move into another special kind of van which is fit to drive on higher regions. As we reached on the top most of the mountain, the ground was partially snowed and it feels like I have entered to a wintry fantasy world of Narnia.
Mount Kazbek, 03:40 P.M
As we reached on higher region on one side of the mountain, we saw the Mount Kazbek which was humongous to see from far. Due to the fog, we had less chance to see its entire beauty of the mountain.
Mount Kazbek (also known as Mount Mqinvartsveri) is located on the East part of Central Caucasus (north) in Georgia. It is one of the 3rd highest peak in Georgia and attains an elevation of 16,512 feet (5,033 meters). It is an extinct volcano. The lower slopes is covered by Alpine meadows. This mountain has got many historical facts and legendary stories like Greek God Prometheus.
Prometheus who was the creator of mankind, stole 'fire' from Mount Olympus and gave it to mortal people. Researchers said that Prometheus was chained on Mount Kazbek in punishment for having stolen the 'fire' from the Gods.
Another story was that there was a cave at Mount Kazbek where there was an ancient monastery Betlemi. This monastery was seen as a preserver of church treasury such as Abraham's tent and manger of Infant Jesus.
I'm not sure how true these stories are but its interesting to know such stories even if it is real or not.
On the way to Gergeti Chruch, 3:51 P.M
Gergeti Trinity Church, 04:05 P.M
We parked the van on a point which was near to the church. To see the church, we need to climb ourselves on top of the hill. It was difficult to climb as it was in a higher level and was super super cold!
We reached the church compound finally. Our tour guide said that we can see the whole view of the city from the church site. But unfortunately,we couldn't see anything around as it was all foggy foggy. I recommend to visit this place after winter time because the view must be amazing without fog.
Gergeti Trinity Church is a popular name for Holy Trinity church near the village of Gergeti. The church is situated on the right bank of the river Chkveri at an elevation of 2170 meters, under the mount Kazbegi. The Gergeti Trinity Church was built in the 14th century. In times of danger, precious relics from Mtskheta, including Saint Nino's cross (Grapevine cross) were brought here for safekeeping. Saint Nino was a woman, who was a relative of Saint George, came to preach christianity in Georgia during ca 280.
After the Soviet Era, the church remained a popular tourist destination. The church is now an active establishment of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic church.
Entrance of Gergeti Trinity Church compound, 04:06 P.M
Small Arch Room displaying golden picture of Mother Mary and Jesus 04:08 P.M
The city view from the church (lol, all fogged up) 04:25 P.M
Secret Room for the Priest to stay, 04:25 P.M
After exploring the church, and taking lot of pictures in and out of church, we went back to the van. People who haven't gone through bumpy ride before might feel amazing and fun to experience it when they go to Gergeti church.
We came back to Hotel around evening time. Our tour guide informed us that the driver will come to pick us up tomorrow morning at 9:00 A.M.
We went to a nearby supermarket and bought ourselves chicken pie, lays chips, banana and other pastries for dinner. And off course some chocolates as well to treat ourselves like desserts.
After having dinner and watching couple of TV shows, we slept peacefully like a baby, waiting for the sun to rise soon for the next exciting day.
Day 3:Click Here
Day 1: Click Here
"It is better to travel well than to arrive"-Buddha
We woke up at 9: 00 A.M. The temperature was 5 Degree Celsius. The weather was so cold and foggy that we couldn't see the mountain range from our balcony. Paragliding in Gudauri was one of the things that we planned to do. Unfortunately the weather was not favourable that day.
We freshen ourselves up and went downstairs to have our breakfast. We saw a new family at dining hall which came over early morning. They had a cute chubby kid who was 4 years old, and an infant at an age of 6 months or more.
For breakfast, I had long bread (which was hard to chew), spread with Nutella and Georgian honey, and also a plate of freshly cooked scrambled eggs with pepper and salt. We drank alot of special cheery juice again as it was sweet and tasty. Tip: If you feel that you cant trust the food that you're going to eat, my advice is to have fresh fruits, breads and boiled eggs as they are nutritious enough to fill your stomach.
After having breakfast, we went to a playroom which was near to the reception hall. The playroom looks amazing. Beautiful couches and tables are arranged for the visitors to play board games like chess,checkers, domino and bingo. On left side of the entrance, there was a football table and snooker table placed near the fireplace. On the corner of the room was a small bar. Beside the bar, a long wooden shelf was placed where different kinds of bottled wines was displayed for the visitors.
Me and Leah started playing the football table game. In between, the chubby kid came to see us playing and joined us. After we played football game, we went and sat in one of the couches to play bingo. We asked one of the receptionist as to how to play bingo because it looks different to what I had played earlier when I was a kid. The receptionist explained the game and she joined us. While playing bingo, there were other 2 hotel staffs that joined to see the game. One of the staff was teaching me some number in Georgian and after pronouncing it right she finally said yes and started laughing. Finally the game got over. The chubby kid won, followed by the receptionist, Leah and off course the very last..me.
As informed by the receptionist, the tour guide will come during the lunch time with other fellow tourists from Tbilisi. We went back to our room and took a little rest before the tour guide comes to take us out.
It was 1: 00 p.m, and still we haven't seen the sun coming out from the clouds. We went outside the hotel to have small walk. The weather was extremely cold. We saw some wild flowers on the way and plucked few of it.
After half an hour, we saw a mini bus coming towards us and parked nearby the hotel. We saw couple of tourists coming out from the mini bus, also the tour guide. We expected Misho (Moshi Moshi) to come, but it was another tour guide whom we haven't met before. He was tall, handsome good looking man with a beard and wore specs. Few of the tourists entered the hotel, while the others were enjoying the landscape view.
We all sat together at dining hall for lunch. The dining hall lost it's silence. Everyone was busy chattering with other fellow tourists. The foods served in buffet was delicious. There were steamed cooked rice mixed with brown beans, different sauces, kebabs, cheese, yogurts, and many more.
After lunch, our tour guide announced that we are going to Mount Kazbek -Gergeti Trinity Church. We all entered to the mini bus, adjusted our seating place, and headed straight to Stepantsminda. The trip was fun specially when tourists was singing along the Georgian Folk Song (Vargo Vargo!).
To get to Gergeti church, we need to move into another special kind of van which is fit to drive on higher regions. As we reached on the top most of the mountain, the ground was partially snowed and it feels like I have entered to a wintry fantasy world of Narnia.
Mount Kazbek
Mount Kazbek, 03:40 P.M
As we reached on higher region on one side of the mountain, we saw the Mount Kazbek which was humongous to see from far. Due to the fog, we had less chance to see its entire beauty of the mountain.
Mount Kazbek (also known as Mount Mqinvartsveri) is located on the East part of Central Caucasus (north) in Georgia. It is one of the 3rd highest peak in Georgia and attains an elevation of 16,512 feet (5,033 meters). It is an extinct volcano. The lower slopes is covered by Alpine meadows. This mountain has got many historical facts and legendary stories like Greek God Prometheus.
Prometheus who was the creator of mankind, stole 'fire' from Mount Olympus and gave it to mortal people. Researchers said that Prometheus was chained on Mount Kazbek in punishment for having stolen the 'fire' from the Gods.
Another story was that there was a cave at Mount Kazbek where there was an ancient monastery Betlemi. This monastery was seen as a preserver of church treasury such as Abraham's tent and manger of Infant Jesus.
I'm not sure how true these stories are but its interesting to know such stories even if it is real or not.
On the way to Gergeti Chruch, 3:51 P.M
Gergeti Trinity Church
Gergeti Trinity Church, 04:05 P.M
We parked the van on a point which was near to the church. To see the church, we need to climb ourselves on top of the hill. It was difficult to climb as it was in a higher level and was super super cold!
We reached the church compound finally. Our tour guide said that we can see the whole view of the city from the church site. But unfortunately,we couldn't see anything around as it was all foggy foggy. I recommend to visit this place after winter time because the view must be amazing without fog.
Gergeti Trinity Church is a popular name for Holy Trinity church near the village of Gergeti. The church is situated on the right bank of the river Chkveri at an elevation of 2170 meters, under the mount Kazbegi. The Gergeti Trinity Church was built in the 14th century. In times of danger, precious relics from Mtskheta, including Saint Nino's cross (Grapevine cross) were brought here for safekeeping. Saint Nino was a woman, who was a relative of Saint George, came to preach christianity in Georgia during ca 280.
After the Soviet Era, the church remained a popular tourist destination. The church is now an active establishment of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic church.
Small Arch Room displaying golden picture of Mother Mary and Jesus 04:08 P.M
After exploring the church, and taking lot of pictures in and out of church, we went back to the van. People who haven't gone through bumpy ride before might feel amazing and fun to experience it when they go to Gergeti church.
We came back to Hotel around evening time. Our tour guide informed us that the driver will come to pick us up tomorrow morning at 9:00 A.M.
We went to a nearby supermarket and bought ourselves chicken pie, lays chips, banana and other pastries for dinner. And off course some chocolates as well to treat ourselves like desserts.
After having dinner and watching couple of TV shows, we slept peacefully like a baby, waiting for the sun to rise soon for the next exciting day.
Day 3:Click Here
Day 1: Click Here
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