Images - Georgia - Muscat & Monasteries

Entering Goergia - the most efficient border crossing we've seen for months Entering Goergia - the most efficient border crossing we've seen for months Typical Georgian village house - complete with vineyard Typical Georgian village house - complete with vineyard Town walls of Sighnaghi Town walls of Sighnaghi Three hours past the border - looking forward to our first glass of wine... Three hours past the border - looking forward to our first glass of wine... ...and after the second, all good ...and after the second, all good Views over the vineyard-rich Kakheti valley Views over the vineyard-rich Kakheti valley Supper on the first night, onto our 2nd litre Supper on the first night, onto our 2nd litre Typical Georgian family - notice the profiles Typical Georgian family - notice the profiles Playing at the Holy Spring outside Sighnaghi Playing at the Holy Spring outside Sighnaghi St Nino's monastery, Sighnaghi St Nino's monastery, Sighnaghi Georgia's most famous product... Georgia's most famous product... ...being enjoyed to its full potential... ...being enjoyed to its full potential... ...with Stevan, our host at Kindzmarauli... ...with Stevan, our host at Kindzmarauli... ...the after effects - notice the time ...the after effects - notice the time The 12th century Necresi monastery, Kakheti The 12th century Necresi monastery, Kakheti Typical Georgian chapel, buried in a forest Typical Georgian chapel, buried in a forest Some traditions don't change, some do Some traditions don't change, some do Not all roads in Georgia are great Not all roads in Georgia are great Wild flowers over the Gomberi Pass Wild flowers over the Gomberi Pass There's no doubting the Georgian's political stance - coming into Tbilisi There's no doubting the Georgian's political stance - coming into Tbilisi Overlooking Tbilisi - the Tsminda Sameda dominating the eastern skyline Overlooking Tbilisi - the Tsminda Sameda dominating the eastern skyline One month on - our first celebratory bottle of champagne! One month on - our first celebratory bottle of champagne! Tbilisi's receiving a major facelift Tbilisi's receiving a major facelift Haggling in a veg market in the Armenian quarter Haggling in a veg market in the Armenian quarter Playing cards in the Armenian quarter - they were still there 6 hours later Playing cards in the Armenian quarter - they were still there 6 hours later Tbilisi's backstreets Tbilisi's backstreets An elderly local An elderly local Mosaic in the Armenian Cathedral Mosaic in the Armenian Cathedral New bar - old thoughts New bar - old thoughts You can tell we're out of Islamic countries You can tell we're out of Islamic countries An Orthodox priest outside one of Tbilisi's many churches An Orthodox priest outside one of Tbilisi's many churches More charming, ramshackle backstreets... More charming, ramshackle backstreets... ...they all feel incredibly European ...they all feel incredibly European Bitter memories of Russian occupation die hard here... Bitter memories of Russian occupation die hard here... ...there's no doubting Georgia's new policies ...there's no doubting Georgia's new policies Trendy new cafe, traditional pious beggar Trendy new cafe, traditional pious beggar Fountains on Rustavelli Avenue Fountains on Rustavelli Avenue Aritisan at work under the cinema's arches, Rustavelli Avenue Aritisan at work under the cinema's arches, Rustavelli Avenue Streetscene, Rustavelli Avenue Streetscene, Rustavelli Avenue Domestic literature is enjoying a renaissance in Georgia Domestic literature is enjoying a renaissance in Georgia Renovated murals, church in Tbilisi Renovated murals, church in Tbilisi Old Tbilisi - a typical rooftop view Old Tbilisi - a typical rooftop view New Tbilisi - changing fast New Tbilisi - changing fast The mighty Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta The mighty Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta Candles left by worshippers inside the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral Candles left by worshippers inside the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral A central part of any church A central part of any church Portly priest, Mtskheta... Portly priest, Mtskheta... ...eating too many katchapuri (cheese pies) - that's how it happens! ...eating too many katchapuri (cheese pies) - that's how it happens! Tbilisi by night - note the White House style presidential palace Tbilisi by night - note the White House style presidential palace The Tsminda Sameda Cathedral, Tbilisi - the largest religous building in the Caucasus The Tsminda Sameda Cathedral, Tbilisi - the largest religous building in the Caucasus We're stil a long way from home We're stil a long way from home Another cathedral, beside the Georgian Military Highway Another cathedral, beside the Georgian Military Highway Looking back from the Gudauri Pass Looking back from the Gudauri Pass Memorials and headstones lie strewn around the Georgian - Chechen border Memorials and headstones lie strewn around the Georgian - Chechen border Views from Kazbegi Views from Kazbegi Kazbegi's Cathedral, sunset Kazbegi's Cathedral, sunset A rare, Soviet style viewpoint, Gudauri A rare, Soviet style viewpoint, Gudauri Georgian salad - not much green stuff, plenty of mayo and cheese... Georgian salad - not much green stuff, plenty of mayo and cheese... A dashing, youthful Stalin, Gori A dashing, youthful Stalin, Gori Recent bullet holes tell a differnt story, Gori Recent bullet holes tell a differnt story, Gori