When it speaks of Georgia, it’s not easy to tell you’re referring to a country. Some mistaken it for a US state, while a few don’t know there’s even a country named Georgia. With this confusion, it makes Georgia a less known country, an off-the-beaten-path sort, and with so many untold stories about it. Little do people know that it’s a beautiful country with its own identity. It deserves to be visited by many.
Georgia is a small country located west of Asia and east of Europe. While it’s still a debate which continent it really belongs to, it’s safer to say that it’s part of Eurasia. It has a population of around 3.7 million (in 2017) where majority are Orthodox Christians.
It also has a noticeable and booming tourism, with the flock of tourists that usually hail from Russia and Iran. Taxicabs, which they call as marshrutka, are also very much in the area.
Tbilisi is geographically gifted with nature and so there are relaxing spots in the big city. For one, the Kura River, locally known as Mtkvari, is a natural water that flows through Tbilisi. It extends up to its neighboring countries Azerbaijan and Turkey and drains into the Caspian Sea.
In addition to this, Tbilisi is considered a hilly capital. The popular Narikala Fortress sits on top of a hill, which can be easily climbed by 20-30-minute elevated walking from the base or by 5-minute Tbilisi Ropeway ride that costs GEL 2.5 one way.
Note: Only the metro card is accepted as payment to ride the cable car. This card costs GEL 2 but can be refunded upon return of the card.
Two hours away from Tbilisi, Gudauri is probably the most popular ski resort in Georgia. It’s a perfect spot for skiing, paragliding, and other winter activities as it’s surrounded by the great Caucasus mountains.
Ski season usually runs from December to April in Gudauri. On heavy snow years, skiing at the highest 5th level lift is possible until May.
When I went to Gudauri in late March, I even caught a snowfall. Living in a tropical country, it was my first time to actually see a snowfall and touch the snow with bare hands! So while most of my Filipino friends and relatives have experienced first snow in either Japan, South Korea, China, or the United States, I can say that mine was a bit more unique after experiencing it in Georgia.
This is called a khinkali, the Georgian version of a dumpling. Its taste is very similar to the Chinese xiao long bao, but in a larger size with tastier meat stuffed inside.
Some may get mistaken it for a candle, but this is actually a Georgian food, called churchkhela. It’s a popular dessert, tastes like candy, that’s usually sold on streets for GEL 1 per stick. Its main ingredients include fruits (usually grapes), walnuts, almonds, and chocolates that are barbecued to a string, dipped into a fruit juice, and then dried.
For one, this Svetitskhoveli Cathedral was constructed during the 4th century. Aside from being a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it also has a strong Orthodox Christian significance saying that a robe of Christ was buried in this cathedral.
They say that a Georgian Jew named Elias was at Christ’s crucifixion in Jerusalem and bought the robe worn by Christ before he got crucified from a Roman soldier. When Elias went back in Georgia with it, his sister Sidonia strangely died after touching the robe, and the people started believing that it was indeed a sacred robe.
Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jvari Monastery seated on top of a mountain is considered sacred by Orthodox Christians, as an evangelist named Saint Nino placed a huge wooden cross on the site that’s said to be miraculous. Eventually, a small Jvari Church was built for the pilgrims, which is now the Jvari Monastery.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, also known as Sameba, is a standout massive structure sitting on Elia Hill in Avlabari, Old Tbilisi. It’s the third tallest Orthodox Christian cathedral in the world standing 87 meters tall.
It’s not as old as the churches in Mtskheta with its construction in 2004, so the exterior and interior designs look modern. The cathedral is so huge it consists of 9 chapels inside. The view deck at the entrance is also very spacious. Since it’s on a hill, the view from this cathedral is stunning.
Watch my Georgia vlog here.
Georgia is a small country located west of Asia and east of Europe. While it’s still a debate which continent it really belongs to, it’s safer to say that it’s part of Eurasia. It has a population of around 3.7 million (in 2017) where majority are Orthodox Christians.
Its capital is like no other
The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, is a mix of old and new. Seeing century-old churches scattered around and walking on cobblestone streets feels like going back in time to the Middle Ages.
At the same time, Tbilisi isn’t less of a modern city with the sight of a ropeway (cable car) and futuristic architecture.It also has a noticeable and booming tourism, with the flock of tourists that usually hail from Russia and Iran. Taxicabs, which they call as marshrutka, are also very much in the area.
Tbilisi is geographically gifted with nature and so there are relaxing spots in the big city. For one, the Kura River, locally known as Mtkvari, is a natural water that flows through Tbilisi. It extends up to its neighboring countries Azerbaijan and Turkey and drains into the Caspian Sea.
In addition to this, Tbilisi is considered a hilly capital. The popular Narikala Fortress sits on top of a hill, which can be easily climbed by 20-30-minute elevated walking from the base or by 5-minute Tbilisi Ropeway ride that costs GEL 2.5 one way.
Note: Only the metro card is accepted as payment to ride the cable car. This card costs GEL 2 but can be refunded upon return of the card.
Snow in springtime
By late March to April, snow may have started melting and flowers might have been blooming to mark the start of springtime in most cold countries. Georgia, meanwhile, is given a longer winter season, perfect for anyone who wants an extended time for winter sports and cold temperature.Two hours away from Tbilisi, Gudauri is probably the most popular ski resort in Georgia. It’s a perfect spot for skiing, paragliding, and other winter activities as it’s surrounded by the great Caucasus mountains.
Ski season usually runs from December to April in Gudauri. On heavy snow years, skiing at the highest 5th level lift is possible until May.
When I went to Gudauri in late March, I even caught a snowfall. Living in a tropical country, it was my first time to actually see a snowfall and touch the snow with bare hands! So while most of my Filipino friends and relatives have experienced first snow in either Japan, South Korea, China, or the United States, I can say that mine was a bit more unique after experiencing it in Georgia.
Diverse Georgian cuisine
Khachapuri is considered as the national dish of Georgia. It’s basically a baked bread with cheese and egg as the main ingredients. Interestingly, it’s shaped in different ways, including a boat-shaped one with raw egg in the middle, which is called the adjaruli khachapuri.This is called a khinkali, the Georgian version of a dumpling. Its taste is very similar to the Chinese xiao long bao, but in a larger size with tastier meat stuffed inside.
Some may get mistaken it for a candle, but this is actually a Georgian food, called churchkhela. It’s a popular dessert, tastes like candy, that’s usually sold on streets for GEL 1 per stick. Its main ingredients include fruits (usually grapes), walnuts, almonds, and chocolates that are barbecued to a string, dipped into a fruit juice, and then dried.
Century-old and beautiful churches
Georgia is home of some of the oldest Christian churches in the world where mostly are found in Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia.For one, this Svetitskhoveli Cathedral was constructed during the 4th century. Aside from being a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it also has a strong Orthodox Christian significance saying that a robe of Christ was buried in this cathedral.
They say that a Georgian Jew named Elias was at Christ’s crucifixion in Jerusalem and bought the robe worn by Christ before he got crucified from a Roman soldier. When Elias went back in Georgia with it, his sister Sidonia strangely died after touching the robe, and the people started believing that it was indeed a sacred robe.
Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jvari Monastery seated on top of a mountain is considered sacred by Orthodox Christians, as an evangelist named Saint Nino placed a huge wooden cross on the site that’s said to be miraculous. Eventually, a small Jvari Church was built for the pilgrims, which is now the Jvari Monastery.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, also known as Sameba, is a standout massive structure sitting on Elia Hill in Avlabari, Old Tbilisi. It’s the third tallest Orthodox Christian cathedral in the world standing 87 meters tall.
It’s not as old as the churches in Mtskheta with its construction in 2004, so the exterior and interior designs look modern. The cathedral is so huge it consists of 9 chapels inside. The view deck at the entrance is also very spacious. Since it’s on a hill, the view from this cathedral is stunning.
Watch my Georgia vlog here.
