Day 30 22 May A return to the Capital Tbilisi

Photo above - Tbilisi old town from view point

Back to the capital

After breakfast, we set off on a 140 mile drive east back to the Georgian capital Tbilisi. We are travelling the main east west highway that we have used at various points on this trip, running along the Kura river valley, including the 19 tunnels and 19 bridges section being constructed with the use of Chinese prisoners. The greater and lesser Caucasus mountains in the distance on either side seemed to be constant companions.

Wandering around old town Tbilisi

We arrived in Tbilisi at lunchtime and found a cafe to have a snack. Then we went out in the hot sun (a contrast to the pouring rain when we were here a week ago), to have a wander around the old town.

Tbilisi is both an ancient and cosmopolitan city, we saw a synagogue, a mosque, a Georgian basilica, an Armenian church, and a Zoroastrian Fire-Worshipper's temple all within a 15-minute walk of one another. Amongst the narrow steep back streets there is a touch of Bristol about the place with sculpture, street art, anti war graffiti, colourfully painted houses etc

Later we took the cable car over the river and up into the surrounding hills to get some great views over the city. Then we walked down again, and carried on to our hotel, via some ancient bath houses fed by hot sulphurous water. Tbilisi actually translates as warm place.

Tomorrow, we leave Georgia and cross the border into Armenia.