Georgia Day 16 - Kutaisi

Sunday 28th August 2022 - ქუთაისი

Lascha, our landlord for our stay in Kutaisi, was supposed to call at 10:00 for our excursion. He called to say he would be there at 12:30, something to do with Holy Mary. That gave us some time to look for food and coffee. We bought these cheese pie type of things called achma which were very messy but nice, it reminded me somewhat of Bosnian food.

The bakery where I bought achma

We found a very nice place for coffee close to the park where we had two cappuccinos and some fruit juice. We then made our way back to the accommodation where Lascha arrived to pick us up shortly after with his Jack Russel dog who ran into the apartment!

Our landlord Lascha with Stanislav

Off we went, upwards into the mountains. Our first stop was a large cave, the place was overrun by rude Russian tourists. In the cave the guide an explanation first in Russian, then in English. When she started speaking in English age Russians talked over her so we couldn't hear anything. After the 3rd time I made a very loud shushing sound and a hand gesture to stop, it worked! Just before leaving on the boat, we saw a kind of a coloured light show with reds and greens and blues changing constantly around the cave with accompanying classical music too.

The prometheus cave near Kutaisi

While waiting for the boat, a group of about 5 Russians pushed passed us. I was beginning to feel a certain amount of animosity towards these people. Finally the boat exited the cool dark cave into full sunshine and heat. I bought myself some delicious hazelnuts but they cost 5 lari. A bus brought us back to the entrance.

A lonely cow at the canyon

We continued our drive upwards through the mountains and past a dead cow on the road beside a wrecked car. Cows, dogs and pigs just wandered freely on these roads, but this cow was not so lucky. We made our way to the canyon, paid our entrance fee and walked into the woods. There were a couple of old grannies selling various snacks and drinks, so I bought grape/walnut thing home roasted peanuts and home made wine in a plastic bottle. We continued down, down, down which made me realise we would have to go up, up, up on the way back.

The wobbly walking at the Okatse Canyon

I finished the nuts and we found our way on a rusty metal staircase and walkway which clung to the side of the canyon. It rattled and shook as we walked across it. We made it to the viewing platform and met more rude Russians. I decided to start on the now warm red wine, it was more like lightly alcoholic grape juice than actual wine.

Okatse Canyon

The sun was casting shadows across the gorge, and I wasn't 100% happy with the lighting for the photos, but figured it out with the advanced settings. Then it was up, up, up my heart thumping in my chest in the heat, sweating all the way up. I finished the sweet red wine and met a few cows on the path who seemed terrified.

My salad

Bean stew with corn bread

When we reached the top where we entered, there were pigs wandering around and more cows. We met Lascha and got some cold drinks before heading off again. He wanted to drop us off at the waterfall, but we chose a restaurant instead and met more rude Russians. I ordered a tomato and cucumber salad with walnut dressing, and Stanislav had the beans stew and mchadi (corn bread). We finished off two very refreshing beers.

Chacha and watermelon

It was almost getting dark when we returned to Kutaisi, I showered and when I got out there was a plate of fresh pieces of watermelon and a carafe of chacha and two small shot glasses. Stanislav arrived back from the shops and in walked Lascha again me barely dry and walking around in underwear! I finished off the kisi wine that I had bought from Tbilisi and continued with eta chacha. We had to be up at 01:45, it would be a short night!

In a word #რუსი

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