This morning was the first time for two weeks in the Caucasus where we had free time after breakfast with no need to do anything but relax and enjoy the delightful surroundings of our Vardzia area.
View from our room at Vardzia Resort
Our first goal was to catch up on our travel blog for the past couple of days as we’ve been unable to record details and photos of our travels due to very late night finishes.
In midday sunshine but with a chilly wind, we walked along the road for about a kilometre from the Vardzia Resort, following next to the Mtkvari River towards the turn off to the Vaniskvabebi historical site.
Mtkvari River, Vardzia
Scenery near Vardzia Resort, Vardzia
We climbed up the very steep roadway for 300m and were met by a man who, by using sign-language and smiling gestures, informed us that we were not allowed to proceed any further.
Vaniskvabebi historical site, Vardzia
A sign nearby indicated that the caves and walkways high on this stone hewn hillside were unstable and dangerous. We took photos but had to leave our mountain climb at this point.
In our recent travels we’ve noted that along the sides of the roads in Georgia, both asparagus and rhubarb grow as native plants. Further investigations revealed that asparagus has its botanical origin in Eurasia.
Asparagus growing below Cave city and monastery ensemble of Vardzia
Wild rhubarb growing near Vardzia Resort
It’s interesting to note that at our present location at Vardzia we are only a few kilometres away from the border with Turkey.
Ringed-billed gull, Mtkvari River, Vardzia
We then followed the road further north-eastwards and ventured down to the Mtkvari River bank and attempted, with minimal success to get photos of the large white ringed-billed gulls that frequent the river area searching for fish.
From across the river we then watched a small herd of frisky cattle being driven into a makeshift yard by very energetic local stockmen. At this point we decided to head back to our hotel.
Stockman with cattle, Vardzia
Stockman with cattle, Vardzia
On the return journey, Corinne managed to photograph an Eurasian hoopoe. These are colourful birds noted for their distinctive crown of feathers. We’d previously photographed other species of hoopoe in southern Africa.
Eurasian hoopoe, Vardzia
Poppies along roadside, Vardzia
In the later afternoon we enjoyed evening drinks in the pleasant garden of the Vardzia Resort and then had our dinner, it being a farewell and last evening for us in Georgia.
Wisteria in garden at Vardzia Resort
Iris in garden at Vardzia Resort
Lilac in garden at Vardzia Resort
Tomorrow we cross the border and venture southwards into Armenia.