Hoorah! We both received our passports back to the Marriott Tbilisi, with 60 day single entry L type visas! After months of planning and organising and everything revolving around the China leg of the trip we finally have a visa and a confirmed itinerary! And we have the carnet du passage! We have to say thank you to the Marriott for signing for our packages, even though we weren't staying there! The list of papers and documents to collect is getting shorter... ...

After a disappointing few days on the plains, we decided to go back to the mountains. This time to Kazbegi, or Stephansminda. We had a lazy couple of days in lovely surroundings, and then went back to Tbilisi. On the way we stopped by what seemed like a natural spring, and many people on the road were filling their bottles with the waters. Fintan climbed to the top (I made it aboout half way up before feeling so sick from vertigo!) and guess what he found?! Yep, ...

Compared to the relative cool of the mountains, Borjomi and Gori were hot, humid, and just not as impressive. Borjomi, a town famous for its mineral springs, was at best a bit sad. The Mineral Water Park was a far cry from what we expected from a place that was the Romanov's holiday destination. More of a rundown carnival than a relaxing, natural environment. We walked for 2.5km to the natural spring swimming pool, only to find an empty cement tank, and a rubbish...

Vardzia is a cave city carved out of layers of volcanics...can this place get any more awesome?! So consecrated in 1185 this place also used to house up to 2000 monks! After a serious of unfortunate events - earthquakes and invasions some of the city has crumbled, but there are still some areas to walk around and explore. We walked up and around and were astounded by the church of Assumption with its beautiful frescos, including a painting of the Queen herself. ...

Tbilisi city centre! New and shiny, bustling and loud. Every taste catered for - even an Irish bar! Although not the first stop in Tbilisi, probably the most memorable - The Hanger Irish bar, run by an Irish-American from Kinsale! The city provides free wifi "Tbilisi Loves You" and an app to download with hotels, restaurants, cafes and things of interest. Quite smart really. The main street is long and wide, with the big hotels, the museum and a Freedom Square w...