Overland to Telavi

We woke up this morning to sun with absolutely clear skies and could finally see the top of Mount Kazbegi from our hotel. Very majestic.

Long bus ride today out of the mountains and into the Kakheti Valley. This part of Georgia is where fruits, vegetables, and most especially grapes are grown. Halfway we stopped at the Fortress of Ananuri, a 13th century castle high above the river where many medieval battles where many battles were fought. Two 17th century churches are also within the walls.

Lunch in Mtskheta included cheese cornucopias filled with meat, ground meat kabobs, beans, fruit plate along with usual salads. Our lockets were delivered to the restaurant — photo not good but it is beautifully finished. Another 90 minutes on the road and stopped at a rest area/bakery. Arrived in Telavi in time to check in to the hotel and walk to the palace across the street.

King Heraclitus II (1720-1798) finished construction of this (summer) palace

including a court church and a very high defensive wall. The palace itself is only six rooms but the windows are all made of the colored glass pieces within wooden frames. The museum next to the palace contains cultural items through the 19th century. A statue of the king sitting on a horse overlooks the city from outside the wall.

On the way back to the hotel we talked about Soviet style architecture. Stalin moved citizens into one-room apartments but liked to build impressive

buildings- see photo of white building. Khrushchev built four story small apartments with few rooms and low ceilings to house citizens. Gorbachev upgraded apartments to nine story with larger rooms.

Dinner at the hotel with an interesting dessert. Evening view of the city from my balcony was special.