Georgia Day 7: Ushguli back to Mestia

This morning we had breakfast and then our driver picked us up at 9:30 to drive us back to Roza's house in Mestia. Here is the view from our window looking out.
This place had the thinnest walls we have ever seen! We could literally see through the walls.

 We got to Mestia around midday and had lunch at a rooftop terrace type place.

Then we went to the cinema and saw this film which was filmed in Ushguli with all local cast members. 

 One of the characters in the film was even working in the cinema! Then we went out to dinner.

 And walked back to our accommodation. On our walk, we passed an elderly couple outside their house enjoying the evening. She was milking a cow and he was whittling a stick. I took this photo of them (trying to be covert) and you can just see her head sticking up and the man is behind her.

Originally we were supposed to stay at Roza's again, but this time we stayed with a neighbor.  Our driver comes first thing tomorrow to take us to the airport and fly home. Good night, Mt Tetnuldi!

Georgia Day 6: Ipaari to Ushguli

Last day of the trek today. We had a choice between walking along the road or walking through the woods and meadows above the road.

Finally we reached Ushguli with its spectacular setting as Europe's highest village.

 We wandered through the village until we found the Ratiani family house. It didn't look like much, but at least we had electricity and hot water.

Then we celebrated the conclusion of our trek on the rooftop terrace with beverages and snacks.

 Rhods and I went on a little walk just us two up to the church at the edge of the village. It was so beautiful there with lots of horses and foals around.

 Then we had a real feast for dinner!

The electricity went out a bit later, but there was a back up generator for the main dinner room so we hung out in there with the other guests and played cards until bedtime. 

Georgia Day 5: Adishi to Ipaari

We had a nice breakfast and then hit the trail. It was a beautiful day and the mountains looked stunning and we hiked along the trail up the river. 

We got to the place in the trail where we needed to cross the river, and there were horses available to ride on (for a fee!) to get across. 

 We hiked up and up the hill for a couple of hours and finally reached the saddle. It was really hard work but that just made our rest at the top all the better.

 We then followed the descent down down the other side of the hill and made our way to Ipaari. About 1 mile from our destination, we stopped for refreshing cold drinks at this little bar cafe before continuing the rest of the way.

We stayed at the Ucha Family guesthouse, which was by far the biggest and most organized place. 

In the evening after having refreshing drinks and then dinner, we played cards and then went to bed. Another great day!

Georgia Day 4: Tsvirmi to Adishi

It was a slightly cloudy day as we woke, but the clouds added an interesting dimension to the day as we would see later.
We had a lovely breakfast and set out down the road to make our way to Adishi.
The first 8 km or so were literally on the road winding uphill.

 Cars kept passing us going up the gravel road (and not offering a lift!) and when we came around a bend we realized why: it was a ski lift area with a cafe and chair lift going up the hill exactly where we were headed!

 Imagine our delight when we realized we could shave a couple of boring uphill gravel road hours and instead fly through the air to reach the upper traversing trail!!! This was a very happy moment!

 On the traversing trail, we saw wild horses running through the wildflower alpine meadow. So beautiful.

The light and the colors and the clouds were just incredible today!
We arrived finally into Adishi and located our guest house

We stayed at Beco & Tamila's house, which really didn't look like much. But they had a great balcony lounge area with good views.

There were oxen, pigs and a goat living downstairs. They were doing some construction and we saw the oxen towing some concrete blocks in a sled up the hill.

We found the one cafe / bar place just down the path from the house, and we had beverages and snacks before dinner.

 There was no electricity at this place, so we played Yatzy and cards until it was too dark to see. Then we all got into bed and went to sleep!

We all shared one room this night, which was a good change from last night. 

Georgia Day 3: Mestia to Tsvirmi

It was a sunny morning with good visibility, and we set out on our journey!

 We took the cable car up to the top of the hill, had a coffee and some cake, and then headed off on the trail.

 There were plenty of people up there doing the same thing. We learned that it had been raining for a full week and today was the first clear day! We are so lucky with the weather.

 But soon the crowds thinned out and we were alone on the trail. We walked along a ridge top with stunning mountain peaks on all sides of us. It was absolutely spectacular!

 We contoured along the ridge top and then the flank of a mountainside, then dropped down into the village of Tsvirmi where we would stay the night.  The spectacular peak of Mt Tetnuldi dominated the skyline.

Roza had booked us in to stay at Lili's Guesthouse, so as we entered the village we started asking the people we saw for this place, and they pointed us down the road.

 At last we found it, and were delighted to meet a smiley woman carrying a baby on her hip. Turns out the baby is called Lili (named for the grandmother, who we also met). The smiley lady, Katia, showed us to our rooms and we happily dropped our packs there. 

Here is a view of the house from a distance - it is the one in the center of the photo below:

We left the kids to relax and Rhods and I set off for the alleged market for some beer. We were surprised to discover that this tiny shack with an umbrella was the market! We met 2 Belgian ladies who had the same idea, and we sat with them in the shade drinking beer and chatting.

 Eva and her daughter Mumtaaz were on the same journey that we were on, and we had a fun time chatting with them.

 We returned in time to have showers before dinner at 7 pm. The food was outstanding but it was served at a table in someone's bedroom. A bit strange!

 After dinner, we played some Yatzee and cards and then went to bed.