Malta - The Narrow Streets of Valletta
Foto: The Modern Buildings of Batumi (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Georgia - The weather clears, and the sun even breaks through. On the boulevard, most of the beach tents are being dismantled and cleared away—the season is over. Behind the boulevard stand tall apartment blocks and skyscrapers of unusual shapes, giving the skyline a resemblance to Dubai on the Black Sea. As we walk through the city, we try to find a place for a drink. This proves difficult: either the establishments are closed, or they are Islamic and serve no alcohol. Through the park with fountains, we reach Theater Square. Here, the golden Neptune proudly crowns the fountain named after him, basking in the sunlight. Behind the fountain stands the Batumi Drama Theater from 1912. A block further, we arrive at Europe Square. On the corner is the astronomical clock. In the center of the square stands the statue of the mythological figure Medea, a princess from ancient Colchis, atop a pillar. In her hands, she holds the Golden Fleece, symbolizing authority, kingship, and divine favor. In one of the side streets of the old town, we sit at a terrace. As we sit, other travelers pass by. Via Piazza Square, with its large mosaic, we walk to the Orthodox Cathedral. Notably, mostly worshippers come here to pray, with only a few tourists. The cathedral is beautiful, featuring exquisite wood carvings.
Freedom Square in Tbilisi
Georgia - Today is Independence Day in Georgia. For the 25th time, it is celebrated that Georgia became independent from Russia. On the famous Rustaveli Avenue, many stalls and stages are set up. There is entertainment everywhere. We order a sandwich at one of ...
The Ancient Capital Mtskheta
Georgia - We drive to the old capital, Mtskheta. Before visiting the cathedral in the town, we drive to the church on the hill opposite Mtskheta. This church sits on the other bank of the river. The Jvari Church contains a large wooden cross, symbolizing the wooden ...
The Bodbe Monastery
Georgia - After about a two-hour drive, we reach Bodbe Monastery, one of Georgia’s most important religious sites. This active convent is particularly known as the burial place of Saint Nino, who played a crucial role in converting Georgia to Christianity in ...
The Cave City of Vardzia
Georgia - The cave city of Vardzia is a rock monastery on the slopes of the Erusheli River. It was founded by Queen Tamar in 1185 as protection against the Mongols and consisted of over six thousand apartments across thirteen levels. The only access to the complex ...
The monastery of David Gareja
Georgia - We drive out of Sagarejo, heading for the David Gareja monastery. The monastery is carved into the rocks and lies exactly in the mountainous area on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan. We had heard the road there would be bad. Expecting the worst, ...
The mountain road to Ushguli
Georgia - From Mestia we continue driving to Ushguli. Mestia is located at an altitude of 1,400 meters. Ushguli at 2,200 meters. This makes Ushguli the highest continuously inhabited mountain village in Europe. We do wonder if this is not higher in the Alps. The ...
The Stalin Museum in Gori
Georgia - We drive on to Gori, a city world-famous as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. He was born here in 1878 in a modest wooden house, still standing next to the museum later built in his honor. Visiting a museum dedicated to a man responsible for the oppression ...
Tsminda Sameba Church Kazbegi
Georgia - Just after two o’clock we approach Stepantsminda. Along the roadside are numerous trucks, kilometers long. The trucks have been waiting here for the border crossing with Russia. Further along the route, there is no place to park. The police let a few ...