Left Turkey on a gorgeous (although cramped) mini-bus ride to Batumi, Georgia. The ride was inexpensive (10 euros) and took us all along the coast of the Black Sea for 3 or 4 hours. I thought crossing this border might prove to be a pain in the ass, but it was very straight forward. Not only that, but no visa was needed for Georgia like I thought. Not only that, I had found some hidden U.S. dollars rolled up in some other currency in the bottom on my bag (I must have hid it so well even I forgot it was there). Score! Rocked up to Georgia feeling pretty dang good. On the second mini-bus from the border to town someone told me I was beautiful, then I got to the hostel and it was cheaper than advertised (when does that happen?), then upon wandering around I saw an unattended dumpster fire right in the middle of the street. Yes! Days like this are almost too good to be true.
Batumi is a coastal border town that's very popular with wealthy Russians in the summer. Shiny new Sheraton's, Radisson's and casinos are condensed in the center, but it was very quiet while I was there in September, even though the weather was still really pleasant. Some of the buildings looked almost colonial, while others were completely ex-Soviet block looking. Georgians are known for their hospitality and I had many people stop to chat while wandering around.
grape vines draped all over
The sea view is beautiful, but there are SO many cranes nearby
Loungin' at the Black Sea
Thoroughly glad for a nice stopover in Batumi! Already feeling like Georgia is gonna be the bees knees.
"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." - Seneca
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