After more than 3500 kilometers we are finally here in Georgia. And with that our long time wish became a reality – overland to Georgia was on our wish list for years.
Crossing boarder was longer than expected, as we needed 2.5 hours. It was chaotic – mostly because of the new building construction on Turkish side, but who cares…we are finally here.
Simon and I decided to make plans one day after another, as we have been changing plans the very first day here. The plan was to drive over a mountain pass, which was closed. We »threw« away one whole day of traveling, what meant we needed to go back the next one.
Zig-zagging on the same road again, took the tax, so we decided to stay one complete day at the Black Sea coast, doing nothing. And guess what – it felt great!
We reached Mestia town in Svaneti region and are staying in the camping place SvanLand, about one kilometer from the town’s center.
Mestia is mostly known and visited as a camp base for hiking and mountain-biking, also climbing, but we will not do much of it. Or in other words – if you own a 4WD, you go where it takes you. 🙂
Mestia is a pretty nice town, with a special touch of history. The Svan towers are known just in Mestia and its area.
They have been on UNESCO World Heritage Site and are really amazing – especially when knowing its history. They were used as fortified homes for highlands warriors and its families. Instead of building a wall around each town, they just build a house which was almost impossible to take over. They did not use the towers only for living, but also for hiding its treasures, wealth and even livestock. Some towers have still been used for living, but most of them are just a unique historical monument.
Looking from the campsite where we are currently staying, and seeing the beautiful Svan towers and the high mountain peeks around us, it makes me feel, Svaneti region in Georgia is a place, where our real Georgian adventure finally begins.