Into Georgia

Tues 7th Oct

If yesterday was spent admiring the flora then today it was the turn of the geology. Rather than taking the route directly to the coast, we took the more inland road. Salmon pink cliff faces edged with mauve Heather, not purple like we are accustomed to but more of a rich lilac. The pink gives way to a lovely maroon colour as the mineral content changes with each corner we turn. The state of the roads is, of course, aweful! We are not covering much mileage. Suddenly the rock type changes into what can only be described as toasted meringue. It was beautiful.

In this North Eastern most region of Turkey, there are the most massive reservoirs and dams, huge workings accompany them and the network of tunnels is on a par with the ants we watched yesterday. Look out for any signs of large doughy crumbs! On and on we go, tunnel after tunnel, pass after pass, it is quite claustrophobic. No likely camping spots here. Eventually as night falls we see a timber yard beside a now disused road, we tuck our selves away and prepare for the night.

Wed 8th Oct

After an early start, we arrive in Hopa the last coastal port of Turkey. A bit of shopping, change some money into Georgian Lari and prepare to leave Turkey for the second time.

Crossing into Georgia the difference of instantly noticeable. Our first view is that of a church. The last view of Turkey is of a mosque! On the beach, women are sunbathing in bikinis and the shops are either selling beer or they are casinos. As for the writing, well if we thought that Bulgarian was hard to understand, then Georgian is worse! To us it appears as just squiggles.

Our first hour in Georgia, is one of great contrasts. There are old rusty Ladas and new shiny Mercedes, there are very impressive modern architectural masterpieces and tumbledown shacks, modern motorways and roads to challenge anything we experienced in Pakistan. With no detailed map we head first for Batum and along the coast, then we spot a sign for a National Park, so turn off in search of camping.

Without too much difficulty we reach the Park. The road is atrocious, thank goodness Fay has four wheel drive. Picking our way along this single track dirt road with mud and pot holes, rocks and tree roots, we reach a Park map. The light is fading, this is as far as we want to go tonight. Whilst Richard goes down to the river to try a bit more fishing, I fiddle about in the van. A surprising number of vehicles pass by but the one which really takes the biscuit...a taxi!! We must be out and out softies??

Just before settling for the night, we see two sets of headlights pull up behind us. Oh no, don't say it's police or park rangers wanting to move us on? It wasn't. It was two VWs being driven by some young Czech travellers, they were also lost! Doing this road in the dark, they have more bottle than us!

Thurs 9th Oct

It is time for a day off from driving. We move about a mile down the road and find the official Park campsite. There before us, two Czech VWs! Today is time to relax and walk and generally do not a lot. Having borrowed a map from our Czech friends, we now have an idea of where we would like to visit in this small but different country.