November 25, 2018

We woke up late because we don’t have plan to go for a regional tour. We preferred to go to Mtskheta which is near from Tbilisi. We had our breakfast in our accommodation and we walked for 15 minutes from our place to take the metro from Liberty Square.

We charged our metro card for 2 GEL then we went down at Didube metro station. The place was crowded because public transportation terminal was also located there.

Thanks to my friend from Dubai, Jeka, who have lent me her Lonely Planet book because it was a great help for us. When we reached Didube, we took the marshrutka (public coaster in Georgia) to go to Mtskheta. We bought tickets from the station for 2 GEL. There were a lot of drivers who will ask you there to pay for 50 GEL for Mtskheta and Jvari Monastery tour. It was expensive and it was much cheaper to have a DIY tour.

It was Sunday and we visited the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Along the way, there was a small bakery where we had our light snack which is potato bread for 0.80 GEL and drinks from the grocery store for 3 GEL.

The church has a lot of visitors because there were three weddings during that afternoon. It is second to the largest church in Georgia and also known as the burial site of Jesus Christ’s mantle.

We stayed for some time outside the church, sat on the bench and enjoyed the fresh air.

After our visit at the church, I tried to look for cheap souvenir shops but I didn’t find one. Until there was a taxi driver who offered us for Jvari Monastery trip for 20 GEL. We agreed with him because his offer was cheaper than other drivers. It was a 20-minute drive from Mtskheta to Jvari.

As you can see on the photo, this monastery stands at the top of a rocky mountain.

It has a great view of Mtskheta town and the mountain. Thanks to that taxi driver who offered a cheap fare. We requested him if he can drive for us going back to Tbilisi and we paid him for another 15 GEL.

It was too cold in Tbilisi in the late afternoon that’s why we had 2 cups of hot coffee that costs 4 GEL in one of the convenience stores there.

Finally, we found souvenir shops and we bought some chocolates, refrigerator magnets, wine opener, shot glass, cigarette lighter and bracelets for a total of 109 GEL.

After a long walk, we reached this I Love Tbilisi Sign and of course we should have a mandatory photo like others who visited Georgia.

There’s a lot of restaurants near there and we had our dinner at Art Cafe Home.

It was a nice place because of its interior design and it has a great view of Tbilisi. We ordered kachapuri and some drinks for our dinner at 45 GEL.

We returned to our accommodation by late evening via taxi. I booked it thru Taxify app (which is same with Grab, Careem and Uber) for 5 GEL.

It was a great day and we slept early because we will be traveling by 6:00 AM for our trip on the following day.