Cooler Temperatures and Rain.
Good morning Georgia! So far, the land of low-lying clouds, mountains, gravelly bumpy roads, lada niva cars, gold teeth and biting cold winds and low temperatures and some rain! A relatively short day compared to Turkey (where our average daily distance was 150km) but the inconsistent road conditions, the off-road sections, the cold temperatures (some riders were finding it difficult to change gears this afternoon) and a delightful head wind made for a long, long day for some of the Silk Road folk! However, now that everyone is in camp, well fed, watered (with a choice of beer, wine, vodka, tea, coffee), tents up and warm clothes on, there are some smiles returning, as is the feeling in hands and the feet. Georgia, day 1, has been a mix of green farmland, stone walls, broken-down buildings, small cottages, haystacks, wet roads, donkeys, horse carts, goats, dogs galore and folks that wave and give a smile always (sometimes you get a big flash of gold as well…..it seems that gold teeth are the go here!) We have definitely moved from the first world but the friendliness and hospitality have remained. The local police, our constant companions yesterday and today, help us to find water, chop veggies at camp this afternoon, happily drink vodka and asking endless questions about people as well as telling us their life stories. Tonight, they have headed up the road to the train carriage (aka ‘bar on the lake') but will be back to make sure we remain safe and sound for the evening. Inga, our new translator, has given everyone their first lesson on Georgia, its history and some local etiquette do’s and don’ts (do say hello and don’t refuse a drink). Tomorrow brings a 140km stretch (or thereabouts) ending in the city of Tbilisi where a rest day beckons and riders are panting for access to their permanent bags so they can get some more warm clothes. The weather caught many by surprise and soup and hot drinks are popular tonight! Lake Paravoni, our campsite tonight, is magnificent and thankfully the weather has held out, giving most riders a chance to enjoy its beauty, have a brief wash, clean the mud and goo from their bikes (in preparation for tomorrow) and some were lucky enough to catch a few brief moments of sunshine to dry out damp clothes and tents. With the sounds of Eric Clapton in the air, the riders are enjoying the last moments of daylight, having a drink and a chat, getting ready for bed and making decisions about the best way to tackle tomorrow. It is a weary bunch eagerly anticipating a rest daybut hey, if you could see the view tonight, it would be fairly close to being called bike heaven!
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Posted August 18, 2007 by Field Writer
Georgia |
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