Georgia is not a good place to be counting calories. Luckily as I begin my long weekend getaway in Tbilisi, I have no such illusions of a diet. As I walk down the streets of the old town on my first night here, the restaurants and cafes are full and it’s clear that it’s not only Georgians that love the food. … Read the rest
Uplistsikhe & Gori
Uplistsikhe, literally the ‘lord’s fortress’ is a cave town – an ancient city built into the rocks, just outside of Gori around 90 minutes drive from Tbilisi. The drive is quiet and I admire the mountain scenery, picking Sergo’s tour guide brain about all the best places to visit and things to see. … Read the rest
Museums & Monasteries
My first destination this afternoon after exploring some More of Tbilisi is the Museum of Fine Arts. Unfortunately it looks like it’s closed. I check out the Kashueti St George Church briefly and then the Lado Gudiashvilli Art Gallery, giving the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia a miss although there are some cool book topped bollards out the front.… Read the rest
More Of Tbilisi
Yesterday my travel companion Diana and I escaped the city to explore the Kakheti Region for the day. Today, far from being finished with Tbilisi, there is so much yet to explore before Diana’s flight home this afternoon.… Read the rest
Sighnaghi
Sighnaghi, a tiny town in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region, is an attractive town perched high on a hilltop with sweeping views across the Alazani Valley laid out below. Known affectionately as Georgia’s City of Love, the restored 18th and 19th century architecture of the centre gives the town a relaxed, easy charm focused around its tourist attractions.… Read the rest
Pyramids and Plans
That first taste. That first glimpse. It’s never enough. It only serves to whet the appetite, as the saying goes. Likewise my first glimpses of Cairo. Plans are swirling.
This is a business trip and, despite knowing that there will most likely not be time to take in the sights, I plan in spite of myself, hopes soaring. … Read the rest
The Heart of Sharjah
Sharjah doesn’t have the mega malls of Dubai and can’t boast a mosque quite as grand as Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque but culturally and historically, it is every bit as good as a day spent around Bur Dubai (Dubai’s old town) or the Al Fahidi Historic District and in some respects, it is even better. … Read the rest
Global Village
Forget around the world in 80 days, you can now explore the world in an evening at Global Village. This is an ambitious journey though – Global Village is expansive – so like all good trips it might be best to take a moment to plan your itinerary, unless you’re happy to see where the world leads you…
It’s not my first time here, nor is it mum’s, but I have always had the boys in tow and tonight it’s just the two of us. … Read the rest
The New Louvre
The Abu Dhabi Louvre, the ‘new’ Louvre, has been on my list since before it opened in November 2017. Knowing it would be a day best enjoyed with another enthusiast I have delayed my visit more than once. … Read the rest
International Day
International Day – I remember the excitement of the Multicultural Festival in Canberra when I was growing up – the sights, the music, the colors and tastes but most of all the smells – pungent Indian aromas, popcorn and kebabs and the mouthwatering smell of the kranskys (German sausages) cooking were always a favorite of mine. … Read the rest