Heaven On Earth - Amazing Tusheti!!

Georgia has so much to offer for travelers. It’s diverse nature is one of the richest in the region of Caucasus. In this post I want to talk about most beautiful region of Georgia – Tusheti.

Amazing and unspoiled Tusheti is located in east-western part of Georgia, on the eastern slope of Caucasus. This area of highlands is 1650-4493 meters above sea level and is very difficult to access. It’s only possible to get there during summertime. In the rest of the year, the way to Tusheti is closed.  Road to Tusheti starts from Kakheti Region and then continues through the Abano Path which is 2926 meters from the sea level.

Tusheti is divided into four main societies: Pirikita, Gometsari, Tsova and Chagma.  Administrative center is Omalo, which is part of Chagma society.  

Nature

Unbelievable mountains, ridges and peaks covers territory of Tusheti. There are two rivers: Pirikiti Alazani and Tush Alazani. They are connecting near the village Shenako and then flow in Daghestan. While travelling in Tusheti you will meet small lakes and spring waters.

Flora and fauna of Tusheti is very diverse, as you can meet such wild animals as: bear, chamois, deer, lynx, wild goat, lammergeier, falcon, Golden Eagle etc. In Tusheti you can find such trees as: pines and birch, which gives Tusheti exquisite look. Above 2300 meters from the sea level grows rhododendron.

There is national park in Tusheti, which is part of protected territories since 2003.

Traditions and National Products

Amazing Tusheti has many interesting and beautiful traditions. They are part of this region since ancient times and play a big role in the history of Tusheti.

One of the main traditions of Tusheti is the feast of Atnigenoba. It starts on the 100^th day from Easter and takes a place for two weeks. During Atnigenoba aborigines and guests from different regions take part in different cult services. Host of this feast is called Shulta, who is elected every year by a village. Atnigenoba can’t be without homemade beer called Aluda, which is specially made for this feast.

Fest always includes so much joy and happiness and is closed with horse races along Tusheti. These days are hard to forget for guests.

Tusheti is known for it’s special cheese – Guda. This cheese is made from sheep’s milk and has very specific taste. In the formation of it’s flavor plays a big role not only sheep’s milk but also how it is kept during preparation – Tush people put it in the skin of sheep and this is a main feature of the cheese.

Among products made by Tush women, carpets deserve special recognition. They are knitted with hands and have special geometrical ornaments with bright colors, which are typical for Tush.

Tusheti really is heaven on earth and is completely different from other territory of Georgia. Trip to this amazing and unspoiled place will be unforgettable for everyone.

Recreational Resorts Of Georgia

Located at the junction of Western Asia and Easter Europe, Georgia, is one of the richest countries with diverse nature, amazing scenery, unforgettable mountains, canyons, dessert, seaside, forests. But not only beauty of nature makes it exquisite, also there are different recreational resorts, which will help you to get in shape and strengthen your health.

In this post I want to tell you about one of the main resorts in Georgian rich with mineral and thermal springs: Sairme and Borjomi.

Sairme Resort

Sairme Resort

Balneological Resort Sairme is located on the northern slope of Meskheti Range. 950 m above sea level, 25 km from Bagdad. The climate is mild.

Beneficial qualities of mineral and Thermal springs of Sairme are known since the 19^th century. There are several springs on the territory of resort. They all differ from each other with chemical composition and medicinal treatment qualities.

Pump Room, Sairme

List of illness which can be cured with Sairme spring waters:

• Urinary calculus disease (treatment of chronic kidney disease, salt diathesis, as well as prophylactic treatment )
•  Bile-pebble diseases ( chronic cholecystitis, chronic hepatitis, not aggravated form, as well as for prophylactic purposes)
• Disturbance of metabolism ( diabetes, salt diathesis, arthritis, osteochondrosis)
• Gastrointestinal diseases ( peptic ulcer, disease, increased or decreased acidity, colitis)

Sairme Resort, Georgia

Sairme Resort, Georgia

Sairme Resort, Georgia

thermal bath, Sairme Resort, Georgia

Besides spring waters, in Sairme there are thermal bathes, which come from the depth of 1500 m and the temperature  of the water is 43 degrees. They cure deseases like:

• Bone-joint system illnesses (Arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis)
• Neurological system illnesses (Neurosis, neural-circular dystonia, blood circulation problems)
• Sugar diabetes (non insulin dependent)
• Dermatology( Skin allergic illnesses, psoriasis)
• Stomach-intestinal illnesses (colitis, allergies,)-(colon cleansing/therapy is conducted)
• invasion (the existence of warms in children) (small scale washing out sessions are conducted)
•  Chronic Urinary-genital system illnesses (non-acute forms, cystitis, prostatitisand etc…)

Sairme Resort, Georgia

Sairme Resort, Georgia

Sairme Resort, Georgia

Sairme Resort, Georgia

Sairme Resort, Georgia

Borjomi Resort

Borjomi Resort is located in south-central Georgia. It lies on northwestern part of Borjomi Gorge and on the eastern edge of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. Borjomi Resort is known for mineral waters.

Borjomi Resort, Georgia

Healing qualities of Borjomi water were recognized in ancient times and through the centuries were used to cure sick people from different diseases. Since then compositions of Borjomi mineral water remains unchanged.

Borjomi Resort, Georgia

Borjomi Resort, Georgia

Pump Room 

Borjomi Resort, Georgia

Borjomi is a water of volcanic origin which is over 1,500 years old. As it contains volcanic minerals Borjomi cleans the body best of all, and removes the unpleasant sensation of heaviness. Thanks to its unique natural qualities Borjomi not only quenches thirst, but also enhances immunity and improves the body’s overall tone. It is pushed up to the surface from 1500m below ground by natural carbon dioxide pressure. Borjomi does not cool down before it reaches the surface and comes out at a temperature of 38–41 °C  

Borjomi water is used to treat such diseases as: diabetes, joint and connective tissue diseases, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, liver diseases etc.

Borjomi Resort, Georgia

There are also sulphur pulls in Borjomi Resort which have beneficial effect on human’s body and makes skin smoother and shiny.

This is a short description of these two resorts. People, seeking healthy lifestyle should visit these places and I pretty sure they will leave Georgia with new strength and good emotions.

Borjomi Resort, Georgia

Svaneti - Trip to Insanity!

Georgia with its diverse nature has much to offer for travelers. Every region has its own must see places, which make them unique and exquisite. But not only nature, also traditions and native customs determines the history and exclusiveness of each region.

In this post, I want to talk about one of the most outstanding region of Georgia - Svaneti. Medieval watchtowers, unique nature and oldest traditions, snow-capped peaks, icy waterfalls – this is a small list of Svanetian wonders.

Brief information about Svaneti

Svaneti - Georgia’s historical region and geographical area. It includes the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains and the upper side of Enguri river and Tskhenistsqali. Historical Svaneti Also included Abkhazia region (upper part of the Kodori river), Samegrelo, Upper Racha and Lechkhumi border regions.

During early centuries the region was part of the kingdom of Colchis - the Egrisi Kingdom. In XI-XV centuries Svaneti was one of the stands. When Georgia disintegrated royal principalities, Svaneti was divided into several parts: the free Svaneti, Sadadeshkeliano and Sadadiano Svaneti.

Nowadays the region is divided into two parts, Upper and Lower Svaneti. They are divided by a ridge of high Svaneti Latpari Peak. Upper Svaneti present the Enguri River gorge from Samegrelo border, while the lower region - from the source of Tskhenistskali Valley to Moore's Bridge (nearby Tsageri).

Modern administrative-territorial division Svaneti is a part of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region in Mestia, the lower region - Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti Region of Lentekhi. Overwhelming majority of Svanetian population are Georgians, namely their ethnic group - Svan.

Svaneti: traditions and native customs of Svans

Svaneti is one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of Georgia, famous for its hospitality. Svans are peculiar and proud people. Greek historian Herodotus wrote about them: "Courageous Svans are almost the best in terms of power: they have everything around and occupy the heights of the peaks of the Caucasus". The region is still preserved indigenous traditions and religious rites.

The gold mining in Svaneti is associated with the myth of the Argonauts. Svanetian rivers brought gold dust which was obtained with a lamb leather by the local population. Greek and Roman writers knew about the gold extraction by Svans. Argonauts were interested in the Golden Fleece - Golden Fleece wool leather having brought them to the kingdom of Colchis, which was part of the region. King Ayat and the kingdom of Colchis were supplied with the gold from Svaneti. Nowadays there are facts about gold mining.

In the mountains there was Institute, which commanded by the Khevisberi. Khevisperies were called “makhvshi” in Svaneti. He was elected by the General Meeting. Makhvshi distinguished by wisdom and justice. He was the conductor of the rules of Christian life, judge in peaceful times, while in case of the army leader. Makhvshi condemned criminals and cut them off from the community.

Any civil or criminal case in a local court is considered by judges, which called "Morvey". They chose from both sides. Morveys listened to both of parties carefully. The negotiation process often took years. When everything was clarified, they made an oath on the saint icon. After swearing in, nobody would doubt about the fairness of the decision. In its judgment, the judges hid a stone in the ground, which meant the end of the case and the conciliation of the parties.

In winter Svans used to build a tower from snow, they put into the center wooden bar and the top of the tower hung a cross. Youth participating divided into teams in the celebration. Teams were trying to fall down tower on their side, this meant to receive a good harvest. Sometimes they organized boxing matches, and the winning also meant to receive a good harvest. It was indeed a joyful celebration.

In a drought years, Svan women used to throw bone into the nearest lake and prayed for a rain. In some communities men used to bring out icons of Jesus and the Virgin Mary from the Churches, bring them to the river and sing the song, religious chants praying for the rain.

In Lenjeri (Village in Svaneti) there still exists a holiday of saint Elia. People during Elia holiday ask the icon of St. Elia for rain and irrigate their land.

What about agricultural works, women always worked together with men. During the field works women worked side-by-side with men. Maybe for this reason a young bride would always bring a reaping hook to her husband's family together with her dowry.

This is a short list of Svanetian traditions and native customs. Svaneti is Really amazing part of Georgia and it worth visiting.