My 24 days to Central Asia (Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia Oct 16 > Nov 8 2025) - Day 22 Alarverdi, Armenia & Tbilisi, Georgia

Chronicle, Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi Old Town, Georgia

Metekhi Church of the Nativity
of the Mother of God. Tbilisi, Georgia 

Meidan Bazar, Tbilisi, Georgia

Vake, Tblisi, Georgia

 

Day 22 Thursday Nov 6 2022 -Tbilisi, Georgia - saying bye bye to Armenia after the border crossing to Georgia at noon & spent our day in Tbilisi visiting major tourist attractions ie The Chronicle (returning the rental car to our rental company & hotel check-in after this visit), Metekhi Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God, Meidan Bazar & my solo evening walk to Sulphur Public Bath House, Naritaka Fortress (lower court) & the bustling Vake area despite the zero temperature cold weather before retiring for bed ! A great day !

1) Complimentary breakfast provided by our guest house - Armenian style to our delight ! Simple, filling, I enjoyed eating the thin pita bread spread with butter or cheese or jam ! 

2) A final glimpse of the mountain scenery nearby our guest house mountain resort & a downhill bumpy ride to the main road heading towards the border crossing between Armenia & Georgia (Alaverdi > Bagratashen - Sadakhio; 120km, approx. 2.5hrs)

3) Car petrol refilled in one of the petrol kiosks in suburban Alaverdi, Armenia 

4) Border crossing between Armenia > Georgia at Bagratashen / Sadkhlo - immigration clearance was pretty straight forward & smooth as Malaysians visiting Georgia are granted visa-free !  Finally we were back to Tbilisi & looking forward for our 2 nights final stay in Tbilisi Old Town before flying home ! 

5) Another round of petrol top up (280 Gel per litre) to full tank (returning the rental car by 18.00 today with full tank to rental company in Tbilisi Old Town) after the Armenia / Georgia border crossing ! 

6) After 16 days of rental car driving to various tourist attractions in & around major cities /  country towns in Georgia & Armenia, we had finally arrived in suburban Tbilisi inching towards The Chronicle & Tbilisi Sea direction, a safe & sound journey despite the various challenges our group had to face especially driving along the mountainous regions of Armenia ! Well done to my travel buddy, KF Wong who was the sole driver throughout the last 16 days & myself performing a supporting role as the Navigator in this Caucasus adventurous visit !  

7) The Chronicle of Tbilisi, Georgia - a monument located on Keeni Hill near the Tbilisi Sea, it was created by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli in 1985 but was never finished, the monument sits at the top of a large set of stairs overlooking the northern part of the city from different directions. A must visit when in Tbilisi, Georgia. Free admission ! 

8) A panoramic view of Tbilisi City & Tbilisi Sea as seen from the hill top of The Chronicle. 

9) Hotel Accommodation (2 nights) - our group stay in an apartment No 13 in Tbilisi Old Town (2 bedrooms 1 bathroom) Rm102 = US$23.60, 2 single beds; the apartment check-in was done after The Chronicle visit followed by the return of our rental car to the car rental company located in Tbilisi Old Town approx. 1.6km from our hotel.  

10) Metekhi Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God, Tbilisi, Georgia - a Georgian Orthodox Christian church on the left bank of the river Kura, it sits on the Metekhi Cliff opposite the old town of Tbilisi, Georgia. 

11) River Kura, Tbilisi, Georgia

12) Air Balloon, Tbilisi, Georgia - Rike Park in Tbilisi features a large air balloon that offers rides for visitors to see the city from about 150m high, the flight provides a unique perspective of the city skyline & the experience is often described as unforgettable !   

13) Tbilisi Old Town, Georgia - stray walking & window shopping, good vibes strolling around this wonderful place, just walk into a money changer with a fistful of US dollars & use the local Gel to wine & dine & start your shopping spree here ! 

14) Meidan Bazar, Tbilisi, Georgia - a historic marketplace with antiques, Georgian food, art, wine & an underground area. 

15) Tbilisi Old Town by Night - my solo evening walk (20.00 > 22.15) to Public & Royal Bath House & the lower court of the Narikata Fortress, Peace Bridge, El Centro etc, glittering & colourful lighting made the entire place looked very attractive & scenic ! A memorable night for me after seeing Tbilisi Old Town in the limelight ! Tbilisi Old Town by night really shines although the weather has dropped to 3c affecting visitors turnout in major touristy places !