After visiting the medieval cave town of Vardzia, I took myself on a little nature hike in the vicinity of my hotel, just across the river from the site. I had originally considered walking down the road to the smaller cave monastery of Vanis Kvavebi, but after my crazy taxi ride the day before, and having seen a few cars take the bridge over the Mtkvari at full speed and skid sideways into the T-intersection at the end of it, I decided I wasn’t walking anywhere by way of the road.
The bridge over the Mtkvari River.It looks like there’s a footpath or cattle track going upriver. It was partly underwater at the end of May, but in a drier season you might be able to follow it some distance.There are lots of large frogs near the river.Behind the Taoskari hotel, a path climbs the valley and heads north. This is the view to the south, upriver.There are great views of Vardzia from up there.I think this flower is called Red Feathers (Echium amoenum).Some kind of wild orchid?These butterflies are ubiquitous.
Back down in the valley, the cafe near the hotel had a riverside terrace where the birds would linger and pose for you.
A great spotted woodpecker?When you’re Canadian, even common magpies are foreign and interesting.Hooded crows, looking out for a meal.At the cafe, I also tried tarragon-flavoured limonadi. The colour is a bit terrifying, but the flavour is very pleasant.
Kartvelian Adventures 