Where on Earth? Week 36: Vardzia, Georgia

by Neil Woodburn on


Wow. This is only the second time we’ve stumped you with Where on Earth; the first time was coincidentally within the same country of Georgia.

Those who guessed Turkey came closest. The former Soviet Republic borders Turkey and naturally shares some of the same limestone geology that makes a cave city such as the one featured above possible.

This particular location, Vardzia, was built (or, rather, dug) in the 12th century and at its peak, was home to 50,000 troglodytes living amongst 13 floors of caves and tunnels. Although a major earthquake in the 13th century destroyed much of the cave city, there is still a substantial amount left to provide an entertaining day of tunneling and exploring. Be sure to bring a flashlight, however. Some of the tunnels are long and dark and can be quite intimidating without a guide.

Happy times in Georgia

by Neil Woodburn on


There’s nothing more exciting when visiting a foreign country than to be caught up in a local demonstration. That is, until, the riot police come. That’s when you’ll see me screaming, “Tourist! Tourist!” like a little girl and running in the opposite direction wildly waving my passport over my head.

Had I traveled to the former Soviet republic of Georgia last week instead of two years ago, I would have come across the above riot police thugs trying to restore order on the streets of Tbilisi. Instead of running away, however, I probably would have been frozen to the spot, transfixed on their very strange gas masks. I’m not sure if these would have terrified me like some futuristic Gestapo agent, or if they would have made me laugh.

Well, as you can tell by the second photoshopped picture, the gas masks tended to amuse instead of terrify. Classic. I’m sure the last thing demonstrators remembered before getting beaten with a truncheon was laughing their heads off.

Click here to see more great shots of the Mickey Mouse Gestapo.

New train route to connect Turkey with Georgia and Azerbaijan

by Neil Woodburn on

I always get excited when new rail routes open up.

In my opinion, there is no better way to travel than by train. And when countries that are normally difficult to traverse by other means suddenly open up a new rail route, it makes travel and exploration all that much easier.

This will be the case in 2009 when work is completed on a rail link that will connect the Turkish city of Kars to Georgia, Azerbaijan, and onwards to China. The $600 million project, which was approved early this year, sadly excludes Armenia–a political oversight blamed on continued bad relations between Armenia and Turkey.

Nonetheless, the rail project opens up a very exciting new route that is no longer dependent on local buses and decrepit ferries. Instead, adventurous travelers can now embark on a simple rail journey through some very difficult, yet extremely rewarding countries.

Where on Earth (Week 4): Tbilisi, Georgia!

by Neil Woodburn on

We didn’t have any winners in this week’s “Where on Earth” contest, but we did have some close guesses. Sort of. The guesses were all in the former Soviet Union. As was the location of this photograph. One has to travel much further south, however, to be able to snap such a shot.

One of the clues which might have pointed someone to the right answer was the difficult-to-read Georgian script on the side of the building. Perhaps a sharper photograph may have helped. The second clue is the Golden Arches atop the building in the middle. Only one city in Georgia has a McDonald’s and that city is the capital, Tbilisi.

I snapped this shot two summers ago while traveling through this amazing former Soviet Republic. One of the best highlights for me was the food–and I’m NOT talking about that McDonald’s in the photo. Georgians love their cuisine and simply gorged me silly everywhere I went. I’ve never eaten so much in any country while traveling than I did in Georgia. And, other than a plate of liver, I loved it all. Mmm….

Photo of the Day (2/22/07)

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m giving myself a little present today and awarding Photo of the Day honors to me!

This shot was taken two summers ago in Georgia. No, not the state, but rather the former Soviet Republic. In case you’re wondering where that is, check out the mountains in the background. If you climb over them and descend to the other side, you will find yourself in Chechnya.

Fortunately there is a well protected border between Georgia and Chechnya and few problems spill over from that horrific conflict. This wasn’t so true in the past. Ancient guard towers such as the one in this photo are scattered throughout mountains passes in Georgia as the region has been sadly invaded numerous times throughout its existence.