100
the retired worker at the open
air chess park and try their luck.
There are also many opponents
in this park to make some
nostalgia for domino that has lost
its popularity in our country. It’s
time to refresh makeup for young
ladies. Because the middle aged
Georgian men in this park are
pretty insistent to have a picture
taken together.
If you reached the river bank,
prepare for a nice trip towards
Narikala Tower via cableway.
Narikala tour is of course an
indispensable route for tourists.
Those who are afraid of heights
and who have confidence in their
lungs and legs can also pass
through the Botanic Garden and
climb 1,5 km up to reach the
tower. The Narikala Tower dates
back to 3rd century and is the
oldest structure standing in the
city. Actually when you go near
it you see that there is not much
of it left, however its contribution
to the night skyline of Tbilisi
with its wonderful illumination
cannot be denied. The Kartlis
Deda statue known as “Mother
of Georgia” that has been built in
this region on the Solalaki Hill to
commemorate the 1500th year
of the establishment of the city
gives a clear message to those
who go near it: It holds a sword
in its right hand for enemies and
a jug of wine in its left hand to
greet friends. Since we were lazy
to climb the hill with a cableway,
let’s at least walk back down.
Even though there is a huge need
for restoration at this region, the
wonderful Tbilisi houses and
stories of its occupants await you.
Prepare for an increasing BAC.
A quick note to those who think
that we walked a lot but haven’t
eaten anything yet; do not expect
much in terms of meals. This may
be a personal comment but it
is possible to say that Georgian
cuisine is a bit weak and that the
tastes of its dishes are strangely
remote to our palates. The
most famous Georgian dish is
Haçapuri, which is some sort of
flat bread with cheese. Another
famous Georgian dish is Khinkali.
This is another type of pastry.
Think of our Kayseri mantı in two
different sizes; one fitting inside a
large spoon and one barely fitting
inside it. Even though it is mostly
made of minced meat, mushroom
and potato are also used. You
should try it but it should not be
the only option. Georgian cuisine
also has meat dishes in which
walnuts and garlic are used
extensively. It is possible to say
that this weak Georgian cuisine
is balanced with the Georgian
wines. Indeed, Georgians are
quite proud of their wines. Thanks
to the cosmopolitan structure of
Tbilisi, it is possible to find many
different world cuisines as well.
Thinking that Georgian wine
would go well with Italian pizza,
we can suggest you to go to the
Italian restaurant Prego on Erekle
II Street. Actually there are many
coffee shops, restaurants and
bars on this and Bambis Rigi and
Chardin streets. The place right
across Prego decorated with
symbols from the KGB Soviet
period is another alternative. It is
a nostalgic haven for those who
miss the Soviets with posters and
objects and at nights the place
is quite packed. The localities
around the postmodern clock
tower of the Puppet Theater are
quite busy as well. Those who
wish to listen to some live music
can go to the Irish “pub” typically
named Dublin on Akhvlediani
street or the Tbilisi branch of
the world famous Buddha Bar
located close to the Peace Bridge
to the left of the river.
Our route is towards another hill
of the city and the Mtatsminda
Park so that we can wake up to
a fresh new day with a gorgeous
scenery in the morning. This park
housing the radio-tv transmitter of
the city will attract the attention of
travelers with children. Because
there is a large fun park and
Ferris wheel at Mtatsminda. It is
possible to reach the Vilnius Park
located in the Old Town region via
the funicular located at the Daniel
Chongadze Street. The funicular
line right across the Sameba
Cathedral promises another
fabulous Tbilisi panorama from
another angle. There is free
wireless internet at the parks and
various important regions of the
city by the name of “Tibilisi Loves
You”. Tbilisi deserves an, “I Love
You Too” by giving free half hour
internet usage every hour.
On the return trip we can go
towards the Rustaveli Boulevard.
Rustaveli should be seen only
for the architectural elements it
has. The magnificent buildings
built side by side comprise
a wonderful visual feast. The
street extends all the way from
Tavisupleva, that is the Freedom
Square to the Republic Square.
The Freedom Square was named
as Lenin Square during USSR
reign. In 1991, the Lenin statue
was symbolically demolished and
in 2006 a huge statue depicting
the Saint George killing a dragon
took the place of the Lenin statue.
Rustaveli is the main street for
political rallies and protests. You
can see the Parliament Building,
Kashveti Church, National
Georgian Museum, Tbilisi Opera
and Ballet House, Rustaveli State
Theater, Rustaveli Museum,
Georgian Academy of Sciences
and Soviet Occupation Museum
on the street. Many are important
examples of Russian architecture.
The façades of most buildings
uzaktaki yakın
so far so close
