Georgia 🇬🇪 Rabati Castle, 14 July 2026.

Rabati Castle (also known as Akhaltsikhe Castle) is a 9th-century medieval fortress complex in southern Georgia. Originally named "Lomsia," it expanded into a fortified city in the 12th century. 

Surviving centuries of conquests and extensive renovations in 2012, it uniquely blends Georgian, Ottoman, and Russian architectural influences.The castle's history can be divided into several key eras:

9th–13th Centuries (Georgian Origin): Originally known as Lomsia (meaning "Lion" in Georgian), the fortress was expanded and transformed into a city in the 12th century, earning the name Akhaltsikhe, which means "new fortress". It served as the stronghold and administrative center for the Jakeli princely family.

16th–19th Centuries (Ottoman Rule): The Ottoman Empire captured the region in 1578. The area surrounding the fortress took the Arabic name Rabati (meaning "fortified place"). During this era, Islamic architecture was introduced, including the historic Akhmediye Mosque, a madrasa, and a hammam.

19th–20th Centuries (Russian Empire): The fortress was captured by the Russian Empire during the Russo-Ottoman War of 1828–1829, fundamentally altering its cultural and political status.

2012 Restoration: The 7-hectare complex underwent an extensive renovation, restoring the citadel, mosque, church, and Jakeli palace. Today, it also hosts the Samtskhe-Javakheti History Museum.

Cultural dances taking place. Beautiful girls all with long black hair. Now the long trek back to Tbilisi.

Georgia 🇬🇪 Vardzia city of caves. 14 July 2026

Vardzia is a spectacular cave monastery complex and historic rock-cut city in southern Georgia, constructed during the Golden Age of the Kingdom of Georgia in the 12th and 13th centuries.

It is carved into the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Mtkvari River. It stands as a monumental symbol of Georgian resilience, engineering genius, and spiritual devotion.

In King Tamar's Era, after Giorgi III passed away, his daughter, the only woman to ever be named King, continued the project. She ordered the fortress to be transformed into a vast monastic, cultural, and spiritual center. The central Church of the Dormition was consecrated in 1186.

At its peak, Vardzia contained over 6,000 rooms spread across 13 tiers. The city included living quarters, chapels, wine cellars, libraries, and an advanced, functional water system.

On our way to the church complex

We had lunch eggplant and walnut wrap for me and pork and potatoes for Michael and we shared mushrooms.

We ordered our food at the above restaurant and carried on to the caves.

Leaving for Rabati Castle and then the long drive home.

Georgia 🇬🇪 Day trip to Borjomi, Vardzia and Rabati Fortress. 14 July 2026

Tour should have started at 08:00 from Budget travel office in Tbilisi, instead a frantic guide phones us from 1.2km away telling us to hurry up and come to his location. 

The vehicle is a taxi equivalent in Georgia managed by the government, they are used to take people to outlying areas where the bus does not reach. They have numbers and destinations on the vehicle.

The first stop is Borjomi central park. Here we once again had some water and walked 4km up towards the hill and back.

Love the swing in the middle of the river

After walking in the park head to Vardzia – City of caves, here we walk through the caves and have lunch afterwhich we go to Rabati Castle. We will probably be back arpund 23:30, a very long but interesting day...

Georgia 🇬🇪 2 X Play offs day. 13 July 2016

South Africa in the semi finals 53 England 37 yay

The Mother of Georgia (locally known as Kartlis Deda or Mother of Kartli) is a monumental, 20-meter-tall aluminum statue that stands on top of Sololaki Hill overlooking the capital city of Tbilisi. Erected in 1958 to celebrate the city's 1500th anniversary, it serves as the ultimate symbol of the Georgian national characterone hand, for friends, the gift of wine, the other a sword for enemies destruction. We walked up all the steps, there were a lot. 

Beautiful churches and murals as we walk around Tbilisi.

Imposing mother of Georgia

The botanical gardens from a different perspective.

The view from the top of the hill

A castle under the street

We get to Avchala and watch Franch beat the All Blacks, a very tight game.

The Hakka

France 26 All Blacks 22

Go Bokke!!