One of the perks of being a GCC resident is being able to travel to Georgia without a VISA. All you need is to present your passport and original residence permit (Iqama). Since I know that Georgia only speaks English, Georgian and Russian I took the initiative to have an English translation of our Iqama.
Geographically, Georgia is part Europe and part Asia that is why it is called as Eurasian country.
So Why Georgia?
1. It saves me the trouble of applying for a VISA in advance.
2. Reviews over the internet about Georgia are all positive.
3. We want to please our eyes with nature and have a break from the dessert views we had all year long.
4. Georgia is not just an open country when one can express themselves and break the rules. It makes you taste Europe at a lot cheaper price.
Travel to Georgia can be booked through Flydubai. Gassim to Dubai is a 2-hour flight and Dubai to Georgia is a 3-hour flight. Prices ranges from 789 SAR to 1,200SAR (one way) depending on the time you booked the ticket.
Two months ago,during the Eid of Ramadan while I was checking where to go (Dubai, Qatar or Georgia) the ticket to Georgia was only 789SAR per person but I did not book it because the dates of the vacation is not yet sure. Everyday the prices increases that I have no choice but to reserve the tickets even if the vacation dates were not yet confirmed. Our tickets cost 7,000 SAR (return for 3 persons)
I also booked our hotel at The Courtyard Marriott- Tbilisi in Freedom Square. In all our travels I choose a hotel that is accessible to almost all the major destination. The Courtyard Marriott is along Rustavelli avenue, it is walking distance from the Friendship Bridge, Narikala Fortress, Marionette Theatre and Dry Bridge. There is also a metro station nearby and the City sightseeing hop on hop off Bus tour ticketing office. I booked it through Booking.com as usual, because most bookings through this site can be cancelled up to 1 day before check in.
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| The Courtyard Marriott @ Freedom Square |
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| Me and Denisse @ Marriott Desk waiting for check in |
So How is Georgia?
On landing we felt we are still in KSA, not so much views to ponder upon. Tbilisi Airport is not a busy airport although tourist flock in Georgia almost at anytime of the year.
I don't know if it is only my perception but Georgians are not very friendly. Let us start with the immigration officer who checked our documents. I know all immigration officers are serious with flat affects. She asked for our VISA and I told her we are GCC residents so she asked for our Iqama, I was being so nice offering her the English translation of our Iqamas and she said she don't need English translation, maybe she felt offended by my voluntary action. Then she asked when is the expiry of our Iqama saying she cannot read it because it was in Arabic. I wanted to tell her "that is why I am offering the English translation" but my next action would either make or break me so I kept my cool and asked her " Would you like the english translation?" and she said "OK give me"
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| English Translation of my Iqama |
I arranged for an airport pick up with Marriott Hotel Shuttle but it was not confirmed by the hotel so we just took a cab from the airport. We went to the information section to get a map and ask where to get a taxi and the man at the information section is also not smiling. Taxi drivers take advantage when they know you are a tourist. One told me 25 gel per person so that would be 75 gel but I know that the Marriott shuttle charges 75 gel so ordinary taxi should be cheaper than that. Although it was posted all over the Taxi pick up area that the price is 25 gel per trip to a certain point, drivers don't agree so we settled for 50 gel.
After some needed rest we walked around freedom square.
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| Freedom Square |
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| we came along this store that sells "Churchkhela"- Georgian traditional delicacy |
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| typical street in Tbilisi |
Georgia is also know for wine making. The oldest vineyards are located here. Of course we will not leave Georgia without tasting their famous Georgian wine called "Chacha"
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| souvenir shot inside a wine store called Vino Bar |
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| bottoms up : 3 shots of Georgian Semi Sweet Red Wine and 3 shots of Chacha |
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| with Nikka our wine server. |
After becoming dizzy from the wine tasting we got hungry so we decided to try the Authentic Georgian Cuisine and Nikka our wine server recommended Chashnagiri which is not so far from the Vino Bar.
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| They have 4 branches in Tbilisi |
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| while waiting for our food |
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