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Date of the journey:- October 2019
Distance travelled:- 166 miles
Leaving the Bloom Hotel we made our way back to the bus stop at Tbilisi Square. Our research showed that we should have been able to get a minibus to Zugdidi. Then from there another onto Mestia.
Our research turned out to be incorrect. No minibus from this stop to Zugdidi. The drivers we asked directed us to a minibus station from where we were able to get a direct minibus to Mestia. A 10 min walk down the main road and we arrived at the Batum Otobüs Terminal.
We asked a local who directed us to the correct minibus that was leaving for Mestia. The journey was going to take 7.25 hours at a cost of 35 GEL each. Our vehicle wasn’t full allowing for our backpacks to be stored in the back.
Neither of us was looking forward to this journey. We had both read that Georgian minibus drivers all drove like maniacs. A fact that had been proven based on our first experience. Leaving Batumi, this minibus driver, much to our relief, drove far better, making both of us more comfortable about the journey. The roads were definitely better than the reports we had read.
There were 6 passengers in the minibus, 2 Georgian’s, a Russian couple from Moscow, and us. A friendly bunch, all exchanging our stories.
As we progressed through the Georgian countryside the roads progressively got worse. The rural route lined with houses in a poor state of repair. Dogs, chickens, pigs, cows, and ducks wandering around free. Yet somehow having the sense to avoid becoming roadkill.
Once we had passed through the town of Zugdidi. Mountains, with a sprinkling of snow on the peaks, loomed in the distance, getting ever closer.
Passing through a village we saw lots of metal framework running down either side of the road. Turns out it was the gas mains service pipes that are installed above ground in Georgia.
Higher up the mountain, we went the more stunning the landscape got. Our driver stopped on a number of occasions allowing for photo opportunities. First being the Patara Enguri river. An amazing shade of turquoise, which glistened in the sunlight.
Rockfalls meant there were often rocks strewn across the road. Once smooth, the roads had now deteriorated into a potholed nightmare. To make matters worse the road followed the contours of the mountains. Many twists and turns as well as bumpy.
Not ideal for those who suffer from travel sickness, sadly one of the passengers did. Turning a shade of green before he shouted “STOP”. He jumped out and disappeared behind a rock. After a few minutes, returning to the vehicle, colour restored. Shame really as he had done so well throughout the journey. Being only about 15 minutes from our destination.
Arriving at Mestia, it was noticeably cooler than it had been in Batumi. Also getting dark, finding accommodation was first on our agenda. We found a room for the night at Guesthouse Mountain View. Which we booked through Booking.com. To get there was an uphill walk of about 10 mins from the minibus drop off point in Seti Square.