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Saturday, 21 February 2015

GEORGIA - Tblilisi (Part 2)

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After I reached Tbilisi, I still had some free time. Decided to explore Tbilisi on foot since the hotel I stayed is near Europe Square and Old Tbilisi.


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Wow, I didn’t expect to see so many people gathering at Europe Square. Looks like there is a festival or something.


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There were some exhibitions of photos and paintings too.


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There was a martial art show which attracted people like bee to honey.


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A guy holding up a Georgian Martial Art flag.


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You can even try out archery here.


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And there was stage performances.


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People spending time leisurely around the square. Metekhi Church is just on top of the hill within walking distance.


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Fancy buying some balloons or colourful headbands?


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It’s like a mini fleece market here.


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More photographs and paintings being displayed on the Metekhi Bridge.


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The weather was really good and the view of Metekhi Church from the bridge is captivating.


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My shades came in handy.


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Just across the Metekhi Bridge.is Old Tbilisi. This district has a lot of tourist attraction including churches, museums, sulphur bathhouse, shops and restaurants.


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We stumbled upon this street which has restaurants lining on both sides – perfect location to have my dinner.


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There are some chic boutiques…


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… and souvenir shops along the street.


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We had a nice time strolling on these cobbled streets.


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There is one peculiar statue sitting on a rock seat.


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Looks like a favourite photo spot too.


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Mother of Georgia can be seen on top of the hill.


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There is also a small park nearby.


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Plenty of old buildings with open balcony around the area.


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Ice cream shop.


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Guest house.


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Boutiques.


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Wine shop.


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We bought some bread on our way walking towards Freedom Square.


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Freedom Square is formerly known as Erivan Square, first Beria Square and then Lenin Square under the Soviet Union. In 1918, it was first named Freedom Square following the collapse of the Russian Empire.


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The Liberty Monument depicting St. George slaying the dragon replaces a large statue of Lenin which was torn down in August 1991.


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Boutiques around the Freedom Square.


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A giant ice cream cone for hungry travellers.


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An underground passage beneath Freedom Square.


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Need to pee? No problem. There is a paid toilet in the underground passage.


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Coming out from the “Underground Retail Zone”.


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Old books on sale. It’s a pity I can’t read Georgian language.


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View of Freedom Square.


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Walking down the Rustaveli Avenue from Freedom Square.


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After walking for a while at Rustaveli Avenue, we decided to head back to Old Tbilisi for dinner.


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Plenty of restaurants for you to choose from.


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Decided to eat dinner here at the Tifliso Georgian Restaurant.


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Beer for my hubby and Cappuccino for me.


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Father and son bonding time while waiting for the food.


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My hubby ordered a lamb stew for appetiser.


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The main course is a chicken dish. Yummy!


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View of Narikala Fortress at night.


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At night, the The Bridge of Peace illuminates by the over 6000 LED lights installed at the bridge.


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I was told that within the bridge are motion sensors triggering some of lights, giving an impression that the bridge lights come on for each person setting foot on the bridge. The designer considers this communication celebration of life and peace between people.


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Hotel Penthouse.


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Erm, not sure why there’s a wall of moss besides the metro station.


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Just when we were tired from all the walking, we suddenly saw not one but two limousines waiting for us to take us back to the hotel! Well, dream on.


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Well, there was fireworks that night because of that special Tbilisi day celebration. It was also our last night in Georgia.


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Well, thank you for the fireworks. We had a blast too.


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We headed to Sadakhlo Border to cross over to Armenia in the next morning.


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Goodbye, Georgia.

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