FOCUS GONDOLA

Jon, John and I birdwatched most of the morning. But after we arrived home, we prepared to taxi downtown for lunch at a French restaurant, walk to the gondola station, board the gondola up to "Mother Georgia" and the fortress/church, then walk down to visit souvenir stores, stop for a beer, and then head home. This evening will be a Georgian restaurant with a folk dancing and singing show.

Our birdwatching took us way out on a narrow gravel road leading to a big lake.

The sound of a Corn Bunting is music to the ears.

The ground was moist so many large snails came out to search for food.

This beautiful flower was quite small, but extremely beautiful.

Carrot soup.

Leek quiche.

Eggs benedict, fried potatoes, and salad. The food at the French restaurant was good.

Even though Cheryl does not like heights, she bravely got into the gondola and traveled happily.

CLICK HERE to ride the gondola up the mountain with us.

Once at the top, we walked a bit to appreciate the view. Then we headed down the steps to the church inside of the fortress and finally to the base of the mountain where we found some souvenir shops.

A huge statue of "Mother Georgia" stands at the top of the mountain.

The view from the top gave us a view of all of the old center of Tbilisi.

The old stands with the new. Residences are located alongside churches. Business find space in between.

I was reminded of Japan when I saw plastic pieces tied to a tree - good luck? In Japan, prayer papers are tied to trees so that the wish might come true.

CLICK HERE to see a congregation waiting to get inside the church while the service is in session.

There is no room inside, so a worshipper spends time praying along the outside wall of the church.

One cannot but marvel at God's wonderful creation!

Jon, Julissa, John, Cheryl, Mattias, and Alba on the mountain.