Another late start on our last day here as, AGAIN, we didnt set alarms. We walked down to Meidan Square to order a Bolt as its a bit of a maze where our guesthouse is.
Who should we see on the square but our taxi driver from the other day. He pretended not to remember us but Claire was straight in there, soon by me. He used the usual excuses then offered to take us somewhere for free, then offered to take us to the airport for free tomorrow, then offered us 50 lari back. He had rippped us off for about 130 lari and obviously knew he was in the wrong.
Claire went to call the police in the middle of all this but the number didnt work so she did some super acting and pretended she was calling them. We kept saying no to his offers, he brought in a translator and moaned to his mates. He said if we called the police we would get nothing. So Claire did call the police. He
We said we would accept that and, as Claire went to cancel the police, they turned up. They took details of Claire and him and we said it was sorted and sorry we had to call them. Taxi git had still made too much money but it was definitely a victory for us, plus is now on file so hopefully he wont try it again. Claire hoped the cops took him round the back and beat him up, but getting most of our money back and him being on police record will do. We feel better! The cop actually told us to use Bolt in future so we said we already had it thanks to taxi git.
Dimitri the Bolt driver said he spoke about seven languages but English wasnt one of them. Thats fine mate, I only really know one! He spoke a bit of English, took us where wanted to go and didnt rip us off. We said thank you in English, German, Georgian and Greek.
which a previous guide had We really didnt expect the monument to be as huge as it was.it is massive! There are a number of columns, all with carvings on, and it is very impressive. One of the towers and the small neighbouring chapel appear to be called Stonehenge so maybe thats where they got their inspiration?
We walked down the hill to a reservoir which had a bit of a stony beach that some locals were treating like it was an actual beach. As it was hot and sunny it did sort of work even though the area was a bit gammy. No toilets for example and the two cafes were run down and only seemed to have drinks. I wouldnt visiting.
We sat in the shade writing blogs and.gulp.relaxing.. Claire even got her macro lens out to scare off all the bugs and butterflies. Its like a holiday! Then the wind started building up so we caught a Bolt back to the square, had a meal while watching the police hassle all the taxi drivers.ahem. And then we quickly rushed back to our guesthouse as the rain started.
writing we headed out for one last walk in Tiblisi. Claire found there was a Museum of Selifies only about 30 minutes walk away and it was only 1 lari to get in. On the way we walked down a street I labelled Hassle Street. Its one of those roads with restaurants either side and someone at every restaurant hassling you in. I know they have a job to do, Ive done it myself in the past, but it is annoying.
I also tried a local delicacy for the first (and last) time today. Its called churchkhela and is walnuts on a string, dipped in grape juice, laced with sugar I think. The grape juice goes solid but a bit pliable. It was okay, too sweet for Claire, and I wont be rushing to have any more.
So we get to aforementioned museum and its 20 lari to get in. Too dear and we havent got that much cash left anyway. I decide we should walk back a different way to avoid Hassle Street so we cross the river and start walking along a pavement. Then the pavement stops but the road is really wide. Then
Theres a road just above us and a thick metal pipe to cling on to so we drag ourselves up a dangerous slopeto find ourselves trapped behind two locked gates. We clamber down the dangerous slope clinging on to the thick metal pipe and make our way along the wall again.
