Finally, for the first time since the Mongol Rally launch we had time to relax. We left Trabzon heading to the Sumela Monastery, a Greek Orthodox monastery standing at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altındere valley. Really scenic and fun drive through the mountains and definitely a well worth 100Km detour.
On the way to the Georgian border we overtook the fellow Swedish Mongol Rally team "Highway Circus" and we ended up waiting together in line at the Georgian border. They started their day yesterday at 10pm in the evening in Istanbul and they have been driving all night long aiming for Tbilisi tonight. A crazy long drive but they had an appointment with the Swedish Ambassador and I guess they didn't really want to be late for it!
Just passed the Georgian Border we spotted a church and the first comment of the team was "Look, a church!!! This means beers and barely dressed women (which is exactly what we found...)!!!!" No wonder why Christianity is the most popular religion in the world...
We decided to end our day in Batumi, a major port city considered by many the second capital of Georgia. The city center is quite unique as it combines old run down buildings with beautiful houses and the overall atmosphere and look is very much similar to the French quarter in New Orleans.
I jumped out of the car to asking for directions and a nice guy walked me to the hotel where we got a room that I could only describe as a penthouse, amazing view of the city and a bathroom fitted with a shiny new jacuzzi. It wouldn't surprise me if they had shoot some Georgian porn movies in this room...
When I told the guy where I was from, a big smile appeared on his face and he told me "Ahhhhh, Italian! I'm Corleone!! Italian Mafia, Georgian mafia... same same!! He then introduced me to his English speaking friends who made sure to tell me "Do you see this street? When own it". A friendship with the corner boys of Batumi was established thanks to our reputation of top class organized crime...
The day ended with few beers on the seafront waiting for the sunset on the Black Sea, dinner and more beers in the beautiful "Cafe Bancarotta" (Cafe Bankruptcy) which I guess is the right place where to celebrate the looming collapse of the Eurozone and raise a toast to the "rise of the others"!
On the way to the Georgian border we overtook the fellow Swedish Mongol Rally team "Highway Circus" and we ended up waiting together in line at the Georgian border. They started their day yesterday at 10pm in the evening in Istanbul and they have been driving all night long aiming for Tbilisi tonight. A crazy long drive but they had an appointment with the Swedish Ambassador and I guess they didn't really want to be late for it!
Just passed the Georgian Border we spotted a church and the first comment of the team was "Look, a church!!! This means beers and barely dressed women (which is exactly what we found...)!!!!" No wonder why Christianity is the most popular religion in the world...
We decided to end our day in Batumi, a major port city considered by many the second capital of Georgia. The city center is quite unique as it combines old run down buildings with beautiful houses and the overall atmosphere and look is very much similar to the French quarter in New Orleans.
I jumped out of the car to asking for directions and a nice guy walked me to the hotel where we got a room that I could only describe as a penthouse, amazing view of the city and a bathroom fitted with a shiny new jacuzzi. It wouldn't surprise me if they had shoot some Georgian porn movies in this room...
When I told the guy where I was from, a big smile appeared on his face and he told me "Ahhhhh, Italian! I'm Corleone!! Italian Mafia, Georgian mafia... same same!! He then introduced me to his English speaking friends who made sure to tell me "Do you see this street? When own it". A friendship with the corner boys of Batumi was established thanks to our reputation of top class organized crime...
The day ended with few beers on the seafront waiting for the sunset on the Black Sea, dinner and more beers in the beautiful "Cafe Bancarotta" (Cafe Bankruptcy) which I guess is the right place where to celebrate the looming collapse of the Eurozone and raise a toast to the "rise of the others"!
That must be the worst looking waitress you've ever come across!
ReplyDeleteBut the place is just outstanding!Gorgeous!
TM