Category Archives: Georgia

Continuing east towards Azerbaijan

Wednesday July 16, 2014, 66 miles (106 km) – Total so far: 3,859 miles (6,210 km)

Wednesday July 16, 2014 66 miles Finally after three sick days we were back on the road. Our previous three day trip over the mountains drinking fountain water turned out bad as we both got sick. Every time we came up to a public fountain we gulped the water without filtering. The locals are obviously immune to this river water where the cows are plentiful and the outhouses dump. We do have a SteriPen but didn’t use it because we were so hot and thirsty. Live and learn. We spent three nights in a nice hotel recuperating with lots of rest, bottled water, and eating ramen noodle soup.

We got a good start and remained strong until after lunch when we both got sick again. The miles continued as we both wanted a hotel instead of camping. We finally found one after 66 miles. It was a rough day but we were proud of our miles.

We just found out that our Azerbaijan e-visa is not ready yet. Besides it has an entry date of July 23rd and entry cannot be made before then. The major city of Tbilisi, Georgia is our destination (about 60 miles from here) as it is about 12 miles from the border with Azerbaijan. This seems to be a biker party town as many wait there for their visa entry date. Unfortunately I guess we will wait there several days also.

The biggest and best news is that our Iran visa has been approved and is ready. We had no idea that it was still in work as we had applied several months ago. Our plan is to pick up this visa in Baku, Azerbaijan then proceed south to Iran. We will miss the Caspian Sea and Kazakhstan but explore the beautiful country of Iran for 28 days. Of all the biking blogs I have read Iran is the favorite country to traverse. We are so excited about this route change.

Hotel Star, Akhaltsikhe, Georgia. A very nice, clean and quiet hotel thanks to Omari, the proprietor. Our room on the 2nd floor corner. We spent three nights here recuperating from our water drinking illness.
Hotel Star, Akhaltsikhe, Georgia. A very nice, clean and quiet hotel thanks to Omari, the proprietor. Our room on the 2nd floor corner. We spent three nights here recuperating from our water drinking illness.
The view from downtown.
The view from downtown.
Rabati Castle.
Rabati Castle.
Heading east into the mountains again.
Heading east into the mountains again.
We like these kinds of "raw" castles and they are plentiful.
We like these kinds of “raw” castles and they are plentiful.
A pretty setting with horses.
A pretty setting with horses.
We have two 10 liter MSR water bags and decided to start using one with bottled water inside. Since 10 liters is 22 pounds this is a significant change on the bike. Jocelyn, being the daughter that she is, is carrying a 10 liter bag now. I told her that every time I ask for water it is easier on her.
We have two 10 liter MSR water bags and decided to start using one with bottled water inside. Since 10 liters is 22 pounds this is a significant change on the bike. Jocelyn, being the daughter that she is, is carrying a 10 liter bag now. I told her that every time I ask for water it is easier on her.
Another castle.
Another castle.
The road to a monastery.
The road to a monastery.
Another green commute.
Another green commute.
The road was there then not...
The road was there then not…
From this evidence I think the cow was more afraid of Jocelyn.
From this evidence I think the cow was more afraid of Jocelyn.
Our mid-morning break stop...
Our mid-morning break stop…
...and the outhouse across the road that dumps directly into the river. Hey, but it had toilet paper.
…and the outhouse across the road that dumps directly into the river. Hey, but it had toilet paper.
Now this is a first class squat toilet complete with paper, flushing, sink, soap, and an automatic paper towel dispenser. Plus with the tile job this is the finest we have seen. Great lunch spot too!
Now this is a first class squat toilet complete with paper, flushing, sink, soap, and an automatic paper towel dispenser. Plus with the tile job this is the finest we have seen. Great lunch spot too!
Flushing action! The first I have seen. Normally one will fill a small pail with water and throw that water in.
Flushing action! The first I have seen. Normally one will fill a small pail with water and throw that water in.
A fine lunch of Caesar salad, mushroom soup, mushrooms in a clay pot, and Mexican potatoes.
A fine lunch of Caesar salad, mushroom soup, mushrooms in a clay pot, and Mexican potatoes.
So green.
So green.
All of a sudden instead of melons there were many stands of chairs, hammocks, swings, and rugs.
All of a sudden instead of melons there were many stands of chairs, hammocks, swings, and rugs.
These birds were trying to cross the road in heavy traffic. Jocelyn waited until the traffic cleared then persuaded them to cross at that time.
These birds were trying to cross the road in heavy traffic. Jocelyn waited until the traffic cleared then persuaded them to cross at that time.
One day 66 miles.
One day 66 miles.