Gudauri
After a day out and about in Tbilisi it was time for an excursion up the Georgian Military Highway almost as far as the border into the Russian Republic of North Ossetia–Alania (see the introduction above).
Not far out of Tbilisi we soon realised that we were into the countryside - where the traditional role of shepherd is still practiced.
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Neither the sheep nor their shepherds seemed to be in much of a hurry
too bad if the military wanted to use their highway
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These days the Military Highway's use is commercial as many semi-trailers grind their way back and forth to Russia in the facilitation of trade and travellers make their way to the ski fields around Gudauri and Stepantsminda.
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Georgian Skiing Villages - around Stepantsminda
But our ultimate goal was the 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church - elevation of 2170 meters (7120 feet)
Initially our trip was by coach into the mountains but as the going got tough the tough got going and we transferred to several 4 wheel drive min-vans.
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Gergeti Trinity Church and environs
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On the way up we'd spotted the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument with the promise that we'd stop here on the way back for a 'comfort stop'.
Throughout the trip these stops had played havoc with our schedule. None of the coaches had an on-board toilet so that regular stops were essential. Sometimes a shopping mall or restaurant would have multiple toilets but other times there would be just one or two. An average of two minutes per person 33 people - do the maths. It wasn't long before some of us resorted to finding a convenient bush and this is where that solution fell to almost everyone. The portable toilets were chained closed!
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The Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument
Great views - but 'inconvenient'