August 18 Stepantsmanda, Georgia
When I arrived at the Russian border at 5.30 pm. I was greeted
with a long queue of cars and trucks, I rode around them all to get to the
front.
But it still took about 1 ½ hour to get through to Georgia, and rode to
my hotel at Stepantsminda around 7.30 pm. The hotel owner did not have my
online booking. Then I realized that I book it in September instead of August! She
managed to put me in a large room with 4 beds. I went out to take out cash from
ATM and had dinner at a local restaurant. I was in this town 3 years ago where
I met Adrian from Romanian after I had breakfast at a cafe. Unfortunately, the cafe is still there but no longer running.
I met a group of Polish people with a 4 wheel drive and a KTM 400. They
were the support crews for a group of 11 adventure bikes ranging from KTM 400
to BMW 1200GS. The bikes would be arriving tomorrow, but I won’t be there to
meet them.
Beautiful mountain scenery near Stepantsminda
August 19 Tbilisi, Georgia
The ride to Tbilisi was short and pleasant. I rode through
the same way 3 years ago, and spent a week in Georgia, so this time I would
stay in a hotel outside the city. The hotel is run by a few Indian immigrants
who studied in hotel management in Georgia. They were very friendly and
helpful.
I then took a local bus into the city and visit all those
places that I visited before. Dinner was at a the best steak restaurant in
Tbilisi. It was nice but not as good as our steak in Australia.
Metekhi Church, a famous 12th century church in Tbilisi
August 20 – August 21 Yerevan, Armenia
I arrived at the Georgian/Armenian border around 11 am.
Leaving Georgia was quick and simple, but entering Armenia took an hour of
obtaining visa, paying for some sort of insurance, and going through a few more
counters. An English guy came and told me that I need to buy third party
insurance in Armenia, and directed me to the insurance office just after the
border where I bought a 10 days bike insurance for around $7. The houses in
Armenian countryside are in worst condition than those in Georgia. But they
have beautiful mountains and curvy roads with few traffic - a paradise for
motorcyclist. I stop by this roadside café for a kebab lunch.
I was really enjoying the nice scenery the riding. I
overtook a few cars and truck up a steep curvy road and then pass a small
village. I was cruising along until I see a police car appearing from nowhere
with flashing light. I pulled over and
the middle aged policeman was quite relax and explained to me by writing on a
piece of paper that I was passing cars up the steep hill where there was no
passing lines, and that I was doing 82 kph in the village. First offense
300,000 Dram, second offense 180,000 Dram. He then
said 300,000 Dram if I paid now. I offered 200,000 Dram ( $57) or writing out the ticket and
I would pay in a bank in Yerevan (I had no intention of doing that as I planned
to stay in Armenia for 2 days only). He then accepted my cash and drove off
happily. I think I have just doubled his
and his partner’s pay for the day. I still enjoy the rest of the day ride to
Yerevan, but at legal speed.
Two happy Armenian cops driving off into the distance
Yerevan’s main attraction is the Opera house and the Cascade
complex, where they had a concert for each of the two nights I was there. First
night was folk music, and second night
was jazz. The music was first class! The Cascade complex is a impressive series
of steps built into the hillside, but unfortunately it was never finished as
they ran out of money. The finished part was fantastic.
Cascade Complex - front viewCascade complex - view from top
Cascade Complex - Night time Folk concert
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