Before my day three in Georgia starts – at the night of day two I was checking places or I say great places to visit next. I was checking for castles or fortresses and some historic landmarks in Georgia. But most of it were far from the capital, so I need a long drive! Then I checked buses, taxis and others for those landmarks I like. I found Uplistsikhe caves that interest me. I like the place, it has a lot of history and  was once an urban settlements in Georgia – one of the oldest. I found David Gareji too – but too far from each other! Then my hostel host messaged me if I like to go to Mtskheta city. I checked it, I’m interested but not that much. So I asked if I can go to Uplistsikhe caves or David Gareji but he suggested that Mtskheta is much better and nearer. First, I’m hesitant because what I like the most is Uplistsikhe caves or David Gareji and these entice me that night! 😀 Sometimes, I have this attitude too that I go or do what I like the most. But later on, with some price discussions and other places to include, I agree to go. No choice I haven’t yet found a ride for driving far places or I didn’t have schedules for public buses yet.

So sold! My day three was for Mtskheta City for Gel 50.00 that includes nearby monasteries.

MY DAY 3 IN GEORGIA:

Located approximately 20 kilometres northern side of Tbilisi, confluence of the Argavi and Mtkvari rivers – Mtskheta City is one of the oldest city and was the former capital of Georgia. In 2014, Mtskheta city was declared as the “Holy City” by the Georgian Orthodox Church because it’s the birthplace and center of Christianity in Georgia. It is still the headquarters of Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic churches in the country.

Click the link for my Day 3 video: Mtskheta | Day 3 | ‘Solo Travel’ 2017 | Georgia

Below are the places I’ve visited at Mtskheta on my Day 3 visit in Georgia.

1. JVARI MONASTERY 

This is the monastery of Cross – as Jvari name means cross in Georgian. This is the place where Saint Nino stayed and prayed and erected a wooden cross. For more information of this monastery please click my separate post: Jvari Monastery – Historical Monuments in Mtskheta.

Distance from Tbilisi city to Jvari monastery: We started from the hostel so the distance from Corner Hostel to Jvari Monastery is approximately 32 kilometres and will take you almost 1 hour ride on a private car.

Jvari Monastery

2. SHIO MONASTERY

Shio-Mgvime – literally means the ‘cave of Shio’. In history Shio was a monk who founded the monastery in the 6th century. He became a hermit and stayed at this deep cave in his last years. Then later on this place named after him as ‘Shiomgvime’ which means the cave of Shio.

Well, the place is great too! Even though we haven’t gone inside because the monastery was closed on Easter Sunday. But the area was so tranquil and not a touristic place. Hmmm, I love to be there inside – as I read some post this place is so clean and so peaceful. I love quite place which gives you a feeling of heaven on earth especially on the Lenten Season for reflection. 🙂

Distance from Jvari Monastery to Shio-Mgvime is approximately 24 kilometres which will take you of about 35 minutes ride in a private car.

Shio Monastery

3. SAMTAVRO MONASTERY

Samtavro Monastery was built in the 4th century by King Mirian III of Iberia (now Georgia). This is the place where King Mirian III and his wife Nana buried.

My host told me that here is where academy was located where the kings children did their studies. Nearby is a cemetery as well.

Outside of Samtavro Monastery

Inside of Samtavro Monastery – the tombs of King Mirian III of Iberia and his wife Nana.

4. MTSKHETA SOUVENIRS MARKET

At the city centre of Mtskheta City, we dropped by at their souvenirs market – the colorful market in Georgia. Just nearby from Samtavro Monastery approximately 650 metres of about 5 minutes ride by car. Kindly click the link for more photos at Mtskheta’s colorful market: Souvenirs Market at Mtskheta City, Georgia

At Mtskheta City souvenirs market

5. SVETITSKHOVELI CATHEDRAL

Svetitskhoveli is the Cathedral of the Living Pillar. It is located at the centre of Mtskheta city and a walking distance from the souvenirs market. An Eastern Orthodox Cathedral and is recognized by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites. It is the second largest building (church) in Georgia after the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba). For more information of this cathedral please click my separate post: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral – Historical Monuments of Mtskheta

View from the entrance of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

6. RESTAURANT IN MTSKHETA

In Mtskheta market my host asked me what I like to eat, so that he can introduce which place to go for our lunch. That time it’s Easter Sunday already but I still like to eat veges and so he asked me if I like beans? Well, actually beans is not that my favorite but yeah I tried it. After our visit at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral we went to Salobio Restaurant in Mtskheta city by 1:15 in the afternoon. Click the link for the food we eat there it’s on number 3 Lobio: Georgia’s traditional foods and drinks you must try

Inside the Salobio Restaurant

There I met these beautiful people from Dubai. At first, I thought kuya Kong is a Japanese! Haha, well he is a Filipino and they are Filipinos – Bisaya living in the UAE. It is really great that while travelling you too can met your kababayan. I was very happy! 😀

Meet kuya Kong and ate Flor

7. REZO GABRIADZE PUPPET THEATRE

I checked this nice landmark, took some photos and stayed for few minutes just to relax at this beautiful place. Kindly click the link for more of the Puppet theatre: Mini Puppet Theatre at the Leaning Clock Tower in Tbilisi

Before I reached here on my way, I met a Filipino couple also they are from Zamboanga – Bisaya! I forgot to asked their names and photos as well. 🙂

The story is this while walking alone towards the leaning tower with my phone in hand as I was looking for the map, I noticed voices which is familiar. I looked ahead then back to my phone and continue walking then the voices were nearer, I looked at my left side and  found two people in their back looking for souvenirs which was displayed at the side of the road. I stopped and listened carefully to the language they used. Few seconds later “Nindot ba ila souvenirs?” I asked and we all laughed. 😀 Then we talked.

The Leaning Clock Tower in Tbilisi

This day I didn’t saw the puppet show because that time I didn’t knew yet the time schedule. It showed only twice everyday by 12 noon and by 7pm.

After few minutes rest at the leaning clock tower I walked ahead and found this happy statue. There I was thinking where to go – on my left or I’ll continue on my right or I’ll cross the street? I was not sure! Then while I took photos to these statues – the two couple which I just met minutes ago came and we met again. We laughed! And kuya the guy volunteered and requested me to post there near the statue. He said “You should have your photos too!” and got my phone. Thank you po! They advised me to do the city tour which cost only for GEL 50 – the office at freedom square.

Dancing with the statue at the partk outside Rezo Gabriadze Theatre

8. FREEDOM SQUARE

After our little conversation, I went to the left which I mentioned earlier and that leads to Freedom Square. My purpose – I was looking for City Bus Tour shop for next day activity. When I was at Freedom Square I cannot find any shop and I asked many people if there is any shop there. First, in the supermarket when I bought water I asked the people there but they can’t speak English but suggested me to go to the policemen outside. Yeah, there were policemen outside and so I did but they didn’t know (they speak a little English). I walked, reached the statue of liberty and met two teenager who can speak English well but again they didn’t knew. Then I asked a man – nope then another two ladies while eating outside the restaurant but failed. I continue walking then few steps from the restaurant I found a small shop. Yeah, I did found one shop! But hmmm, there is also other shop at the center of Pushkin Park. 😀

9. HOSTEL

By almost 20:00 hours I went back to hostel. But before I reached my hostel, on my way I found a Catholic Church the name is ‘Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary’. But didn’t gone inside because it was closed.

By 22:30 in the evening I tried to go outside my hostel and planned to go to Kartlis Deda by myself just walking. The old town Tbilisi in the area where I was staying was very quiet. Alone while walking heading to the statue made me think why so quiet? I didn’t saw any people until maybe almost half of the way to the statue I heard men laughing. Then there was this little voice (of fear) in my mind who said “Stop! Don’t go, go back to your room!” But my adventurous thought who really love to try walking towards Kartlis Deda and loves to see the beautiful lights at night was arguing. Haha! So I continued walking and when I’m near from those voices of men laughing loudly my fear thoughts won! So I slowly went backwards and walk calmly towards my hostel. Lol! 😀 I was not scared and it was not scary though, I don’t know but I just went backwards and listened to the other voice in my mind. 🙂

DAY 3 TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT:  GEL 75.00

note: currency equivalent based on this date

And for my dinner that evening – some foods that I bought on my first day still there. Bread, fruits and some snacks! 😀