Quote:
Originally Posted by mello
I lived in Tbilisi for 5 months in the summer of 2011, what were your impressions of it? I explored every nook and cranny of the place that was worth seeing and I agree with what KOTH said. I did start to get a bit bored and not having an ocean close by sucked. Did you get to go to Batumi?
Regarding climate Azerbaijan is very mild as well for an ex Soviet Republic and Baku is BOOMING!! I hope Pallo got to go there and has some pics.
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My impressions of Tbilisi
- It's a city full of contradictions (e.g on one hand you have crumbling buildings and on the other hand you have free wifi almost everywhere)
- I think those major works they did like the fancy bridge were not necessary when there is still so much to do in terms of basic infrastructure, the underway passages on rustaveli avenue for example are filthy and without any lights
- City felt quite safe
- Traffic is terrible, there is cars literally everywhere day and night
- There is a small vibrant Iraqi community of about 5000 who have made Tbilisi their home
- There is new fancy shops popping up everywhere, whether people are wealthy enough to shop in them I am not sure
- Despite Georgia being a sworn enemy with Russia, there are still Russian tourists visiting Tbilisi
- I guess there is not much to do in Tbilisi from a tourist perspective, Batumi is probably prettier and more interesting
- Tbilisi new airport is small but extremely functional, there might not be lots of food options but they have just opened a burger king just as you come in on the right hand side
- Georgian language looks pretty in writing, but it is not very pleasant to hear. It sounds very tough