Today marks 6 months in Georgia and the first Summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Here I am being a typically Digital Nomad — laying in my hammock with my laptop. Looking out into nature and a cold drink by my side. True to its title it’s indeed summer and it's hot.
This morning we’ve met up with friends at one of the first coffee spots we’ve been to when we arrived. How much different it is now from walking in freezing cold weather to a scorching 37 degrees celsius under the green trees.
Yesterday we received our final vaccination 💉 met a South African couple living here for 3 years and here we were in a Georgian hospital talking Afrikaans to total strangers. However not the strangest things that have happened to us since we’ve been here.
What’s Summer without Sea, Sunsets & a Birthday 🥳
From the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea one thing that’s in common is watching sunsets over the water. That’s also the only similarity you will find here. One there’s pebbles instead of sand, secondly, you can swim in the ocean, thirdly it’s tradition to eat corn on the beach. Ok, that last one I still don’t get….but the other two was definitely a pleasant surprise.
Watching the shoreline from within the ocean — lets you see a different perspective, listening to the sounds underwater lets you hear a different perspective, smelling the saltiness reminds you, you don’t always agree with the different perspectives but floating on the sea and feeling the water against your skin (one day it was jellyfish— non-harmful) you know it’s part of the experience which makes you grow.
I just want to set the record straight. I feel pebbled beaches get a bad reputation and me experiencing both sand and pebbles. I think pebbles are like peanut butter either you like it or not — luckily for me I love peanut butter.
It’s your Birthday 🎈
Yes, it was Daniel’s first summer birthday, we grabbed coffee at our local coffee shop, treats at Donna’s and walked on the boulevard sat at our usual park bench like we did every Saturday in Batumi enjoying the summer sun for the first time on his birthday. In the evening we went out for cocktails and pizza enjoyed the vibrant nightlife of Batumi and like always ending it off with fireworks.
Then there’s the bonus of dancing fountains, a vegan pop-up and the botanical garden
The popular boulevard is a massive entertainment area at the coastline, you will find rides, beach restaurants, shops, a Ferris wheel, the Georgian alphabet monument, Nino & Allie, water slides, soccer, volleyball and a musical treat of dancing fountains all surrounded with lights and the biggest vibe I’ve experienced. However one of the most special moments had yet to happen.
Then Daniel made history by being part of the first-ever vegan popup in Georgia 🎉 in a bustling street next to Europe square. What a special moment to be part of history right there surrounded by passionate people. Speaking of surroundings.
It’s not a Batumi visit if you didn’t visit the beautiful botanical garden next to the coast. It’s unique, it’s untouched , it’s natural, beautiful and stretches for kilometres which provides you with breathtaking views and then at this small gate, you walk over the train tracks to a hidden private beach where we sat while listing to Italian music. Looking at the life we are living which is also breathtaking.
The last summer days in Batumi
We decided to take a road trip back to Tbilisi — yes we dared to drive in Georgia again. This time around Daniel drove in the bustling city of Tbilisi like a local. Driving where we first arrived from the airport — and thought this is crazy — how far we have come or maybe we became crazier too. First, let’s go back to the black sea.
Healing Magnetic Beaches
My friend from Tbilisi joined us for a visit and we headed out by train to Ureki popular for its magnetic beaches with healing properties. The slurping of soup behind me on the train didn’t start off well but I guess the black magnetic sand healed that.
Here you will see people burying themselves in the sand to heal. While a downpour was starting we found a restaurant where I had the best lobiani. A shop owner though I’ve been there before — in her words I have a familiar face. 😂 While enjoying our tea, we played cards and listened to Bryan Adams and Roxette on a loop which reminded me of my childhood.
After the rain stopped we walked on the beach written my Georgian name in the sand and my friend fell asleep at a bus stop while waiting for our bus.
Swimming in the moonlight
While a semi rainstorm hit it didn’t stop me and my friend from drinking cocktails in the rain and going for a swim under the moonlight. Pouring with rain Daniel wasn’t very impressed being fully soaked and he got tasked with taking somewhat disappointing photos — sorry, not sorry.
Markets and taking a Marshrutka through the hills of Adjara
Our last weekend we took the local minibus to a popular waterfall walked through a small village, watched people zipline and river rafting. This is definitely a beautiful area with high humidity but also the birthplace of the famous Khachapuri.
Lastly, we spend time in a food market where the locals treated us with tasters from all around and that sums up summer life a treat all around.
“Oh when I look back now, That summer seemed to last forever” — Bryan Adams
That’s Batumi life
Anina & Daniel ♥️
