Today was my friend and fellow volunteer Konstantin's birthday! He is posted in Poti, which is about an hour away from me by bus. This was my first time visiting, and I definitely will be going back!
To give you some context, Poti is a coastal port city in the northwestern region of Samegrelo. It is fairly large, with a population of a little under 50,000.
While waiting for the entire group to arrive, a couple of us wandered around the bazaar. I bought a wild neon pink fuzzy bathrobe (which had actually been on my list of things to get because once winter comes walking outside to my shower will be a nightmare). The fact that it was neon pink only added to its charm. Also, now I will fit in with Georgian ladies who all rock fuzzy bathrobes.
Then, once the group had assembled, we went to Kolkheti National Park, which is just on the outskirts of Poti. One of the Poti volunteers works there and so we got the full experience. We went kayaking on the river, which was amazing! The crazy part is that it looked just like the coastal plains and wetlands of North Carolina! If I forgot for a moment I was in Georgia, I could have sworn I was paddling around home. Unfortunately, due to a desire to save our phones from a watery death, we did not take any pictures. However, the Internet knows all, so here are some photos of where we were:
It was really fun and relaxing! And the staff were the absolute best! They gave Konstantin a cupcake and a bird book because it was his birthday! I will definitely have to go back on my birthday...
We also got the chance to visit Poti Cathedral, which is an absolutely beautiful example of a Georgian Orthodox Church!
Then we ended the day by going for a quick bite at a restaurant that is a pirate ship. It actually is a floating boat! I was sufficiently geeking out and will have to return to get the full experience later.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by Poti, and will definitely look forward to returning!
To give you some context, Poti is a coastal port city in the northwestern region of Samegrelo. It is fairly large, with a population of a little under 50,000.
While waiting for the entire group to arrive, a couple of us wandered around the bazaar. I bought a wild neon pink fuzzy bathrobe (which had actually been on my list of things to get because once winter comes walking outside to my shower will be a nightmare). The fact that it was neon pink only added to its charm. Also, now I will fit in with Georgian ladies who all rock fuzzy bathrobes.
Then, once the group had assembled, we went to Kolkheti National Park, which is just on the outskirts of Poti. One of the Poti volunteers works there and so we got the full experience. We went kayaking on the river, which was amazing! The crazy part is that it looked just like the coastal plains and wetlands of North Carolina! If I forgot for a moment I was in Georgia, I could have sworn I was paddling around home. Unfortunately, due to a desire to save our phones from a watery death, we did not take any pictures. However, the Internet knows all, so here are some photos of where we were:
It was really fun and relaxing! And the staff were the absolute best! They gave Konstantin a cupcake and a bird book because it was his birthday! I will definitely have to go back on my birthday...
We also got the chance to visit Poti Cathedral, which is an absolutely beautiful example of a Georgian Orthodox Church!
As you may know, in the Georgian Orthodox Church, women cover their heads and wear long skirts in church. Luckily, most churches keep scarves and skirts at the entrances! Here I am regretting my polka-dot fashion choice:
Then we ended the day by going for a quick bite at a restaurant that is a pirate ship. It actually is a floating boat! I was sufficiently geeking out and will have to return to get the full experience later.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by Poti, and will definitely look forward to returning!
I was wondering if this was an old trip or a new one. Such diversity of scenery in such a small nation. Incredible. However, you did not include the really strange picture of you from Instagram--was that from the pirate restaurant?
ReplyDeletethis this was a new trip from this week on Thursday! And as for the picture...basically we were shopping in the bazaar and I got the bright pink bathrobe and Konstantin got the floatie and the hat is my other friend's. For some reason it was decided I must put it all on...
Delete