Gremi and Lagpdekhi

Another COLD but leisure morning was followed a visit to the local market for lunch supplies. Our journey today was only 90 KM with a stop to visit the fortress and church at Gremi. It was built in 1360 AD and was the seat of local government until the late 19th century. The frescos in the church were magnificent.

We stopped lunch at a hillside turnout overlooking the valley and then continued to Lagpdekhi were we will stay the on preparation for our border crossing into Azerbaijan in the morning. We are ten miles from the Russian border and four miles from the Azer border. Three languages are spoken in this village. Interesting!

An amazing family experience

We traveled to a small family vineyard where we met the owner, his mother snd wife. We were shown the underground fermenting vats and presses. Then came the tasting of three different wines. They offered us homemade cheeses and bread and we toasted each other again and again. Tastings consisted of full glasses each time and then more if we wanted...as much more as we wanted.

Rico, the vintner, then started a small bonfire and roasted hunks if fresh pork on spits. What followed was food orgy of the family's favorite dishes, salads, cheese, and breads. More toasts and more wine...and then the homemade cha-cha. Needless to say we had an awesome time and walked away with rosary cheeks, full bellies, and warmed hearts. This was not a commercial winery. This was a local family inviting us into their home, and they did agree to sell us adore jugs of wine which we "hope" will carry us through to Ashgabat.

If that wasn't enough we then drove a formal winery on the estate if an 1800s nobleman. We toured the mansion, then did dime tastings. In the end we purchased a couple of really nice reds.

On the way back to the homestay we stopped at a local firehouse as a surprise for Enid. It was her birthday and she "loves" firemen! Back at the house we gave her a surprise party complete with balloons and cake! What fun!

Shaumta Monastary

We woke to a few inches of fresh snow and a really cold morning. Seeing us shivering at the breakfast table, Sasa decided to press the innkeeper to turn on the hidden furnace...ah, there actually IS one after all.

We transferred to a private bus for today's tour and drove a short way out of town. The Monastary is run and maintained strictly by women and had some really nice frescos. There was a couple if inches of snow which prompted a snowball fight!