Batumi

One of my weaknesses is coastal cities. They always have a certain positive attitude, lightness and serenity. The main thing is to be in them outside the tourist season.

Batumi is unlike any other city in Georgia. And his story is somewhat different.

At the beginning of the 20th century, it was Stalin who led the revolt of the Social Democrats at the Rothschild factory here, After the October Revolution and the collapse of the Caucasian Front from 1918 to 1919, the city was reoccupied by the Ottoman Empire, and then by the British. In 1920, Soviet Russia recognized the independence of the Georgian Democratic Republic. Since 1921, Batumi has received the status of an Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic of Adjaristan. Even after the collapse of the USSR, the republic remains in the status of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and a Free Economic Zone within Georgia.

Not only are many signs and menus duplicated here in Russian and Turkish, but residents also communicate freely in these languages. During all this time, I have heard a speech in Georgian only a couple of times.

An interesting observation is that in Batumi the season opens closer to the middle of June, but the preparation for it starts only in May. This is noticeable in comparison with the almost neighboring resort of Sochi, where it is difficult to find free places on the beach in May, and all preparatory work is carried out in March and April.

In mid-May, there were practically no people on the beaches, despite the street temperature of 31 degrees.

The city is actually divided into its old incredibly beautiful part and a new one, which is being built up with skyscrapers. The towers were sold off as apartments, which are now littered with booking.

But for myself, I preferred to stay in the old part of the city, where there are parking lots, convenient infrastructure and no construction sites.

Batumi is beautiful. Incredibly warm and comfortable atmosphere, almost all the ground floors are given over to cafes, restaurants and small shops. And there are a great many options for accommodation.

Prices are significantly higher than in Tbilisi. And they promise to grow even more by the season. But that's not the main thing.

Many parks, an excellent large promenade and the magnificent architecture of the city were pleasantly pleased.

In addition to the resort area, there is also a fishing port within the city center. The main port of Batumi is located a little further away, and the largest port of Georgia is located in the city of Poti.

Fishermen gather around it in the morning.

But from the point of view of a beach holiday, I would prefer other places: the entrance to the sea is rocky and quite sharp. the locker rooms are broken, and dirty in them.

Most likely, everything will be put in order by the opening of the season. Locals say that the reason is the recent storm, which brought a lot of destruction to the first coastline.

Some part of the embankment and the shore itself are under repair. It is hoped that after its completion, really comfortable and modern beach areas will appear.

But otherwise, it is a great and very beautiful place that left extremely positive emotions.

Next, I will tell you about Poti and Kutaisi