The GMH, stretches all the way from Tbilisi to the border with Russia, some 130 miles in length.
The journey on this leg of my travels is just about 20 miles, passing through the Jvari Pass, the highest point at just under 7,800 ft, to another village, Gergati.
Although only a short distance the travelling time is over three hours due to the nature of the road and the number of Lorries travelling to and from The Russian Federation. It does however offer some of the most dramatic scenery of the entire road trip.
Gudauri, situated 7,200ft above sea level, a sleepy little town outside the skiing season. Was the starting point.
So after a night of imbibing copious amounts of red wine (a new found pleasure of mine), with my eight assorted ladies,It was a dreaded early morning start. My head was really fuzzy, I am content that my snaps weren't!
The weather was wet and cloudy, "It changes quickly in the mountains, don't worry", we were told
So off we set. The snow capped Mt. Kazak at 16k ft, was often visible
The miserable fucker driving the bus would not stop on the road to get some snaps, words to the effect " too busy, we drive". " traffic no we go", was what I got.
The best of the "shot through the window of a moving bus" but, yes hurrrrah, the weather picked up.
The GMH, in one form or another has been around since 1st century BCE, used by traders and invaders alike, it evolved from a horse trail to the road used today, built by the Russian in 1800 it has now evolved into a tarmacadam highway, except when in the winter when the snow and the frost turn stretches into washed out gravel.
Arriving without incident at Gergeti, to swap into local taxis to get to the church on the hill.
and looking back down at the town of Stepantsminda
I didn't bother with the church, I was more interested in the quickly descending, enveloping clouds.
The ladies were walking back to the town, fuck all that, back in the taxi to have a mooch around the back streets.
Yes, which I enjoyed immensely.