Georgia > The Stalin Museum in Gori

The sun is shining when I wake up. From the balcony, I can see the snow-capped peaks of the Kazbek Mountains. What a shame we didn’t have this weather yesterday. After breakfast, we drive along the Georgian Military Highway again. The clear weather makes the views over the valley spectacular. We stop to take photos. The viewing platform has seen better days; the steel reinforcement is showing through the concrete. I cautiously stay away from the railing. Just above the reservoir lies the Ananuri church and fortress. I inspect the small church and try to enter the tower via a narrow half-meter-wide passage. It’s a bit tricky to get past the mostly Chinese tourists on the narrow strip. The door to the tower is locked, but from here I have a beautiful view of the castle, the church, and the reservoir behind it. We also descend briefly to the lake. The water level is low, revealing a bridge that is usually submerged in winter. The bridge is used in winter to reach another section of the lake.

Georgia - The walled Ananuri Church

It feels odd that the bridge hasn’t simply been raised; now it’s underwater for half the year. Finally, we walk to the road bridge, which offers the best view of the entire complex. After about an hour, everyone is back at the bus. We continue to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. He was born in this Georgian town in 1878. A museum about his life is set up around his birth house. It feels somewhat strange to honor him with a museum, considering that during his Soviet leadership he was responsible for the deaths of millions of opponents. There is a lot of interest in the English tour. About fifty people try to listen to the museum guide, which is difficult because guides are simultaneously speaking to groups in other languages. The museum contains many photos of Stalin during his rule and with other world leaders.

Georgia - Stalin usually travelled through the country by train

Stalin died in 1953. In front of the museum stands the Stalin family house where Joseph was born. We also see the train he used to travel across the country, as he was afraid of flying. After visiting the museum, I buy a sandwich and a cola at the supermarket—a quick and simple lunch. We prepare for the last leg to Kutaisi, a large city in western Georgia. As the driver enters the highway, it begins to rain. This time of year can be rainy, but fortunately, we are dry inside the bus. The east and west of Georgia are separated by a mountain range. We pass through it via an eight-kilometer-long tunnel.

Georgia - The David Agmashenebeli Square with the Colchis Fountain

Suddenly, we see brake lights ahead. Several cars have collided. It seems mostly minor damage. Our driver checks with a coach also involved to see if help is needed. We cautiously drive past the vehicles. By five o’clock, we arrive at the hotel in Kutaisi. Nino takes us on a city walk. It is sometimes dry, sometimes drizzling. She shows us several statues of famous poets and leads us to David Agmashenebeli Square, where the Colchis Fountain stands. When we start looking for a restaurant, the rain intensifies. We quickly rush inside one, but it’s full. They direct us to a good alternative by the river. We order several traditional dishes to share. Just as I return to the hotel, the rain starts pouring heavily. We’ve been lucky. Even when we go to bed, the rain continues outside.