Anecdote from the region Samtskhe-Javakheti
Dwóch mieszkańców regionu, Gogi i Hareba, zapragnęli stać się sławnymi. Postanowili więc, że kupią wielbłąda.Wielbłąd okazał się jednak dużym zwierzęciem i nie zmieścił się do jednego domu. Jeden z nich postanowił więc wyburzyć ścianę działową, tak żeby wielbłąd zmieścił się w dwóch mieszkaniach. Po pewnym czasie Hareba zechciał nieco zaoszczędzić na wydatkach nie karmiąc wielbłąda i powiedział do współwłaściciela: Byłoby lepiej, gdyby ta część, która je, pozostała w twoim domu! Po dwóch tygodniach przybiega Hareba do Gogi i mu mówi: Gogi, mam dosyć, odwróćmy wielbłąda, teraz ja będę go karmić!
Samtskhe-Javakheti is edged by the Arsiani Mountains to the west and shares a border with Adjara region. To the north it is edged by the Persati Mountains and has borders with Guria and Imereti regions. Its southern edge runs along the Georgian border with Turkey and Armenia. The whole region is broken by ravines, springs and lakes. There are very few large flatland. The climate is different; winters are cold with many snow, while springs are long and warm.
Samtshke-Javakheti's location at the crossroads of three civilizations contributed to intense development of relations between the ancient cultures of Georgia, Asia Minor and the Middle East. The region is one of the oldest inhabited regions of Georgia. It boasts multiple archeological sites, although a lot of historical data about the land is still to be traced.
The most interesting place to visit is Vardzia Cave Complex, witch is one of the most improtant and imressive historic monuments in Georgia. Carved into a cliff the caves go up for half a kilometer and used to have as many as 13 stories. These floors were connected by a complex system of tunnels. There were over 3000 caves that could accommodate up to 50.000 people at a time. Besides the region is known also by its winter resorts in Bakuriani and mineral waters in Borjomi.
The main attractions in the region are:
- historical places (Vardzia, Akhaltsikhe, Okros Tsikhe),
- mountains and lakes (Abuli, Godarebi, trekking),
- National Parks and Protected areas (Borjomi-Kharagauli, Ktsia-Tabatskuri...),
- winter resort (Bakuriani),
- mineral waters (Borjomi),
- astronomical observatory (Abastumani),
- birdwatching (raptors...).
