David Harrison

I think this ceiling is one of the most striking I’ve seen anywhere on my travels. It’s in the Ulugh Beg Madrasa in Samarkand.

Samarkand. It’s my second time here, but the scale and beauty of the buildings around Registan Square still completely blew me away again today. It’s a tremendously beautiful place.

Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent - one of the most impressive in Central Asia. It has an huge domed centre, where a lot of the fresh meat gets sold, along with spices, nuts & other produce. It also spills outside into surrounding streets - with tea houses, restaurants & other stalls.

The last time I came to Tashkent work was still ongoing on this enormous regeneration project, based around a new Islamic Civilization Centre. It includes museums, galleries, national archives, libraries & wider refurbishment of nearby streets. Lots now finished & it’s stunning.

I flew overnight to Uzbekistan. A rather painful 3am flight time, but I woke up to this sight. Sunrise over the Karakum Desert (at least I think that’s what we were above).

Final 24 hours in Tbilisi for a little while, spent shlepping up some soggy mountain trails. Returning to Central Asia for a short spell soon. 🇺🇿

Wednesday morning in Tbilisi.

Mornings scenes from near Lagodekhi in the Kakheti region of Georgia. Clouds and murky weather had hidden the big peaks over the weekend, but it cleared this morning - just in time as I was driving back towards Tbilisi.

On the stomp in the Lagodekhi Nature Reserve - a huge protected area, near the border with Azerbaijan and Dagestan.

On my way out to the east of Georgia today I stopped in the village of Gurjaani, in wine country. It has recently been targeted by Tbilisi Mural Festival, who do outreach programmes in rural areas & other cities. There are 6 murals in Gurjaani now, including these beauties.

Another new stunner in Tbilisi.

Incredible piece in Tbilisi by Ukrainian artist Sasha Korban, depicting a Ukrainian girl in traditional dress. It’s directly opposite the Russian Embassy. One of 100s of large murals around the city, organised by Tbilisi Mural Fest & the organisation Niko Movement.

Tuesday in Tbilisi. It’s such photogenic city - the amount of beautiful historic buildings, the mix of architectural styles, the amount of art, the nature all around, the colourful street life, the amount of exciting & unusual things going on. There’s never a dull walk.

A morning hike up Tbilisi’s Mount Mtatsminda. Very chilly today, with a wind chill of -2°C. I spotted trees with icicles hanging off them. It won’t be long until the big temp switch happens in the area & all of a sudden the whole city blossoms in green & shorts are in order.

@_TomKeighley Just worth checking the road in the high mountains after Khulo for this one. Last time I did it a year & a half ago, they were paving a large section & itrained heavily, so was a bit of a mess & a 4x4 was needed. Most of the road is already decent paving otherwise.

@_TomKeighley Another cool route is the south-west near Turkey. A visit to the Black Sea & Batumi, then up into the semi-tropical mountains which have a real Islamic influence. Climb higher to snow capped peaks & down to the castellated city Akhaltiskhe & back through remote hills ito Tbilisi.

There are so many layers of magic in Georgia. Despite visiting bucket loads of times, everything I’ve done & seen this weekend is completely new to me & it’s blown me away again. The scenery, amount of history, standard of food/drink, hospitality & wonderful oddities everywhere.

@_TomKeighley My favourite part is Upper-Svaneti (Mestia being the hub town for hiking, nature based activities). If you have time I’d recommend driving from Tbilisi to Mestia via the bit near Abkhazia, then continue on to Ushguli & loop back via the Racha wine region. Incredible road trip.

I spotted some cracking Soviet era mosaics on my travels this weekend in the Kvemo Kartli area of Georgia.

I was looking for a glass of wine in the small town of Bolnisi. A gent ushered me into what I thought was his front room - we went down a level to find this set-up. Tremendous wine & hospitality - he sells under the name “Brothers Cellar” & mentioned he sells as far as Australia.