From Tbilisi we headed firstly to Tserovani, a centre for displaced people then we visited Mtskheta, the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia.

Intrepid Tours was initially established in 1989 by two Australians, Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester with the aim of responsible and sustainable travel practices and community development. Supporting the latter, we visited the community of Tserovani where 8000 people have established their homes after being displaced in the Russo-Georgian War of 2008.

Anna, Paval’s girlfriend, described the trauma of her community from South Osseetia, who are not refugees but displaced people (Internally Displaced People). These people are Georgians, living in Georgia with all the rights of citizenship except the possibility of returning to their homes at this time but it is Anna’s mission and that of her compatriots to reverse this situation and one day reclaim what is rightfully theirs.

One of the enterprises they have established is enamelling. We were treated to an amazing lunch then a workshop where we crafted a piece of jewellery.

As if our brains wen’t already crowded with facts we headed for Mtskheta and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral where we were to discover the secrets of this incredible UNESCO site. Our guide was amazingly well informed and I could have learned so much but truth be told I was more interested in the wedding and fabulous outfits.

In the main party the men were dressed in traditional Georgian outfits while the young women really stole the show…with ‘show’ being the operative word. The red dress really did show….everything!!!

I was dehydrated and went in search of water and rejoined the group on to the bus and headed for Jvari Monastry, ‘an outstanding monument of Georgian architecture’ constructed around the end of the sixth century and once a centre of pilgrimage of Christian nations of the Caucasus. Set atop the rocky mountain top, Jvari, overlooking the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers it is an impressive site.

Finally we head for our nights resting place- actually for two nights- the Akhaltsikhe Inn. It had all the amenities- pool, spa, restaurant, gym but we were so tired it was eat and escape. The day was done.