Tips for travelling in Georgia

The Black Sea at Chakvi

Chakvi is a blip on the highway before Batumi but it is worth getting out and visiting the beach. Arguably a lot cleaner than the beach at Batumi, it is also far less crowded and populated mainly with locals. Yet there are still a restaurant on the beach boasting elevated wooden huts to dine in.

This is the local version of fish and chips from the restaurant. I actually ate the deep fried fish heads for the first time and was surprised how tasty and crunchy they are.

Swimming in the Black Sea is a unique experience for this Australia. The water is warmer than I'm used to and has a silky feel. The pebbles underfoot take some getting used to and I definitely wince at times when I walk on them. But they are lovely to sit on and examine, each stone interesting in its own right and it is very nice to go home not sandy. Plastic lounge chairs are available to hire for those wanting to sunbathe (or avoid sitting on the bumpy pebbles).

However do be careful with the Black Sea. It can be rough at times and it does get deep quickly. I've heard two stories from friends of mine, one a much larger, stronger man than me, that got caught by the strength of the waves and struggled to get out. These friends both got banged against the rocks and ended up cut and bleeding.

Still right now, the sea is refreshingly beautiful after a hot day. There are men in matching red shorts who seem to be patrolling the beach as lifeguards. The rocks are warm and I enjoy sorting through them, admiring their uniqueness. In the distance the skyline of Batumi is visible, only a fifteen minute drive away. It is a lovely, lazy end to a summer's day.