For someone who grew up in a tropical climate with only wet and dry seasons, experiencing snow is truly a dream come true. Unfortunately, snow doesn’t fall anywhere near the Philippines; the closest places are Japan, China, and Korea, which can be challenging due to visa restrictions and travel expenses. As a result, snow became a distant dream, one I hoped to fulfill someday.
However, life often surprises us with opportunities that bring us closer to our dreams. My first opportunity came when I was able to work in Dubai, a major hub for flights and travel. Living and working in this vibrant city opened doors for me and led me to experience winter in a place renowned for its snowfall: Georgia.
Where is Georgia located in the Map?
Georgia is located in the eastern part of Europe, positioned as a boundary between Asia and Europe. It shares borders with Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. The country is nestled near the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, creating a stunning landscape where mountains meet the sea, adding a touch of magic to the place. The predominant religion is Christianity, and Christmas is celebrated widely. Georgia has a rich European culture, and the food is truly delicious.
How to get to Georgia from Dubai?
To get to Georgia, I took a Fly Dubai flight from Dubai International Airport. As a resident of the UAE, one of the perks is having a visa on arrival for several neighbouring countries, which allows for easier travel. The flight lasted almost four hours, and we arrived in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. We landed at 8 AM and finished the immigration process by 9 AM; everything went smoothly, and I appreciated the hospitality of the people there.
When we exited the airport at 9 AM, we were greeted by a strong, freezing breeze—my first taste of winter. The temperature was 12 degrees Celsius upon our arrival, just enough for us to feel the winter chill.
Visa Requirements for Filipinos
As a Filipino citizen, you need a visa to enter Georgia. You can apply for either a standard visa or an online e-visa, which is primarily intended for tourism or short business trips.
As a resident of the UAE, you are eligible for visa-free entry into Georgia. When going through immigration, they will ask about your occupation in the UAE and how long you plan to stay in Georgia. That’s all you need to provide.
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The first impression!
My first impression of Georgia is that it is very different. This is my first time travelling to a European country, and everything I see here is unique. There are a lot of pine trees, and the overall atmosphere feels as if it has its own camera effects. It’s truly distinct. The people are interesting to me as well; I’ve heard that Georgians are good-looking, and seeing them in person makes me agree with that claim. Plus, I really like the winter clothes they wear; it gives off strong fashion week vibes in the city.
The first day trip!
On our first day, we toured the city. We visited churches and some historical ruins, went to the Freedom Bridge, saw the Mother Georgia statue, took a riverboat ride, and ate at various restaurants. Our first stop was a church with very unique architecture. Since most Georgians are Orthodox Christians, we were fortunate to experience a mass service while we were there, which allowed us to be part of the entire process.
Next, we visited an old site known as the Chronicles of Georgia, where we saw the stories of Georgian rulers engraved on the walls and pillars. It was fascinating and offered a different kind of art that was, to say the least, marvelous. From the top, we could see the entire country, with snow-capped mountains and the Black Sea (though I’m not entirely sure if that was the Black Sea) visible from the other side. The view was breathtaking.
The second day in a ski resort
On the second day, we went to Gudauri, a ski resort. The journey from Tbilisi to Gudauri took us around three hours, offering a scenic trip through the countryside of Georgia. Along the way, we stopped to take pictures of the stunning Zhinvali Water Reservoir, where we met many other tourists from different parts of the world. The views were so picturesque that we couldn’t resist snapping photos for Instagram.
When we finally arrived at Gudauri, I was absolutely breathless. The entire area was covered in snow and looked like something out of a movie. It was like a winter wonderland, and I was thrilled to be experiencing it. There were plenty of activities to enjoy, including skiing and cable car rides. I took a photo of myself, still in disbelief that I was in a place I had never thought I would visit.
We rode the cable cars to the upper part of the resort, where I laid down in the snow to make my first snow angel and threw snowballs. I jumped around, capturing photos of myself surrounded by snow, feeling more alive than ever in that moment. The beauty of the snow made my heart feel frozen in time, and I didn’t want that feeling to end.
Visited the Gelati Monastery
On the third day, we went wine tasting and visited the Gelati Monastery, an Orthodox monastery. The place was fascinating and quite different from other monasteries I’ve seen in the Philippines. It was truly historical and filled with great spots for photos. We then proceeded to a village where many restaurants were located, as well as places where wine is made and sold.
We dined at a restaurant on the mountain edge that offered breathtaking views, with fog enveloping the entire area. Although it was very cold and windy that day, I couldn’t complain because this was what I had come to Georgia for. We tried four different kinds of wine, which were interesting—strong enough to burn your throat, but overall, it was a good part of the experience. As always, the food was excellent.
Climb the Stone Town of Uplistsikhe
On the fourth day, we revisited the Jvari Monastery, which is very old and a UNESCO heritage site situated at the top of a mountain. This monastery offers stunning views, and the scenery is incredibly cinematic. You can also see some important items and ancient religious relics. The place feels holy, and you can sense a profound serenity as the wind gently blows through your hair. It is a significant historical site for the Georgian people.
After our visit to the monastery, we explored the town of Gori, which is filled with souvenirs. The atmosphere is captivating, and your eyes are drawn to the various products unique to Georgia. Nearby, there is another monastery that plays a vital role in Georgian culture.
Finally, we arrived at Uplistsikhe, a historic cave town that was instrumental in the silk trade. This complex showcases how people lived in the past and built their civilisation. Many important historical artefacts have been discovered here, including tools used for hunting and farming, as well as weapons. You can also find precious stones and items once used by the city’s inhabitants.
We then visited a wine-making area, where we learned about the winemaking process and sampled some unique wines that can only be found in Georgia. We were fortunate to taste different varieties of wine, as Georgia is considered the birthplace of wine and is renowned for its winemaking traditions.
Feed the bears at Tskhvarichamia
On the fifth day, we travelled to Tskhvarichamia, where we fed bears, made snowmen in a picturesque setting, and captured beautiful photos among the pine trees. We ventured into a snowy forest, and to our delight, snowfall fell, transforming the entire area into a winter wonderland. This was my first time seeing snowflakes and touching the snow with my bare hands. Although the temperature dropped to 2 degrees Celsius, I didn’t mind; experiencing winter like this felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Extra Moments:
We celebrated Christmas in Georgia at a restaurant named Magnolia, where we enjoyed some of the best food we’ve ever tasted. From their delicious meat to the famous khinkali, khachapuri, shalik, and lobio, every dish was exceptional. Many had told us that Georgia has the best meat you’ll ever try, and they were right! We ordered some beers and partied with the friendly locals, making it one of the best nights of our lives. Georgia truly has the best food and wonderful people to celebrate Christmas with.
Takeaway:
We often see the world as just a large ball of land, water, and people living in different ways. However, if we look closely, we realize that the world is not as vast as it seems. It’s possible to experience things like snow, even if you are born near the equator. Traveling the world is definitely within reach. I consider myself lucky to have had such opportunities. Through my travels, I’ve come to understand that we are never too far from one another; in fact, the world is small—our only limitation is the means of travel available to us.
I hope that one day, in an ideal world, people can easily travel and experience every corner of the globe and immerse themselves in different cultures, as this is the foundation of understanding. I believe the world would be a better place if we could all see it from different perspectives.
