Friday - Vardzia Cave City

Continuing along the road from Khertvisi we arrived at Vardzia, the famous cave city. The city was much larger than it is now. An earth quake brought down the cliff in which it was build, so opening up many of the rooms to the outside.
There is not much else here other than the cave city. There is an ugly Intoursit hotel across the road and river, but this was now deserted.
We started the visit with lunch sitting outside, with plenty of wine from Alex the local tour operator. After lunch we struggled up the hill to view the caves. Many of these were interlinked with dark tunnels. There were some lovely frescos including the famous fresco of Tamar, (one of only four painted during her lifetime). Penetrating deep into the caves we come across a pool of water which never dries up, this pool is named Tamar's Tears. The water is meant to be cool and sweet

The cave city from the road		The Intourist hotel, which was deserted
Caroline Sandwell		View of the cave city from a pathway in the city
View of the cave city from a pathway in the city		View down to the river from the cave city
Some Shallow nests in the cave city. Notice the carved roof again.		Nino Chincharauli lecturing us about the city
Frescos		Hal Curtis taking the water from Tamar's tears
Marilyn Law negotiating some steps in the city		On our way down. From left to right, Andrew Bateman, Frank Vibert, Angela Horrocks, Caroline Sandwell, Rosemary Blasdale, Nino Chincharauli
Continuing down, Frank Vibert and Ian White		The chemist, see all the shelves carved in the stones.