Friday, June 7 - Day 18
Leading from Mestia is a multiple-day hike to a village high up, called Ushguli. I would meet people doing the hike in just two days, others in five. Well, I thought of doing the hike, but as I am more of a biker, I do not think I would have enjoyed doing this trip solo. Ryan also did not plan a longer hike, but we did agree to make an excursion to a glacier in the vicinity of Mestia on this Friday , called (if I recall correctly) Chalaadi glacier.
The trailhead for the glacier was a couple of kilometers outside town and the cab drivers charged unashamed prices, like €15, for the short ride. We said no, so started hiking towards the trailhead. We hitchhiked, a lady with her mother picked us up and drove us a two or three kilometers , before turning another way. We got out and now the German saying came to my mind: "the route is the goal", we started our walk on a more or less flat terrain, surrounded by guard towers and a church high up on a hillside.
The views of the surrounding mountains were stunning...
Soon two young dogs joined us, they became our companions for the rest of this hike. We reached a narrow, shaky hanging bridge over a roaring river, which we carefully crossed - and thought to have lost the dogs that followed us. Somehow, the dogs, who were afraid of this bridge, found an alternative way for the crossing and were now again following us.
The hike was not too long, but it led through rocky terrain, and in abouzt na hour,. we were at the glacier itself.
Our faithful dogs got their reward when we sat down to have a snack, maybe this is why they were following us the entire time - they devoured everything we offered to them.
It was interesting to see how the water gushed out from beneath the rubble.
We started heading back - and even though there were other hikers with plenty of treats, our two dogs decided to stick with us.
We crossed the hanging bridge back, which our companions were still afraid of, so they took the detour and we were once again united.
On the way back to town, we hailed a car, it was an American solo driver, he drove us back to town. Our four-legged friends ran next to the car for a while, but then gave up the chase after a while. We were now hungry and we decided that we have lunch together back in Mestia. The food was quite OK, but the place a bit touristy, it did not win my heart, nor my belly.
My hiking gear got quite dirty, so back at the accommodation, I was allowed to use the washing machine.
When arriving to the town the previous day, I saw some scenic places a couple of kilometers outside Mestia. I started heading there and saw a large bus leaving Mestia, where the driver was just getting in and asked him if he could drop me a mile or two outside town, which he agreed to. There was a nice view of the setting sun from there - plus more guard towers.
For the following day, I decided to rent a bike and ride up to Ushguli. There was actually a shop in the middle of the town and they told me that I could pick up the bike after 9 pm. A young girl with great English knowledge showed up and for two days, I got a nice, XL-sized mountain bike for altogether €16 - a year ago, in Israel, I paid twice that much - per hour.
I went for a test ride in the evening, marveling at the beautifully lit guard towers.
I packed my stuff in the evening, poised for an early departure the following morning. I agreed with my host that I would check out and leave my large backpack at the accommodation. I got in bed early.