Kakheti

I took Sarah to Sighnaghi for her birthday, and our friends Jared and Meagan were nice enough to take us around the Kakheti region while we were there.

Kakheti is Georgia's east-most region and it borders Azerbaijan, so it has some mud springs of its own. This one is in Gurjaani, where Jared and Meagan live.

Riveting

Like all bubbling dirt, this mud spring supposedly has healing effects. Jared's hands are going to be so soft now.

The performing arts center in Gurjaani had some peculiar paintings.

We visited a beautiful winery.

The wine is buried underground and sealed until it reaches maturity.

The Chavchavadze family estate is in Kakheti. They produced some of Georgia's greatest artists and politicians, notably Ilia Chavchavadze, who is considered a founding father of Georgia, produced many great works of literature, and has been canonized as a saint by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

If you toss a coin in the bowl your wishes will come true.

Gremi was built in the 16th century and was the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti during the Georgian fragmentation.

No, you aren't allowed to use the castle's historic bathroom.

This lake is near the Georgia-Russian border (I think Chechnya is on the other side).