Hello there! I’m back again sharing my travel adventures.

One of the most memorable trips of my life is my trip to Georgia and Armenia. You could plan your trip in these two countries at the same time since they are close to each other.

If you are coming from the Philippines, there are no direct flights from Manila to Georgia. The cheapest that I saw was from Manila to Dubai via FlyPAL then Dubai to Tbilisi via FlyDubai (vice versa). Yes, there will be layover and you’ll get your luggage in the final airport.

My friend, Saira and I were already inside the aircraft of Philippine Airlines (PAL) in NAIA Terminal 1 when our flight got cancelled because of the heavy rainfall in the Philippines that time. The pilots made an announcement that they were not given clearance to fly due to the weather conditions. The flight attendant instructed us to get all our hand carry luggage but we cannot get our check-in luggage. As soon as we leave the aircraft, the airport’s ground staff were waiting for us and they told us that we can choose between two options: one is cash compensation of two thousand pesos and the other one is free accommodation. We chose the latter one. All of the affected passengers have to go back to the immigration officer to put a void in the passport stamp.

The ground staff assisted us outside the airport. PAL gave us free shuttle service to the hotel. Almost all of the passengers of the affected flight stayed in the same hotel. We stayed in the Heritage Hotel with free breakfast and waited for the PAL’s new flight announcement. All expenses are paid by PAL. Sosyal! Yes, because I also experienced flight delay during my Tokyo to Manila flight via Cebu Pacific on November 2019. I just waited in the Narita International Airport that time and there’s no free hotel. The staffs of Cebu Pacific just gave us sandwich and one bottle of C2. There are so many Filipinos who are complaining because of the delayed flight that time in Tokyo. So, thank you so much PAL for the your kind gestures.

Flight delays and cancellations are little reminders that we could experience some life redirections. These redirections are not denials. These are just God’s way to protect us.

Good thing about this trip is my friend and I decided to make this trip DIY. We have no travel agency for this trip so everything about our travel is flexible and cheap! To be honest, I was so impulsive when I booked this trip on June 2022 since me and my friend, Saira paid for our roundtrip airfare first before securing a visa. I know I need something to look forward that time. That’s why I know in my heart that I need to take international trips.

I love Georgia and Armenia so much because its location is on the crossroads between two continents: Europe and Asia.

A little trivia for Filipino passport holders, you can enter Georgia by using your valid Schengen visa. Georgia is one of the countries that do not belong to the Schengen zone but you can entry in this country if you have valid  Schengen visa. However, for Filipinos who don’t have valid Schengen visa, you can apply online and pay for an e-visa fee of 20 USD if you want to travel here.

Usually, when I talk about my Georgia trip, some people think that I am referring to the Georgia in USA. No, I am talking about the one that has Tbilisi as its capital city.

Kazbegi

Gudauri

From Tbilisi, we traveled almost 2 hours via a car to Guduari. According to the locals, Gudauri is a paradise in Georgia. Gudauri’s scenery allowed me to break free from a routine lifestyle. It gave me the privilege to explore picturesque sights to relax my mind and create lasting memories.

This is a budget friendly trip so we stayed in cheap accommodations only:

*Holiday Georgia in Tbilisi 

* Gudauri Chalet in Gudauri

Both have no elevators. 😂 You have to lift your own luggage and carry your bags in the stairs.

As a female traveler, I really appreciate when there are some people (especially  men) who offered some help. In a world of boys, there are still genuine gentlemen.  Those who helped me are all Russians when I asked their nationality and they are not staff of the place that we stayed. It’s true that Russian men are raised to respect women anywhere in the world, they helped me carrying my luggage without asking for anything in return. When I asked on why are they in Georgia, they answered that they have to leave their country because of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Although, I have never been to Russia, I could attest that Russians are just like Japanese who are kind and hospitable to tourists. I wish more Filipino men will also treat women with the same respect.  Because a person’s worth is not based on his wealth but on his character. Whatever you do, always keep your intentions pure. 😉

Leaning Tower of Tbilisi

If there’s leaning tower of Pisa, the amazing country of Georgia has also a tower with the same name but different in appearance. If you will visit Georgia, don’t skip visiting the Leaning Tower of Tbilisi. It is built in the old town of Tbilisi, Georgia and the most unusual astronomical clock that I’ve ever seen. It is one of the city’s most unique building. 

Where to exchange the Georgian Currency?
The official currency of Georgia is Georgian Lari (GEL). Request United States Dollar (USD) in your trusted money changer here in the Philippines. Just bring USD then have it exchanged into Georgian Lari in the Tbilisi International Airport.

Or, you can go to any money changer there and have your USD change there into Lari. You can also withdraw money using your card since there are ATM machines there.

Entering Armenia

There’s five hours car drive from Gudauri to Georgia-Armenia Border Control. (By the way, if you are coming from Tbilisi, it’s just two to three hours car drive according to our driver.) I’ve been to Schengen Area for many times and there are no border controls if you will cross borders.

But, if you want to also explore Armenia like what we did, you have to get another e-visa. This one is different from the Georgia e-visa that I mentioned earlier. There’s just a link in the internet to get this visa and you just have to put your information. Once you’ve checked that all your details are correct, you have to pay 6 USD for the e-visa.

If you are traveling on a budget, I know that there’s a cheap public transport that will take the passengers from Tbilisi to Yerevan. You just have to reserve seats because the public transport is only a minivan. I can’t give detailed advice regarding that because my friend and I decided to hire a private car with a driver. We have many belongings and big luggages. You can only bring small bag if you will take minivan.

In Georgia-Armenia Border Control, you must bring your passport together with your luggage. It feels like you are in the airport since there’s an immigration officer and there’s a luggage scan before you could enter the country of Armenia.

After about five hours of driving once we leave Gudauri, we arrive at the Bagratashen border facilities on the Georgian side of the Georgia-Armenia border.

Our driver told us to bring all our belongings. Taking of photos and videos are not allowed inside the building. We enter the immigration building together with our passport and luggages. Just walk straight and you will see the passport control officer. Once done, you will put all your belongings through an X-ray scan. After scanning, collect all your belongings and continue walking and look for the exit. Our driver is waiting outside.

I could describe the drive from Georgia-Armenia Border to Yerevan similar as the road going to Baguio City. The journey from the border to Yerevan takes about 2-3 hours depending on traffic.

A little trivia about Armenia 🇦🇲

Did you know that Armenia was the first country in the world that adopted Christianity as a state religion?

Armenia has rich cultural heritage. It is located in the Caucasus region between Asia and Europe.

Our tour around Armenia was just a quick two days trip.

My friend and I paid 255 USD each for the tour package. This package includes our hotel and tour in Armenia including our private transfers from Gudauri to Yerevan and our private transfers from Yerevan to Tbilisi.

The Armenia tour includes the following places to visit: Old Dilijan, Garni temple, Geghard monastery
Tsaghkadzor cable car and Sevanavank Monastery.

Showing you here some of  the famous sights, as well as the hidden gems away from crowds.

Exiting Armenia and going back to Georgia
Crossing the border from Armenia to Georgia is just the same as Georgia-Armenia Border Control, you have to bring all your belongings. Enter the immigration building, look for the officer and you can leave once you got their exit stamp. Once done, look for your driver waiting outside. Then travel again from the border to Tbilisi that takes around two to three hours depending on traffic. 

I hope my little sharing will help you in your future travel plans!

To be honest, it amazes me everytime because who would have thought that because of my life storms, I got the courage to explore and see the world!

I think it is normal to question why we go through some life storms.  I also asked God these questions: Why me? Why now? What did I do wrong? I even told God that I always pray Lord and dedicate time with you, why me? Isn’t God supposed to bring us blessings? I believe that there is so much bitterness in my heart when I asked these questions. After my spiritual journey and travels, I’ve realized that I must never question and doubt God.

Each of us has our own story and our own life storms. There are different ways of dealing with it. Even if I am better and stronger now, I know that I will still encounter life storms in the future.  I must believe, trust and surrender like what my pilgrimage 2023 made me realize. I truly believe that God has a bigger plan for me with all these experiences.

With perseverance, hard work, and the grace of God, I was able to go and explore. I really praise God for all the travel rewards that I got to experience. I asked for this. I am just living in the dreams that I used to pray and living in my best life so far! 🙏

If you have time, please explore the beautiful country of Georgia and Armenia.

Praying all the best for you and your loved ones, my dear reader! Thank you for your time. 😊

Love lots, A 💕