10 May – Gori (Georgia).

On arrival at the  Soviet era Intourist Hotel at No. 26 Stalin Street we dropped our bags and went straight to the Stalin Museum, here because this is the town where he was born. We had an English speaking guide to go round the Museum and a comment was made that all guides must give the official version of Stalin’s life regardless of what people think of him. There were numerous photos and exhibits of his life, and really there is little more to say as most people have their own view of Stalin.

The Stalin Museum

Stalin's home removed to the museum

Us going up the stairs inside

A painting of Stalin

A rug

Stalin's Death Mask

Stalin's Railway Carriage

Bathroom in the carriage

After the museum I was off down the back streets again to find a church and then going in not realising that it was a Saturday and that it was a service going on. No-one stopped me from going in and our guide has said before it is all right to go into a church during the service provided we do not get between the priest and the parishioners. Most times it is possible to take photos inside the churches provided a flash is not used.

Gori Church

Inside the church

I had noticed the castle behind the houses so off I went up the hill. I had said that I would be back at the hotel by 6.30pm so I ended up more or less running up and down the hill to get back in time.

Gori Castle

Gori Castle

Gori Castle Entrance

Gori Castle

Because I was quick going to the castle I had a little time before going back to the hotel so walked down the main street.

War Memorial

Huge, old, empty building. 

Back to the fantastic hotel, hardly any water from the tap but plenty in the shower though difficult to see as only one of four lights worked in the bathroom. The hotel should have really been something in the past what with the marble floors, the heavily embroidered wall paper, the wide corridors and big rooms. Going by the work being carried out it could well be special again.

Front of the Intourist Hotel

Hotel street number

Staircase

My room

The colour of the room when the fancy light was put on

In the evening I went with Anita, Suzanne and Tom to a restaurant where we ordered some Georgian food that we did not know and really enjoyed the meal. There was wifi at the hotel but I could not get access to the site, not even when I tried it at 4am the next morning. Others did get onto the internet but our guide could not and she was using Georgian networks on her phone. This wifi business is odd!