COAST TO COAST (29/05/2008 - 5/06/2008)

After saying goodbye to mountain Ararat from Yerevan we moved towards mountain Aragat, the sunshine made this day a very pleasant one.
We spent three days on the way before getting the Georgia’s border. The weather was very cold and some storms stuck us.
We found shelter from the rain under the trees and into
the hovels at the bus stops.
Near the villages we saw many storks’ nests made on top
of light poles.

On 31st May we crossed the border. After that point on the road was dusty and full of holes, sometimes it seemed a dried
river!
We cycled on a paved road for about 70 kms but
after unfortunately
it turned bad again. Unlucky day!!

We slept in a decadent 'gastiniza' (hotel) along the way even if
they are cheap and really unwelcome! The last night before
Batumi we got hospitality from a nice family. While it was
raining and we were waiting under a tree hoping for a better whether a woman approached us and wanted us to be her hosts.
We met all the family and neighbors and all together we drank
beer and vodka!

On 3rd June we completed the coast to coast, Baku (Caspian
Sea) - Batumi (Black Sea): 1416 km.

Probably tomorrow we will cross the border to Turkey.
Our plan is to reach Syria between 10 or 15 days.

Have a good trip!

Claudio and Patrizia