Discover Ajara: UNESCO-protected forests, legendary Georgian hospitality and futuristic architecture
UNESCO-protected forests, legendary hospitality and futuristic architecture: Georgia’s Ajara region is a gem waiting to be explored
Transcript
00:00 The Ajara region of Georgia lies along the Black Sea coast.
00:06 Historically it's been a crossroads of civilizations where Europe meets Asia.
00:12 I'm going to be experiencing its rich culture and legendary Georgian hospitality.
00:18 Sampling the nightlife in Georgia's second city Batumi and exploring the stunning nature
00:24 just outside the city.
00:30 The nature here is incredible in its diversity.
00:32 You can find bamboo trees because of the subtropical climate.
00:36 In just ten minutes you're in the mountains and rainforest and all of this right next
00:40 to the beaches and the magnificent Black Sea.
00:46 Mitrala National Park is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
00:50 And I'm meeting a British forestry expert who's been living in Georgia for the last
00:55 two decades.
00:57 The forests here survived the ice ages.
01:00 The rest of Europe was covered by hundreds of meters of ice and all of the forests were
01:05 destroyed.
01:06 All wildlife was destroyed.
01:08 Here in Georgia everything survived.
01:10 And here there are species, we call them endemic species, that cannot be found anywhere else.
01:15 So Mike, you've lived in Georgia for 20 years now.
01:20 What kept you here?
01:21 Georgia's got a very rich, very proud history.
01:25 People are very warm, very family oriented and very hospitable.
01:31 There's a saying in Georgia that a guest is a gift from God.
01:36 Oh, wonderful.
01:37 And this is how people approach their lives.
01:39 It's how they approach visitors.
01:42 I'm about to find out for myself as I've been invited to take part in a supra, a traditional
01:48 Georgian feast, which I'm told can last for hours.
01:53 First, I'm being welcomed with traditional Georgian polyphonic singing.
02:05 The technique weaves together many voices, each with its own melody, and is recognized
02:10 by UNESCO as part of the world's treasured living heritage.
02:20 That was beautiful.
02:21 It's really very emotional music.
02:24 It brought tears to my eyes.
02:26 Next is the ancient ritual of opening the kvevri, an earthenware jar used to store and
02:32 age wine.
02:34 Now we are seeing the Georgian winemaking tradition.
02:37 It dates back 8,000 years and it's recognized by UNESCO as a grape type, katsitele, Georgian
02:47 white dry wine.
02:51 It does smell good.
02:54 Ajarian cuisine is renowned for its mouthwatering flavors and variety of dishes, the most famous
03:02 of which is this boat-shaped Ajarian hajapuri, a delicious cheese-filled bread.
03:08 My host, Nikheil, is a tamada, or toastmaster, whose important role is to lead the supra
03:15 with a series of toasts, often poetic and philosophical and always heartfelt.
03:22 And I hope to see you in our beautiful country again.
03:26 Ciao, marjos.
03:33 My next stop is Georgia's second city, Batumi.
03:37 The history of the city dates back to ancient times and is mentioned in the works of the
03:42 Greek philosopher Aristotle.
03:45 During the 19th century, it became a port of international importance on the Black
03:50 Sea.
03:51 In the last 10 to 15 years, the city has been transformed with modern high-rise buildings
03:56 and futuristic architecture.
03:59 The skyline of Batumi is really changing quite fast and at the same time it copes with the
04:06 nature, it copes with the old authenticity of the city and the charm.
04:12 It's something that is really appealing to all kinds of travelers.
04:16 We have quite ambitious projects coming up.
04:20 Amongst those projects are plans for the region's first World Trade Center and an artificial
04:25 island in the shape of a palm tree.
04:29 As the sun goes down over Batumi, the city lights up.
04:34 I'm heading to one of the many stylish rooftop bars for views across the city.
04:39 While there may be these new fancy high-rise buildings in Batumi, what struck me while
04:46 I've been here is the richness of Georgian culture and traditions that's so present here
04:52 and how Georgians want to share this with you when you come to visit.
04:57 (whooshing)