Batumi and Ajaria's Black Sea Coast

Getting around in Georgia is not exactly straightforward. Armed with a large map from Stamford's in London, I thought the big red lines indicated major roads that were open. Well, almost. A road might be there but whether it's usable for public transport is another thing. Rainer Kauffman, a German who runs a couple restaurants in Tbilisi was very kind today to sit down and explain just what is possible. My idea of a triangular route from Tbilisi to Batumi to Akhalkalaki and then back to Tbilsi just isn't feasible. So tonight I'm taking the overnight train to the Black Sea port of Batumi in Ajara. Going south to Akhalkalaki will probbaly mean coming back through Tbilisi. Once in Batumi, I intend to see what life is like now that Aslan Abashidze is gone, and if Tbilisi's promises of a better deal are coming to fruition. And, with a little nod to hydrogeomorphology, I'd like to examine coastal erosion and how this part of Georgia is recovering from this year's spring floods.