Georgia Video Blogs

Black Sea Jazz Fest

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In what seems to be an awesome and ongoing theme in my travels I stumbled across yet another music festival, this time in Batumi (Georgia).

Black Sea Jazz Festivities

Though I made it to a couple of events from the Festival, by far my favorite was Men In Brass, a German brass band that wandered the streets of Batumi attracting crowds and starting the sort of street parades that make me feel at home.

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My trip to Batumi, and indeed my time in Georgia as a whole, was focused more on getting a visa to Azerbaijan than on enjoying Georgia for itself.

Black Sea Beach Action

I was really surprised, then, to find in Batumi a great town to hang out in. Known as a somewhat popular Russian-world beach resort on the Black Sea, I expected the worst. Think big Russian guys in small speedos, walking down the street with ice cream in one hand and vodka in the other.

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Perhaps I’ve just heard too many stories about Phukhet (Thailand), though, because Batumi wasn’t that at all. Instead I found a lively town with attractive architecture and people, dotted with cafes and pubs, and an old town less than a 10 minute walk from the beach.

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So, no, the beaches weren’t pristine white sand (more pristine gray pebbles) and the town has a bit of a rough at the edges feeling. Compared to what I was expecting, though, it was downright delightful!

Europa Square

My time in town was quite short, though, as I eventually got a visa for Azerbaijan and hopped into a van with two Australian dudes who were on their way through from London to Mongolia.

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2 Comments

  1. Make you feel like you are in N.O. for the festival ??

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