Our last full day in Tbilisi began the usual way, with breakfast at the hotel and a few games of chess. Then we headed to the embassy to pick up our completed residence visas. At that time, Mike started feeling unwell and went back to the hotel room to lay down while the kids and I took an Uber downtown. I found one called 144 Steps Cafe and followed the directions through enchanting little alleys, past open doors leading into courtyards and shops, and up man-made stairs and rocky outcroppings. It was like I imagine a village in Italy to look!
We finally found the cafe at the top of a hill and sat down at the table to have lunch, only to pick up the menu and read “Best View Tbilisi.” So I don’t really know where we ate, but it did have incredible views and it did have quite a few steps leading up to it.
This, my friends, is a cold Turkish coffee with ice cream. AKA, my dream drink. 
Favorite pastime while we wait for our food.
After lunch, we needed to meet Mike for our reservation at the sulfur hot springs. The gentleman who owned the cafe told us to climb out the back of the cafe, literally a mountain trail up the hill of the Narikala Fortress, and then down a secret path between buildings to reach the sulfur baths. I had definitely not dressed for that! We scrambled our way along the cliff edge and as we popped up on the trail leading to the fortress, a gentleman helped us over the rail and then urgently asked me to try his family’s wine. He poured me a sample from a reused Pepsi bottle and then asked for a photo. As you can see, he was very friendly.
After the photo, we trooped down the trail again to meet Mike at the sulfur baths. I asked him which one it was (there are several that operate in the same area), and he said, “The big beautiful mosaic one.”
Chreli Abano Sulfur Baths
We were led inside to our own private suite with tiled hot and cool pools, sauna, changing room, bathroom, and reclining bench. The kids quickly got used to the pervasive smell of the sulfur and we enjoyed the next hour and a half lounging in one pool and then the other. Mike and I even took turns receiving full-body massages. It was heaven!
Coming out of the sulfur baths, we found a little family ice cream stand. Can you see the photo? Yes, it’s wine-flavored.
(The kids had orange.)
After freshening up at the hotel, we went to Old Tbilisi again for a late night dinner and live Georgian dancing at Tiflis Meidani Restaurant.
Oh my how much fun. thank you for the lovely pictures. I feel like I was there with you. What an amazing experience for all of you. As I read your blogs it is so eye opening to be able to see how other people live and the beautiful country.
Thank you, Fina! I can’t wait to see you this summer and catch up on all of your adventures, as well.