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Let me start this simply: I’m not a good flyer. Granted, I've done it many, many times over the years. I swallow my anxiety and just do it, because I have to. Yet, there is one huge component to the flights I usually take: they are on jets. Large jets. Once up, I could be on a train, or a bus, and I suppose I create a little cocoon for myself. Prop planes, however, are something else.
Although I adore Tbilisi, feel like it's my home, and am very proud to be a local, this doesn’t mean that I don’t sometimes desperately need to get away from the crowds: to exchange them for a bit of Svaneti mountain air, for example.
However, my schedule doesn’t exactly allow for an 8-hour Marshutka ride from Tbilisi, which, forgetting the time of travel, requires the perilous drive up from Zugdidi to Mestia (mountain bus journeys are not my favorite past time). So, what are my options? I adore Svaneti, and feel it’s just what I need right now for a long weekend. I've also wanted to write about Mestia for Where.ge for a while, so the added work-incentive should be enough for me to take the plunge…No?
Welcome, prop plane!
My first experience on a propeller plane was last summer, flying from Tbilisi to Batumi upon the insistence of my friends. I swallowed it (well, actually, I swallowed a Valium) and got on with it. There is one noticeable difference, however. I’m not an aviation enthusiast (go figure..), but said prop plane had at least 50 people on-board, and to be fair, the motion, once up, was no different to that of my normal flight from Tbilisi to London. I was rather proud of myself after doing this, and perhaps this spurred me on to consider the plane from Nakhtakhtari to Mestia. Cutting the journey down from 8 hours to 45 minutes. Is there any argument here? Yes. Because I'm petrified. My research has shown me that the plane holds a max of 15 people. My own real life, flying hell. Add to this that the journey is over turbulent mountainous air – would I actually be able to pluck up the courage to do it?
Well, that’s the plan. Part 2 of this blog will be on Where.ge in two-week’s time, though the jury is still out as to whether or not I’ll shake off my silly fear and actually get on that plane, or trundle up on a bus. Yet, I promise to be nothing short of honest with you, my dear readers.
NB: I must point out that I've heard nothing but good things about the flight and it genuinely seems to be the best way to reach the remote Svaneti region from the East of Georgia.
Vanilla Sky Georgia flies to Mestia from Nakhtakhtari (just outside of Tbilisi) 3-4 times a week, with tickets costing 65 GEL one way.
By Tamzin Whitewood
5, Vazha Pshavela Str., Tbilisi
Mon-Fri: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sat: 10 AM – 1 PM