Abkhazia: Gagra

[dbneeley]

Wired Magazine has a fascinating photo essay about a decaying, former resort in seaside Gagra in what used to be a part of Georgia--torn by war and ethnic cleansing. At one time, it was an extremely popular resort among the elite of Soviet and pre-Soviet times.

See http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2010/07/gallery-russian-resort/

[andrewfi]

Some haunting pics.

At the moment Georgia is being pushed quite heavily in Estonia as a tourist destination. Relations between the two countries are quite good as it suits the Estonian political class to find common cause with the country.

It might, for Estonians, become the new Bulgaria.

I wonder if the Abkhazians will get round to remonting and promoting the resort again.

[mendeleyev]

Obtaining a visa to Abkhazia:

While very near Sochi it is off the beaten path for Westerners due to geography and a clumsy visa regime. Citizens from anywhere in the former FSU do not need a visa to enter.

http://mfaapsny.org/en/council/visa.php

If you enter Abkhazia via Russia you must have a Russian double or multiple transit visa to be eligible for reentry into the Russian Federation upon exiting Abkhazia.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/yTm-HuTC7AQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/yTm-HuTC7AQ</a>


<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/cYGyyuxRPws" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/cYGyyuxRPws</a>

[mendeleyev]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/pswmKUG8C2w" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/pswmKUG8C2w</a>

[msmoby]

Just found this thread..

Having been there, it is a beautiful place to see - I'm guessing best in May - as the melting snow will make the rivers fuller.

The place is just like ' North' Cyprus in that it is in serious need of an overhaul - but that makes it appealing.

We encountered one VERY pretty lass, there - but it turned out she was working there for the summer - Russian

'Sorry' ladies from Abkhazia

The videos bring back such happy memories of our time there.

[Annushka]

Do not give people a fairy tale! At the moment, there is no Soviet Abkhazia. Yes, the sea too - gentle and pure. Yes, fruit - Mediterranean basket. Yes, the natives also famous for hospitality. Their food and wine theme.
BUT!!! No host. Abandoned after the war at home, windows without glasses on the mountain route. The famous park in the old Gagra in 2015 I was not impressed: not well maintained! It is very painful for the country. Again: the famous Stalin's dacha on the lake Riza - works! Abkhazia is moving toward Russia. Currency -rubl. According to Aboriginal - dream merge in unison with Russia!









In contrast Gagarin Square ancient fortress wall Abkhaz Abaata, which began Gagra.

[Anteros]

Nice photos Annushka, thank you.

[msmoby]

Abkhazia is moving toward Russia. Currency -rubl. According to Aboriginal - dream merge in unison with Russia!

Not just the rouble,

They have Russian passports

Their phone numbers begin plus 7 ..

Bit by bit Stalin's idea of Georgia SRR becomes Russian

For all the lack of maintenance - see it before it's improved