OMALO 211 kms 20th & 21st JULY 2026

Omalo is north of Tbilisi close to the Russian border in the mountains. When I got to the famous Abano Pass it was raining and some thunder and it is a 70km dirt and shale road and the first section has numerous  sharp, steep switchbacks. 
Had to stop for an hour or so as there was a section that had slid onto the road and the guys were shoveling it so we could cross, but there was only one shoveling and about thirty cars stuck waiting. After crossing that it was all clouded in with about 20m visibility and slow going to the summit and down until it cleared.
Got down almost to the end and then had a cloudburst and pounding rain for about ten minutes and got soaked. At the base there is a few houses and one guy waved me up to his place and I went up and they gave me coffee and warmed up a bit. His English was very good so got some good info from him and they offered me food but I declined and then only had 10kms to go to Omalo, had to deal with a little mud and puddles but arrived and found  a room in a house, very, very basic but dinner and breakfast included  for 220Lari for two nights. Dinner was tons of food , way to much and then had a huge thunderstorm and then no power all night, and no TV so couldn't watch the final of the world cup soccer.


    Dora Hotel
   
    View from my window
DARTLO   MONDAY 21 JULY

Dartlo is only 20kms north over a pass and a very remote place really close to Russian border. The village was on tthe third day of their annual festival where all are welcome and was fortunate enough to be included and part of the festivities.  They really know how to have a good time and boy can they drink and you have to keep up with them. The kids around me all were drinking beer and wine and they're 10 years  old .

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