A Journey Through Kakheti: The Juniors’ First Overnight Trip

On the morning of Friday, 25 September, the GZAAT juniors gathered at school and set off at 8 A.M. for their first field trip of the year. The trip began with a lively atmosphere on both buses. Music began playing almost immediately, conversations filled the buses, and there was a sense of excitement as everyone looked forward to exploring somewhere new and spending the day together. With everyone making the most of the bus ride through music, conversations, and laughter, the journey to Kakheti seemed to pass by in no time. 

Our first destination was Bodbe Monastery, one of the most well-known religious and historical sites in Kakheti. Surrounded by greenery and overlooking the beautiful landscape of Kakheti, the monastery was an impressive first stop. Students had the opportunity to enter the church, explore the area, take photos, and simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Many ended up sitting on the grass, talking and taking pictures together, which made the visit feel less like a formal school excursion and more like the beginning of a day spent with friends. 

We then continued to Sighnaghi, where everyone was more than ready for lunch. After a morning of traveling and sightseeing, we were definitely hungry, so sitting down for a meal was one of the most anticipated parts of the day. We enjoyed lunch at a restaurant overlooking Sighnaghi’s beautiful streets and traditional architecture. Afterward, students gradually made their way back toward the buses. Some took their time enjoying the streets, while others turned the walk into an unexpected race.

Our next stop was the Gurjaani All-Holy Church, which offered a very different experience. The church is particularly remarkable for its two-domed structure, which is the only one in Georgia. Learning how unique its design is and its importance in Georgian religious history made the visit especially interesting. 

After another round of sightseeing, we returned to the buses and headed towards our hotel. When we finally arrived, we were immediately impressed by its surroundings. The building was set among beautiful natural scenery, with plenty of open space for everyone to enjoy. There were swings, a stadium, a fireplace, and enough room for students to wander around and find something to do. 

The evening turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of the entire trip. The teachers joined the students for rugby and Capture the Flag, and what started as a few games quickly became surprisingly competitive. Even though we were already tired from the day, nobody seemed particularly interested in stopping. Later in the evening, we played charades, talked around the fireplace, and played different games together. It was a relaxing and enjoyable way to end the first day.

The following morning was considerably quieter. Instead of the constant music and conversations of the day before, many students were trying to get some extra sleep as we made our way to Telavi. Our first stop was the Telavi Museum, where we learned more about the history and culture of the region. We then visited the castle of King Erekle II, another important historical site where we learned more about the region’s history.

After the morning activities, we stopped at the restaurant “Zodiaqo” for lunch. Everyone took the opportunity to spend some final time together before the journey home. Eventually, we filled the buses once again and began the trip back to Tbilisi.

The two bus rides were contrasting, showing just how much energy we had put into the trip. On the way to Kakheti, the buses were full of music, laughter, and conversation, while on the way home, almost everyone was asleep or quietly recovering from two busy days.

The trip was a combination of history, culture, nature, and, perhaps most importantly, time spent together. Although the juniors returned home exhausted after a long bus ride, the tiredness was accompanied by plenty of photographs, stories, and inside jokes from what turned out to be a memorable start to the school year.

Edited By Nina Kurdgelia