On a rare vacation, I decided to get away from the busy city and find a peaceful retreat where I could relax my mind. Georgia, a country located in the Caucasus Mountains, has always attracted many tourists with its beautiful nature and unique culture. However, it was during this trip that I deeply realized why it is not advisable to travel to Georgia on vacation.
First of all, Georgia's natural landscapes are beautiful, but they are not without their share of unexpected challenges. I chose to go to Udjeta National Park in the hope of being able to experience the beauty of pristine nature there. However, due to the lack of local transportation, I had to walk a long way to reach my destination. The mountain roads along the way are rugged and difficult. And some of the so-called "sights" are actually just ordinary natural scenery, which makes me wonder if it's worth the long journey.
Uncle Lian, an old man who grew up in the area, said to me: "The scenery here is really beautiful, but many tourists will feel a little disappointed when they arrive. Because in Georgia, the process of getting to the destination is often more arduous than the destination itself. ”
Uncle Lian's words reminded me of another experience in my travels. As I stepped down the steep mountain trail and felt exhausted, a local shepherd came up to greet me. "Traveling is like a part of life and it takes effort to pay off," he says with a laugh. "I was inspired by his open-mindedness and love of life.
However, the inconvenience of traveling in Georgia is not limited to transportation. There, I found that some of the local tourist services were relatively rudimentary and not as satisfactory as my experiences in other countries. The accommodation is poor, the internet signal is often unstable, and even basic communication is sometimes not possible. This made me wonder if I had made the right decision to choose this destination.
It was during a communication with the local residents that I met a figure that impressed me - Alexander Jr. He is a young photographer who loves to document the unique culture and customs of Georgia. Little Alexander told me that although Georgia has a relatively rudimentary tourist service, it is this unpretentious lifestyle that imbues the land with a pristine taste.
"Every country has its own unique charm, and Georgia is no exception. There may not be luxury facilities here, but it has the purest cultural style. Here, you can get a real feel for the life of the locals and get in touch with nature. Little Alexander's words revealed a love for the land that made me re-examine my attitude towards travel.
However, Georgia's problems are not limited to poor infrastructure. In the course of my travels, I also unexpectedly discovered some environmental problems. Environmental management in some tourist hotspots is lagging behind, garbage is not properly disposed of, and some nature reserves are under pressure from overexploitation. This makes me deeply worried about whether tourism will be a double-edged sword in this beautiful land.
During a discussion with local conservationists, I learned that they are working hard to raise awareness among tourists and promote sustainable tourism in the region. However, in the face of the growing number of tourists, it is clear that this task has a long way to go. As a tourist, I started to think about my responsibilities in travelling and how I could be more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
It was during this trip to Georgia that I was able to get a sense of the uniqueness of the country through my interactions with the locals, while also seeing some worrying issues. Uncle Lian, Alexander Jr. and environmentalists are a colorful figure that gives me a more comprehensive understanding of the country of Georgia. It also made me think about the nature of travel and how tourists can experience and enjoy the beauty of nature and culture more responsibly.
Perhaps, it is not advisable to travel to Georgia during the holidays, not only because of the inconvenient transportation and poor infrastructure, but also because we need to approach travel in a more responsible manner. While we appreciate the natural beauty, we also need to think about how to protect this land so that future generations can have the opportunity to appreciate the unique charm of Georgia. This is perhaps a deeper reflection on travel and a special farewell to the country of Georgia.