Turtle Lake

Who would have guessed that in the middle of the urban sprawl that is Tbilisi there exists such a beautiful and peaceful spot like Turtle Lake?

Today we joined other expat moms (and nannies) for playgroup for the first time - usually it is at someone's house and it rotates from person to person, but today, because the weather is so good, it was held at Turtle Lake. I trusted that Roland (our driver) would know where Turtle Lake was, because I certainly had no idea. I was expecting a small pond with a path around it in the middle of some grassy patch (which are few and far between) in the middle of Tbilisi.

Instead, Roland drove us through downtown, past the Vake shopping district and then we started winding our way up the side of a mountain. The view was breathtaking. Everything is in bloom here in Tbilisi, Spring is in full swing. We finally pull into a small parking lot, get out of the car and - surprise surprise - there is Turtle Lake. Literally tucked into the side of the mountain - to the left of the car was an overlook and you could see the whole city, to the right was the lake - it is a large recreation area, with people on the lake in paddle boats, a 2.5 Kilometer track that winds it's way around the lake (including past a gorgeous waterfall that I did not get a photograph of. But I will get one next time). At one end of the lake they have a ski jump, at the other end a bandstand and children's play area. The air was beautiful because the lake is high enough on the mountain that you are out of all of the city smog. The day was beautiful and a good time was had by all. I can't wait to go back.