Ashes in the Light

Some places leave an impression because of what people have built.

Others leave an impression simply because of the landscape around them.

For me, Kazbegi was the latter.

One of the highlights of our stay was visiting Gergeti Trinity Church, one of Georgia’s most iconic landmarks.

That morning, Dean and our driver picked us up from the hotel, but before making our way to the church, we stopped by a nearby waterfall.

Our driver took us as far as he could in his four-wheel drive before we continued the rest of the journey on foot.

Thankfully, the hike was relatively manageable and well worth the effort.

Nestled amongst the mountains, the waterfall was beautiful and surprisingly peaceful.

The sound of rushing water echoed through the valley, making it the perfect first stop of the morning.

After spending some time there, we headed back to the vehicle and continued our journey towards Gergeti Trinity Church.

The drive itself was an attraction.

With every turn, the scenery became more dramatic.

The higher we climbed, the more the landscape transformed before us.

And then, Mount Kazbek appeared.

Its snow-capped peaks stood proudly against the bright blue sky while wisps of cloud drifted gently around the mountain.

It almost looked too perfect to be real.

When we finally arrived at Gergeti Trinity Church, I was surprised by how modest it was.

Compared to many famous churches around the world, it was actually quite small.

Yet perhaps that was exactly what made it so beautiful.

Standing quietly against the backdrop of Mount Kazbek, it didn’t need elaborate architecture or grand decorations.

The mountains were already breathtaking enough.

We spent some time wandering around the church grounds, taking photographs and simply admiring the scenery.

No camera could truly capture the scale of it all.

The mountains stretched endlessly into the distance while clouds drifted across the peaks, changing the view every few minutes.

It was one of those places that naturally made you slow down.

Not because there was nothing to do.

But because the scenery deserved your full attention.

As we stood there, Dean shared another interesting fact with us.

We were only about 15 to 20 kilometres from the Russian border.

It suddenly explained something we had noticed throughout the drive.

The roads were filled with trucks from neighbouring countries — Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan and beyond — all travelling through this important mountain corridor.

Standing there, it was fascinating to realise just how close another country was, even though all we could see were endless mountains stretching towards the horizon.

People often say that mountains have a way of healing people.

Standing there that morning, I finally understood what they meant.

There wasn’t a dramatic moment.

No life-changing revelation.

Just a quiet sense of peace.

The kind that slowly settles over you without asking for attention.

Perhaps it was the crisp mountain air.

Perhaps it was the silence.

Or perhaps it was simply the reminder of how small we are in comparison to the world around us.

Looking back now, I think that’s why Kazbegi became my favourite place in Georgia.

Not because it had the most attractions.

But because it made me feel something I hadn’t expected.

Stillness.

Sometimes, the most unforgettable places aren’t the ones that leave you speechless.

They’re the ones that quietly leave a little more peace in your heart.