Twenty years since the collapse of the Soviet Union as the only place in Abkhazia untouched Ritsa I found on the edge of the lake is one of Stalin's mountain home.This military alliance and the forbidden zone, ie, Stalin had come up five times this complex to be president until 1997 Abkhaz and Russian troops were protected by.Became a place frequented by tourists, and 40 kilometers along the road is always overflowing with tourists.Everyone, Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev or Stalin bedrooms with custom built pool tables may browse the Volga boat.
Abkhazia tourism a key industry.GNP (Gross National Product) is unknown, but as a complimentary one-third funded by Russia as the official annual budget is estimated at 100 million dollars.The rest of the budget is met from tax revenues and tourism.Russia recently pledged that 300 million dollars for free assistance, the separatist neighboring South Osetya'dakinden wise expenditure hope that (apparently South Ossetia in luxury cars and villas, taking waste have had) the elderly women on the beach of conversation, a favorite subject.
Abkhazia, opened his arms waiting for him to Russia, which is fast approaching.Sukhumi, the Russian national TV channels are already in the bulletin of the weather took its place among other Russian cities.In addition, a train left the Abkhaz capital, the right way to Moscow to train at the joints.Increasing Russian presence in Abkhazia and Russia's breakaway republic of formal recognition, need a place to open large embassy gave birth.One of the main street in the center of Sukhumi, the former hotel building has been converted Russian Elçiligi'ne, a bigger building behind the Cultural Center was built in Moscow.This new construction near Russia's FSB (Federal Security Organization RF) current regional headquarters.FSB, the first anniversary of the (official presence in the region) as a small park established markings.
Sohum'dan toward the Russian border as the number of tourists is increasing.Prices like that.Approximately 450 000 tourists a year of Sochi officials estimate will exceed the Abkhaz border.Despite the heavily mined areas, Halo Trust (humanitarian mine clearance organization, location) has nearly completed clearing mines in bölgeki.Currently existing in the mountains, hard to reach places.When the main resort areas, is a clear landmines in the area and the modern roads linking them are very good.However, the money spent for infrastructure work that is the source of quite a mystery.
Ritsa Lake on the way, the end of Abkhazia in the west (Pitsunda) The road was opened.Similar sub-tropical vegetation of this peninsula is covered with water as clear as the mountain rivers are surrounded by a deep gulf.Along the edge of woodland close to the sea, a very high building, repair and maintenance for decades do not seem hotels.Between now abandoned, which serves the huge mess the current time zone.A new hotel which has been established that one of the terrace, the view is currently used to watch the lighthouse had to turn to rust the metal surface.Dolphins in the opening 30 meters of the sea for us in circles for a full hour, while Petrut take pictures under water and tried to capture the event truly is a friend of Russian tourists.Russian tourists, then invites him for a drink in the shade, and a friend wants engagement, "CEAS case" ("Give me time ').
Spread to a few kilometers north of the city Pitsunda'nın Gagra, attached to the Russian border and the most popular holiday resort in Abkhazia.That it takes a car with plates that Russia has every visited by tourists.Terraces from the four corners of the Caucasus from the voices of young people can be fun.
Abkhazia to leave, but in reality it's much easier to access, let us do good to our entry into Russia, an Abkhaz official returns around us without us and without asking for bribes, not possible.Obviously this man the checkpoint outside the Russian tourists have not seen any foreign days and does not know how to invent an excuse.Stammered a moment, then blushed and realized we will not give him a little pocket money given back our passports and left us to go.
July 16, Friday, 2010
Author: Stefan Candea Photos: Petrut Calinescu Source: Around the Black Sea
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