Kvariati

Border crossing here we come! We've spent so much time in Georgia, without crossing any border, that it almost feels like we forgot the drill. Not really, I guess, but having Bear with us doesn't make crossing a border easier. Or so we think.
We reach the border at Sarpi after a nice little lunch break just a few hundred meters in front of the border on a deserted pebble beach. Once it's our turn to drive through the Georgian officer motions that I need to walk through the passengers' gate, while Tom and the dog can stay in the car and drive through. Nothing new so far. My passport is quickly stamped and I wait for Tom in No-man's-land, with several ladies approaching me, apparently wanting me to take cigarettes to the other side. No thank you, I'm worried enough as is.
The Australian registration of the car isn't recognized at first and I watch Tom and Bear waiting in the car, while the chief officer (who had just refused a child leaving the country with its grandparents because they didn't have a passport for her) is being called to have a look at it. He gives his ok and Tom drives towards me.
I'm eager to share the bureaucratic burden, and my name is in Bear's passport, hence I decide to take him with me through the pedestrian border control on the Turkish side. We split up, wish us luck and it's all "see you at the other side" (neither of us being sure we'll make it).
There's quite a few escalators and long hallways and I'm a bit nervous Bear would do a wee here (he hasn't been inside of buildings much so far). So I carry him part of the way, but put him on the ground for my passport check and then customs. The customs officer has a look at Bear's passport, is happy he reacts to his name (phew), makes sure Bear wouldn't come too close (I guess he doesn't really like dogs) and waves us through. We made it!
Now, Tom will have to make it, too, but I'm not too worried. It takes a bit more time but then Bear and I hear Hans's familiar motor roaring. Hurrah!
Tom tells me that the passing through the Turkish side was super smooth, he had bought insurance already and only merely escaped being asked out for a date by the (female) border officer.
Well, success at all fronts, Turkey here we come.Read more