Russia via South Ossetia Perhaps?

Leaving Stepantsminda we head to Sno Village, from where we get a good vantage of Kazbegi mountain.

A lookout from the Georgian military road, not far from Ananuri church that we visited the previous day.

Heading towards Goris, we see a lot of houses built for those relocated as a result of the 2008 South Ossetia War.

Before going to Gori, we make a stop at Samtavisi church, as soon as we turn off the highway, we hit a Georgian military checkpoint. Just past the church lies South Ossetia, they warn us not to get too close or the South Ossetian terrorists will shoot at us.

There’s a service at Samtavisi church when we arrive, one of the Georgian news programs is filming the event. Walking around outside I start chatting with locals, to assess the likelihood of getting through South Ossetia into Russia. A group of girls there tell me it’s ok, for locals, as a foreigner, I might face difficulties. Koba tells me if he passes the military checkpoint and is stopped, they will notice one of his tourists missing and he could get into a lot of trouble. I decide to not cross into South Ossetia and have all my hopes set on crossing at Abkhazia.