The Flickr Friendlylocals Image Generatr

Udabno is a small village in the semi-desert of eastern Georgia, located near the impressive David Gareja monastery complex. We stayed at Guesthouse Gareji, a pleasant and peaceful place run by a kind and welcoming couple. The rooms are simple but comfortable, making it a great base to explore the area. At first, we weren’t sure where we could get something to eat, but with a view over Udabno, we quickly spotted a nearby restaurant. The first one, marked by a large logo, is Udabno Terrace, with Oasis Club just behind it—two popular spots for dining and accommodation. Udabno Terrace is a charming restaurant and guesthouse run by local Svanetians. It’s known for its warm hospitality, delicious traditional Georgian dishes such as kubdari (spiced meat bread) and khachapuri (cheese bread), and its beautiful open veranda overlooking the steppe. Svanetians are an ethnic subgroup of Georgians from the mountainous region of Svaneti in the northwest. They speak their own language, Svan, which is related to Georgian but not mutually intelligible. They are known for their strong cultural identity and close-knit community. Oasis Club is a lively combination of restaurant, hostel, and seven wooden cottages, located in the heart of the Georgian semi-desert. The restaurant serves a unique blend of Georgian and European cuisine, prepared by local chefs from Udabno. On weekends, the venue often hosts live music by local performers. Both locations offer a unique experience and serve as excellent bases for visiting the David Gareja monastery complex.

Udabno is a small village in eastern Georgia’s semi-desert, close to the remote David Gareja monastery. We stayed at Guesthouse Gareji, a simple but pleasant place run by a warm and welcoming couple. Just a short walk away are two popular spots: Udabno Terrace, a friendly restaurant and guesthouse known for its home-cooked Georgian meals and sweeping views of the steppe, and Oasis Club, a lively venue offering food, music, and cabin stays. One of the highlights at Oasis Club was the cozy evening campfire—perfect for relaxing under the stars after a day of exploring.

Udabno is een klein dorp in de semi-woestijn van Oost-Georgië, vlak bij het indrukwekkende kloostercomplex van David Gareja. We verbleven in guesthouse Gareji, een prima verblijf gerund door een vriendelijk echtpaar dat ons hartelijk ontving. De kamers zijn eenvoudig maar comfortabel, en het was een rustige plek om te overnachten in deze bijzondere omgeving. We hadden geen idee of we ergens konden eten, maar met dit uitzicht op Udabno zagen we al snel dat er een restaurant niet ver weg was. Het eerste restaurant met het grote logo is Udabno Terrace, en daar direct achter ligt de Oasis Club – twee populaire plekken om te eten en te verblijven. Udabno Terrace is een charmant restaurant en guesthouse, gerund door lokale Svanetiërs. Het staat bekend om zijn warme gastvrijheid, heerlijke traditionele Georgische gerechten zoals kubdari (kruidig vleesbrood) en khachapuri (kaasbrood), en een prachtig uitzicht over de steppe vanaf de open veranda. Svanetiërs zijn een etnische subgroep van de Georgiërs, afkomstig uit de bergachtige regio Svanetië in het noordwesten van het land. Ze spreken hun eigen taal, Svan, die verwant is aan het Georgisch maar onderling niet verstaanbaar is. Ze staan bekend om hun sterke culturele identiteit en hechte gemeenschapsgevoel. Oasis Club is een levendige combinatie van restaurant, hostel en zeven houten cottages, gelegen in het hart van de Georgische semi-woestijn. Het restaurant biedt een unieke mix van Georgische en Europese gerechten, bereid door lokale koks uit Udabno. In het weekend zijn er regelmatig concerten van lokale muzikanten. Eén van de hoogtepunten van Oasis Club was het gezellige kampvuur 's avonds – perfect om te ontspannen onder de sterrenhemel na een dag vol ontdekkingen. Beide locaties bieden een unieke ervaring en vormen uitstekende uitvalsbases voor een bezoek aan het kloostercomplex van David Gareja.

During our stay in the Flores Islands, Indonesia, our local friend Robbie took us to Lasang Kuwus village to witness a Caci fight, a traditional event that happens infrequently. We were fortunate to see it, but the highlight was the remote nature of the village. The locals had never seen foreigners before, and everyone wanted to take selfies or play with us. In one such interaction, I captured a beautiful portrait of a local Indonesian girl holding a baby and smiling at us, reflecting the pure and welcoming nature of the people.

The eclectic atmosphere and frenetic energy of the Jalan Alor food street in the lively party district of KL, Malaysia. The area around Jalan Alor is dotted with high end bars and upmarket restaurants, but most people head here, to the lively Jalan Alor food street. As though the friendly wave from diners from one of the tables was not enough (see previous picture earlier in this album), a friendly man from one of the stalls waves to me at the distance. After a relatively mild entry, the restaurants suddenly open up, with scores of diners right at the sidewalks, in front of the rows and rows of colourful restaurants. Diners take up both sides of the 0,5 km street, selling food that best represents Malaysian cuisine, which in itself is pretty diverse. Temporary food and non food stalls are interspersed in between the permanent restaurants. Jalan Alor is one of the favourite eating sports not only for the locals but also for the many foreigners who visit here, curious to taste traditional Malaysian cuisine. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sept. 2023)

Friendly diners wave to me from one of the tables as I hit Jalan Alor, the must visit food street in KL, Malaysia. Stretching a mere 0.5 km of straight road, the Jalan Alor Night Market in KL has around 200 different street food stalls and permanent restaurants. In addition are several food carts and non food stalls selling a variety of stuff. The Jalan Alor Food Street is considered the biggest daily night market in KL. There is not much activity on Jalan Alor during the day, but when the sun goes down, the street comes alive, hustling and bustling with frenetic activity. The area around Jalan Alor was once a red light district in KL and remnants of those activities supposedly still exist (I didn't spot any such activity though), but after several face lifts, the street has turned into a true food haven for connoisseurs of local SE Asian- particularly Malaysian- cuisine. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sept. 2023)

with some of the locals at the lake...:-)

He gave us a ride on his rad 1952 Chevy!

I thought I'd bought enough gifts and momentoes from the oh so friendly sales girl in the gift shop I'd visited the previous day. (see previous picture-- not applicable to those viewing this on facebook). But this well stocked gift shop reminded me I still have much to buy. Though most of the displays seen here were plush toys, there were a lot of ethnic gifts all round. The two friendly ladies were only too happy to let me photograph them afterwards, and didn't flinch when I pulled out my D90. (I generally take pictures of locals with a small point and shoot). Despite their traditional attire, I noticed a lot more local ladies willing to be photographed on my current visit as compared to my previous visit to Malaysia in 2002. (Sandakan, Sabah, East Malaysia, Nov.2013)

In San Juan, we met a group of scouts led by city officers and had a long, very interesting discussion. They were most hospitable, allowing us to take their pictures; I also have family portraits with this group. A lovely memory of this beautiful island.

Bring candy, you'll need it to pay your guides. Bamiyan, Afghanistan

Xeon was not even present and earned the name "Fireball Cheeto" in Canada while I was wearing a tee-shirt with her holding this Green Wing Teal