Escape to Georgia!

I was a Project Manager on a project in Bulancak, Türkiye. Essentially, my colleague RJ, the Site Manager, and I were responsible for resolving all problems and outstanding issues to complete the project to the best of our ability.

Bulancak is a small city on Türkiye's Black Sea coast, nestled between Giresun and Ordu. We were constructing the entire water supply system for the city, a vital infrastructure project for the whole area!

We poured our hearts into keeping the project on track and ensuring our subcontractors were happy. However, as we all know, things don't always go as planned. Our funding came from our headquarters in Germany, but only after our Belgrade office approved the expenses. Little did I know then, everyone there was allowed to carry guns as easily as cell phones. We were so absorbed in the work, striving to get the water supply running, that we overlooked our subcontractors' financial situation. We knew we owed them money, but we didn't realize how serious the problem was.

At 3:00 AM, a phone call from our Belgrade office jolted us awake. We were urged to leave Bulancak immediately. Rumors were swirling that unpaid workers from a subcontractor were headed to our offices, armed and looking for trouble. My colleague RJ and I threw some essentials into a bag, and within thirty minutes, we were in the car. Georgia was the nearest safe haven, so we set our GPS and drove. We drove through the entire night, a six-hour journey, and finally reached the Georgian border in the morning.

This was my first time visiting Georgia!

The first thing I noticed was an unusual building near the border. It turned out to be a Georgian administration building, designed to resemble the Georgian letter "L."

We found refuge in the beautiful city of Batumi, settling in the Piazza Boutique Hotel in the city center. The hotel was fantastic, and the square it overlooked was even more so.

It wasn't until after a good night's sleep, when the adrenaline finally subsided, that the gravity of our situation truly sank in. We agreed with management that we'd remain in Georgia until all the financial difficulties were sorted out.

It's easy to forget that even though a company has executives and directors, when you're on-site, you're the one people turn to. They bring all their problems to you, forgetting that you're just an employee, not the owner.

The day after we left, we spent the entire day on the phone, working with our higher-ups and even the owner to resolve the issues. They assured us they would take care of everything and told us to get some much-needed rest.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about one of my life stories! If you have any feedback for me, I would really appreciate it.

The following day, we decided to explore the beautiful city. The city center reminded me of Prague, with its charming buildings and cobblestone streets filled with shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. We headed south from the center and soon arrived at the Batumi Boulevard. This incredible promenade stretches along the Black Sea, offering a wide and well-maintained walking area with bicycle paths, grassy spaces, palm trees, and pine trees, extending for over 10 kilometers! Yes, you read that right—more than 10 kilometers right next to the beach. It's truly amazing!

Just a short distance away is a Ferris wheel. Reaching a height of 55 meters, it provides stunning panoramas of both the sea and the city.

Right next to the Ferris wheel stands the statue of Ali and Nino. These steel figures of a man and a woman, named Ali and Nino, move gracefully, merging and separating to tell the poignant love story of Azerbaijani Muslim Ali Shirvashir and Georgian Christian Nino Kipiani.

From the Boulevard, you can also spot an architectural gem: the Technological University Tower. Remarkably, it features a Ferris wheel built right into its facade. Suspended 100 meters in the air, with eight air-conditioned cabins accommodating 40 people, it would offer incredible views of Batumi if it were actually running. Unfortunately, the tower remains empty in downtown Batumi. Whether it eventually becomes a hotel, a university, or something else entirely, it undoubtedly holds the promise of a unique experience for future visitors.

The Boulevard was filled with amazing restaurants and cafes, and we heard even more pop up during the summer. Apparently, it's too costly to keep them open year-round, so they only operate for a few months each summer.

After a few incredible days, our regional manager brought us back to reality, saying it was safe to return to Bulancak.

Oh no! We were having such a great time that we didn't want to leave!

Sadly, as they say, all good things must come to an end, and we had to go back to finish our project. Even though we had to return, Batumi stayed in our thoughts, giving us the motivation to keep working and complete everything that was left.

I always knew I'd return someday, and I did. I even stayed there for years, but that's a story for another time.

Along the Boulevard, you'll find some fascinating buildings, such as the Alphabet Tower. At its peak, a restaurant slowly spins 360 degrees, offering breathtaking sea views.

Bulancak, Türkiye

Batumi, Georgia

Batumi Boulevard