Georgia, day 4

This was the day we went to the Flea Market in the morning, Turtle Lake  in the afternoon and the sulphur baths in the evening followed by a meal at an Ossetian restaurant but I don't seem to have kept up  with it all photographically. No pix of the market which was collector's paradise.* Spread over a small park along the river and the road and bridge alongside, it encompassed everything from crafts, jewellery and genuine antiques to bric a brac, spare parts, Russian military memorabilia and genuine tat. We meandered, mesmerised, and all bought a few items. In my case an abacus, a  hat, a brooch and a squirrel knife.

Next we caught the cable car for a vertiginous ascent to the lake that curiously sits above the city. Although it's named for turtles,  a deafening chorus of frogs greeted our ears and the place was hopping - their rendition of Aristophanes' brek kex kex koax  koax was word croak-perfect. I was thrilled to discover, later,  that they must be Caucasian Parsley Frogs - named because they look as if sprinkled with said herb.

It got a little chilly at the lakeside and the idea of sampling the sulphur baths grew more tempting. Tblisi was built around  the hot springs that historically  locals used as a laundry and that  richer citizens, travellers and visitors enjoyed more luxuriously in (then) dozens of underground bath houses - often with sexual services provided as an option. Well, we just settled for an hour's hot soak (and it was hot!) alternating with  cold dips and an agonising dry heat room - but we submitted to a professional soaping and massage as well.  We ended up feeling like freshly cooked and peeled hard boiled eggs. (In case you're wondering no bathing costumes were involved.)

I think the meal afterwards was good too but I have very little memory of it. 

* But see here

Extras
More cable car
Parsley frog
Lake stroller
Bath houses, outside
And inside