During the war in Chechnya many it had allegedly often been used as a base for transit, training and shipments of arms and financing by Chechen rebels and Islamic militants. Most of these accusations were around 2002, but others allege that it is more peaceful now, although there are still many Chechen refugees living there.
Birthe and I went to Pankisi Valley inspired of a website advertising the valley as a tourist destination with description of the valley, trips to the mountains, home stays etc.
We lived in a nice house in Duisi, the main town in the Pankisi Valley at Keke’s house.
Our hostess with her granddaughter. Her husband was working in Russia, and she was taking care of the small girl (maybe her parent was working in Russia).
The houses of the Chechens, including that of our hostess, all have very impressive gardens. In the background you can the see the bathroom facilities.
The “shower”, only cold water, but a lot of it.
The toilet in the corner of the garden. No light so you could only use it in the day time. In the house there were a "European bathroom" but it was no water was connected and as our hostess explained it could not be fixed as her husband was not home.
The Pankisi Valley next to Duisi.
Free Pankisistan in Chechen language?
Look what a nice larva I have caught
On our second day our contact person Melsi had arranged a trip to the mountains on horseback
Melsi had hired two very nice guys, friends and both studying law, to take care of the horses and us on our trip to the mountains. The one with the t-shirt with Chechnya in Russian (Melsi’s brother) was studying in Tbilisi, his friend was studying in Grosnij, and on holiday in Duisi.
The people in front of us were on their way to a schaslick birthday party at river.
The schaslick when it was still alive. On our way back we were invited to join the party, but we managed to say no.
On our way further up the valley. 
When the road stopped at a small hydropower plant, only very steep mountains were in front of us.
A landslide had blocked the road so we had to wait for some time before it was cleared.
Honey production
Our Grosnij friend demonstrated how to handle a horse
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