Intelligentsia Coffee Bar Tbilisi
| Restaurant reviews | 66 seen
I have spent countless hours at Intelligentsia Coffee Bar near Turtle lake in Tbilisi - this place has been my offsite office in hot Summer days (see: Turtle lake - my working place for today) or starting point before taking a hike (see: Hiking in Tbilisi - Turtle lake (Kus Tba) - Vake Park)
As the name of this place stats - it's a coffee bar, but you can order delicious meal here as well, starting Panini ending French fries.
Intelligentsia Coffee Bar near Turtle lake
Stylish interior
Coffee bar Intelligentsia is a super place whether just to chill out or take your laptop with you and work.
Cozy sofa and great view towards Turtle lake
Azerbaijani Restaurant Agha in Tbilisi
| Restaurant reviews | 150 seen
Azerbaijani cuisine restaurant Agha is located near Heroes square (access is from the Circus side) in Tbilisi. After a meal here - I'm already planing my next trip to the land of fire - Azerbaijan. At this restaurant I tried something new for me - Dushbara soup, piti soup and veal saji on Fire.
Lately I have tried a lot new non-Georgian cuisine places in Tbilisi, see Turkish restaurant Karabak, Chinese restaurant Dzin Chao or French Tartine Brasserie are just a few to name, now it was time for Azerbaijani cuisine. Thus this is not the first time I'm visiting Azerbaijani restaurant, I have tried Shirhan in Riga. But speaking of Shirhan, sorry - I cannot even compare you to this place. Restaurant Agha is out of any league (Perhaps just in Azerbaijan I will found something better)
Entrance doors at Restaurant Aga in Tbilisi
Before restaurant Aga moved in here, there was a Russian cuisine restaurant - Matreshka. The inside log house interior and menu with Matreshka logo's will remind you the history of this place.
Inside interior
As it is not rare here in Tbilisi and I have already been use to it - we were the only guests, so we had a special attitude and super high service. Thus this place serves Georgian and Ukrainian food as well (you can get khinkali or Kiev cutlet here as well) - we decided to stick with Azerbaijani cuisine. Since I had no idea what is so special there, we asked recommendations and here is what we got:
Azeri Dumpling Soup Dushbara
Dushbara is a traditional Azerbaijani dish of dumplings made of dough and filled with ground meat and condiments. It is also spelled düşbere or düşbere. Typical ingredients include flour, ground beef, onions, herbs, salt, black pepper and tomatoes.
Piti soup
The national soup of Azerbaijan made from pieces of mutton on the bone, cooked with vegetables in a broth; prepared and served in individual crocks.
Pride of the house: Veal saji
Veal saji
This was just a masterpiece - the best hot meal I have tried like for the past five years - this assorti consisted of grilled vegetables, veal meat, mushroom, potatoes . .. and was served on plate with burning coal under... We couldn't finish this tasty super mega assorti I asked to pack it in container for takeaway.
Tea drinking ritual
You must order black tea and sweeten it with sugar, when at such places. It is just an indescribable experience.
The bottom line
Our total bill here about 70 GEL, interior is really stylish and stuff is super friendly. You just should come to this place over and over.
How To Change a Flat Car Tire
| DIY | 11 seen
Last summer I learnt not only how to change a roof for old rural house, also I excelled as a tire guy. During last summer I changed tires for our old junk car at least six times.
To this day I still don't know why we got so many flat tires (most probably, because I bought cheap used tires at local tire workshop). Anyhow, it was the next morning after we added first metal roof plates a top of our house, when I noticed a flat tire has happened again (without any reason). I was already equipped with leg pump (and luckily I had bought a spare tire just some few days ago)
N.B. By living in rural area - a spare tire, tools and basic know how is required to survive.
at first I pumped in some air into the tire
jacking up car
make sure you are on the flat surface and most recommended on hard soil as well. I had a problems with soft soil, so I used additional bricks just in the case if jack will lean or fall apart.
you can use a spare tire also as an emergency safety net
More experienced drivers taught me to put spare tire under car while removing flat tire.
Use the wrench to loosen the lug nuts
Following have been taken from: How To Change a Tire
Stay safe!
Roof Works, Part 6 - Finishing lathing and adding first plates of metal roof
| Home Remodeling | 8 seen
Today was a big day, we managed not only to finish lathing works, covered roof with cross wind sheet but actually installed two plates of metal roof.
Today was a very long working day also, by now I feel excelled a lot if roof works and home renovation.
We started early in the morning (around 7:30 AM) as I knew this will be a very long day, and I really wanted to start cover roof with metal plates.
Construction workers stretching cross wind sheet
I hired two local craftsmen to help me out in roofing works - the most awesome guys I have met so far.
Improvised outdoor workshop
While guys were on the roof, I was sawing laths from the ground. Synchronized teamwork.
Leisure time
We had a lot of fun today, many jokes (black jokes). I will remember these days as one of the most fun (you can have fun doing some hard work). Thank you Edgars and Guntars, you are such an amazing guys!
Roof works
...still lathing
Sawing laths with chain saw
This was the fun part - to saw up the ends of laths covering the edge of roof.
Unpacking metal roof
It weights only about 30kg, but it is 7 meters long. It was another fun way to discover how to actually get it atop of the roof.
Sliding metal roof plate a top to the roof
We decided to extend our roof, by adding to beams, we were able to slide the plate top of the roof now.
Sliding metal roof plate a top to the roof
Sliding metal roof plate a top to the roof
Moving to the edge side. As the first plate was installed in the right position it was time to ad first screws to fix it.
Screwing roof
Adding second plate of metal roofing
It was already late evening (~10:00PM) and after fixing second plate we were done for today!
I felt super excited and happy.
Dzin Chao Chinese Restaurant in Tbilisi
| Restaurant reviews | 62 seen
Dzin Chao is among my latest discoveries from Tbilisi restaurants. I discovered it after paid a visit to Tbilisi zoo, its actually located just at the front of entrance into Zoo.
Now I know at least three Chinese restaurants in Tbilisi, see: Oriental Pearl and New Asia
Dzin Chao restaurant interior
Spacious premises, I believe you can throw your next meeting with pals here with ease. As a pleasant surprise we got a gift - a large teapot with green tea for free.It's great, because it's rare to get green tea in Tbilisi, and if, then such pot will cost some 7-12 GEL. Here you get it for free.
Menu at Dzin Chao in Tbilisi
Pretty much the usual stuff you can get at Chinese restaurants. For some reason prices seemed a bit lower than it two other restaurants I mentioned above. Probably that is because of this restaurant is fairly new (as I was told opened just in October 2015)
Sweet egg and corn soup
Shredded beef in sweet and spicy sauce
The Bottom Line
Dzin Chao Chinese restaurant in Tbilisi rocks! We paid about GEL 50 for a meal for two persons. Atmosphere is great. Worth to return here again.
Learn more: Dzin Chao on Facebook
Tbilisi Zoo
| Tourism objects | 25 seen
Tbilisi has many cool tourist attraction sites, but there is one, which is rarely mentioned in official guides or Tbilisi reviews - meet the hidden pearl of nations capital - Tbilisi Zoo.
On the other hand worldwide coverage Tbilisi Zoo got after Tbilisi floods on 14 June 2015, leaving many animals dead or on the loose. See: Zoo animals on the loose and deaths feared after Georgia floods
Tbilisi Zoo is located in the Vere valley just next to the Heroes square. There is a symbolic 2 GEL entrance fee in Zoo's territory. In park there some additional attractions for kids, like Ferris wheel and other carrousels. There is a terrarium with separate 1GEL ticket for amphibian lovers.
Peacocks at Tbilisi Zoo
The Tbilisi Zoo was established on 1927. It was designed by a group of Georgian and Russian specialists. The Zoo was further expanded in the 1930s. At its heyday in the 1970s, the Tbilisi Zoo was home to more than 1,000 animals and enjoyed more than 500,000 visitors per year. The Zoo, largely depending on dwindling funding allocated from the city budget, went into decay as a corollary of an economical collapse and political unrest that hit post-Soviet Georgia in the 1990s.
Open air Ferris wheel
Once I actually took a ride in this Soviet time Ferris wheel. My adrenaline level got very high, and not because I'm affraid of height, but rather of such construction. Take your risk and you will have a superb panorama of surrounding areas.
Zebras at Tbilisi zoo
For a second it felt I'm in real African safari shooting with telephoto lens from above. ha ha
Donkeys and rhinos
When I visited Tbilisi zoo it was already afternoon and meal time for most of the animals, that's the only reasonable explanation to explain why almost all animals I photographed here are from back.
Black llama posing for a portrait
This black llama was very friendly, I would even say flirtatious, she followed my every move and freeze when I photographed here. She loves attention. Say hi to her, when at Tbilisi Zoo.
Meal time for white lions
I had a chance to observe a very strange show - feeding the white lions. At first Zoo's workers hang up meat in the trees (take a closer look at the top right corner of above image), then they went out and stayed behind the bars (top left). The Lions were released and then workers or journalists or God knows who - started to photography lions from the bars. I'm not sure for 100% is this a regular attraction or is performed just on special events (journalists)
Speaking of me - I was staying behind the large glass window.
Leopard
The Zoo experienced a modest revival in the late 2000s. A marine aquarium, the first such establishment in the Caucasus, was opened in 2007. The Zoo belongs to the Tbilisi City Hall and largely depends on funding allocated from the city budget.
A goat
For me it is always sad to see animals captured and been held in cages (I haven't visited Circus for more than 20 years). To add more drama how sad a visit to Zoo can be - I tried to photograph an elephant, but he was so enormous huge that didn't fit in my frame, I decided to take a close up and post process in B&W.
An elephant eye
Visit www.zoo.ge to learn more
My Italy Travel Guide
| Travel guides | 8 seen
This is a roundup post listing places from our latest trip to Italy at the end of 2015 / start 2016.
The idea to visit Italy born in our Tbilisi apartment's kitchen when I was preparing another homemade pizza, I was flattening pizza dough with a rolling pin, when the better part of me told - hey, let's go to Italy.
And so we did. After about a month we were sitting on a plane Tbilisi - Milan. We hadn't special plans or ideas what to visit. We just drove around.
I did a lot of photography, as I was eager to apply my newly developed photographer skills. Italy definitely is a photographer's paradise.
Our total cost for this trip was about EUR 2,500, we stayed at decent hotels, drove a rental car and ate at fancy Italian restaurants (osterias). Thus we managed to spend half of that on our trip to Spain, I don't regret a euro cent spent here.
About FireFly Car Rental in Italy
| Professional services | 21 seen
Searching for a budget friendly car rental in Italy? Look no more - I can highly suggest FireFly car rental. We used Firefly during our recent week long trip in Italy, prior to that I have used FireFly Spain (see: My Spain and Andorra Travel guide).
We booked our economy Volkswagen Polo car online and picked it up at Milan-Malpensa airport (you must call to FireFly office upon arrival, after then they will send a shuttle bus to pick you up and will take you to the office, our case it was located in town of Case Nuovo).
Unfortunately we hadn't roaming enabled, so our phones were useless at this stage. After some 10 minutes wandering at the Terminal 1 exit in Milan-Malpensa airport what to do next, I approached some Swiss guy (I didn't know he is a Swiss before approached) and asked could I use his phone to call to FireFly office. Swiss guy gave me his phone and I was dialing to FireFly office - the manager at the other end told me that shuttle will be there in 10 minutes. Thank you Swiss guy - you saved our day back there in airport.
We took the full insurance and as a gift got a free GPS device (TomTom), it turned out that our first hotel booked in Italy was just some 100 meters from FireFly office, so after picking up our small Polo car we went straight to the hotel to get some sleep, as it was a vey long trip for us already. See: Holiday Inn Express Milan-Malpensa Airport Hotel (Case Nuove, Italy)
The real driving started just in the next morning, during our next seven days in Italy we drove a lot a visited places like Genoa, Tuscany, Florence, Venice, Modena and many many other smaller towns. Did I mentioned the leaning tower of Pisa?!
Our Volkswagen Polo parked next to Puppo hotel in Genoa
During our last day in Italy, before departing from Modena to Milan-Malpensa airport an catastrophic event happened - I messed up with the pumps at gas station near Modena- instead of diesel our cars tank got filled with petrol. We still were phone less - luckily I noticed this error, before actually starting engine and headed back to the gas station and explained them the problem and asked again for a phone so I can call to FireFly office. The personal at Modena gas station was very keen to help me out and gave me the phone.
I struck on the phone line for about 40 minutes explaining forth and back the issue what happened to car. Person in the other end of line told me - alright, service call will soon arrive and pick up damaged car, you should wait for service car, and then you should get to Bologna airport where your new replacement car is ready.
I asked how the heck I will get to the Bologna airport from the middle of nowhere (sorry Modena) - he suggested a taxi. I asked to the nice lady at gas station could she call for some budget taxi and negotiate a drive for us to Bologna airport, and guess what, the nice lady did what I asked her.
Our car been evacuated from Modena gas station
After another 20 minutes our small lovely but damaged Volkswagen Polo was taken by the service car and we were sitting in taxi to Bologna airport. Such my fault - cost us additional EUR 200 + 70 EUR for taxi service to nearest Firefly office in Bologna airport. We were able to get to FireFly office in Case Nuove, drop the car and get timely on our plain departing for Istanbul. Gosh, that was very stressful day
Now, regarding FirefFy - they are pretty much fast, accurate and reliable, regarding to the issue with wrong fuel - it was absolutely my fault.
Kiwi Vegan Cafe Tbilisi
| Restaurant reviews | 17 seen
Kiwi is a vegan non-profit community cafe located on Vertskli street 41, in Tbilisi Old Town. It is stated that all of their proceedings are donated to good causes related to animal rights. Kiwi provides a free social meeting space for organizations who are working for important change in the society, events can be arranged.
Kiwi vegan cafe is the second socially responsible cafe I have found so far in Tbilisi (I don't search for them specially, they just pops in front of me). See Art Cafe Kamara - a social enterprise art cafe which employs rehabilitated persons from different addicts
That was on sunny February afternoon, I decided to head to the Old Town to capture photo of the day (See: 365 days photo project) after all I ended up with a Piece of Life story about Tbilisi - Pearl of Caucasus. I ended my that days wanderings in some side streets (where I actually haven't been before) and noticed Kiwi cafe.
Kiwi cafe located on Verchli street
Since I have heard of this place before I decided to go in.
Inside cafe
Since this is a vegan cafe, and I'm not a vegan I decided to stick with something neutral and ordered just espresso (thus I asked for simplest Turkish coffee, they didn't had this time). I was a bit surprised for a relatively high price for that espresso - 3 GEL. Such places usually associates with cheaper prices. Anyway I enjoyed my espresso. Noticed there is a corner in cafe - a book exchange club, and there was a stand selling some hippy bracelets. Some young Russian girl entered and ordered a smoothie.
Kiwi vegan cafe in Tbilisi
I noticed each chair was in different shape. The bartender told me, that all furniture in this place is voluntarily donated by its visitors, for a second I thought - gosh, they want to take my coach, but then I realized - yeah, vegans are a strange folks. No offense!
Here is what Kiwi Cafe is saying about themselves on their Facebook page:
We're a vegan non-profit community café, we opened July 4th 2015. Our aim with this café is to promote vegan food, to provide an alternative for people who chose to not eat and use products from animals for animal rights, environmental or health reasons and to inspire and inform people who are curious about vegan food. All our proceeds are donated to good causes related to animal rights. We also provide a free social meeting space where you or your organization who are working for important change in the society, can arrange events, info, education, workshops and such. It's free of charge, no need to buy anything. Your work does not have to be related to veganism. Please contact us for more info. Many people have participated in creating our place, practically and financially. We are very grateful for all help!
Visit Kiwi vegan cafe Facebook page
Tbilisi - Pearl of Caucasus
| | 8 seen
I have spent about five years as an expat living in Georgia, most of the time I have lived in Tbilisi (about six months I spent in Batumi). In today's Piece of Life post series I just wanted to share some piece of Tbilisi. Allow me to call this vibrant city - The Pearl of Caucasus (Thus Yerevan rocks, and most probably Baku too - I still haven't visited Azerbaijan, thus once I fished on the border with Azerbaijan, see Fishing on Jandari lake).
It has always been a pleasure for me to photo document Tbilisi, here are just a few interesting photo stories: Postcards from Tbilisi, Tbilisi - Fairyland in Winter or recent discoveries on Aghmanashebeli avenue.
It was on a sunny afternoon in Mid Ferbuary, when I took my camera and headed to the Old Town to capture something beautiful. At the end I found myself in the Rike park shooting from a tripod. See: Digital Photography school
The Bridge of Peace
The Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi is a pedestrian bridge and one of the most famous tourist spots in the city. It connects district of Tbilisi Old Town with Rike Park over a river of Mtkvari. This bridge is relatively young, it was opened for public just in 2010.
Rike Park
Rike park is just recently opened for public a landscaped territory close to Tbilisi Old Town. You can enter Rike park either crossing pedestrian bridge of Peace of from opposite side using stairways from Avlabari district. In parks territory is located an aerial tram which will bring you up to the fortress of Narikala.
New concert hall in Tbilisi
And the Presidental palace in the background.
Beautiful morning mist
| | 9 seen
It was an early morning of August, back in 2015, I was still sleeping, tired of yesterday's hard work of unloading few tones of sand from our rural house's loft, probably still dreaming to finish anytime soon roofing works, when my better part took DSLR camera and went out shooting - look - what a beautiful mist she captured today:
Morning mist
Mist in our backyard territory
Mist in apple orchard
mist over pine coppice
Unloading Few Tonnes of Sand from Loft
| Home Remodeling | 9 seen
For a minute it seemed that all major removal, junk unloading and demolishing works are over, but then I realized we still have that soil coving floor in loft. And I'm speaking of some 25 cm thick layer of soil, for some reason covered there.
Few weeks ago I was still naive I hoped to remove that soil/sand from the loft without any help but myself. Yup, that was quite a naive. Now, when finally last shingles were removed it was time for another pushup - get rid of that soil. I had a two workers helping me around, and it took us about twelve hours to unload and transport soil to the construction pit.
All we needed here: shovels, wheelbarrow and a lot of strength and patience doing such a monotone work
Pile of sand
Black and White photography best describes that day - it was all about sand, dust and gray tones.
Uncovering planks
It took us some time to dig enough through 25cm thick soil to uncover planks underneath
Author of this blog captured in action
That day I actually forgot that I'm actually a Drupal Developer. Now, I will most probably print above image on glossy paper (large format) and hang on some of the walls and will fingering to it to all those Sunday rural lovers - owning a rural house - it's a hard work.
Pile of sands
Using that wheelbarrow we transported soil to the construction pit (at the end of house). I counted for about hundred wheelbarrows.
Beams uncovered
As you can see 25 cm thick layer of soil have done a huge damage, In short all beams are rotten and needs to be replaces urgently. But that's another story, which should develop anytime soon.
Minimum Wages in European Union 2016
| Macroeconomics | 67 seen
In 2016 there were 22 out of 28 European Union member states with official minimum wage set by the government.
Update: Minimum Wages in European Union 2018
The most are receiving residents of Luxembourg (EUR 1,923.00) while the least in Bulgaria (EUR 215).
By simple calculations, I averaged the average minimum wage in 22 EU member states - EUR 810.82. In most of the member countries there is an increase in minimum wage in 2016, still, there is one country with sharp decrease.
N.B. Countries that don't have a minimum wage set by the government in European Union - Austria, Denmark, Finland, Cyprus, Italy and Sweden (collective bargaining agreements effective, instead of minimum wage)
For this year's minimum wage table I decided to include data for 2014, 2015 and current 2016, added growth over year and growth over two years, to better understand the overall scene. Data used in this table are from Minimum wages on Eurostat, List of sovereign states in Europe by minimum wage and my previous articles: Minimum wage 2015; Minimum wage 2014;
Rank Country 2014 2015 2016 Growth one-year Growth two years % 1 Luxembourg 1,921 1,923 1923 0 2 0 2 Ireland 1,461 1,461 1545 84 84 5.43 3 Belgium 1,501 1,502 1502 0 1 0 4 Netherlands 1,485 1,502 1502 0 17 0 5 Germany N/A 1,473 1473 0 N/A 0 6 France 1,455 1,458 1458 0 3 0 7 United Kingdom 1,226 1,378 1398 20 172 1.43 8 Slovenia 789 791 791 0 2 0 9 Spain 752 757 757 0 5 0 10 Malta 702 703 703 0 1 0 11 Greece 683 684 684 0 1 0 12 Portugal 565 589 530 -59 -35 -11.13 13 Estonia 355 390 430 40 75 9.30 14 Poland 405 410 430 20 25 4.65 15 Croatia 396 400 410 10 14 2.43 16 Slovakia 352 380 405 25 53 6.17 17 Latvia 320 360 370 10 50 2.70 18 Czech Republic 309 335 367 32 58 8.71 19 Hungary 327 345 358 13 31 3.63 20 Lithuania 289 325 350 25 61 7.14 21 Romania 202 235 237 2 35 0.84 22 Bulgaria 173 194 215 21 42 9.76 Average EU 746 799.77 810.82The average minimum wage for 22 EU member states has increased by almost EUR 70 during past two years, from EUR 746 in 2014 to EUR 810.92. Of course, its just an overall indicator and doesn't mean minimum wages in all member states are equal. Not at all.
In 2016, there were seven countries with minimum wage larger than EUR 1,000 - Luxembourg, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, France and United Kingdom. These countries as the richest of EU usually doesn't increase their minimum wages sharply, but in 2016 Ireland and UK stands out, by increased monthly minimum by EUR 82.00 and EUR 172.00 respectively, over the past two years.
Map of minimum wages in EU 2016
Five countries - Slovenia, Spain, Malta, Greece and Portugal averages between EUR 791 and EUR 530, with Portugal showing a sharp decrease (- EUR 59) in minimum.
All the rest countries and they are ten (located in the East) fells bellow EUR 500 monthly mark. It will require years, if not decades, for these countries to catch up with better-developed countries in Western Europe.
See: Average wages in EU 2016
Are you living in one of EU member countries and receive minimum wage? - leave your thoughts in the comments section - readers and I would love to hear!
Karabak Turkish Restaurant in Tbilisi
| Restaurant reviews | 57 seen
Karabak is very cool Turkish restaurant located on the busy Queen Tamar Aveneu (Tamar Mephe) in Tbilisi not very far from Tbilisi Railway station.
When I first noticed a huge restaurant opening here on Tamar Mepe avenue, I got confused about its name - Karabak. My first thought was they are naming restaurant after Nagorno-Karabakh unrecognized Republic. Turns out (as I was told) it's not related to disputed land between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but it is actually the restaurant's owner surname)
It was on Valentine's day after two interesting photo journalism wanderings in Tbilisi (see: How Valentine's day was celebrated in Tbilisi and Reconstruction works on Agamashebeli avenue) we decided to visit one of my all times favorite Tbilisi restaurants - Katha 11... When we were at Katha 11... it was closed. I haven't checked lately, but back then I seem it is closed/closed like for permanent, we were sad and hungry... after few minutes of trying to figure out where to get a decent restaurant nearby (our options were: Shaurma club, Theater cafe or Bears restaurant) we agreed to say no to shaurma, theater cafe didn't sound like a serious option for dinner, at Bears I had a negative experience... and then we remembered about Karabak, located close to our apartment and not far from Katkha 11.
Story can be told now:
Spacious dining hall at Karabak restaurant
Seems Karabak is very popular restaurant among local Turks - I noticed a lot of Turkish people here.
Shis kebab
I find it difficult at this place to actually choose a meal - there were no menu to look inside, instead visitors look into such showcases and order. Before we ordered I asked for the price for each course to the waitress. Prices are not high - so - a bowl of soup - 8GEL, or you can order half bowl for 4 lari. Shi kebab some 10 GEL and so on. Pretty average prices.
Just an excellent Turkish coffee served from branded cups
Salads
Delicious Turkish Pide bread
Ribs
Turkish sweets
Finish your meal with sugar sweetened black tea
The Bottom Line
Turkish cuisine restaurant Karabak is a five star venue - meal is prepared according to best traditions. We paid about 60GEL for a full course for two persons. I will definitely return to this place more and more.
Facebook page: Karabak Türk Mutfağı Tbilisi
Art Cafe Kamara
| Restaurant reviews | 13 seen
Art Cafe Kamara is a social enterprise art cafe which employs rehabilitated persons from different addicts, at least I was told so when first visited this place.
Funded by the Swiss Government, this social enterprise art cafe is located at the foothills of Tbilisi Botanical garden in the Old Town.
Art cafe Kamara
Being uninformed about this places social activities, we at start thought - just another art cafe, which wont survive long. But since we were off for a cup of Turkish coffee, it was a great chance to get in, get some coffee and take a look on new artists trying to do business (or something like that)
So we went in - I asked to the bartender - so, tell me please, what this place is all about what you are doing and so on. The person replied - This is a Swiss government funded project for former drug addicts by employing them.
Hmm.. I thought - that's actually changes the way I look on this place. We ordered some Turkish coffee and agreed to order a breakfast omelet as well (thus it was already an afternoon)
Swiss Confederation and International Organization for Migration Mission to Georgia funded Social Enterprise Art Cafe
I'm not the NGO type of person, and I don''t have actually much clue what they are doing, but such project seems a good project.
Omelet at Kamara art cafe
The Bottom Line
It's hard to give an objective review or opinion of this place, because that social thing ads a burden before giving the final verdict. Omelet was good and tasty, coffee too. Prices seemed a little bit too high, but when your thoughts are occupied with social responsibly and you feel you want give a hope, inspiration for people working here, you actually don't pay much attention to prices or the way persons works here.
Otherwise - Art cafe Kamara is just as regular as all the rest Tbilisi cafes. You can find out more about Art cafe Kamara on Facebook
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Christmas Eve at Palolem Beach: Fire Shows, Old Monk
While we just celebrated Orthodox Christmas in Georgia, I can’t help but delve into the memories of our Western Christmas last year (2024), spent on the serene shores of Palolem Beach in Goa, India. That evening was magical in every way, filled with vibrant energy, beautiful scenery, and a new discovery that made the night unforgettable.Palolem…
A Family Guide to Borjomi: Hiking Trails and Sulfur Bath Tips
As summer came to a close, we continued our family's tradition of visiting Borjomi. This year marked yet another memorable trip at the end of August 2024, reaffirming our love for this beautiful Georgian town. Visiting Borjomi at least twice a year has become a cherished routine, a piece of life that we look forward to, blending relaxation,…
Travel guides
Summer in Latvia 2025
Summer in Latvia movie is out - Join us on our July (2025) journey through Latvia: installing a bathtub in our countryside cottage, setting up a pop-up store at Bangotnes, celebrating a birthday in Vērbeļnieki, traveling via Riga to…
Birthday in Thessaloniki, Greece
Turning 40 is a milestone worth celebrating in style, and what better way than in Thessaloniki — a city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and cuisine. From affordable flights and boutique stays to seafood feasts and hidden beaches,…
Azeula Fortress, Tbilisi Sea, and Ateni Sioni
August ended with yet another packed and memorable weekend in Georgia. This time, our journey took us from the hills near Kojori to the refreshing waters of the Tbilisi Sea, and finally to the historical town of Gori, where we enjoyed a…
Hotel Reviews
Stays & Trails La Maison Hotel Review in Panaji
At the tail end of 2024, just before catching our flight back to Delhi, we decided to book a one-night stay at Stays & Trails La Maison Fontainhas in Panaji, Goa. After weeks staying in Palolem beach, we wanted to wrap up our trip with…
Schuchmann Wines Château: A Long-Awaited Stay in Georgia’s Premier Winery Hotel & Spa
It took us over a decade to finally make it to Schuchmann Wines Château & Spa, and it was well worth the wait! We’ve spent years recommending this stunning winery hotel to visiting friends and business partners, yet somehow, we had…
Hotel Belvedere Prague: A Practical Stay with Easy Access
During our recent trip to Prague in mid-October 2024, we stayed at Hotel Belvedere. My partner attended the MEET Central Europe Translators conference, and we were joined by one of our office employees, so we opted to book two rooms. …
Review: Art Hotel Prague – A Cozy Stay in a Tranquil Part of Prague
During our recent trip to Prague in October 2024, we opted for a one-night stay at the Art Hotel Prague. We arrived at the hotel via Bolt taxi from Václav Havel Airport, which was straightforward and efficient. At about EUR 120 per room…
Toursim objects
Plage des Catalans: A Shrinking Memory in Marseille
Plage des Catalans, a sandy crescent tucked along Marseille’s coastline, holds a special place in my travel tapestry. I first visited this beach in the summer of 2003, a carefree stop during my early adventures in the city. Back then, it felt like a haven—close to the bustling port yet offering a slice of Mediterranean calm. When I returned…
Colva Beach: Golden Sands and Tranquility in Goa
Colva Beach, located in South Goa, is known for its expansive golden sands and tranquil atmosphere. Stretching for several kilometers along the Arabian Sea, the beach offers a peaceful escape from the busier tourist hubs in the region. Its wide shoreline, framed by swaying palm trees, provides plenty of space for visitors to relax, stroll, or…
Charles Bridge: A Timeless Landmark in Prague
The Charles Bridge (Karlův most) in Prague is one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in Europe. Built in the 14th century under the reign of King Charles IV, this Gothic stone bridge spans the Vltava River, connecting Prague's Old Town with the Lesser Town (Malá Strana). Adorned with a series of 30 Baroque statues and surrounded by…