Aristaeus - Boutique shop for Georgian Spices and Cheese

6 April, 2015 | Shopping Venues | 238 seen

The other day I did took a camera I recently acquired and went on a long long walk around Tbilisi to improve my photography skills and probably reviewing some local place.  Soon after I finished shots on Rustaveli avenue I headed near Liberty square taking turn on Alexander Pushkin street. One of my first stops were a local Georgian boutique shops of Georgian cheeses, spices and even a liqueur (chacha) - Aristaues.

Since I were more into a photography than buying something here I decided to add this place on my blog, and show you some pictures I managed to capture here. 

In brief - I believe Aristaeus boutique shop is a great place for those in hurry, willing to buy some Georgian spices (or cheese) as souvenir. Indeed it's a good one stop buying place to get all of these goodies at once. Even more they all are packaged in nice looking jars and labelled with nice looking labels. Enjoy!

Georgian jam at Aristeus shop

Georgian jam at Aristaeus boutique shop

Georgian spices at Aristaeus boutique shop

Georgian spices at Aristaeus boutique shop

Goodies at Aristaeus boutique shop

Cheese at Aristaeus boutique shop

It's advertised here they are selling cheese from nunnery of Phoka, if you are not familiar what is nunnery of Phoka - in short it's kinda a monastery where nuns produces cheese. Phoka is located in region of Samtskhe Javakheti.

Aristaeus boutique shop

Aristaeus boutique shop

You can buy a chacha and wine here as well

Aristaeus boutique shop

Location of Aristaeus boutique shop

This boutique shop is located on Alexander Pushkin street 19

The bottom line

I believe Aristaeus boutiqe shop for spices or cheese is ideal choice for those looking to buy some souvenirs to take with them if leaving Georgia. Prices here are a bit pircey compared to those located in Dezerteer Bazaar for example, but hey you are paying for a packaging. If you are into a small jars, nice looking labels - you will love this place. 

Jvari Monastery In Georgia

5 April, 2015 | Churches and Monasteries | 19 seen

Jvari monastery is a popular tourist destination in Georgia, and I believe there are two reasons of that - first it's located close to the nation's capital Tbilisi and second it offers a really scenic views to nearby city of Mtskheta and delta of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Another reason to mention - the monastery is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

First time I headed here was probably back in 2011, since then I have visited this place for some couple of other times.

Recently my blog got a new equipment - Canon EOS 1200D - and I decided it's best to start exploring a new camera here. With help of my good friend Johann I learned a few good techniques that day and I hope the photos featured on my blog will become more viewable and enjoyable. 

Here are some photos I managed to capture at Jvari monastery:

Horse on pasture near Jvari monastery

Jvari monastery

Jvari Monastery stands on the rocky mountaintop at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta, which was formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Iberia.

According to traditional accounts, on this location in the early 4th century Saint Nino, a female evangelist credited with converting King Mirian III of Iberia to Christianity, erected a large wooden cross on the site of a pagan temple. The cross was reportedly able to work miracles and therefore drew pilgrims from all over the Caucasus. A small church was erected over the remnants of the wooden cross in c.545 named the "Small Church of Jvari".

Parking lot near Jvari monastery

Rocks near Jvari

Dome inside Jvari​

The present building, or "Great Church of Jvari", is generally held to have been built between 590 and 605 by Erismtavari Stepanoz I. This is based on an inscription on its facade which mentions the principal builders of the church: Stephanos the patricius, Demetrius the hypatos, and Adarnase the hypatos. Professor Cyril Toumanoff disagrees with this view, identifying these individuals as Stepanoz II, Demetre (brother of Stepanoz I), and Adarnase II (son of Stepanoz II), respectively.

The importance of Jvari complex increased over time and attracted many pilgrims. In the late Middle Ages, the complex was fortified by a stone wall and gate, remnants of which still survive. During the Soviet period, the church was preserved as a national monument, but access was rendered difficult by tight security at a nearby military base. After the independence of Georgia, the building was restored to active religious use. Jvari was listed together with other monuments of Mtskheta in 1994 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

However, over the centuries the structures suffered damage from rain and wind erosion and inadequate maintenance. Jvari was listed in the 2004 World Monuments Watch list by the World Monuments Fund.

Mtkvari and Aragvi delta near Mtskheta

A spectacular view from Jvari monastery towards Mtskheta town  - I believe many tourists head here to take those amazing photos

View to Mtskheta town

Look how this ancient Georgian capital city looks like a toy city from here

Candle at Jvari monastery

I photographed this candle actually some 50 times, from different angles, with different shooting techniques and found following - to photograph a lighting candle is a great way to learn SLR photography

Inside Jvari monastery​

The Jvari church is an early example of a "four-apsed church with four niches" domed tetraconch. Between the four apses are three-quarter cylindrical niches which are open to the central space, and the transition from the square central bay to the base of the dome's drum is effected through three rows of squinches. This "four-apses four-niches" church design is found in the architecture of Georgia, Armenia, and Caucasian Albania, and is often referred to as a "Hripsime-type plan" after its best known example, the church of St. Hripsime in Armenia. The Jvari church had a great impact on the further development of Georgian architecture and served as a model for many other churches.

Varied bas-relief sculptures with Hellenistic and Sasanian influences decorate its external façades, some of which are accompanied by explanatory inscriptions in Georgian Asomtavruli script. The entrance tympanum on the southern façade is adorned with a relief of the Glorification of the Cross, the same façade also shows an Ascension of Christ.

Uncertainty over, and debate about, the date of the church's construction have assumed nationalist undertones in Georgia and Armenia, with the prize being which nation can claim to have invented the "four-apsed church with four niches" form.

First Impressions Of Canon EOS 1200D Camera With 18-55mm Lens

4 April, 2015 | Digital Photography School | 67 seen

I'm not a professional photographer and never have wanted to became a pro. For years I have used my good old Sony DSC H7 camera and never have complained much of it. Well the one and major issue with Sony DSC H7 - it doesn't take good night vision photos. You can find pretty much of photos I have taken on my blog's photos section. See: Photos

Lately (for about a year) I have been using my phones (Samsung) camera even more than I have been using my hand camera. The reason is plain simple - sometimes it's much easier to take a OK quality photos with your phone instead of taking your equipment all the time with yourself. I'm just a regular dude not a pro doing regular shots.

Update: Canon EOS Rebel T6i Digital SLR Review

Now, back to the subject of this article: Canon EOS 1200D camera

In different markets this camera is marketed differently, like in Europe it's called EOS 1200D, in Unites States EOS Rebel T5 while in Japan it has even more romantic name of EOS Kiss X70. Read: Canon EOS 1200D 

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I first met with this camera under the name of EOS Rebel T5 back in last holiday season when I was searching for some great DSLR deals on Amazon. Read Canon Digital SLR Cameras - Save up to $200 

Second time we noticed there is a sale for this camera on local Carrefour store here in Georgia (Read: Living in Georgia). The offer from Carrefour was so tempting that I could not resist to it. But before that I contacted a friend of mine (Who as I believe is much better in photography than me) - in brief told him - hey, there is this great offer from Carrefour for Canon EOS1200D it's just for 700 GEL (National currency in Georgia) / $311.00 / EUR 283.00.

Friend of mine admitted that - yes, indeed that's a tempting offer... And then after a brief conversation do we really need a brand new camera we just bought it. As a free gift we got a really god backpack for safe handling for this camera.

Canon EOS 1200D in the box

Canon EOS 1200D Body (Front view)

Canon EOS 1200D Body (Back view)

Canon EOS 1200D Body 

Canon EOS 1200D Body and 18-55mm lense

Canon EOS 1200D side view

Canon EOS 1200D 18-55mm kit

Backpack for Canon EOS 

First test photos of Canon EOS 1200D

I made a few tests shots using just automatic camera settings by using auto functionally button

Macro of a Clover using Canon EOS 1200D

It was one of my first shots using this brand new camera and it looks pretty impressive for me

A clothes pins 

Another macro using Canon EOS 1200D

A brick wall in high sun light

Well this one probably is not the best shot I managed to take, but hey I'm just testing and it was a pretty strong evening sun. A year ago, using my Sony DC H7 camera I tried to make a time lapse of this wall, take a look how it looked like: Last day of April (complete Time Lapse)

The bottom line

I believe this Canon EOS 1200D will be a great investment both for me and for blog as well. Seems I'm ready to take a next step and enter into SLR cameras, and I believe Canon EOS 1200D is one of the best starting points.

From the Manufacturer

Perfect for families, budding photo enthusiasts and first-time SLR users alike, the EOS Rebel T5 makes it easy to capture movies and photos that are nothing short of dazzling. It features a powerful 18.0 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) image sensor and Canon's DIGIC 4 Image Processor for easy recording of HD video and high-resolution photos and has a huge 3.0-inch LCD screen for Live View recording and review. With a 63-zone, Dual-layer metering system, an expanded ISO range for outstanding operation in less-than-perfect light, shooting modes like Scene Intelligent Auto to take the guesswork out of complex shots plus creative options like Canon's Basic+ function and Creative Auto, the EOS Rebel T5 is ready for anything. With a helpful Feature Guide, rugged, lightweight construction and proven Canon design, the EOS Rebel T5 makes EOS SLR photography faster and easier than ever!

Buy this camera on Amazon

'Factory 27' Restaurant Review In Tbilisi

3 April, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 11 seen

Factory 27 is a kinda avant-garde restaurant located on Zandukeli street 27 in Tbilisi. European style cuisine is served here.

We have heard of it before on some local Facebook groups and many users called this place as must have / best of the kind in the city. So on a lovely Sunday's morning at the end of March we decided to head here and try it ourselves.

Our first problems arise  - we had no clue of precise location of this place. Sitting at the McDonald's on Rustaveli street I connected to Wi-Fi and started to search for directions. After I found it's location I entered coordinates and we started to walk. Walk was about 600 meters with pretty good climb starting from McDonald's. The strange thing happened - my GPS showed - you have missed already that location, but we didn't see any sing of restaurant yet.

So we were standing on a corner of some street and tried to figure out what just happened? Should I blame Google Maps? After some 15 minutes of just wondering we finally found that place some 50 meters back... it was located one level under street level (you can recognize that place just by graffiti's on wall - see pictures bellow).

Turns out - Factory 27 indeed is of the best in town, I was so impressed of this place I could resist to photograph it. Result? See bellow:

Graffiti on Factory 27 Restaurant Wall

Cosy inside yard at Factory 27

Menu at this restaurant

Menu here is availiable both in Georgian and English

Colourful chairs at Factory 27

Yard at Factory 27

Yard at Factory 27

At restaurant Factory 27

At restaurant Factory 27

Graffiti on walls

Bar counter

Inside interior at Factory 27

A chef in work

Cappuccino at this restaurant

Cutlery in the jar

I must admit simple and elegant

Cream mushroom soup with blue cheese

Damn it was very well prepared, I'm not affraid saying - best cream soup I have tried in Tbilisi

Bruchettes served with olives

Avocado salads with blue cheese

Ideal taste combination, perfect performace

Avocado salads with blue cheese

Quesadilla with chicken

Again another masterpiece from Factory 27

Chocolate panacotta at Factory 27

Well - I wouldn't call this a panacotta at all, instead some chocolate cream, when I told to waitress - hey it's not a panacotta she just replied - and so, everybody likes it, nobody complains!

I was not complaining it tasted delicious, but I still insisted it's chocolate cream not panacotta. After then I found - yes there is a variation of panacota - a chocalte panacota, so probably waitress was right.

Speaking of visuals - well that was completely wrong - just take a look at above picture.

Factory 27 Logo

New York Poster at Factory 27 restaurant

The Bottom Line

Factory 27 indeed is one of the best restaurants in Tbilisi where I have ordered and really enjoyed my meal. It's a bit pricey compared to other restaurants, for all above seen food we paid around 60 GEL ($27.00 / EUR 25.00). Personal here speaks very good English. Interior as I mentioned at start of this post is pretty much avant-garde. 

Without doubt - Factory 27 is a restaurant you definitely should visit when in Tbilisi.

Blog Traffic Report - March 2015 - 20,499 Users

2 April, 2015 | Blogging | 10 seen

Welcome to my monthly blog traffic report, this is the 18 traffic report so far.

I'm doing both traffic and income reports to measure were I was, were I am and were I am heading to. Those reports keep me track my progress (or bounces), and hopefully can give a lesson to you as well.

What I have done in March

March was pretty crazy month - in total I posted 66 articles what is a personal best so far (Previous time I posted so much was back in October 2013, when I just launched my blog). The reason I decided to increase my blog post count is a plain simple - I believe it helps to give a SEO boost. In fact I have been posting more than 1 post per day for a last of couple months already. I'm planing to go back to my regular schedule (one article per day) starting this month. Read bellow why I made such decision.

Last month I made 8 Tbilisi restaurant reviews, did some hiking and cycling tours in Tbilisi and Georgia (See: Living in Georgia), crafted 2 food blogger posts (Damn, they are one of the hardest).

Pretty much I'm satisfied with what I have done and written last month, except I got trapped in 'Eurovision' traps (I made total of 19 posts related to Eurovision participants with little or no value added - just copy/pasted from official Eurovision.TV website by adding little or no description. 

And here is my advice - despite how tempting it might seem - don't ever copy/paste articles if you are not very well known and passionate of that topic, so you can expand that article with more than 2000 with your own words.

On middle of March I realized that I have been trapped and I sworn to stop doing using copy/paste on my blog: Read How to Write a Blog Continuously (Tips After 18 Month of Daily Blogging) 

I used Facebook ads to drive traffic to my blog, in total I created two different campaigns to promote:

Tbilisi restaurants

Best drones available on market

Speaking of Tbilisi restaurants  - I have been doing for a while reviews of local Tbilisi café's, restaurant's, pubs e.t.c. I decided it's a good idea to attract local Georgian audience by spending a few dollars on Ads. The results - well I have ambivalent feelings regarding this. It did attracted a lot local Georgian Audience that's true, unfortunately few local web masters decided to scrap my content and republish on their websites. I stopped promotion when noticed this pattern. (Put it together how I coppied articles from Eurovision.TV and find how strange it might sound now)

Speaking of drones - I have been failing in love with them lately (though I have not obtained a one yet) - I created a best seller list with best drones available on market, and used Facebook Ads to drive US audience to that post - the result - well it was not so cost effective than in case of promoting Tbilisi restaurants, but it generated some likes and some clicks. 

Visitors

This March come with a 40.61% traffic gain if compared to previous month (February 2015) and totalled in 20,499 unique visitors

Blog Traffic Report: March 2015 (Data source: Google Analytics)

Where I was a year ago 

This is another interesting trend I like to measure. My blog now is 18 months old and since I have been doing monthly traffic reports from the first blogging month, it's easy to compare where I was year ago.

Blog Traffic Report: March 2015 vs March 2014 (Data source: Google Analytics)

A year ago my blog was 6 month old, back then I managed to attract modest 542 users, which back then seemed a reasonable traffic,  now a year after, I have attracted 20,499 users what is almost 40 times more than year ago - pretty impressive growth, right!? 

Road to 100K users in a month

Starting last summer, I have been measuring my success (or failures) to reach 100,000 unique visitors in a month.

Since there is nothing much I can analyse (just actual traffic results) - at end of the March 2015 - I stand at 20,49% level of eventual 100,000 unique visitors. I doubt I will reach 100 K any time soon, but I believe it might happen in next 2 or 3 years (Last summer I was concerned that it should take at least 5 years)

Road to 150K users in 2015

At the end of December 2014 I did set up another goal I would like to achieve this year - to attract 150,000 users to my blog in 2015.

It would ask around 12,500 users a month to reach such goal. Since I ended this month with a little bit more than 20K and almost cracked 20K milestone on January, and had a pretty good 14.5 K last month - I believe I'm on right track.

My cumulative traffic after 3 months stands at 54,499, so technically speaking I should average at least 10,611 users for next 9 months to reach this goal. I'm pretty confident that I will achieve my goal by the end of 2015.

In Conclusion: Forecast for April

I have pretty good feelings regarding this April, Google has announced that starting April 21 it will update it's algorithm giving a significant boost for mobile-ready websites, since my blog qualifies as mobile-ready I'm expecting something good at the last decade of April. Read: How Google 'Mobile-Friendly' Ranking Factor Will Affect SEO

It would be awesome to crack 25,000 user milestone this month, but as usual I will stick with more humble forecast saying 20, 000 users for April as well.

16 Places To Visit In Georgia And Tbilisi

1 April, 2015 | Living in Georgia | 75 seen

More than 10 years ago I first landed at the Tbilisi airport and for the first time took a step on Georgian land. 

That happened on April 1st, 2011 - I like this data - it's known Worldwide as a Fool's day. 

With this article, originally I was celebrating my fourth year living in Georgia. But now, the article has grown into one of the most popular articles about travel destinations in Georgia. 

In this list, I have listed 16 must-see / must-do places while in Georgia that I have personally visited and/or have taken action on. Use this article to plan your trip to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Gudauri, Bakuriani, and more

World Backup Day: Protect Your Data with a Robust Backup Plan

31 March, 2015 | Servers | 9 seen

World Backup Day is an annual event observed on March 31st to raise awareness about the importance of backup and data protection. The day is a reminder that data loss can occur at any time, and having a backup plan in place is essential to ensure the safety of important data and prevent significant disruptions to our daily lives.

In today's digital age, we rely on technology more than ever before. Our personal and professional lives are heavily dependent on the digital devices and services we use daily. From personal photos, documents, and contacts to business-critical files, databases, and intellectual property, our data is critical to our daily lives.

Despite this dependence, many people fail to realize the importance of data backup until it's too late. Data loss can occur due to various reasons, including hardware failure, malware attacks, accidental deletion, natural disasters, and theft. Losing this data can result in significant financial losses, security breaches, and reputational damage.

To avoid the risks associated with data loss, it's essential to have a robust data backup plan in place. A backup plan is a set of processes and tools used to copy, store, and recover data in case of a disaster. A backup plan should include the following elements:

World Backup Day serves as a reminder to individuals and businesses to review their backup plans and ensure they are up-to-date and effective. It's an opportunity to evaluate the backup plan's effectiveness, assess any gaps, and take corrective action as needed. Whether you are an individual, a small business, or a large corporation, data backup should be a critical part of your IT strategy.

In conclusion, World Backup Day is an essential reminder that data loss can occur at any time, and it's essential to have a robust backup plan in place to protect critical data. By following best practices in data backup, you can minimize the risks associated with data loss, ensure business continuity, and protect your personal and professional data.

Tbilisi Sulphur Baths On Kiev Street

31 March, 2015 | Health & Wellness | 77 seen

Most often referred just as the "Kiev's Bath" which is a direct translation from Russian "Киевская баня". This sulfur bathhouse is located on Kiev's street (left side cross-street from David Aghmanashebeli avenue)

I have been heading here since days we had a nice apartment in this neighborhood on Rome street, discovered first at the end of 2012.

Some would call Kiev's bathhouse old and neglected (and that's true), some would call them a good and cheap alternative to those more expensive (and fancier) located in the Tbilisi Old Town.

Facade of Kiev's bathhouse in Tbilisi

In 2019 there have been some repair works done, and now bathhouse looks decent. There have been added huge informative posters (saying it's a sulfur bath)  to the broken window boxes. I really love this creative way how to achieve result with a limited budget. 

Renovated Kiev's bathhouse in Tbilisi

One hour bathing here will cost you 10 GEL ($4.50 / EUR 4.10) ( the price has been increased to GEL 20 per hour for a single bath since the start of 2016, the price is still valid in 2019) and it's more a way locals do it. They have more expensive and probably cheaper options also. 

Sulfur pool

Pools are pretty small, but quite OK for one/two persons

Wall tiles

The bathhouse is run in two shifts which means they are working 24/7, by days there are nice old ladies and in the evenings/nights there are a bit scary man running bathhouse. In times when ladies shift is running, baths are clean, in times when it's a man shift - it's 50/50 :) I doubt any personel here speaks any English, some basic Georgian or Russian language knowledge is needed.

Anteroom

You can order a cup of Turkish coffee from old ladies running this bath, it will cost you 1 GEL.

20 Best Toshiba / Dynabook Laptops You Can Buy Online - Amazon.com

30 March, 2015 | Laptop Reviews | 94 seen

Toshiba was once a major player in the world of technology, with a strong reputation for producing high-quality laptops. However, in recent years, the company has experienced significant changes that have affected its laptop business.

In 2018, Toshiba sold off its laptop division to Sharp, a Japanese electronics company. This move came after years of financial struggles for Toshiba, which had been impacted by a number of issues, including an accounting scandal and a costly expansion into the nuclear power industry.

Under Sharp's ownership, Toshiba laptops have been rebranded as Dynabook, although the company still uses the Toshiba name in some markets. Dynabook has continued to produce laptops that are similar in design and functionality to the old Toshiba models, but with a renewed focus on innovation and quality.

Despite the changes, Dynabook has managed to maintain a loyal customer base thanks to its reputation for reliable, durable laptops. In fact, the company was recently ranked number one in laptop reliability by SquareTrade, a leading provider of protection plans for electronics.

In addition to its laptops, Dynabook also produces a range of other technology products, including tablets, storage devices, and accessories. The company has also made a commitment to sustainability, with a focus on reducing its environmental impact through initiatives such as energy-efficient products and responsible manufacturing practices.

Overall, while Toshiba laptops may no longer exist in their original form, the brand lives on through Dynabook, which continues to produce high-quality laptops for both personal and professional use. As the company continues to evolve and innovate, it remains a trusted and reliable choice for those in need of a new laptop. 

A quick note: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on the Amazon site, I might earn an affiliate income from that. The prices for laptop computers listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product Advertising API and are updated daily. For actual prices please refer to the product page on Amazon.

DYNABOOK Satellite Pro C50-J15250 Laptop, 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7, Windows 11 Pro, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, 15.6" FHD Display, Intel UHD Graphics, Thin & Light, Full-Size Keyboard (PYS43U-00F00)

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Toshiba 2023 Dynabook Tecra A40-K 14" FHD Business Laptop, 12th Gen Intel 12 Cores i7-1260P, 64GB DDR4 RAM, 2TB PCIe SSD, WiFi 6, BT 5.2, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 10 Pro, BROAG 64GB Flash Drive

• CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P, 12C (4P + 8E) / 16T, P-core 2.1 / 4.7GHz, E-core 1.5 / 3.4GHz, 18MB
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• Bundled with BROAG 3 In 1 Design Stylus (Stylus Pen + Ballpoint Pen + USB 3.0 64GB Flash Drive). OS: Windows 10 Professional, 64-bit, English. U.S. English Premium, Raised Tile, Backlit Keyboard; Dark Blue.
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Toshiba Dynabook Satellite Pro L50-G Business Computer, 15.6" FHD Laptop, Intel Quard-Core i7-10510U, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, GeForce MX250 2GB, Bluetooth, WiFi, Webcam, Type-C, Windows 10 Pro

• CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U Processor @ 1.8 GHz (4 Cores, 8M Cache, up to 4.90 GHz)
• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Non-Touch Display; NVI-DIA GeForce MX250 2GB GDDR5. Webcam and Microphone Ideal for Home, Student, Professionals, Small Business, School Education, and Commercial Enterprise, Online Class, Google Classroom, Remote Learning, Zoom Ready.
• 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 SDRAM Memory; 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive.
• Wireless-LAN (802.11ac+agn) + Bluetooth. 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (Data, Power, Display), 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (1 w/ USB Sleep and Charge), 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ-45 LAN, 1 x SD, Headset.
• Bundled with All-in-One Conference Camera, Microphone & Speaker for HD1080P Video Call, Wide-Angle 90° Camera, 10ft Voice Pickup, AI Noise-Cancel. OS: Windows 10 Professional, 64-bit, English. Premium raised-tile Non-Backlit Keyboard w/10 key numeric pad.

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2018 TOSHIBA Tecra A50 15.6" HD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Core i7-7500U up to 3.50GHz, 16GB DDR4, 256GB M.2 SSD, DVD±RW, HDMI, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, TPM 2.0, USB 3.0, Windows 10 Professional

• 15.6" HD 1366 x 768 LED backlight display, Intel HD Graphics 620
• 7th Gen Intel Core i7-7500U Processor @ 2.70GHz (2 Cores, 4M Cache, up to 3.50GHz)
• 16GB DDR4, 256GB M.2 SSD; 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x VGA, 1 x Headphone output/Microphone input combo, Gigabit LAN and WLAN, 10/100/1000Mbps LAN ; DVD Super Multi, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, Webcam, Media Reader, Built-in stereo speakers, Touch pad pointing device with multi-touch control
• Security Lock Slot: Use the slot to tether your PC to the desk to further deter thefts; Fingerprint Reader and TPM: Equipped with a Fingerprint Reader and Trusted Platform Module v2.0 so that you can secure your data and thwart unauthorized access
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2018 TOSHIBA Tecra 15.6" HD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Core i7-7500U up to 3.50GHz, 8GB DDR4, 256GB M.2 SSD, DVD±RW, HDMI, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, TPM 2.0, USB 3.0, Windows 10 Professional

• 15.6" HD 1366 x 768 LED backlight display, Intel HD Graphics 620, 8GB DDR4 can up to 16GB, 256GB M.2 SSD
• 7th Gen Intel Core i7-7500U Processor @ 2.70GHz (2 Cores, 4M Cache, up to 3.50GHz)
• Security Lock Slot: Use the slot to tether your PC to the desk to further deter thefts; Fingerprint Reader and TPM: Equipped with a Fingerprint Reader and Trusted Platform Module v2.0 so that you can secure your data and thwart unauthorized access
• 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x VGA, 1 x Headphone output/Microphone input combo, Gigabit LAN and WLAN, 10/100/1000Mbps LAN ; DVD Super Multi, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, Webcam, Media Reader, Built-in stereo speakers, Touch pad pointing device with multi-touch control
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Shemoikhede Genatsvale Restaurant Review in Tbilisi (Marjanishvili Street)

29 March, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 39 seen

Shemoikhede Genatsvale is a restaurant in Tbilisi (Marjanishvili street 5) owned by a GMC Group. GMC Group is famous in Georgia and particularity in Georgia because of they run many chains of restaurants.

I was really hungry that night and decided let's search for some great offer at local discount portals - I insisted tonight I'm interested in Georgian traditional cuisine like khinkhali or kababi. So we started to search.

Now - we found a great deal, for about 17 GEL ( $7.50 / EUR 7.00) which included 2 kababs and 20 khinkali. Exactly what I was looking for that night. We bought a discount coupon at local Georgian hotsale.ge portal. And shortly we headed to this place, I have never been previously.

For a surprise, staff members asked us to provide a temporary residence permits before we can use that coupon here. Since we have been using those discount coupons pretty much here in Georgia and before nobody have asked for a document confirming our permit residence of living in Georgia I was a bit shocked. Instead of showing our permits I insisted to talk with a a manager - after a short conversations with manager we were fine, no need to show a residence permit to have a meal here (use a discount coupon). Pretty strange experience, but hey - it's Georgia!

As usual I took my phone with myself and instagramed this place:

Painting outside restaurant

Table at this restaurant

Bottle of tasty Georgian Lemonade

Kababi served with Sacabeli sauce

Kababi served with Sacabeli sauce

A cup of Turkish Coffee

20 khinkali

The bottom line

In overall they serve a great typical Georgian cuisine here, prices are modest, service is pretty OK. Go try yourself!

'Lermontov' Documentary Film

29 March, 2015 | Documentaries | 3 seen

Lermonov is a documentary film about famous Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov made by Star Media. Babich design. Released in 2014. The film is spoken in Russian, and English subtitles are provided.

I have never thought I will actually spend an evening watching something like this, but after spending a lovely afternoon at charming and for me un-typical Tbilisi literature cafe, where accidentally I started to read some Russian language books with Lermontov's poetry and more accidentally by reading a poem called "Dispute" I was just eager to learn more of this talented 19th-century poet. So I found this amazing documentary film.

This film tells a story about Lermontov's life in chapters, childhood, love, army, Caucasus, and Death. Comparing facts from this film with those available on Wikipedia I found this documentary quite realistic and very fact-based. 

Mikhail Lermontov (1814-1841) was one of Russia’s greatest poets and writers. His famous novel, “A Hero of Our Time” was one of the most popular Russian books of all time. His works were always timely and relevant, enjoying vast popularity especially among young people. Lermontov’s poetry and prose were translated into many languages and take their rightful place among the classics of world literature. Lermontov died at the age of 27, fighting a duel under strange circumstances. He grew up without parents, had two serious love affairs, was always surrounded by good friends, went through war, but nevertheless remained lonely throughout his whole life.

This movie, made to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lermontov's birth, gives an insightful look at how his personal life intertwined with the plots of his works. The poet’s reality is gradually transferred into the world of his own imagination, while the characters and events he describes provide answers to the biographical mysteries of Lermontov’s fate.

Rachis Ubani Tbilisi Restaurant Review

26 March, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 68 seen

I would call Rachis Ubani restaurant probably one of the best restaurants in Tbilisi. This restaurant serves a traditional Georgian Cuisine.

It's not even about the great food they are serving here (although food is tremendous here) but more of its location. 

Rachis Ubani restaurant is located on road serpentine between Vake and Turtle lake, on the edge of Tbilisi Open Air Ethnographic Museum. It is best to enjoy your meal at this restaurant's patio during hot summer evenings. The restaurant offers spectacular views of city lights. After tasting the wine they are serving here in combination with those views you will definitely agree with me by saying - it's the best restaurant in Tbilisi.

Rachis Ubani meaning in English is - Racha House. Racha is a historical region of Georgia since this restaurant is located at the edge of Open Air Museum - and probably situated in Rachians style building - so here you have a meaning of this place.

I first discovered this restaurant back in 2011 and as a rule of thumb in Georgia   - if a restaurant is in business for years it's a good restaurant.

Badrijani at Rachis Ubani restaurant

Tkemali and Sacebeli sauces

Barbecue with sliced onions

Home style fried potatoes with onions

More barbecue

Fried champignons filled with Sulguni cheese

Yard at Rachis Ubani

Well at Rachis Ubani

The bottom line

Rachis Ubani is one of the most expensive restaurants in Tbilisi I'm visiting. For  all above seen food I paid around 90 GEL ($40.00 / EUR 37.00) - it's a bit pricey compared to other Tbilisi restaurants, but as I mentioned the views and atmosphere provided at Rachis Ubani restaurant compensates that.

Restaurant 'Oriental Pearl' Review In Tbilisi

25 March, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 14 seen

Welcome to another Tbilisi restaurant reviews series - today I will write about a Chinese cuisine restaurant Oriental Pearl located on Paliashvili street 90 (Vake district) in Tbilisi.

I first discovered this restaurant a few year ago, and ever since have been heading here for some 2 times per year.

In overall it's a lit bit pricey compared to other restaurants, but hey it's a Chinese Cuisine. 

As usual for taking photographs I'm using my Samsung phone and using Instagram (then taking them from Instagram and adding to posts - you can read a blog post on how I turned my Instagram account into a photo blog 

Window case at Oriental Pearl

Entrance doors at Oriental Pearl restaurant

Table at Oriental Pearl

The menu at Oriental Pearl

Chicken in sweet and sour sauce

The bottom line.

Oriental Pearl restaurant is pretty good but is a bit expensive compared to other Tbilisi restaurants. It's about 60 GEL ($27.00 / EUR 25.00) for all seen above. But without doubt, I can recommend it - if you are fond of Chinese cuisine.

Algeti Reservoir

24 March, 2015 | Lakes | 41 seen

The other day during a hiking tour at Birtvisi Canyon we discovered another interesting tourism object in Georgia- Algeti reservoir. I couldn't resist making some photos here (see below). 

I didn't find much information about this reservoir in English language resources, but I found one in Russian Wikipedia, so I will try to translate it here:

Algeti reservoir is a reservoir on the river of Algeti, located in the territory of Georgia in Tetri Ttskaro district, near the village of Tbeti.

The total volume of the reservoir - 65 million m³, useful - 60 million cubic meters. It's is planned to build a hydroelectric power station "Algeti HPP" with a capacity of 1.1 MW on Algeti reservoir.

Water from the Algeti reservoir is used in the irrigation system of Tbisi-Kumisi, which supplies water to villages of Jorjiashvili, Asureti, Borbalo, Koda, Marabda, Khaishi, Dundruki, Kasalari and other villages in Marneuli region.

Photos:

Down at the Algeti Reservoir

Scenic view to Algeti Reservoir

You can drive down and park your car

Though I would not recommend doing that - the road down to the reservoir is pretty bad and with many pits, you can be stuck easily on that road. If you are going down - make sure you have an SUV at least.

Algeti reservoir

Algeti Reservoir

Tremendous view of Algeti reservoir

This view recalls me a scene from the movie 'Michael Clayton' with George Clooney, when he drives his car in a dawn through a fog and stops after seeing horses in a meadow... he goes closer to take a better look and ... boom his car explodes. 

Algeti reservoir

Algeti reservoir in Georgia

A dam on Algeti Reservoir

I'm eager to return to this place in summer and would like to float a boat here or to test my eventually new drone to film this place from above.

Hiking In Birtvisi Canyon (Hidden Trails Of Georgia)

22 March, 2015 | Outdoor Activities | 184 seen

The other day in the company of three we headed to Birtvisi Canyon for some hiking experience.

It all started reading some info of a non-standard close to Tbilisi located destinations. And Birtvisi just popped up on this list. Turns out - there is a Birtvisi Fortress located somewhere in the middle of these canyons.

I had never before heard of such place and was pretty much surprised learning that it's located just some one-hour drive from Tbilisi, in the region of Kvemo Kartli (Lower Kartli). Birtvisi canyon is located in Trialeti Planned National Park.

There are two main roads heading to Birtvisi from Tbilisi:

Tbilisi - Birtvisi road

Driving directions: Tbilisi - Birtvisi (distance ~ 60 km)

We choose the longest but probably the better road (asphalt road) via road 6

Head on Rustavi Highway (Road 6), at the intersection turn right on Marnueli direction (Road E117 - look on road  for signs heading to Marnueli), then at village of Koda again make a right turn and just drive straight passing villages of Asureti, Jorijashvili, Sagharasheni now you should start looking for local tourism signs (brown) directing to Birtvisi.

At first, there will be a sign indicating the distance to Birtvisi 1km. We missed this but after some 2 km there is a second sign - Birtvisi 3.5 km, make a sharp right turn just after this sign, drive into some village, take the first left turn, drive some 300 meters, and here you go - you have arrived on site, you should leave your vehicle on a mountainous meadow and make the rest distance (some 2.5 km) by foot - well, that's why I call it a hiking, right?

Unfortunately we weren't informed about precise location of Birtvisi Fortress at that moment, so we didn't reach it actually this time.

Now I have learned that if we would continue our route and not turned back, we would probably reach that fortress after some 2km. But no regrets about that, just another reason to come back to this lovely place with spectacular views.

Photos from this route

Buds at Birtvisi

Trail to Birtvisi Canyon

Birtvisi Canyon

Mountain flowers at Birtvisi Canyon

Dead tree at Birtvisi Canyon

Valley at Birtvisi Canyon

View from Birtvisi Canyon

Dandelion at Birtvisi Canyon

At Birtvisi Canyon

Moss on the rocks

Birtvisi Canyon

At Birtvisi Canyon

Rocks at the Birtvisi Canyon 

I'm definitely planing to come back to this place, probably this autumn when it will be more green. Next time I'm eager to find that well hidden fortress as well.

About Birtvisi

Birtvisi is a ruined medieval fortress in Kvemo Kartli, Georgia, nested within limestone cliffs in the Algeti river gorge. It is now within the boundaries of the Tetri-Tsqaro municipality, adjacent to the Algeti National Park, south-west of the nation's capital Tbilisi.

Birtvisi is essentially a natural rocky fortress of 1 km², secured by walls and towers, the most prominent of which – known as Sheupovari ("Obstinate") – tops the tallest rock in the area.

Various accessory structures, an aqueduct included, have also survived.

In written sources, Birtvisi is first mentioned as a possession of the Arab amir of Tiflis of which he was divested by the Georgian nobles Liparit, Duke of Kldekari and Ivane Abazasdze in 1038. In medieval Georgia, Birtvisi entertained a reputation of an impregnable stronghold whose master could control the entire strategic Algeti gorge. The Turco-Mongol amir Timur notably reduced the fortress during one of his invasions of Georgia in 1403.After the partition of the Kingdom of Georgia later in the 15th century, Birtvisi was within the borders of the Kingdom of Kartli and in possession of the princes Baratashvili.