Royal House Gori
The Royal house is said to be a 4-star hotel located in Gori, Georgia.
I booked this place for a one-night stay at the end of January 2022. The pictures on Booking.com and reality are totally different. Luckily the price I paid was just GEL 64 (that's about EUR 20) and the stay was only one night.
Now, the so-called hotel is decent, there is a bed (a lot of beds) heating, shower. Just hard to call it a 4-star hotel, more like a hostel or a guest house.
As we had a lot of wine that night, the stay was OK.
ideally suited for backpackers or you get what you paid for. Really I was hopiing to get a 4-star hotel for 20 EUR? LOL
If you are looking for a cheap and decent stay…
Galle Face Green
Galle Face is a 5 ha (12 acres) ocean-side urban park, which stretches for 500 m (1,600 ft) along the coast, in the heart of Colombo, the financial and business capital of Sri Lanka.
The promenade was initially laid out in 1859 by Governor Sir Henry George Ward, although the original Galle Face Green extended over a much larger area than is seen today. The Galle Face Green was initially used for horse racing and as a golf course, but was also used for cricket, polo, football, tennis and rugby.
i had a chance to visit Galle Face green park at the start of January 2022, during our 11 day trip in Sri Lanka. To get here I was using the tuk-tuk service.
We our Tuk - Tuk driver at …
Sulfur Bath N5 in Tbilisi
Sulfur Bath N5 is located in the Tbilisi Bath district of Abanotubani.
We have been heading to these bathhouses a lot in the past (back in 2011-2013), since then we have changed our location, visiting other, not so fancy ones on Kyiv street, but lately again, we have started to visit sulfur bathhouses in the old town district.
Chreli Abano Sulfur Bath in Tbilisi
This time we visited Bath house N5
The bathhouse is located near the Heydar Aliyev park
We got this small but deep sulfur bath for about GEL 70.
Tea with jam after or during the bath.
Place seems bit neglected, but also price for private rooms is bit lower. I guess they also have public bath…
Experienced my second Earth Quake in Tbilisi
On February 13, 2022, late evening for the second time in my life, I felt tremors of an earthquake and they happened in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. According to the sources the magnitude of the earthquake was 5.4 with the epicenter in Armenia.
My previous experience with earthquakes dates back to June 2014, when I experienced tremours from a 4.8 magnitudes strong earthquake.
We were watching a TV show, when the tremours started, the bed was shacking quite well. I bit panicked, ran to the child room and quickly thought how to evacuate in case of something serious, but couldn't figure nothing better than just to cover our child with my body. Luckly the tremours soon stopped, but I still…
Bakuriani ski resort in Georgia
Bakuriani COOL - another awesome weekend has been on our tapes. The little one for the first time on skates and skis. Paragliding, chariot riding, and some investment opportunities. Enjoy the video and thumbs up!
Independence Memorial Hall in Colombo
Independence Memorial Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from British rule with the restoration of full governing responsibility to a Ceylonese-elected legislature on February 4, 1948.
It is located in Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in the Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. It also houses the Independence Memorial Museum.
I first visited it at the start of January 2022 during our first sightseeing trip around Colombo. Got here by a tuk-tuk.
The monument was built at the location where the formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester…
Galle Fort in Sri Lanka
Galle Fort is located in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The port was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological, and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 432 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
We first visited Galle Fort and Galle city at the start of January 2022, during our 11 day trip to Sri Lanka. We arrived here by a taxi from our hotel in Beruwala (Cinnamon Bey Beruwala Hotel)
The fort has a colourful history, and today has a multi-…
Gori Railway Station
Gori Railway Station, a small stop on the Georgian Railway line, is an intermediate station on the Tbilisi-Batumi route which sees more than a dozen trains passing through each day.
Whether you are looking to travel to Gori from Tbilisi by train or just prefer wandering about Soviet Architecture, the Gori railway station might be the answer.
The train station is located in southern Gori, 2 kilometers from the city center and away from all of the tourist sights.
There were several taxis located in the fron of the railway building, so this shoudn;t eb a problem to get to the city center, or if you prefer, you can always walk.
Gori Railway station building reflects a Soviet…
Cinnamon Bey Beruwala Hotel Review
Surrounded by coconut trees and vast green lawns, Cinnamon Bey features bright and spacious rooms with a private balcony. It provides an outdoor pool and 6 on-site food and beverage options.
We booked this 5-star hotel at the start of January 2022, and for a 3-night stay here we paid about $540. By accident, we booked a superior room, but I was able to get a free upgrade to a deluxe room, which was amazing and included access to deluxe pool.
The sea-facing rooms are air-conditioned and include a minibar, a safe and satellite TV. The private bathrooms have a shower and a hairdryer.
It was a pleasure swimming here, just a few meters away from the Indian Ocean.
In the beach next…
Viharamahadevi Park Colombo
Viharamahadevi Park, formerly Victoria Park, is a public park located in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, situated in front of the colonial-era Town Hall in Sri Lanka.
We had a chance to discover this lovely park and try some mango drinks in the park at the start of January 2022, when a tuk-tuk driver showed us some of the top sightseeing places in Colombo.
It was built by the British colonial administration and is the oldest and largest park of Colombo. The park was originally named "Victoria Park" after Queen Victoria but was renamed after Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugamunu on July 18, 1958.
The park features include a huge Buddha statue which replaced the statue of Queen…
Gorijvari
The ancient church called ‘’Gorijvari’’ stands between the Trialeti Mountains and the river bank of the Mtkvari, close to the town of Gori in Georgia. Today, Gorijvari Monastery is increasingly recognized as one of the most scenic viewpoints in the Shida Kartli region, attracting both travelers and drone photography enthusiasts.The church is named after Saint George and was originally built in the 12th century. Over the centuries, it has faced multiple destructions — first burned down by the Turks, later rebuilt, and then damaged again by a powerful earthquake in 1920. The current structure dates back to the 1980s restoration, preserving its historical and cultural significance.At the end…
Tsunami Honganji Vihara
Tsunami Honganji Vihara is a Buddhist Monument in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
We discovered this place at the start of January 2022 while taking a local driver for a trip from our hotel in Bentota to Galle. Our driver told us the tragic story about Tsunami taking more than 35,000 lives in Sri Lanka back in 2004. This place is a memorial to the over 35,000 Sri Lankans killed by the Tsunami on the 26th December 2004
This Buddha statue was opened on the 26th of December 2006 at Paraliya as a memorial to the over 35,000 Sri Lankans killed by the Tsunami on the 26th December 2004. This statue is a exact replica of the 5th Century 175 feet Barmiyan Buddha Statue destroyed by the Muslim…
Barberyn Lighthouse
Barberyn Lighthouse (also known as Beruwala Lighthouse) is a lighthouse located on Barberyn Island some 800 meters offshore from the town of Beruwala on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka.
I noticed Barveryn Lighthouse from our hotel (Cinnamon Bey Berawula) and one day when at the beach, a local tour seller offered me a trip to the island and lighthouse. Our agreed price was USD 30 (two adults and one kid).
From our hotel the boat ride was about 5-10 minutes. Life jackets were provided.
The lighthouse was completed in November 1889, and operated by the Imperial Lighthouse Service. In 1969 it was upgraded with the replacement of the old dioptric apparatus (produced by Chance Brothers) and…
Gori Fortress
Gori Fortress is a medieval citadel in Georgia, situated above the city of Gori on a rocky hill.
I've visited Gori several times, and several times have seens this impressive fortress, once I even made a nice photography with impressive warrior statues in the footsteps of the fortress, see: Gori Fortress & Memorial of Georgian Warrior Heroes
It was back in January 2022, I visited Gori again and decided to make a nice photograhy with the fortress
Standing on the hilltop, the fortress’s outlines follow the natural relief, hence the irregular shape. The inner fortifications occupy the entire plateau, from which the walls descend towards the road along the western slope. Originally…
Colombo Town Hall
The Town Hall of Colombo is the headquarters of the Colombo Municipal Council and the office of the Mayor of Colombo. Built-in front of the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka, it is the meeting place for the elected municipal council.
I discovered this awesome architectural place a by an accident, by taking a tuk-tuk ride around Colombo city at the start of January 2022.
In 1921 renowned Scottish town planner, Professor Patrick Geddes, recommended that the Council should construct a large central and dignified municipal building to house the council, a public reception hall, the mayor's office and a public library. The need for the Colombo Public Library was addressed by a…
How To Start a Restaurant in Tbilisi, Georgia - Food Safety and Permissions
With this post, I'm starting a new series on the Doing Business in Georgia topic - opening and operating a profitable restaurant in Georgia.
Turns out - I'm not only enjoying eating at Tbilisi restaurants but now I'm also looking to open one. Well, my case might be a bit different as I'm more looking to open an online restaurant, the ghost kitchen also called the dark kitchen, serving orders online only. I have no idea where this journey will end, but one is for sure I'm looking to enjoy the road as much as possible.
Anyhow, once I was able to visualize and formulate what I want to achieve, I started to explore what steps should be taken next. Finding premises,…
Pshavi's Champions Natakhtari Restaurant
Pshavi's Champions is another awesome roadside restaurant located in the village of Natakhari (Gudauri highway)
We love coming to this area for dinner and have discovered already a few Natakhtari restaurants so far. We were jsut returned from Sri Lanka trip and were looking for some nice dinning place - that show we ended up at Pshavi's Champions place.
Turns out Pshavi Champions is a chain of restaurants
Khashi's House and Pshavi Champions is a chain of restaurants that first appeared on the Georgian market in 2016 and offers customers delicious Georgian dishes, cozy and comfortable environment
-Pshavi Champions serves typical Georgian cuisine and a friend of mine…
Hilton Colombo Residence Apartment Review
Located in the heart of Colombo city, Hilton Colombo Residence offers rooms and suites with panoramic views of the city, harbor, or the Indian Ocean. Boasting an outdoor pool, it also has a fitness center, squash court, and tennis court.
We booked a two-night stay here at the start of January 2022, during our trip to Sri Lanka. In total paid about USD 370. Additionally, we ordered an airport shuffle from the Colombo airport for about $35.
Top 13 5-star hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Instead of a 2bd we got a free upgrade to 3bd apartment.
We were quite happy with 1 and a half room already, but having apartment with 3bd and two showers was quite awesome.
Spacious suites at Hilton…
Seema Malaka Buddhist temple in Colombo
Seema Malaka is a Buddhist temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The temple is mainly used for meditation and rest, rather than for worship. Situated in Beira Lake, the temple was originally constructed in the late 19th century. Seema Malaka is a part of the Gangaramaya Temple and is situated a few hundred meters to its east.
I had a chance to visit this temple at the start of January 2022, during our Sri Lanka trip. We found this awesome place thanks to the local tuk-tuk driver, who agreed to show us 10 sites in Colombo for just 1,000 Sri Lankan Rupees.
Really picturesque place.
Seema Malaka was originally constructed in the late 19th century. The original structure slowly sank into the…
Hotel Marino Beach Colombo
Marino Beach Colombo has a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and bar in Colombo. 2.4 km from Galle Face Beach and 1.7 km from U.S. Embassy, the property offers a garden and a terrace. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, room service, and currency exchange for guests.
We booked here a one-night stay at the start of January 2022 and paid about $135.
The reason we booked this hotel, probably is its rooftop infinity pool.
Top 13 5-star hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Th room size was quite ok.. Nowadays its modern having bathroom with a glass window.
Our threenager daughter enjoyed her time at the kid pool, while we were sipping mango and strawberry…