Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence. Located on the Beira Lake, it was completed in the late 19th century.
We were for the second day in Colombo, at our Hilton Colombo residences when I decided to google for top sightseeing objects in Colombo and Gangaramaya Temple popped up.
It was a matter of catching a tuk-tuk and for 100 Sri Lankan Rupees, we were taken to this temple. At the temple, we were asked to pay 800 Sri Lankan Rupee entrance fee and our journey started (after removing our shoes)
The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and…
Madu Ganga River Boat Safari
Madu Ganga river boat safari is a fun and pretty easy attraction in Balapitiya, Sri Lanka
We booked a tour on Madu Ganga (and a few other destinations) from a local guy at our hotel's beach (Taj Bentota Resort & Spa).
We agreed to pay 8,000 Sri Lankan rupees for a Madu Ganga river boat safari, a visit to the turtle shelter and a visit to the spices and herbal garden. At an agreed time, our driver (s) already waited for us at the hotels' lobby and the trip started.
After some 25 minutes drive we were at the Captain Boat House Balaptiya and our actual boat trip started
Situated at Balapitiya, Madu Ganga is the second biggest wetland in Sri Lanka. Abundantly rich in biodiversity, the…
Hamad International Airport
Hamad International Airport is the sole international airport in the state of Qatar, and the home of Qatar’s flag carrier airline, Qatar Airways. Located south of its capital, Doha, it replaced the nearby Doha International Airport as Qatar's principal airport.The airport is named after the previous Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. I first visited Hamad International airport at the start of 2022 while traveling in transit from Tbilisi (Georgia) to Colombo (Sri Lanka).Our connecting flight was some 8 hours long, to make our stay more comfortable in transit we booked lounge access with a chance to take a nap and have refreshments. Plenty of food, drinks and even a shower. Nice.…
The Grand Documentary of 2021
From more than 235 GB of footage (1409 short clips per year), I was able to produce about 48 minutes long documentary.
As every year - the documentary is made in a style of a home video, filmed with a DSLR camera, DJI Mavic drone and since April I've replaced the DSLR camera with a mobile phone. Which IMHO gives a much better result having both A-Roll and B-rolls.
The length of the film is determined by its main character, our daughter Renee.
Still, just a few travel around the World but more exploring our home countries (Georgia, Latvia).
Glued, sanded, lathed, beaten, and put together in Riga, Tbilisi, and Colombo
Šaha Kluba Apartmenti Kuldīga
Šaha kluba apartmenti is a beautiful place to stay in Kuldiga and enjoy the unbeatable atmosphere of the old city and its surroundings, which is recognized as one of the Top 10 tourist attractions in Latvia.
Apartments are located in a renovated building right in the heart of the historic town center next to the city garden - a recently renovated park in old medieval castle location.
We booked a one-night stay here at the end of December 2021. This place is located some 15 km from our Vilgāle apartment. I just needed a comfortable stay after I did some paint job.
We paid EUR 74 for a one night stay here
Nice and cozy stay in the Kuldīga
The unique attraction - Venta…
December 2021 Dividend Income Report - $154.65
Welcome to the fifty-sixth (#56) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks in December 2021.Last December, just like in November, October, and September we spent both in Georgia and Latvia. We had a nice family gathering on Christmas and New Year in Riga. Shortly before the New Yeae I did some paint job at our Vilgåle aptFrom the perspective of dividend income - Last December was very good, after a longer time I was able again to break a $100 monthly milestone In total, I took $154.65 in dividend income last month. Which is quite awesome, for doing nothing, just holding stakes at…
Paint job for Bedroom and Kitchen
Today early morning I checked out of the lovely Šaha klubs apartments in Kuldīga to come and paint our Vilgāle apt.
While driving to Vilgāle my fiance proposed we could prebook such lovely apartments in Kuldīga for the Summer Festival - I had to reply, well we have Vilgāle, huh?
arriving early I started applying second layer of paint in the bedroom, here is what I got
Next is to install electricity plugs and lamps, add hardwood floring
More work here, but also needs to paint, add plugs and install hardwood / tiles
Cost so far:
Water plumbing: EUR 60
Sadales Tīkls: EUR 60
Electrician: EUR 155
Architect: EUR 800
Removing walls and floor: EUR 775
Chalk removing, / wiring: EUR 500…
Paint Job at Vilgāle apt
It is already more than one year since I first opened doors at the Vilgāle apt and saw what have I bought at an online auction.
during the past year, we have done a lot, removed walls, floors, built new walls, ceilings, and even floors. Now we are very close to the last details, from the major works are left the bathroom with sauna (tiles) and hardwood flooring.
At the end of December 2021, I visited Latvia for about 2 weeks and I decided it's time to start the paint job and finish the rest of the tasks in Spring / Summer 2022
A few days ago Steffen from Madona helped me to apply first layer of paint at the ceilings. Today I finished this task in the bedroom.
Today I applied first…
Holiday Season
The holiday season in Tbilisi - or another awesome weekend has been recorded and sealed in our tapes - Fun at Tbilisi Golf club, picnic in the footsteps of Shavnabada monastery, and Christmas pre-party with Latvian Sunday School. Ho-Ho-Ho! Enjoy and thumbs up!
Paint Job for Tbilisi Office 3.0 Part 1
At the start of December 2021, my better part decided its time to upgrade her company office to a more spacious and one.
The new office is located just a few hundred meters away from the previous one, but unlike the previous one, the new office actually come a bit outworn and was screaming for a fresh paint job.
At the start it was decided to hire a designer who would plan the new office, make designs for painting, and actually hire contractors, but the designer was a bit busy and said could help us in some 2 months.
Now I decided to step in and help to save a couple of thousand dollars and time.
After dropping our daughter at her preschool I asked our driver David to…
Shavnabada Monastery
Shavnabada Monastery is a medieval Georgian Orthodox monastic complex that is located upon Shavnabada Mountain, approximately 30 km away from Tbilisi, Georgia.
I have noticed this monastery atop of the hill in the past, mostly when driving to the Birtvisi canyon, but this time we were visiting Tbilisi Hills golf club from which the monastery complex was nicely seen, and it was agreed to actually visit it.
So we did and even had a nice picnic here (atop the roof of a dwelling house)
You can see more about our adventures here and Tbilisi Golf resort in this documentary: Holiday Season
Monastery was named in honor of St. George who, according to a local legend, wore a black cloak (…
Mountain Biking At Birtvisi Canyon
Mountain biking at Birtvisi canyon / or after a long pause I took some drone footage again. Also, now I know the shortcut on how to get here in some 30-40 minutes from Tbilisi (via Amlevi). December 5, 2021
Vilgāle apt update: Wall Plastering
Another week have passed and I got the latest images from the Vilgåle apt renovation works.
This time contractors have finished drywall works and have plastered walls and finished electricity works.
The end is so close I can even feel it.
Nice finishing in kitchen
A good job have been done here, all the plumbing seems is fixed and installed in kitchen (it was in bathroom)
I'm bit sick and tired from this plasetring already, but this is how contractors love to make money
Cost so far:
Water plumbing: EUR 60
Sadales Tīkls: EUR 60
Electrician: EUR 155
Architect: EUR 800
Removing walls and floor: EUR 775
Chalk removing, / wiring: EUR 500
Wall plastering/frame for drywall ceiling…
Vet House Hotel and Hospital in Tbilisi
Vet House is a 24-hour hospital with all kinds of veterinary services, a hotel for pets, a rehabilitation center, grooming, a zoo shop, a veterinary pharmacy, and a school for future doctors.
Vet House is located on Adam Mitskevichi Street 70, Tbilisi, and 7 Kipsidze street, Tbilisi
We were recommended this place for our cat, to take blood samples. So far I've visited this place twice and I can say this is a pretty nice clinic.
We gave some blood samples here, the cost was about GEL 180 (price as of December 2021)
Highly qualified veterinarian specialists are ready to help your four-legged friends 24hr a day. We use ultramodern equipment of expert class for…
Center for Immunization and Prevention in Tbilisi
Center for Immunization and Prevention in Tbilisi is located on Tashkent street 10a.My first visit here happened after a stray dog bit me in the leg, and being afraid of rabies I asked my partner what should I do. She called to our insurance company (Ardi) - and they told me I should go to the Center for Immunization and Prevention on Tashkent street.After the workout got bitten by a stray dog. Sandra witht the help of office and Insurance company sent me to the immunization center on Tashkent Street, where I had a chance to meet a very nice doctor Badri who had been to Madliena and Ogre one year before my birth. 3 shots today. 5 more visits till the New Year. I must be one lucky man!I took…
The Grand Documentary of 2020
From more than 111 GB of footage (1295 short clips per year), I was able to produce about 1 hour 30 minutes long documentary
As every year - documentary, a home video style, filmed with a DSLR camera, and since July, the novelty is the drone
The length of the film is determined by its main character - Rene. The first injuries, the first garden (Georgian), the first friends..tasty "painted pīrādziņš" - everything is for real!
Travels around the World much less, but more within countries (Georgia, Latvia).
Glued, sanded, lathed, beaten, and put together in Riga, Jurmala, and Tbilisi for more than a half year!
Vilgāle apt update: Doors, drywall, electricity
Again a few weeks have passed and I got the latest images from the Vilgåle apt renovation. This time contractors have almost finished drywall works and are ready for plastering and finishing electricity works.
The end is so close I can even feel it.
Slowly, but we are progressing here. seems the next task is to plaster ceiling and add tiles on the walls
New doors have been installed, also lamps for the halway
Cost so far:
Water plumbing: EUR 60
Sadales Tīkls: EUR 60
Electrician: EUR 155
Architect: EUR 800
Removing walls and floor: EUR 775
Chalk removing, / wiring: EUR 500
Wall plastering/frame for drywall ceiling (bedroom): EUR 875
New windows: EUR 1,252
Window…
3 Days into My Meatless Experiment: Reflections and Observations
I decided to take a quick experiment and stop eating meat for 7 days. Just meat, not dairy or eggs.
I guess age, current affairs, people around me, and go green hype have finally reached me. Despite that I still love meat, and I don't call myself a vegetarian. Not yet.
Today is day 3, and I noticed I eat a lot more veggies, bread, and fish. I will keep you posted
Going meat-free for a week is a great way to experiment with a plant-based diet and explore the potential benefits of reducing meat consumption. The growing awareness of animal welfare, environmental concerns, and health benefits has driven many people to consider reducing their meat intake or even transitioning to a vegetarian…
Adding Custom CSS stylesheet to Drupal Olivero theme
Just recently I migrated my blog from Drupal 7 to the Drupal 9 platform, and this time I decided to stick with what I get, instead of building it all from scratch.
I really like the default experimental theme Drupal Olivero, but of course, there are a few things I would love to fine-tune.
Instead of building a theme from scratch I decided to apply a few customizations for the stylesheet, and here is how (this is not recommended as when upgrading your Drupal theme you will need to patch it again and you risk loosing your custom.css file).
from the themes folder (core/themes/Olivero)
sudo nano olivero.libraries.yml
and under the base settings:
css/…
Top 10 Best Selling Mirrorless Cameras 2022
When talking about mirrorless cameras in 2022, Canon, Sony, Nikon, and Panasonic are the brands to consider.
In this article, I've listed the top 10 best selling mirrorless cameras on Amazon.com
A quick note: Please note this list contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on the Amazon site, I will earn an affiliate income from that. Prices for mirrorless cameras listed on this page is retrieved by using Amazon Product Advertising API and is updated daily
Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Vlogging Camera Kit with EF-M 15-45mm Lens, Black
Dual Pixel CMOS AF for fast, accurate autofocus that…