Marseille-Saint-Charles station
Marseille-Saint-Charles is the main railway station and intercity bus station of Marseille, France. It is the southern terminus of the Paris–Marseille railway and the western terminus of the Marseille–Ventimiglia railway.Perched atop a hill overlooking the heart of Marseille, is more than just a railway hub—it’s a gateway to the soul of this vibrant port city. With its grand staircase cascading down to the bustling streets below and panoramic views of the Mediterranean, the station exudes a raw, timeless energy. Opened in 1848, it connects Marseille to Paris and beyond, welcoming travelers with a mix of historic charm and the gritty pulse of a modern metropolis.I first arrived here by train…
Palolem Beach / Goa / India
Palolem beach movie is out - or during the winter school break (2024/2025), we returned to India—Goa, and one of our favorite spots on Earth: Palolem Beach. With a short stop in Delhi, warmly hosted by the Klimis family (Aleksandra Klimi & Evangelos Klimis), we kicked off another unforgettable adventure. Besides African Swine Flu - Days were filled with sunbathing, fishing, painting, and, of course, a little rum-sipping by the shore.
My High-Protein / Ultra-Rich Calorie Deficit Diet (Banana & Matsoni) Helped me to Drop about 5kg in 3 weeks
For the past three weeks, I’ve been sticking to an ultra-low-calorie diet that’s delivered fantastic results—dropping from a weight that was creeping dangerously close to 100 kg down to 93.3 kg, a loss of about 5 kg in just 21 days. I’ve tweaked the plan by squeezing in a serving of roasted peanuts (about 120-180 grams) once a day for extra flavor and satisfaction. I haven’t counted calories precisely, but I believe the peanuts from a jar fall in the 400-500 kcal range. Honestly, they probably should be avoided at all costs for a stricter cut, but beyond just losing weight, I need to get protein—nuts are a perfect source, and all my ingredients are protein-rich. Plus, every once…
Gare de Lyon, Paris
The Gare de Lyon, is one of the seven large mainline railway stations in Paris, France. It handles about 148.1 million passengers annually making it the second-busiest station of France after the Gare du Nord and one of the busiest in Europe.Gare de Lyon, one of Paris’ busiest and most iconic railway stations, is more than just a transit hub—it’s a masterpiece of architecture and a portal to countless stories. Located on the northern bank of the Seine in the 12th arrondissement, this bustling station blends Belle Époque elegance with modern efficiency. Its grand clock tower, reminiscent of London’s Big Ben, and the ornate frescoes inside the historic Le Train Bleu restaurant make it a…
Baltic German DNA Uncovered: Tracing My Ancestry to the von Anrep Nobility
Family legends often hold a grain of truth, even if they become distorted over time. My journey into family history, particularly on my maternal lineage—through my mother's mother's father’s side (Rozentāls)—has been a fascinating one. What started as a casual exploration turned into a deeper dive into historical records, DNA analysis, and surprising discoveries about Baltic German nobility in my ancestry.While researching my family history, I used Latvia’s Periodika.lv archive to look for information about Omuļi Manor. My search led me to the historical owners of the estate. Interestingly, I also found hints about Omuļi Manor through Estonian-language Wikipedia, which provided additional…
Salty Garden and David Gareja Monastery complex
Our latest weekend escapade in Georgia was nothing short of a whirlwind, filled with diverse experiences, stunning landscapes, and a touch of nostalgia. It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years since we first stumbled upon the hidden gem that is Salty Garden back in 2021. That initial trip introduced us to its warm and welcoming host, David, and sparked a love for this unique spot near Bazaleti Lake. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re back at it—chasing adventures, capturing them on film, and sharing the journey with you.This time around, we packed our weekend with a little bit of everything. With temperatures climbing above 28°C, the heat only fueled our excitement. Our adventure kicked…
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 a relaxing stopover in the charming old town of Fontainhas, known for its colorful Portuguese-style houses and laid-back vibe. This boutique hotel seemed like the perfect pick—and it didn’t disappoint for a quick, cozy stay.Located right in the heart of Fontainhas, La Maison blends into the historic neighborhood with its quaint charm. We arrived late in the evening, and the check-in was smooth. The room itself was a pleasant surprise: an extra-large bed…
Things to do in Palolem: Art Class with Swaroop
After spending a few weeks unwinding on Palolem Beach—swimming, surfing, and soaking up the sun—we decided it was time to explore some of the other activities the area had to offer. Palolem is more than just a stunning beach; it’s a vibrant hub of experiences for both kids and adults. Among the variety of activities, Sandra booked an art class for Renee, which quickly turned into a family affair.The art class, led by the talented and inspiring Swaroop, was a highlight of our stay. Swaroop’s warm and approachable nature made him a hit with both kids and grownups alike. What started as an activity for Renee became an opportunity for all of us to tap into our creative sides. Swaroop’…
Prague / Meet CE Conference
In mid-October, during Renee's school break, we traveled to Prague for the Meet Central Europe Translator Conference. It was a great opportunity to connect with professionals from the industry, exchange ideas, and see how the translation business is evolving. But let’s be honest—the real highlight was exploring the city.Between conference sessions, we made sure to check out some of Prague’s must-see spots. We climbed towers for panoramic views, wandered through historical museums, and even visited the Prague Zoo—though it felt a bit staged, like an artificial experience rather than a real wildlife environment. Still, an interesting stop.Of course, no trip to Prague is complete without beer…
Fishing Adventure in Palolem: Dolphins, Turtles, and Local Flavor
During our stay at Maria Guest House in Palolem, we had the pleasure of embarking on an unforgettable fishing adventure organized by our host, Mir. It all began with an early start to the day—we left the hotel at 7:00 AM, just as the sun began to light up the picturesque Goan coastline.Mir had arranged everything seamlessly. A taxi was waiting to take us to the local boat pier, a short 10-15 minute drive from the guest house. Upon arrival, we found our boat ready and waiting. Excitement filled the air as we set off for a three-hour fishing trip in the serene waters near Palolem.The experience was as thrilling as it was tranquil. Sandra had the best luck among us, catching two fish, while…
Dedoplis Tskaro / Eagle Canyon / Big Shiraki (2024)
Our summer journey through Georgia's hidden treasures has been an unforgettable adventure! We began by hiking the stunning Eagle Canyon near Dedoplistskaro, a limestone marvel home to majestic birds of prey. The 1 km trail led us through breathtaking landscapes, offering glimpses of eagles' nests and rare flora.In Sighnaghi, we indulged in authentic Georgian cuisine at Pheasant's Tears restaurant. Chef Gia Rokashvili crafts dishes inspired by local markets, ensuring a fresh and delightful dining experience. The cozy ambiance and delectable flavors made our visit truly special.Our curiosity led us to the Big Shiraki abandoned Soviet airfield, a relic from the 1950s nestled in the Georgian…
How to Install Drupal 11 with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.3, MySQL, phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 24.04 - Linode Guide
In this article, you will learn how to set up a webserver for serving Drupal 11 websites running with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.3, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 24.04For the following tutorial, I used very much the information from my previous guide with Ubuntu 23.04, but I decided to rewrite it for Ubuntu 24.04 version as it is shipped with php8.4 and also php8.4 version and will work with Drupal 11 (most probably with previous versions too)PrerequisitesUbuntu 24.04Root privileges.You can get a cheap VPS starting at just $5/mo from Linode. That's what I did - bought a new nanode from LinodeLiterally, in a couple of seconds, the new server was up and running - that's what…
Kakhaberi Restaurant: A Culinary Gem Near Bibliani
In early January 2025, during a weekend trip to Gudauri, we stumbled upon Kakhaberi restaurant near Bibliani. What a discovery it turned out to be! Nestled along the route to the mountains, this place is a treasure trove of authentic Georgian cuisine, offering a delightful mix of great food, efficient service, and genuine hospitality.Our experience was memorable from the moment we stepped in. The food was not only amazing but also served promptly—a blessing when traveling with a young child. The staff, fluent in English, made communication effortless and added to the welcoming atmosphere.For myself, I decided to try 50 ml of their locally made brandy, only to be generously served what…
Salty Garden & Lisi Lake (2024)
The last weekend of April 2024 was filled with nature, good company, and memorable experiences. The journey took us to Salty Garden near Bazaleti Lake, where I met Anastasiya, who was working at the Salty Garden tavern, and later, a hike around Lisi Lake wrapped up the adventure.Located in the picturesque surroundings of Bazaleti Lake, Salty Garden is a hidden gem perfect for relaxation. The area is known for its tranquil atmosphere, fresh air, and scenic landscapes. The garden itself offers a cozy retreat with charming outdoor seating, organic food, and a peaceful environment, making it an ideal place to unwind. The lake, surrounded by rolling hills, adds to the beauty of the spot,…
How to Install Composer on Ubuntu (24.04) for Easy Drupal Module & Theme Updates
As a Drupal developer, keeping your modules up to date is crucial for security and performance. To streamline this process, I use Composer—a powerful dependency manager for PHP. It allows me to quickly update Drupal modules without the hassle of manually downloading and configuring each one. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of installing Composer on Ubuntu 24.04.I typically run Drupal on an Ubuntu-based server with Nginx as the web server. This combination provides excellent performance and stability for hosting Drupal sites. Composer plays a crucial role in managing dependencies efficiently in this environment.Composer is a dependency management tool for PHP that…
Erisoni Restaurant in Gori
During my recent visit to Gori, I had the pleasure of dining at Restaurant Erisoni, a place I wouldn’t have discovered if it weren’t for a friendly recommendation. The night before, while enjoying a cup of coffee at Georgia Hotel Gold, I struck up a conversation with David, my business partner. As we chatted about things to do in Gori, I asked for some tips on must-visit spots, and without hesitation, David insisted that I should check out Erisoni. He even provided me with precise navigation details, emphasizing that it was a place worth visiting.Initially, dining at Erisoni wasn’t in our plans, but fate had other ideas. The next morning, as we attempted to get breakfast at the hotel, we…
Karavela Restaurant: A Cozy Gem Near Tbilisi Sea
For years, we’d been eyeing Karavela, a charming restaurant perched near the Tbilisi Sea. The idea of stopping by lingered in our minds, especially during our many drives around the area back in 2019-2020 One memory stands out vividly—driving around the serene waters with our toddler daughter in her baby seat, hoping the gentle motion of the car would lull her to sleep. Each time, we’d search for a decent spot to dine but somehow never made it to Karavela… until early January 2025.There is a little fish pond with many ducks, we were left to feed them. Quite avesome.Finally, we decided to give this long-admired restaurant a try, and I’m delighted we did. As a vegetarian who practices…
Gori, Uplistsikhe & Mom
We kicked off February with a trip to Gori, a city known for its deep historical roots and a connection to one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century—Joseph Stalin. But our journey wasn't just about history; it was a mix of relaxation, local flavors, and a dive into Georgia’s ancient past.Our base in Gori was the Georgia Gold hotel—don’t let the fancy name fool you, this place is budget-friendly and offers great value. The real highlight? An indoor pool that made it feel like summer, even in the middle of winter. It was the perfect way to unwind before setting out to explore the city.For a taste of traditional Georgian cuisine at prices that felt like they were frozen in time…
Tbilisi Museum of Illusions & Holloseum
At the start of February, we spent a delightful afternoon exploring the Tbilisi Museum of Illusions and Holloseum. Our little one, having already visited the museum a few weeks prior with her class from the British International School of Tbilisi (BIST), enthusiastically suggested we go as a family. Given her excitement, we couldn’t resist!While sipping on a late latte at Entree on Marjanishvili, I decided to book a taxi, and soon we were off to the Jewish Quarter of Tbilisi, where the museum is located. The venue, which houses both the Museum of Illusions and the Holloseum, promised an intriguing mix of interactive experiences and digital art exhibits.Having been to several illusion…
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 simply enjoy the sound of the waves.We visited Culva Beach on the recommendation of our hosts at Maria Guest House after a busy afternoon at Margao Market. The taxi ride was uneventful—our driver wasn’t particularly talkative, but the short journey gave us a chance to take in the lush Goan landscape. Once we arrived, the beach’s quiet and open setting…