Blog Income: 289% YoY Increase in Google AdSense Revenue

26 February, 2016 | Blogging | 11 seen

Learn how I increased revenue from Google AdSense by 289% Year over Year and how you could too. 

For a prelude: I have been using Google AdSense for six and a half years by now, from whom first four and a half years generated a really modest sum of EUR 100 ($110 according to exchange rates as of 02/26/2016).from many low traffic and let's be totally honest - thin content websites (I had installed AdSense ad units on dozens of sites).

There was a time when I took a pause from any attempts to build new or maintain existing low value websites of mine for about two years. At the end of 2013 (October)I decided to start fresh (after my second Summer long trip to US I had a feeling I need to launch a blog to share my travel notes, ideas, findings e.t.c.) - and launched this blog (you currently are reading it).

For the first three months I didn't installed any ad units here, but at the start of the New Year of 2014 ad units were back. So did a new section on blog appeared: Online Income reports - In my first month of monetizing this blog I earned whooping eight dollars.

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Something from the Past - Hotel 'London' in Tbilisi

26 February, 2016 | | 144 seen

There was a time when after a visit to local literature cafe in Tbilisi, I felt in love with works of Russian poet and writer Mikhail Lermontov. Who knows, maybe it's time to get familiar with another great writer of his time - Knut Hamsun.

In today's Piece of Life photo story series old Hotel "London" in Tbilisi, or about  more precisely what's left from old day fame.

Stairways at Hotel London in Tbilisi

I'm amazed of seeing some elements at this building in pretty good shape, despite more than century old history, Soviet times and revolutions. What you can see on walls are very well done 3D paintings probably a century ago.. I wonder how these survived a new facelift from a bucket of floor paint (what's typical for Soviet times) 

What's left from old day glory at former hotel London in Tbilisi

Former hotel London in Tbilisi

​Visit of this place recalled me memories from seen in movie - A Chef in Love -  It stars Pierre Richard and Nino Kirtadze. The movie tells the story of Pascal Ichak, a French opera singer and chef living in Georgia, who…

Saint Ekvtime Takaishvili Church in Tbilisi

26 February, 2016 | Churches and Monasteries | 101 seen

There is a small church located on Baku street 1, Tbilisi (on the right side from David Aghanashebeli avenue, first cross-street before Tamar Mephe avenue). I have wondered about this church for the couple of the last 3 years, while been living in this neighborhood. 

It was day 131/365 from my photo project, when I decided I'll go and photograph exactly this church and probably will learn more about it. So I went...

Saint Ekvtime Takaishvili Church in Tbilisi

I installed a tripod and started to play with panorama techniques (as I couldn't get this building in a horizontal frame), unfortunately weather was not my best friend today and in final image, the skies are totally blown up.

Next I decided to try my luck inside, using some interior photography techniques, so I entered the church and asked the lady (a nun?), who were sitting right next to the entrance - can I photography here? At start she told me, that it's not allowed, but I could try to ask for permission to priest, the lady took me to some other building (outside the church), and I was knocking to the priest door. Priest answered - Modi! (Come in!). I opened…

Georgian Tavern Tbilisi in Tallinn

25 February, 2016 | Restaurant reviews | 60 seen

Georgian cuisine lovers rejoice - I have just found another restaurant of Georgian food, this time in Estonian Capital city Tallinn. Discovered by accident during wanderings around Tallinn's Old Town, tried once back in Summer 2015.

Shortly I left St Michael's Swedish Church I noticed my darling was sitting on the stairs and finger pointed above her head - I smiled - something so familiar, something close.

Georgia Tavern Tbilisi in Tallinn (Ruutli street)

I entered this place and spoke out loudly: GAMARJOBA! All I was get in return was some cold faced Estonian skinhead waiter, replying me - what? I repeated - GAMARJOBA! and added SAKARTVELOS! The waiter looked at me as some nut guy, and told me that he cannot understand me. So, I asked, how can you name a place Georgian Tavern and not know what "Gamarjoba" means? Cold faced skinhead Estonian waiter mourned something. I continued - do you have a Georgian chef at least? Estonian dude pretended he doesn't understand English anymore and started to speak with me in Estonian. I was a bit pissed - and told him in Russian - позови шефа! (Ask for a chef).

While we we waiting…

St Michael's Swedish Church in Tallinn

25 February, 2016 | Churches and Monasteries | 25 seen

St Michael's Church or St Michael's Swedish Church is a Lutheran church used by the Swedish congregation in the old town district of Tallinn, Estonia.

We were off in the streets of Old Tallinn wandering what should we see, and I noticed this church and decided to go inside to adjust my church interior photography skills, at this point I didn't yet realized it is a Swedish church nor I had a clue what is the name of this church.

St Michael's Church, Tallinn

So I went inside looking for some best places to take inside photography, when some church lady approached me and in English started a one way conversations with me telling a harsh history of this church during Communist times. I felt dull, it was a surprise attack, I wasn't prepared to talk about church history today, I told her - I'm just a dumb tourist here, enjoying lovely weather in warm August afternoon, but lady was unstoppable. after some 10 minute lecture I asked her -  what is the name of this church at first place? She replied that this is a Swedish church. I said, ah Ok. She seemed surprised and repeated - THIS…

Postcards from Este, Italy

24 February, 2016 | | 8 seen

It was sunny January 1st afternoon when we visited Este in northern Italy. One of our first stops in 2016.

Este, Italy

One of the main sights in Este is the Castle Carrarese of Este

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Roundabout in Este

I would say a very piccolo roundabout

Ice rink in Este town square

Castle Carrarese of Este

24 February, 2016 | Tourism objects | 38 seen

It was January 1st, 2016 when we visited Castle Carrarese of Este, during our drive from Venice to Modena. It was our second stop after we enjoyed a cup of cappuccino at lovely Candiana town. Read more: Bar Rialto in Candiana) 

The castle overlooking the town of Este consists of large master towers and massive walls, about a kilometre long, which embraces the extreme southern edge of the Euganean Hills. This mighty monument bears witness to the important role that the territory of Este played in medieval times.

Castle Carrarese of Este

The oldest part of the fortification is located on the elevated side and consists of a circle of walls with the remains of a church and the foundations of a small tower, probably dating to the sixth century AD.

The first evidence of a real castrum in this place dates back to 1115 and connects to the judicial and defensive power of the territory of which the feudal family which took its name from Este was appointed.

Inside view

During the twelfth and early thirteenth century, the Este Marquis enlarged the fortress building a series of curtain walls and residential…

St. Nicholas' Church, Tallinn

23 February, 2016 | Churches and Monasteries | 22 seen

St. Nicholas' Church is a medieval former church in Tallinn, Estonia. It was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the fishermen and sailors. Originally built in the 13th century, it was partially destroyed in Soviet Bombing of Tallinn in World War II. It has since been restored and today houses a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia, focusing mainly on ecclesiastical art from the Middle Ages onward. The former church is also used as a concert hall.

St. Nicholas' church of Tallinn is located in the Green area in Harju street, Tallinn

St. Nicholas' Church in Tallinn

I could only wish I had photographer skills back there I have now, thanks to my photography experiments. Read more: Digital photography school

The church was founded and built around 1230–1275 by Westphalian merchants, who came from Gotland in the 13th century. While the city was still unfortified, the church had heavy bars for closing the entrances, loopholes and hiding places for refugees. When the fortifications around Tallinn were finished in the 14th century (the town wall enclosed the church…

Green area in Harju street, Tallinn

23 February, 2016 | Tourism objects | 11 seen

On the second day's morning, during our short two day trip to Tallinn, we left our hotel and went out to explore city. Soon we were in area which featured parks, gardens and architectural pearls - as I leant latter this place has a special name - Green area in Harju street. 

It's a pretty lively street in Tallinn, featuring some shops, bookstores and cafeterias. 

Medieval tower in Tallinn

Now I can only wonder what is the name of that tower,as we actually didn't visited it. ave you been to Tallinn recently, can you help me out naming this tower? Drop a comment!

Green area in Harju street

Outdoor cafeteria at Harju street green area

Georgian National Opera Theater

22 February, 2016 | Tourism objects | 66 seen

The Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi  is an opera house situated on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi,Georgia. Founded in 1851, Tbilisi Opera is the main opera house of Georgia and one of the oldest such establishments in eastern Europe.

Recently gone through 6 years long renovation works, Georgian National Opera and Ballet theater has been opened for public on January 30, 2016.

Tbilisi Opera house on Rustaveli avenue

Since 1896, the theater has resided in an exotic neo-Moorish edifice originally constructed by Victor Johann Gottlieb Schröter, a prominent architect of Baltic German origin. Although definitively Oriental in its decorations and style, the building's layout, foyers and the main hall are that of a typical European opera house. Since its foundation, the theater has been damaged by several fires and underwent major rehabilitation works under Soviet and Georgian leadership; the most recent restoration effort concluded in January 2016, having taken six years and costing approximately 40 million U.S.…

Prospero's Books & Coffeehouse in Tbilisi

22 February, 2016 | Shopping Venues | 46 seen

Those of you looking for a literature in English or perhaps to enjoy a cup of latte, while in Tbilisi there is a great place where to have both - meet Prospero's Books located on Rustaveli avenue.

At Prospero`s Books & Caliban`s Coffeehouse you will be delighted to find : English and other language general books, English Language Teaching Books and Used books that are exchanged  for an in-store credit

At Prospero's Bookshop in Tbilisi

Features a cafeteria and lovely yard terrace to enjoy a cup of English tea (perhaps) while reading some good story. 

Bookshelves at Prospero's bookstore in Tbilisi

Besides the books, Prospero`s Books also offers Gifts & stationary and other services like, PBY Membership, Children’s reading Hour, Internet on the site. In the coffeehouse you can sit down, relax and enjoy a specialty coffee drinks, sandwiches and pastries or by weight, imported teas are available too.

Prospero's Books in Tbilisi

Visit www.prosperosbookshop.com to learn more

Restaurant 'Three crowns' in Tallinn

21 February, 2016 | Restaurant reviews | 8 seen

The restaurant “Three crowns” is located in the heart of Old Town, in the center of street Vene 8. Cheerfully opens the door’s for all people who love well-prepared cuisine, there is combined Estonian and European cuisine with interesting wine list of Old Town and New world. 

Although hotel we stayed during our short stay in Tallinn also featured a restaurant it ain't no fun eat at you hotel if you can go and eat at neighboring hotels restaurant, right?

Three Crowns Restaurant in Tallinn

At time we discovered this restaurant I was informed that kitchen will be closed in 20 or something minutes and we can''t actually order any course, but we can have some appetizers and of course some Estonian beer.

We had already intake some beer and vodka at Mad Murphy's Irish pub, so another beer seemed the right choice to have.

Greenery on the terrace at restaurant Three Crowns

While we were waiting our beer to be served we were joined by some Suomi (Finish couple), who seemed had intake already some 10 times more alcohol than we had and the real fun talk started. We spent next few hours in funny,…

Mad Murphy's Irish Pub in Tallinn

21 February, 2016 | Restaurant reviews | 31 seen

Mad Murphy's Irish Pub is located in Tallinn very close to city's town square on Mundi street 2. If you are up to for a Nightlife in Tallinn, make sure you visit this pub,

I visited this pub back in Summer of 2015, during our short two days trip to celebrate my thirty birthday, shortly we were checked in at our hotel (Read my review here: St. Olav Hotel in Tallinn) we decided to explore our lively neighborhood, and it was a very lively. It was a warm August evening. 

Mad Murphy's Irish pub in Tallinn

I'm not that kind of person who loves to spend his time in bars and pubs, but... what happens in Tallinn, stays in Tallinn. Mad Murphy's pub was a very interesting experience - It was a Saturday's night, live Irish music was performed on stage, we are standing at bar desk enjoying our God knows what cocktails - vodka, beer e.t.c. when we notice something strange - we are the only ones in the pub who actually moves in the rhythms of Irish folk music.Estonians stay cool, the most Estonian public affords - to click fingertips while sitting still at their desks. 

Cheers mate is not an…

Bar Rialto Candiana

20 February, 2016 | Restaurant reviews | 6 seen

I have always loved local cafes and restaurants where tourists barely step their foot in, we were of from Venice and traveled to Modena, when I said, let's visit some of the local villages and see what's good there. 

Back at this stage I even didn't know that village we were to enter is called - Candiana, shortly we parked our car and noticed a local pub/bar/restaurant - so we entered this place, which I learnt latter is named - Bar Rialto Candiana and ordered a cup of cappuccino. It was January 1st, some local folks were inside, lady approached me - raised her hand, hugged me and told - bueno ano, which probably translates as Happy New Year. I replied - bueno ano!

We were just about 30 km of from Venice and people were totally different. That was strange and lovely. 

Some special offer from Bar Rialto in Candiana

The only two words I understood here - pizza and cafe

Snacks at Bar Rialto

Interior at Bar Rialto

The above scene reminds me pretty much of how it looks in a regular Georgian cafe. See Tbilisi restaurants

Italian coffee at Bar Rialto in Candiana,…

St Mark's Square in Venice

20 February, 2016 | Tourism objects | 7 seen

St Mark's square probably is every travelers dream destination when traveling to Venice, Italy. So did it was among mine - must have destinations. We traveled to Italy and especially to Venice for a New Year's eve to celebrate 2016. 

I was so found of photography, and especially fireworks photography, that I started to prepare already about a month before our departure. huge was my disappointment, when I was not able to find a single spot to make any decent fireworks photography from St Mark's square. It's hard to tell, but I believe there were at least some 10,000 folks that night gathered in St Mark's square, together with buildings at square literally blocking any access to fireworks photography. 

St Marks square in Venice, Italy

Piazza San Marco, often known in English as St Mark's Square), is the principal public square of Venice, Italy, where it is generally known just as "the Piazza" (la Piazza). The Square is dominated at its eastern end by the great church of St Mark.

Fireworks photography from St Mark square

I took more decent fireworks photography two…