Once upon a Time in Odessa

11 April, 2015 | Worth to Watch | 27 seen

Once upon a Time in Odessa is a biographic TV series about Mishka Yaponichik a Jewish gangster from Odessa.

This film is made by Star Media. Babich design. Film is spoken in Russian, English subtitles are provided.

Mishka Yaponchik was an Ukrainian gangster, Jewish revolutionary and Soviet military leader. Artistic and witty, his bold crimes played out like mini dramas but Yaponchik, always calculating his next move, also had a generous nature. He held huge feasts for the whole population of Odessa, giving money and food to orphans, the homeless, the unemployed, newlyweds as well as families who had fallen victim to gangster crime. Yaponchik was in power for only three years from 1917 to 1919, but these were the most dramatic years of his life, filled with more action than most people experience in an entire lifetime - his rise to power, his daring crimes, his idealism and generosity and his love of two women - his beautiful wife, Tsilia and anarchist Lisa, his loyal accomplice who remained by his side until the end. 

Château Mukhrani Winery

10 April, 2015 | Tourism objects | 36 seen

Château Mukhrani is a winery located in Mukhrani village, Mtskheta-Mtianeti region (somewhere between Mtskheta town and Natakhtari village), Georgia . Idea to head here first arise to friend of mine (another expat)  living here in Georgia.  Friend of me pre-booked a guided wine tasting tour at this place.

On a rainy Saturday morning, after a short visit of Jvari monastery we straight headed to Château Mukhrani. During this tour I learned a few interesting things and facts about Georgian wine making, but most of the time I was practicing my DSLR photography (again with help of my friend).

Although we had agreed our tour will start at 10:00 A.M. arriving on site some 10 minutes late we were informed that our guide will be here just after another 40 minutes, we were invited to a wine tasting room to have a free coffee or tea. So the story can be told now:

Wine storing devices at Château Mukhrani

Our self guided tour started in front of these aggregates / machines

Wine tasting room at Château Mukhrani

We were invited to this lovely wine tasting room to have a cup of coffee or tea…

Blog Monthly Online Income Report - March 2015 - $552.27

9 April, 2015 | Blogging | 41 seen

Welcome to my monthly blog income report. This is the 15th report so far.

I'm doing those report since start of 2014 and they (reports) help me track my online success or failures. I hope they can inspire others as well.

In total I earned $619.17 what is a decrease by -34.13% if compared to previous month (February) when I earned $940.05

$619.17 in a month equals to $19.97 per day

Now - a 34% drop in online income is a huge, there are two simple patterns I have found to explain why this drop happened: People have less money to spend online; I'm sending a wrong audience to affiliate programs. Read more about this bellow.

Blog traffic March 2015 (Data source: Google Analytics)

March was great month in terms of overall traffic coming to my blog, it did setup a new record, my blog first time cracked a 20,000 user milestone and totalled in 20,499 users.

There were 3 streams which generated some money last month - I prefer to divide them into two subgroups - Affiliate marketing and Display Ads:

Affiliate marketing

Amazon…

Anchiskhati Basilica in Tbilisi

9 April, 2015 | Churches and Monasteries | 37 seen

Anchiskhati Basilica is one of the oldest (if not the eldest) Georgian Orthodox church's located in Old Town of Tbilisi. The history of this church dates back to the 6 th century AD. Though I have visited it so many times, I haven't yet effectively photographed it. Recently I acquired a new DSLR camera and soon I decided to improve my photographer skills. A walk in Tbilisi is a great both for photo - hobbyists and professional photographers. 

Now back on the subject: Anchiskhati Basilica:

Shadow of Anchiskati Bell Tower falling on Basilica

I'm proud of myself that I managed to capture this interesting composition  - shadow from bell tower falling on basilica.

Information of Anchiskhati Bell tower

According to written here (Georgian/Russian)  - Bell tower of Anchiskhati - characteristic monument to Georgian architecture of late feudalism epoch - according to sources built by Cathotlicos (Patriarch) of Kartli Domentius in 1675.

Icon of Jesus Christ above the entrance in Basilica

Information about Anchiskhati 

Again, written in Georgian and…

The Bridge Of Peace In Tbilisi

8 April, 2015 | Tourism objects | 123 seen

The Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi is a pedestrian bridge and one of the most famous tourist spots in the city. It connects district of Tbilisi Old Town with Rike Park over a river of Mtkvari. This bridge is relatively young, it was opened for public just in 2010.

I first discovered this bridge back in 2011, when I first arrived to Georgia. Back then I rented a spacious room in unusual hostel in district of Avlabari, and my first days in Tbilisi I spent there. Just in my third day I decided to find where is that city centre located (I didn't done any planing back then, so I had even not a clue of existence of  places like Liberty square, Rustaveli avenue or whatever).

Back in those days I headed near Residency of President down to the city using Baratashvilli bridge and then I noticed this bridge  -  The Bridge of Piece - I thought - what an interesting bridge they have there, but I first approached it just a few months latter. Don't be as I was - go straight to the Peace of Bridge instead of wondering. 

In a lovely days both tourists and locals pass the Bridge of Peace to enter Rike Park

The Bridge of…

Art Studio 'Kon-Tiki' In Tbilisi

7 April, 2015 | Entertainment | 16 seen

The other day taking a walking tour around Tbilisi and by in-liking a new camera, after visiting Ancshikhati church (and taking marvellous photos there) my next photo stop arrived unexpected - meet Art Studio - Kon Tiki.

A lovely and narrow street in Old Tbilisi (Ioane Shavteli street)

On this street in distance of some 100-150 meters from Anchiskhati church is located art studio Kon-Tiki

Welcome sign at Art Studio Kon - Tiki

Here is the fun fact - We would probably have missed this charming place if owners of this studio wouldn't kindly and kinda in funny manner invited us inside. We were like just blazing inside though studios street windows, when owners through the window invited us inside.

Georgian style paintings at the front doors before entering Kon-Tiki art studio

Inside Kon-Tiki Workshop

You can buy those small paintings for 30 GEL ($13.35/EUR 12.15) a piece.

Kon-Tiki Workshop in Tbilisi

Paintings and dresses at Kon - Tiki Art Studio

Owners of this art studio not only paints, but sew dresses as well

…

Aristaeus - Boutique shop for Georgian Spices and Cheese

6 April, 2015 | Shopping Venues | 243 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…

Jvari Monastery In Georgia

5 April, 2015 | Churches and Monasteries | 20 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…

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

4 April, 2015 | Digital Photography School | 69 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…

'Factory 27' Restaurant Review In Tbilisi

3 April, 2015 | Restaurant reviews | 12 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).

…

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.

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…

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…

Tbilisi Sulphur Baths On Kiev Street

31 March, 2015 | Health & Wellness | 78 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…

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

30 March, 2015 | Laptop Reviews | 95 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…