My Online Income Report - October 2014

| Blogging | 12 seen

Welcome to my monthly income report - this time covering month of October 2014.

In brief:

Things kinda went wrong - after 2 great months with Amazon Affiliate, October earnings decreased, not tragically, but decreased.

How much my blog earned in month of October 2014
  • In total I earned $142.81, what is a -50.28% decrease if compared to previous month ($287.25)
  • $142.81 makes average $4.6 a day

Thus, my earnings in month of October decrease by around a half, it still managed to became a second best month, in terms of online income

Obliviously I started to wonder - why does income this month is lower - and if honest I didn't find a good explanation. I have just one assumption - October was a slow month for retail sales, why? Have no idea! Maybe in October people have less money to spend?

See - there is nothing wrong with traffic to my blog, it even increased for 42% in month of October, so I cannot explain this with lost traffic. Even clicks to Amazon increased sharply, but conversation rates decreased from…


Sitges - a Popular Resort Town in Spain

| Travel guides | 16 seen

During our Spain trip, we visited many interesting towns and places, like town of Girona, Salvadors Dali museum at Figueras, charming stone building town Peratallada, Begur, Roses and Cadaques and other. Now was turn for a popular resort town of Sitges, located close to Barcelona.

As usual I don't pay much attention for a new exploring object before visiting it - and it was fun latter to learn that Sitges is not only popular resort town in Spain, but it's a very popular destination for gay and lesbian travellers from all over the world. Well - quite an interesting fact about this town :)

I didn't pay much attention is there much gay/lesbian travellers (Seen some of them - like men kissing in the beaches and so on). What I found - Sitges probably is popular destination for surfers as well - seen pretty much surfers here (Maybe gay and lesbian surfers? )

No offense on LGBT people!

So did we stayed at a pretty nice hotel Globos at Sitges.

If honest, all those costal towns looks the same for me, but you may have other oppinion, so here are few pictures I did take in Sitges

Beach at Sitges


Blog Traffic Report - October 2014

| Blogging | 7 seen

This is already my 13 blog traffic report. This one is special for me - this month report compares my blog traffic with first month when I started to blog one year ago.

October 10, my blog celebrated one year anniversary - in case you are interested to find out more - what is the feeling after one year of blogging every day - you might find that post interesting.

Now let's see how my blog performed on month of October:

Blog traffic October 2014 (source: Google Analytics)

  • I got 4785 unique visitors, what is a 42.24% growth compared to September traffic
  • I have managed to attract 1421 more unique visitors if compared to previous month
  • 4,785 visitors makes 154.34 user a day, what is up by 42.22 a day (previous 112.13)

Now lets see, how my precious blog traffic compares to those one year ago:

Blog traffic comparison October 2013 vs October 2014

Well... is there anything much to add, to describe image above?

It's 12,169% growth if counted by unique visitors. Some pathetic result…


Hotel Globos Review in Sitges, Spain

| Hotel reviews | 22 seen

One of the things I like about hotels is not to plan a stay at hotel before. No bookings, no planning. Just pass by, if you like it - go into it, and ask for a room and price. The best of this is bargain.

So did happened this time, after we arrived from Peratallada, a nice medieval town to resort city of Sitges, close to Barcelona. Turns out with spontanous decissions I have not only stayed on hotel I liked, but I have visited one of the most gay resort cities in world. 

Price for a room at this hotel: EUR 55

Here comes the pictures of Hotel Globos, hotel we find close to sea:

Bedroom at Hotel Globos

Balcony at hotel Globos

Bedroom at hotel Globos

Bathroom at hotel Globos

Seaside view from hotel Globos at Sitges

Balcony at Hotel Globos

Mojito at hotel Globos

In overall - modest hotel for reasonable price with close to sea location, but a little bit walk distance from city centre. Rooms were clean. 

About Hotel Globos

The Los Globos Hotel Sitges, a charming hotel which is open the whole year…


Peratallada - a Charming Stone Building Town in Catalonia, Spain

| Travel guides | 41 seen

When we left a charming hotel in Begur, we straight headed to a little and charming medieval town of Peratallada, which is located some 22 km east of Girona, and some 15 km west of Begur.

Here are 22 pictures I made at this lovely town:

Road to Peratallada

Peratallada

Medieval streets of Peratallada

Medieval streets of Peratallada

Medieval streets of Peratallada

Catalan flag on streets of  Peratallada

Peratallada

Bicycle on streets of Peratallada

Property for sale on Peratallada

Peratallada streets

Peratallada Town square

Restaurant at Peratallada Town square

Restaurant at Peratallada Town square

Balconies at  Peratallada Town square

Waiting for coffee con Leche

Lavender on table

Peratallada

Peratallada streets

Peratallada streets

Loca Fruta

Peretallada

Tourist sign

About Peratallada:…

Hotel Es Cel de Begur Review in Begur, Spain

| Hotel reviews | 11 seen

On our third Spain trip day we stayed overnight at one of the interesting hotels I have ever stayed - Es Cel de Begur Hotel at Bergur.

We booked this hotel on Booking.com it offered a huge savings, instead of paying EUR 400 we paid for room with partial sea view and bed with baldachine EUR 81.

Well I doubt the actual value for this room is EUR 400, it's more some booking.com neat marketing trick. But price EUR 81 for such a hotel room in such an amazing place with partial, but still sea view - is a value deal.

Well we ordered few coffees con leche (Coffee with milk in Catalan) and a supper onsite's restaurant, so total bill was EUR 131. No regrets at all.

N.B. Though this place offers free onsite parking - the drive to it, will be...lets say, pretty adventures :) Leave me a comment, if you have tried that road :)

Enough talking, here is the pictures:

Es Cel de Begur Hotel bedroom

Baldachin at Es Cel de Begur Hotel

First time had a sleep at Baldachin

Baldachin at Es Cel de Begur Hotel

Bathroom at Es Cel de…


Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres, Spain

| Museums | 156 seen

In our second day trip to Spain we visited Salvador Dali Museum located in town of Figueres.  I can tell you just one - This has finally happened - had heard so much about this great place before and now I actually visited it.

There are not much words I can use to describe this fabulous museum in Figueras, instead I can offer you 16 pictured from this place (Originally there were 43 pictures, but 2 years latter since originally created this article, I reviewed both article and pictures and made some post-processing for photography in Adobe Lightroom). Now, I feel a bit sorry about myself I can't travel back in time and capture much much better photography, as back then (2014) I was just like another typical tourist flash lighting around with my point and shoot camera. Sad.

But the story is about Salvador Dali, or more precisely about his works and museum in Figueras, so let's leave it as it is, and I will definitely return here for another photography session.

Salvador Dali Museum building at Figueras

The Dalí Theatre and Museum, is a museum of the artist…


Best Budget Laptops for Under $300 in 2023

| Laptop Reviews | 14 seen

In today's digital age, having a laptop is almost a necessity. Whether you're a student, a freelancer, or a professional, a reliable laptop can help you accomplish your tasks with ease. However, high-end laptops can be quite expensive, which can be a burden for those on a tight budget. Thankfully, there are plenty of budget laptops available on the market that offer great value for the price.

In this article, we will discuss the 10 best budget laptops under $300.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon, which means that if you decide to make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate income. Please note that this does not affect the price you pay

  • Acer Chromebook Spin 311: This Chromebook comes with a 360-degree hinge, an 11.6-inch HD touchscreen, and a long battery life. It's great for basic tasks like browsing the web, streaming videos, and creating documents.

  • Lenovo IdeaPad 1: This 14-inch laptop comes with an AMD A6 processor, 4GB RAM, and a 64GB eMMC. It's a good choice for students and casual users who need a laptop for basic tasks.…


  • Hotel Tarongeta Review in Cadaques

    | Hotel reviews | 11 seen

    We stayed at hotel Tarongeta in Cadaques in our second day trip to Catalonia, Spain.

    You can read my photo article - covering Cadaques here.

    Choice of Tarongneta was made spontaneous and all agreements regarding accommodation was made on site, not using any third party booking services (thus, I must admit I found this hotel on booking.com before we arrived at Cadaques)

    This hotel offers few benefits - free parking on site, located in centre of Cadaques. The price? EUR 55 per night (I guess could bargain it down to EUR 40 with ease).

    Nothing fancy - just great location and free parking.

    Bathroom at Hotel Tarongeta

    Bathroom at Hotel Tarongeta

    Bedroom at Hotel Tarongeta

    Bedroom at Hotel Tarongeta

    Bedroom at Hotel Tarongeta

    Rooms come with TV and free High Speed internet at hotel Targoneta

    Corridor at Hotel Tarongeta

    Sign right next to entrance at Hotel Tarongeta

    Vestibule at Hotel Tarongeta

    About Hotel Tarongeta

    Set in picturesque fishing town of Cadaqués, the family-run Hotel…


    Exploring Catalonia: from Roses to Cadaques

    | Travel guides | 62 seen

    On our second day on Catalonian trip, we left Girona and headed to Roses (Girona municipality) and after a short 5 minute stay at Roses we headed to Cadaques (Girona municipality).

    I decided to stick with motto: one picture can say more than 1000 words, and here you have - 30 pictures I took during our trip Roses, Girona - Cadaques, Girona.

    Beach at Roses, Girona

    Roses, Girona

    Literraly after 5 minutes here at Roses beach we decided - there is no need to dig deeper in this beautiful Spanish/Catalonian seaside town, and we turned our car around to head to Cadaques. I guess it's all about spontaneity. Sorry Roses in Girona - I will come back some other day.

    On the road to Cadaques

    Scenic views

    Rocks at Cadaques

    Turns out - somewhere near these rocks were Salvador Dali house museum - well, it was hard to find it among those rocks...

    Cadaques bay

    Instead of Salvador Dali house museum we got nice seaside views

    Cactuses on cliffs

    Cadaques bay with boats

    Boats at…


    Hotel Ultonia Review in Girona

    | Hotel reviews | 39 seen

    During our first day on our Catalonia trip for a first night, we stayed at Girona - Hotel Ultonia.

    For a start I must admit - I wanted to book another less expensive hotel, but that was out of city center - so hell, for a sake of a couple of bucks we decided to book something valuable in the city center.

    But to keep up with the costs - I found it's more affordable if you are using hotelclub.com rather booking.com. Basically, it works like this  - what on Booking costs in Euro's, the same on hotelclub costs in dollars. And if you are a currency geek - you will understand me - it's 25-30% cheaper.

    Now - enough talking, show me the pictures:

    Corridor at Hotel Ultonia Girona

    Bathroom at hotel Ultonia Girona

    Bathroom at hotel Ultonia Girona

    Bathroom at hotel Ultonia Girona

    Flat Screen TV at Ultonia hotel Girona

    Unfortunately, all the channels are only in Spanish.

    No English, not to say Russian. I even considered to complain regarding this - I really enjoy watching 1st Russian channel at hotels. And 1st channels has a great offer for those hotels,…


    Catalonia: First impressions of Girona - Cathedral of Girona, Jewish Quarter

    | Travel guides | 15 seen

    This probably will be a long photo article, with few comments on each of the photo.

    It was my first time visiting Spain, and stop of Girona came just right after we landed in Barcelona, rented a nice Renault Megane car from Fire Fly company. During this trip I only started to recognize what is Catalonia - not any more an abstract term for me - it's real place with real folks and attractions there. 

    So here are few shots from Girona, Cathedral of Girona and Jewish Quarter (probably last two are main attractions of Girona)

    Scooters on streets of Girona

    Green Overpass

    Funny Vehicle on streets of Girona

    Balcony with flowers at Girona

    View to Girona Cathedral

    Girona street view

    Girona Events desk (Actual on October 19, 2014)

    Catatonia's Flag

    Scenic streets of Girona

    Scenic streets of Girona

    Backyard of Girona's street

    Scenic street of Girona

    Garden close to Girona's Cathedral

    Cathedral of Girona from distance…


    Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

    | Airports | 19 seen

    Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport  is located some 32 km southeast of the city center, airport serves as the hub for AnadoluJet and Pegasus Airlines.

    The facility is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the adoptive daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the first female fighter pilot in the world. Although Istanbul Airport, located 63 km (39 mi) west of the European side of Istanbul, is larger, Sabiha Gökçen is still one of the largest airports in the country.

    I have been traveling via Sabiha Gokcen Airport several times flying in and out routes like Tbilisi, Trabzon, Izmir, Barcelona, and more. Most of the time flying Pegasus Airlines.

    The airport was built because Atatürk International Airport (located on the European side) was not large enough to meet the booming passenger demands (both domestic and international).

    When traveling to or from Sabiha Gocken airport see How to Get around Istanbul for cheap with this ride-sharing Taxi app

     


    Georgian mythology, Founding Father of Georgia - Kartlos and Jesus Robe in Mtskheta

    | Living in Georgia | 72 seen

    Georgian mythology is a rich tapestry of legends and stories that provide insight into the country's cultural heritage. One of the most interesting myths is the story of Kartlos, the founding father of Georgia.

    According to Georgian mythology, Kartlos was the grandson of Japheth, one of Noah's three sons. He was the eldest son of Targamos and great-grandson of King Nimrod. When his father died, Kartlos inherited the kingdom and became the first king of Kartli, which is modern-day Georgia.

    The story of Kartlos is deeply intertwined with Georgian culture and history, and he is considered a national hero. His name is still used in modern-day Georgia, and it is the root of the country's name. Kartli, the region where Kartlos ruled, was later called Sakartvelo, which means "the land of Kartlos" in Georgian.

    Another important aspect of Georgian mythology is the story of the Jesus Robe in Mtskheta. Mtskheta is a historic city in eastern Georgia that was once the capital of the country. According to legend, the robe that Jesus Christ wore during his crucifixion was brought to Mtskheta by a Georgian Jew named Elioz. He is said to have acquired the robe from a…


    Top Laptops for Graphic Design Students and Professionals

    | Laptop Reviews | 74 seen

    If you're a graphic designer, finding the best laptop for your needs can be a daunting task. You need a machine that is powerful enough to run complex design software, has a high-quality display for accurate color reproduction, and is portable enough to take with you on the go.

    In this article, we'll take a look at the best laptops for graphic design, and help you find the perfect machine for your needs.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link to a product on Amazon.com and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. The commission I earn is at no extra cost to you

    Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch

    The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch is a top pick for graphic designers. It has a stunning Retina display with True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature based on your environment. The MacBook Pro also has a powerful 9th-generation 8-core Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive. It also has a dedicated AMD Radeon Pro 5500M graphics card, making it a great choice for graphic design.

    Dell XPS 15

    The Dell XPS 15 is another great option for graphic designers…


    Latest video

    Embedded thumbnail for Hiking to Turtle Lake: A Winter Trail in Tbilisi

    Hiking to Turtle Lake: A Winter Trail in Tbilisi

    Last Sunday we did a hiking trip to Turtle Lake, starting from the stairs on Polikarpe Kakabadze street. I’ve been a big fan of hiking in Tbilisi for a long time. More than ten years ago, we used to do hiking trips almost every weekend, something I’ve written about on the blog many times. Back then it was routine.Last chance workout on the trails…
    Embedded thumbnail for Tsikhisdziri & Batumi Botanical Garden

    Tsikhisdziri & Batumi Botanical Garden

    After returning from our amazing trip to Thessaloniki, we decided to extend our holiday a bit longer — this time in beautiful Tsikhisdziri. Huge thanks to Eto for kindly offering her cozy apartments at Bambo Beach, where we enjoyed a full week of relaxation by the sea.During our stay, we explored local gems like Shukura Tsikhisdziri (შუქურა…
    Embedded thumbnail for Summer in Latvia 2025

    Summer in Latvia 2025

    Summer in Latvia movie is out - Join us on our July (2025) journey through Latvia: installing a bathtub in our countryside cottage, setting up a pop-up store at Bangotnes, celebrating a birthday in Vērbeļnieki, traveling via Riga to Jaunpiebalga, Vecpiebalga, Smiltene, and Valka. From sipping sparkling wine with swallows to running 4K morning…

    Living in Georgia

    Mziuri Tennis Club in Tbilisi

    Our family has been attending Mziuri Tennis Club in Tbilisi since September 2025, after several recommendations from our BIST community. We signed up our 7-year-old for the junior program, which costs 300 GEL per month. After a few months…

    12 Rounds Boxing Club in Tbilisi

    Sometimes even the most loyal gym-goers need to shake things up—and that's exactly what I did this month. After years of training at the "luxurious Axis Tower gym", I decided to take a short break. Not because I had any complaints about…

    Tbilisi Circus: A Historic Landmark with a Surprising Past

    Tbilisi Circus is an iconic part of the city's cultural landscape. Having lived in Georgia since 2011, I have passed by the Tbilisi Circus almost every day. However, it wasn’t until I attended a show that I truly appreciated its grandeur…

    Foraging for Mushrooms near Tsodoreti Lake: A Day in the Suburbs of Tbilisi

    Back in June 2024, I first came across Tsodoreti Lake during one of the Tbilisi Trails races, which turned out to be one of the most challenging runs of my life. While I tackled the 10K trail route, my partner and our kiddo took a gentler…

    Piece of Life

    Postcards from Marseille

    It’s been nearly two years since our last trip to Marseille, a sun-drenched jewel on France’s southern coast that left an indelible mark on our memories. That summer of 2023, we set out to explore the city’s vibrant beaches and winding old town, arriving and departing through the bustling hub of Marseille St. Charles train station. As I sit…

    Christmas Eve at Palolem Beach: Fire Shows, Old Monk

    While we just celebrated Orthodox Christmas in Georgia, I can’t help but delve into the memories of our Western Christmas last year (2024), spent on the serene shores of Palolem Beach in Goa, India. That evening was magical in every way, filled with vibrant energy, beautiful scenery, and a new discovery that made the night unforgettable.Palolem…

    A Family Guide to Borjomi: Hiking Trails and Sulfur Bath Tips

    As summer came to a close, we continued our family's tradition of visiting Borjomi. This year marked yet another memorable trip at the end of August 2024, reaffirming our love for this beautiful Georgian town. Visiting Borjomi at least twice a year has become a cherished routine, a piece of life that we look forward to, blending relaxation,…

    Travel guides

    Gateway of India, Mumbai

    I first visited the Gateway of India at the end of December 2025, during our three-week trip to India. We spent only a few short days in Mumbai, and this stop was not planned in any deep or academic way. We arrived from The Lalit Hotel by…

    Embedded thumbnail for Summer in Latvia 2025

    Summer in Latvia 2025

    Summer in Latvia movie is out - Join us on our July (2025) journey through Latvia: installing a bathtub in our countryside cottage, setting up a pop-up store at Bangotnes, celebrating a birthday in Vērbeļnieki, traveling via Riga to…

    Embedded thumbnail for Birthday in Thessaloniki, Greece

    Birthday in Thessaloniki, Greece

    Turning 40 is a milestone worth celebrating in style, and what better way than in Thessaloniki — a city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and cuisine. From affordable flights and boutique stays to seafood feasts and hidden beaches,…

    Hotel Reviews

    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…

    Schuchmann Wines Château: A Long-Awaited Stay in Georgia’s Premier Winery Hotel & Spa

    It took us over a decade to finally make it to Schuchmann Wines Château & Spa, and it was well worth the wait! We’ve spent years recommending this stunning winery hotel to visiting friends and business partners, yet somehow, we had…

    Hotel Belvedere Prague: A Practical Stay with Easy Access

    During our recent trip to Prague in mid-October 2024, we stayed at Hotel Belvedere. My partner attended the MEET Central Europe Translators conference, and we were joined by one of our office employees, so we opted to book two rooms. …

    Review: Art Hotel Prague – A Cozy Stay in a Tranquil Part of Prague

    During our recent trip to Prague in October 2024, we opted for a one-night stay at the Art Hotel Prague. We arrived at the hotel via Bolt taxi from Václav Havel Airport, which was straightforward and efficient. At about EUR 120 per room…

    Toursim objects

    Plage des Catalans: A Shrinking Memory in Marseille

    Plage des Catalans, a sandy crescent tucked along Marseille’s coastline, holds a special place in my travel tapestry. I first visited this beach in the summer of 2003, a carefree stop during my early adventures in the city. Back then, it felt like a haven—close to the bustling port yet offering a slice of Mediterranean calm. When I returned…

    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…

    Charles Bridge: A Timeless Landmark in Prague

    The Charles Bridge (Karlův most) in Prague is one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in Europe. Built in the 14th century under the reign of King Charles IV, this Gothic stone bridge spans the Vltava River, connecting Prague's Old Town with the Lesser Town (Malá Strana). Adorned with a series of 30 Baroque statues and surrounded by…

    Macroeconomics

    Servers and Drupal

    Genealogy