How to Install Drupal 10 with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.1, MySQL, phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 23.04 - Linode Guide

15 June, 2023 | Servers | 1,629 seen

In this article, you will learn how to set up a webserver for serving Drupal websites running with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.1, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 23.04

For the following tutorial, I used very much the information from my previous guide with 22.04, but I decided to rewrite it for Ubuntu 23.04 version as it is shipped with php8.1 version and will work with Drupal 10 (most probably with previous versions too)

If you need any assistance configuring servers or working with Drupal, consider hiring me at the Terramatris website

Prerequisites

• Ubuntu 23.04 
• Root privileges.

You can get a cheap VPS starting at just $5/mo from Linode. That's what I did - bought a new nanode from Linode

Literally, in a couple of seconds, the new server was up and running - that's what I love about sticking with Linode for years

Follow the basic security guide, see: Securing Your Server

I will use Terminal from MAC to access  over SSH (Windows users could use Putty)

Create the user, replacing …

Discovering Sri Lanka: A Journey near Indian Ocean from Colombo to Galle

14 June, 2023 | Travel guides | 30 seen

At the start of 2022, we traveled to Sri Lanka for about a two-week-long life-changing journey.

In this article, I'm sharing my travel notes with listing places of interest we visited. Also, make sure to watch our short video from this trip: Sri Lanka, Colombo, Bentota and Galle

The Tbilisi-Doha flight was good, with plenty of legroom. The plane seemed a bit outdated, a Boeing A230. But for a less than 3-hour flight, it was very decent.

The biggest surprise came at the Doha Airport, where we had reserved a business lounge with an option to stay at the so-called cubicles. It turned out they were on a first-served basis. I thought, "Alright, we got scammed."

Nevertheless, after some 40 minutes, we got our cubicle. It was nothing fancy, but better than nothing. We managed to get some sleep at our cubicle, and soon we were boarding the next plane departing for Colombo, Sri Lanka.

On the plane, I met a nice Sri Lankan software developer. We talked a bit, and he told me about Asian careers in Qatar. It turned out he hadn't been home for two years because of the pandemic.

Before booking the plane, we reserved Hilton Apartments in…

Mayer House Hotel in Tel Aviv

13 June, 2023 | Hotel reviews | 20 seen

Mayer House Hotel in Tel Aviv is located on  Dizengoff Street 98. It featured an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace, a restaurant, and a bar.

We booked this hotel for a 2-night stay at the start of 2023, before returning back to Tbilisi. We paid about USD 430 for a 2-night stay here.

Thsi small hotel has an excellent location, from here we were able to explore the neighbourhood, visit the Tel Aviv beach and more.

The property is close to several well-known attractions, 400 m from Dizengoff Center, 800 m from Meir Park and 1.3 km from Shenkin Street. The property is 500 m from the city centre and less than 1 km from Frishman Beach.

The room was really tiny, thus it had enough space to fit an extra bed for ur 4 year old daughter.

Looks rather small, and we didnt actually try it this time. But I like the ideas of rooftoip pools. Remind me one we visited in Colombo, Sri Lanka, see: Hotel Marino Beach Colombo

The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Free WiFi is accessible to all…

Istanbul With Kids

9 June, 2023 | Travel guides | 33 seen

The Nachlaot Pearl/ King Salomon apartment in Jerusalem (Be'er Sheva Street)

8 June, 2023 | Hotel reviews | 28 seen

The Nachlaot Pearl / King Salomon room is an apartment we booked via Airbnb for a two-day stay in Jerusalem on New Year's Eve of 2023.

The price we paid seemed a bit high, paying about $350 for a small studio room,  but as we didnt know what to expect from Jerusalem rental market and were not into extensive reserach, we agreed to book this place. And the stay was actually really excellent. 

We agreed to book over AirBnB insetad of booking.com because it seemed that all decent hotels in Jerusalem are overpriced as we were booking already late (around mid-November). 

Anyhow, the house is located in the center of Jerusalem in the great, quiet, and historical neighborhood of Nachlaot on Be'er Sheva street), on a pedestrian street next to a beautiful public garden.

Location is unbeatable: close to all public transportation (light rail, buses, Itshak Navon train station), less than five minutes walking distance to the great Mahane Yehuda Market, Sacher Park, Jaffa, and Ben Yehuda Street, and many typical restaurants.

It was a small studio room, with one bed and extra sofa for our kiddo, a flat screen TV, mini…

Beruwalage Gems & Jewelry Moonstone Mine in Sri Lanka

7 June, 2023 | Tourism objects | 272 seen

During our latest trip to Sri Lanka at the start of 2022, we visited this small and interesting Moonstone Mine - Beruwalage Gems & Jewelry. 

We were taken here by our driver / guide we ordered back in the hotel for the day trip to Galle. 

Moonstone is a fascinating gemstone that is found abundantly in Sri Lanka. This gemstone has been revered for centuries for its unique beauty, metaphysical properties, and historical significance. Sri Lanka is one of the world's top producers of moonstones, and the country has a rich tradition of mining, cutting, and polishing these gems to the highest standards.

We were offered a short excursion at the moonstone mine, before we were taken to to shop and had a cnahce to buy some moosntone jewelry

The geological conditions in Sri Lanka are ideal for the formation of moonstones. The island is situated in the Indian Ocean, and it has a tropical climate that is characterized by heavy rainfall and high humidity. These conditions promote the growth of feldspar crystals in the soil, which are the primary components of moonstone. The mineral-rich soil in Sri Lanka also contains traces of other…

Paul French Restaurant on Paliashvili street (near Vake Park in Tbilisi)

6 June, 2023 | Restaurant reviews | 59 seen

There is a lovely French restaurant and bakery located on Paliashvili Street near Vake Park in Tbilisi. We keep heading here for delicious French-style desserts and one of my favorite vegetable soups.

We come here occasionally, after visiting Vake Park or during the lunch break at the office nearby. 

There are several Paul Restaurants located across the city, check out my previous review about Paul restaurant on Abashidze Street

Latelty we hae started ordering more tea's in the pot. Kiddo loves them. they have berry teas available. Quite a rare in Tbilisi.

Being vegeterian for some time already I keep looking for good cuisine. Vegetable soup is something i like, and the one at Pauls restaurants is tasty. 

There is aleays something interesting at the Paul's restaurants. Avovado / salmon toat with cream cheese on rye bread. Just delicious and healthy.

Paul is one of the finest dining places in Tbilisi. Highly recommended!

Sighnaghi and Mtskheta trip

2 June, 2023 | Living in Georgia | 10 seen

This time around, the stage was set between swimming pools, intense jiu-jitsu sessions, and explorations of two iconic Georgian towns - Sighnaghi and Mtskheta.

The weekend kicked off with a perfect balance of fitness and fun. Picture this - a refreshing plunge into inviting swimming pools, followed by intense jiu-jitsu sessions. The rhythmic flow of water and the discipline of martial arts created a unique synergy, leaving me energized and ready for the adventures that lay ahead.

Our journey led us to the charming town of Sighnaghi, known as the "City of Love." Strolling through its cobbled streets, we soaked in the romantic ambiance and breathtaking views of the Alazani Valley. The cultural richness of Mtskheta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, added a historical touch to our exploration. The blend of old-world charm and vibrant local life made these towns a true testament to Georgia's diverse heritage.

No adventure is complete without savoring the local cuisine, and this weekend was no exception. The soundtrack to our culinary journey was provided by Chito Grito, creating the perfect ambiance for our gastronomic explorations. A visit to the Alazani…

Top 11 things to do in Batumi with Kids

1 June, 2023 | Travel guides | 76 seen

Our family trip began in Tbilisi, where we picked up our child from QSI international school in Zurgovani village. From there, we traveled to Natakhtari Airport, where we took a one-hour flight on Vanilla Sky to Batumi.

Upon arrival at Batumi International Airport, we quickly booked a Bolt taxi through the app, and in just 15 minutes, we arrived at our hotel, the charming and affordable Hotel O. Galogre in the Old Town. Compared to the five-star hotels we've stayed in before, Hotel O. Galogre was a steal at one-third the price. The hotel offered a complimentary breakfast and a spacious family suite with two balconies that provided stunning views of the lively street and Piaza Square. The location was perfect, as it was close to many attractions.

On our first evening, we explored the neighborhood and discovered the rich Ottoman Empire history, tried the delicious local Turkish cuisine, and visited the nearby Batumi port.

The next day, we visited the Batumi Metrocity mall to find a kids' entertainment center and maybe do some shopping. The kids' entertainment center was great, and we spent about GEL 40, having a lot of fun. However, we found that the…

How to Get around Istanbul for cheap with this ride-sharing Taxi app

30 May, 2023 | Travel guides | 1,078 seen

I have traveled back and forth to Istanbul for dozen times, sometimes just by a connecting flight, sometimes just to spend a day or two in Istanbul. Most of the time, I have relied on shuttle services ordered from hotels or using public transportation.

The last time when we visited Istanbul, via Sabiha Gokcen airport (May 2023) I noticed the price for one way transfer to the city center was EUR 60 (a few years ago I paid USD 40 for the same ride). This time I decided to check if there is a taxi app for Istanbul, like Bolt or Uber. 

I'm not sure if is there an Uber service available in Istanbul, but I found the BiTaksi app and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that with this ride-sharing app, the prices are much lower compared to the shuttle services or trying to catch a street taxi. Catching a street taxi as a foreigner in Istanbul might cost you 4 times higher than the actual price.

Sure the name might sound a bit akward - BiTaksi, not sure did the developers of the company were aware of the meaning or it's just me, but the service was quite straightforward. 

I was able to add my…

Jerusalem - Tel Aviv Train via Ben Gurion Airport in Israel

27 May, 2023 | Travel guides | 71 seen

The highly anticipated new high-speed train from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv via Ben Gurion Airport is now operating. The final destination of the Jerusalem train is Tel Aviv. The new Jerusalem to Tel Aviv train service is officially called King David Line.

I have traveled by train from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem on New Year's Eve of 2023. The ticket price per passenger was about ISL 15. The train station is actually located inside the terminal building and is one of the easiest ways to travel between Ben Gurion airport and Jerusalem.

The ride to Yitzhhak Navon station was about 25 minutes. There we were able to catch a street taxi and head to our apartment in Jerusalem.

The trains leave every half hour, but passengers must account for the ten-minute time to reach the entrance in Jerusalem. The station is inside a large-scale granite station which requires three escalators.

The train journey time between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is around 31 min and covers a distance of around 54 km. Operated by Israel Railways, the Jerusalem to Tel Aviv train service departs from Yerushalayim/Yits'hak Navon and arrives in Tel Aviv Haganah.

I havent actually…

Statue of Medea in Batumi

25 May, 2023 | Tourism objects | 78 seen

The Statue of Medea is located at Europe square in the Batumi city center. The Statue is dedicated to Medea, Colchian Princess from Greek mythology. 

Statue was opened to the public back in 2007. I have visited for many times Europe square and the statue of Medea, especially in the recent years when a McDonalds is opened next to the monument, so I decided add this pictursque place to the blog.

A must have place to visiti once in Batumi:

It is believed that on the territory of Ajara once existed Colchis civilization. Medea, who was the daughter of the king under the spell of the love of Jason the Argonaut, helped to steal a guarantor of prosperity and mascot of her people – the Golden Fleece. The couple ran on the Argo ship, which is depicted in the statue.

Also is known the fact that Medea was a skillful physician and pharmacist of her time, so science medicine was named in her honor. Today Medea statue with Golden Fleece, which is actually gold-plated, symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and connection of Georgia to the European world.

Grill Town Restaurant in Batumi

24 May, 2023 | Restaurant reviews | 50 seen

Grill Town restaurant in Batumi is among one of my best finds in recent years. Located close to the Sheraton Hotel on Rustaveli Avenue in Batumi. 

We first discovered this restaurant in some of our previous Batumi trips, so this time it was a no-brainer to visit this place.

During our latest visit here in April 2023, it turned out to be the restaurant 1 year anniversary and we got some free Sangrias and very smiling staff members.

Grill town restaurant is locatad in two floors. This place serves European and Georgian cuisine with accent on grilled foods.

Even being vegetarian I found the above-grilled chicken very inviting.

If you are into grilled foods or just for a glass of wine - Grill Town Batumi is the place to go! Our total check was about GEL 150 for all the above-listed food, plus some french fries, badrijani, ice cream dessert and probably something more.

Ben Gurion International Airport

23 May, 2023 | Airports | 60 seen

Ben Gurion International Airport, is the main international airport of Israel. Situated on the northern outskirts of the city of Lod, it is the busiest airport in the country. It is located 45 kilometers (28 mi) to the northwest of Jerusalem and 20 kilometers (12 mi) to the southeast of Tel Aviv.

I first visited it back in 2009, flying with Turkish Airlines from Riga (via Istanbul), and also have flown a direct flight by EL AL from Tbilisi and a domestic flight to Ramon airport near Eilat. 

There is very easy and nice way to access Ben Gurion Airport via train service connecting both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. 

In 2019, Ben Gurion Airport handled 24.8 million passengers. It is considered to be among the five best airports in the Middle East due to its passenger experience and its high level of security; while it has been the target of several terrorist attacks, no attempt to hijack a plane departing from Ben Gurion Airport has ever succeeded.

The airport holds extreme strategic importance to Israel as it is one of the few convenient entry points into the country for most travellers. As Ben Gurion Airport once held standalone significance,…

Panorama Restaurant Batumi

18 May, 2023 | Restaurant reviews | 67 seen

Panorama Restaurant Batumi is located on the 36th floor of the Orbi skyscraper on 15b Sherif Khimshiashvili Street. We come here by recommendation in Mid-April 2023.

Panorama Batumi is highly recommended because of the views, though the cuisine also is excellent.

Places serve typical Georgian and European cuisine. Prices seem a bit above average but are still quite reasonable, for the service received.

I believe the place is stunning for coming to catch the sunset.

Life seems a bit better from the top

Made some nice slow-mode videos with my iPhone here

Fish was prepared on live fire. The price seemed bit high, for the person eating fish every day, paying 65 GEL for this Fish seemed bit overpriced, but I will take that.

Seems a trend in fashionable restaurants nowadays - our baklava was improved in front of us

Decent place, located a bit outside the city center. The views are excellent, food is delicious. Give it a try. Our total check was about GEL 180 for a glass of wine, french fries, dumplings, fish and dessert.