Coffeeshop Company Tbilisi

6 September, 2022 | Restaurant reviews | 29 seen

Coffeeshop Company is located on Mosashvili street 11 in Tbilisi and despite the interesting name - they actually serve nice brunch menus here and of course some coffee. 

Discovered by chance, when looking for brunch menus. As this place is located close to my partner's office in Vake, I think we might return here more frequently for brunch and not only.

The name sounds bit fishy, more like a tag, but why not?! The otjer question that arrises - how long this place is going to be in business? Probably not very long, some other brand will come, but meantime..

Here is our brunch menu for 2 persons at GEL 40 (without tax). Quite good offer - salmon, bread, two juices, two coffees (at your choice)

Good place, with good brunch menu. I wish this place stay in the business for years to come.

Notes from Tbilisi: Trading German Energy stocks, Dealing with Binance to transfer BUSD to Coinbase

5 September, 2022 | Living in Georgia | 6 seen

Greeting from Tbilisi. The weather is hot, air conditioners are running, but the autumn winds are also present. 

This morning I was looking at two European Stocks to trade options with Dutch ING bank or German E.ON. It turned out a holiday in the US (at least on the stock exchange), where Labourš day was observed, and the European market opened lower. Both ING and EON fell by more than 2% and I thought this is an opportunity.

Decided to test the waters with German E.ON and sold one put option with a September 16 expiry and strike price of EUR 8.4. Premium received EUR 18

With European stocks opening lower decided to write puts against German multinational energy and gas company E.ON. if expires worthless 2.14% potential income in about 12 days. If assigned - break even EUR 8.23. Wondering if is it already priced in or if we are set for even lower lows.

For the rest of the day, I wanted to do some blog writing, but then my fiancee called me and asked if could I assist her in opening a business account at the TBC bank office." So I left my work and rushed to rescue. When visiting the TBC main branch on Marjanishvili street,  we were…

Nida Pebble Beach

2 September, 2022 | Tourism objects | 19 seen

Nida Pebble beach is the most Southern public beach of Latvia located on the Baltic sea shores just 1 km from the Lithuanian border.

The pebble beach is quite uncharacteristic for a typical Latvian seaside beach and that already a good reason to visit it. 

In fact the pebbles are hardly visible but still.

There are plenty of smaller stones, so some can build some art. \on the other hand, there are plenty of pebbles in the sea. A good foot massage guaranteed. 

The sign is saying - 1km to the border (Latvia/Lithuania)

It is said that Nida pebble beach is a protected area with a total area of 37.1 sqm. Milk quartz pebbles can be found at the beach.

Really authentic and inspiring place. If you happen to be in this area, make sure to visit. 

Cafe Somersēta in Aglona

1 September, 2022 | Restaurant reviews | 25 seen

Cafe Somersēta is located on Somersētas street in Aglona town, the region of Latgale in Latvia. We discovered this place by a chance shortly before visiting the famous catholic cathedral in Aglona.

It seems the place is very popular among tourists, as during our meal time here, we mostly met tourists from all over the World. Well, we visited this place at the start of August 2022, I wonder what happens in the offseason.

Anyhow, this place serves traditional Latvian / Latgalian cuisine for a very reasonable price. Tastes good and looks like some British pub.

They have a seperate kids corner and very delicous food. If you happen to be in area, give it a try!

Piloru oak grove

31 August, 2022 | Tourism objects | 15 seen

Pilori Oak grove is located on the banks of Lake Ežezers in the region of Latgale. Total area is about 19.6 ha

It is one of the rare oak groves in Latvia with a nature protection status granted already in 1928. The oldest oaks are around 300-400 years old.

I first learned of this grove at the start of August during a weekend trip to the region of Latgale.

The oak grove is located aside from Ezernieki – Andzeļi road, there is a small parking lot, trail, informational stand, and recreation area with footbridge, with a view on the Lake Ežezers North bay and islands.

This is amazing, free camping area with a fireplace. I wish to return here and grill some fish.

Tbilisi by Night

30 August, 2022 | | 18 seen

Tbilisi by night is very beautiful. Time after time I love to take out my DLSR camera and tripod to experiment with nighttime photography - long exposures, high ISO. Nighttime photography can be very creative. 

In today's Piece of Live series - Tbilisi by night from the balcony of our apartment.

We are lucky enough living in a place which offers us some of the best views towards the old town of Tbilisi

During the day we went there swimming.

It feels to be back to Tbilisi after some 2 month break. 

Lake Ežezers

26 August, 2022 | Lakes | 22 seen

Lake Ežezers is located in Kraslava municipality, in Ezernieku and Andzeļu parishes. It is the richest island lake in Latvia and even in the whole Baltic region. There are 35 islands in a total area of 77.6 ha and 70 islands formations or shoals. From the lake flows out river Narūta, which is one of the Daugava’s basin rivers.

I first visited this lake back in 2010, when learned that my grandfather has been from this area (Village Andzeļi)

We returned here for a tranquil evening at the start of August 2022, and I plan to come here more often (at least once a year)

The average depth of the lake is 6.4 meters, maximum depth is 21 meters. In the lake, around 18-24 fish species can be found.

There are public resting places, available for swimming and active leisure as well (beach of Ezernieki and beach of Andzeļi).

MyHeritage DNA test, flight to Tbilisi, Stock Recovery

25 August, 2022 | Genealogy | 49 seen

Today was the last day in Riga and Latvia for a while. No More Vilgale, no more Ječi, and no more Riga until Spring 2023 (earliest). 

QSI school started today in Tbilisi, but we will still skip the first days and should start our new school year on Monday.

Back in April we already ordered the MyHeritage DNA test, and today was the day when we finally took it, sealed and sent it back to Germany. Now we wait for some 6 weeks I guess. Exciting. I guess I will have some Russian, Belorussian, Iberian, and Latvian heritage will see. Maybe Ashkenazi Jew? Let's wait.

I have some stock positions expiring tomorrow, I was worried about like DB and INTC stock, but seems they are going to recover or at least not take a huge loss.

See you soon in Tbilisi. Exciting.

Coffee shop KUUP, Rēzekne

24 August, 2022 | Restaurant reviews | 23 seen

Kuup coffee shop is a chic place in Rēzekne, which offers coffee roasted in Latgale. 

We found this place by a chance, thanks to TripAdvisor when searching for top restaurants in Rēzekne. We arrived here for some 40km from Varakļāni, just to have our morning coffee. 

Pastry, coffee and sandwiches.

Kuup has its own coffee roastery, they sell both coffee roasted in Latgale and some souvenirs at their coffee shop

Quite awesome place. If you happen to be in Rēzekne, make sure to visit coffe shop Kuup.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral of Rēzekne

24 August, 2022 | Churches and Monasteries | 19 seen

The Sacred Heart Cathedral of Rēzekne is located in Rēzekne, Latvia.

I briefly visited this cathedral at the start of August 2022, during my birthday trip to the region of Latgale

On the site occupied by the church, there existed a wooden temple built in 1685. The church burned down in 1887 during a storm and the following year the works for the new and present neo-Romanesque style church began. Construction was completed in 1902 under the guidance of Florian Viganovskis, dedicated in 1904, and consecrated in 1914.

The church was elevated to a cathedral status on December 2, 1995 with the Ad aptius consulendum bula of Pope John Paul II, when the Diocese of Rezekne-Aglona was created.

A Rare Miss: One Day Off the Blogging Grid

22 August, 2022 | Blogging | 9 seen

On August 21st, I regrettably missed a day of blogging—an uncommon occurrence, though not entirely unprecedented. Today nearly slipped by as well, but I’m committed to maintaining consistency whenever possible.

This lapse can be attributed to an exceptionally demanding travel schedule. Yesterday took me from Riga to Strenci, Valka, and back, while today’s itinerary included Riga to Kuldiga, Vilgale, Laidi—doubling back between the latter two—before returning to Kuldiga and, finally, Riga. The pace has been relentless, leaving me understandably fatigued.

Compounding matters, the stock market has been less than cooperative, moving against my recent trades. I’m keeping a close eye on my INTC 35 put and DB 8.5 put, both set to expire this Friday, with a touch of concern about their performance. Nonetheless, I remain focused and adaptable, navigating both the road and the markets with diligence.

Rēzekne Castle ruins

19 August, 2022 | Military Heritage | 19 seen

Rēzekne Castle ruins are located in the downtown of Rēzekne, Latvia, a city in the center of Latgale. The castle served as a base of the local Livonian order landlords until the 16th century and also as the main military support base for battles against Russians and Lithuanians.

Today, fragments of the stone walls and the foundation can be seen on the ancient castle hill.

Archeological excavations reveal that between the 9th and 12th centuries a Latgalian wooden fortress was situated in the place where the castle ruins now stand. It is unknown when the Latgalian fortress was destroyed, however in 1285, the master of the Livonian Order Vilhelms Šurborgs built a stone fortress on the Rositten stone hill. The fortress consisted of a two-story brick and stone castle with a three-storey towers and thick brick walls, functioning as the administrative seat of Rezekne.

The castle was ravaged and rebuilt many times. Between 1577 and 1579, it was occupied by Czar Ivan IV Vasilyevich, and after the war it became part of the Duchy of Livonia. During the Polish-Swedish War in 1601, and again from 1625 to 1626, the Rezekne castle was occupied by the Swedish army,…

Stargazing in Ječi, Boat Riding in Laidi, Stock Trading in Vilgāle

18 August, 2022 | Stock Portfolio | 24 seen

Yesterday we traveled to Ječi to move the lawn, grill a fish and use it as a camp base before visiting a pebbled beach near Nida close to the Latvian/Lithuanian.

Our new favorite shop - LIDL, fish is awesome and the rest is good too. We are lucky to have one LIDL store in Liepaja, about 25 km from our Ječi house. 

I love both Nida and Pape, really awesome beaches. Pāvilosta is good, Jūrkalne too. 

After returning to Ječi and making our campfire it was already dark and I guess I was able to see Milky Way. Ječi is awesome for night sky watch. no close city lights.. perfect. I felt a bit sad I didn't take my DSLR camera and tripod.

The next morning we packed away, as we are not planning to return here earlier than March / April 2023. Had a brief and hearty talk with our neighbors - a Russian couple. Promised to bring them some good Georgian wine next year,

Returned to Laidi to fix some things. In the evening visited our favorite guest house for taking a traditional Latvian sauna with birch brooms, some little picnic, and a boat ride. Awesome.

Later in the evening went to Vilgāle's apartment to stay for a night. The apartment looked so…

Guest House 'Odumiņi'

17 August, 2022 | Hotel reviews | 11 seen

Guesthouse Odumiņi is located close to Varakļāni town in the historical region of Latgale, Latvia. We booked a one-night stay here at the start of August 2022, during our weekend trip to Latgale.

For a one-night stay here we paid about EUR 100, with the sauna included.

The vacation home comes with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fully equipped kitchen, and a patio with garden views.

We were greead by the ownet Agrita, she showed us all around and allwed to make our own sauna broom from the nearby linded trees.

As we arrived here via Jēkabpils, we bought some fish to grill at the LIDL store and enyoed our evening on the patio.

inside the coppice there is a small hut for a grill

The vacation home has a playground. There's a garden with a grill at this property and guests can go hiking nearby.

In overall very nice stay. Book now on Booking.com

Varakļāni Palace

16 August, 2022 | Tourism objects | 25 seen

Varakļāni Palace is located in Varakļāni, in the historical region of Latgale, Latvia.

We visited this place shortly at the start of August 2022, during a weekend trip to Latgale. I was not sure what for to look in the area and just googled the top sightseeing objects in Varakļani and this place popped top on the list.

Just later I learned history of this place.

After the end of the Livonian War in 1583, the von der Borch family acquired the Vark castle district, it was called "Vark land" (German: Warkland , Warkelen). The palace was designed by the Italian architect Vincenzo Macotti at the request of the estate owner, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth diplomat Count Michael Johann von der Borch. Construction started in 1783 and was completed in 1789.

After the death of Count M. Borch in 1810, his wife, Eleonor Christine (1766-1844), and later their son, Charles Borch (1798-1861), whose daughter Mary married Pavel Roman Sangushko, operated the palace. Kovelski ( Sanguszko-Kowelski , 1834–1876). After his death, the manor was inherited by their daughter, Teresa Sanguško-Kovelskaya (1864-1954).

After Latvian Agrarian…