Eiffel Tower
| Tourism objects | 47 seen
The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. Constructed from 1887, it is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.
I first visited this iconic place back in 1990 or 1991, together with my mom and brother. back then I was about 5 year old, but I still remmebr that trip from Latvia to France with bus. Quite good memories. One of my first foreign trips.
Now, last time we visited Eiffel tower in Paris back in July 2023, during oour about two week trip in France
Locally nicknamed "La dame de fer" (French for "Iron Lady"), it was constructed from 1887 to 1889 as the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair.
Although initially criticised by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design, it has since become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world.
The tower received 5,889,000 visitors in 2022, up by 197 per cent from 2021, when numbers dropped due to the COVID virus.
The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument with an entrance fee in the world: 6.91 million people ascended it in…
ABC Land - Children's party service in Tbilisi
| Entertainment | 162 seen
ABC Land children's party service is located in Saburtalo, Tbilisi on University Street N8.
I first heard about this place some time ago from another expat family here in Georgia, but first visited together at the start of September 2023, when we (our kid) got invited to a birthday party from our class at British International School in Tbilisi.
ABC land is located in a separate 5 or 6-story building, unlike kids' entertainment centers which are quite a few around in Tbilisi, this place is specially designated for kids' parties, like birthdays etc. and seems have to be reserved beforehand
The event we atteneded was 5-year birthday party, event was held in English, there were few attractions, the total time was about 2 hours, with snacks both for kids and grownups
It was a fun time spent together with kiddos and engaging in fun talks with other expat families.
The place seems very professional, especially built or designated for kids' parties, with playrooms, softball etc. At this time I have no idea about pricing, as we were just guests here, but seems might be a little bit pricey, as I hear this place trendy among expat families here in…
Luxembourg Gardens
| Tourism objects | 24 seen
The Jardin du Luxembour, known in English as the Luxembourg Garden, colloquially referred to as the Jardin du Sénat (Senate Garden), is located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, France.
Creation of the garden began in 1612 when Marie de' Medici, the widow of King Henry IV, constructed the Luxembourg Palace as her new residence. The garden today is owned by the French Senate, which meets in the Palace. It covers 23 hectares (56.8 acres) and is known for its lawns, tree-lined promenades, tennis courts, flowerbeds, model sailboats on its octagonal Grand Bassin, as well as picturesque Medici Fountain, built in 1620. The name Luxembourg comes from the Latin Mons Lucotitius, the name of the hill where the garden is located.
We first discovered and visited this park in July 2023, as it was conventialy located close to our Boutique Hotel Sainte-Beuve in Paris
There was quite awesome, but paid, kids playground located inside the Luxembourg gardens territory. We paid about EUR 5 for an entrance here, our 4-year old daughter spent some good hour here.
In 1611, Marie de' Medici, the widow of Henry IV and the regent for the King Louis XIII, decided to build…
Hiking and Sulphur baths in Borjomi
| Living in Georgia | 29 seen
…
La Fregate French Restaurant in Paris
| Restaurant reviews | 80 seen
La Frégate is set on the Left Bank of the Seine in central Paris between the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens and the Musee d'Orsay. This stylish brasserie is said to be built on the site of the house occupied by Field Marshal D'Artagnan, the character that inspired Alexandre Dumas to write The Three Musketeers.
La Frégate has a lovely décor with ornate frescoed ceilings, pale lemon Louis XVI chairs, tables laid with crisp white linen while soft lighting sets the scene.
I had a chance to take a dinner after visiting the famous palace of Louvre back in July 2023
Typical offerings on the carte are duck foie gras served with toast or frog legs with garlic mayonnaise followed by mains of veal cutlet with mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes or grilled sea bass with vegetables while desserts tempt with the likes of chocolate profiteroles and crêpes suzette. Service is friendly and efficient by the bi-lingual waiting staff and there are tables outside to take in the views.
We tried the traditional French Onion soup, salmon steak and both French beer and cider. Kiddo enjoyed pasta and ice cream
Surprisingly our total bill was quite Okay, around EUR…
Charles de Gaulle Airport
| Airports | 38 seen
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as Roissy Airport or simply Paris CDG, is the principal airport serving the French capital, Paris (and its metropolitan area), and the largest international airport in France. Opened in 1974, it is in Roissy-en-France, 23 km (14 mi) northeast of Paris, and is named after World War II statesman Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970), whose initials (CDG) are used as its IATA airport code.
Charles de Gaulle Airport serves as the principal hub for Air France and a destination for other legacy carriers (from Star Alliance, Oneworld and SkyTeam), as well as a focus city for easyJet. It is operated by Groupe ADP under the brand Paris Aéroport.
We traveld to Paris, Franche forth and back via AirBaltic from Riga, Latvia in Summer 2023. Despite being one of the largest airports i have visited, I would say it seemed busy or overcrowded. Well organized.
In 2022, the airport handled 57,474,033 passengers and 34,657 aircraft movements, thus making it the world's ninth busiest airport and Europe's third busiest airport (after Istanbul and Heathrow) in terms of passenger numbers. Charles de Gaulle is also the busiest airport…
Walden Gudaleti
| Living in Georgia | 37 seen
…
Boutique Hotel Sainte-Beuve in Paris
| Hotel reviews | 26 seen
Boutique Hotel Sainte-Beuve is located in the heart of Paris on a small and quiet street of Rue Sainte-Beuve 9 in the 6th arrondissement of Paris.
The hotel is conventionally located within walking distance of neighborhoods Montparnasse and Saint Germain Des Prés, 200m from the Luxembourg Gardens.
We booked about a 2-night stay here at the start of July 2023. Paying about EUR 700.
For getting here we used the Bolt ride-sharing app from Paris Charle de Gaulle airport
We arrived late in the evening and were greeted by a nice hotel manager lady. She spoke fluent English and helped us out in every detail.
At the lobby fresh Le Figaro and The New York times were available during our stay,
We got a tiny room, but spacious enough to fit in a sofa for our 4-year-old kiddo and even a tiny bathtub,
Tiny room, with nice Paris street views
Bought some Fischer beer at the corner shop.
For an additional EUR 18/per person we got a typical French breakfast with croissants and French Press.
In overall - pleasant stay in the heart of Paris. Bit reminded me of scenes from Emily in Paris. Highly…
Louvre
| Museums | 20 seen
The Louvre or the Louvre Museum, is a national art museum in Paris, France. A central landmark of the city, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the city's 1st arrondissement (district or ward) and home to some of the most canonical works of Western art, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace, originally built in the late 12th to 13th century under Philip II. Remnants of the Medieval Louvre fortress are visible in the basement of the museum. Due to urban expansion, the fortress eventually lost its defensive function, and in 1546 Francis I converted it into the primary residence of the French Kings.
I first visited Louvre back in 1990 or 1991 together with my mom and brother. I was 5 years old back then and I don't remember much actually. The last time we visited Louvre was when my daughter was already almost 5 year old back in July 2023
The building was extended many times to form the present Louvre Palace. In 1682, Louis XIV chose the Palace of Versailles for his household, leaving the Louvre primarily as a place to display the royal collection, including, from 1692, a collection of ancient…
Shumi winery and vineyards near Tsinandali in Kakheti, Georgia
| Tourism objects | 41 seen
Founded in 2001, Shumi Winery is a leading producer of high-quality Georgian wines. Its large estate is located in the Kakheti wine region’s famous Tsinandali village.
A nice stop when traveling to the region of Kakheti. There is a wineshop, restaurant, and of course vineyards at the territory complex.
Shumi Winery takes its name from an old Georgian word that means authentic, undiluted wine. The winery’s griffin logo refers to “Phaskunji”, a creature from Georgian mythology. Legend has it that the griffin brought the very first bunch of grapes to the people, and from these grapes, people started growing vines on the earth.
I havent tried the restaurant here, but at least you should be able to sip some glass of wine here for sure. i bought some Tvishi and Saperavi Cabernet wines at the wineshop located inside the territory
Nice and relaxing place to take a small break while exploring Kakheti.
Latvian Villa Kursa near Sighnaghi in Georgia
| Hotel reviews | 18 seen
Villa Kursa offers friendly accommodation near Sighnaghi, in the village of Anaga, some 6 km from Sighnaghi center and 9 km from Bodbe Monastery. The property features a large terrace, a garden as well as a shared lounge area. Guests can enjoy a mountain view from Villa Kursa. Family rooms at the property come with free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning.
We booked a two-night stay here at the end of July 2023, paying GEL 200 via booking.com
I've heard about this place at least since 2012, as I knew the place is run by a Latvian couple Ineta and Valdis Kursiesi.
We had never met before. So finally this day come and we had a chance to finally met and stay here.
This 3-bedroom villa offers family rooms with a dining area. Private bathroom comes with a bath or a shower, free toiletries, a hairdryer, slippers and a toothbrush. Towels and linen are provided.
During our stya there was also present little outdoor swimming pool
Our 5-year-old daughter was most excited about the swimming pool. The outside temperature was well above +30C, also the water temperature was quite warm.
Cozy sitting area
Guests at…
Villa Kursa & Kakheti
| Living in Georgia | 17 seen
Our recent adventure took us to the breathtaking landscapes of Georgia, where we spent a memorable weekend at Villa Kursa near Sighnaghi. This hidden gem nestled in the heart of Kakheti, a prominent wine region, offered us a delightful blend of nature, wine, and local hospitality. Let's take a journey through our amazing weekend and explore the wonders of this picturesque destination.
Nestled in the lush countryside near the charming town of Anaga, near Sighnaghi, Villa Kursa welcomed us with open arms. The tranquil ambiance and warm hospitality provided by our gracious hosts, Ineta Kursiete and Valdis J. Kursietis, immediately made us feel at home. The property's rustic charm blended harmoniously with modern amenities, offering us the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.
One of the highlights of our trip was the opportunity to explore Kakheti, Georgia's premier wine region. The region's fertile soil and favorable climate create the ideal conditions for growing grapes, and Kakheti is renowned for its rich winemaking heritage. We visited several vineyards, where local vintners shared their passion and expertise with us.
From centuries-…
Swimming Pool and Spa at Tbilisi Biltmore Hotel
| Health & Wellness | 156 seen
The Biltmore Hotel is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of Tbilisi on Rustaveli Avenue.
For the past few years, we have been heading here for its indoor swimming pool. There is also a small gym and a simple spa center with a Steam room and Finnish sauna.
Small and cozy swimming pool with whirpool and few waterfalls. Not very deep, maybe 1 meter 20 or even less. Kid friendly
There is an outfoor restaurnat next to the pool, offering great cuisine, french firies, tacos, greek salad etc.
There is a small gym located next to the swimming pool. simple, with a few tradmils and some dumbells. OK for a workout.
Offering an indoor pool, spa, and a fitness center, The Biltmore Tbilisi Hotel is located in Tbilisi, 300 metres from Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre. The hotel has a sun terrace and a sauna. Guests can enjoy a drink at the bar or taste different cuisines at on-site restaurant.Free private parking is available on-site.
We keep cominghere for a few years already. Buying monthly acess pass for GEL 350 pr person, which gives 15 times unlimited access to the gym, spa and of course swimming pool. Our kiddo loves this place…
From Riga to Disaster: Repairing Our Wind Damaged Frame House in Latvia
| Frame House | 50 seen
Just after we finished most of the framing for our frame house in Latvia, we left for a weekend in Riga.
After spending good 4 or 5 days in the nation's capital we found a huge surprise when returned - high wind, the storm has damaged our building and the looks were not good.
Our frame house has suffered significant damage due to the strong winds
I called to my assistant and together we fixed most of the damage in just a few couple of hours. We started by removing roof constructions
Once the roof was disconected, leveled up and fixed the walls
As the weather was not very good and it kept raining, I decided not to install rafters yet, as we also had a two week trip to France planned the next morning.
Decided to leave this house as it is and finish the roof once returning from France trip.
Against the odds we fixed most of the issues today.
Top 7 Best Selling Intel Core i9 13th generation laptops
| Laptop Reviews | 332 seen
Laptops with Intel Core i9 13th gen processors, code name Raptor Lake, have been around for a while already. First launched on October 2022, the Intel Core i9 is popular among gaming and business laptops.
In this article, I've listed the top 7 best-selling laptops with Intel Core i9 13th-generation processors.
A quick note: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on the Amazon site, I will earn an affiliate income at no cost to you. Prices for laptops listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product Advertising API and are updated daily. For actual prices please refer to the product page on Amazon.
Razer Blade 16 Gaming -Laptop: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 13th Gen Intel 24-Core i9 HX CPU 16" QHD+ 240Hz - 16GB -RAM - 1TB SSD CNC Aluminum Compact GaN -Charger - Windows 11 Chroma RGB
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Graphics: Packed for pure performance with up to 140W TGP.Operating Temperature : 0°C (32˚F) to 40°C (104˚F).
- 13th Gen Intel Core i9 13950HX Processor: From full-blown AAA gaming to full-…
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