Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mtskheta

25 May, 2014 | Travel guides | 9 seen

Mtskheta is a small town located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of Georgia, about 20 kilometers north of the capital city of Tbilisi. Known for its rich history, religious significance, and stunning natural scenery, Mtskheta is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Georgia.

One of the most important features of Mtskheta is its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is due to the town's long and fascinating history, which dates back over 3,000 years. Mtskheta was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Iberia, and it has played a significant role in Georgian culture and religion ever since.

One of the most famous landmarks in Mtskheta is the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Built in the 11th century, this stunning cathedral is considered one of the most important religious sites in Georgia. It is said to house the robe of Christ, and it has served as the burial site for many Georgian kings and queens throughout history.

Another important religious site in Mtskheta is the Jvari Monastery. Situated on a hill overlooking the town, the Jvari Monastery was built in the 6th century and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of early Christian architecture. It is said to mark the spot where Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia, placed a cross made of grapevines.

In addition to its religious significance, Mtskheta is also known for its stunning natural scenery. The town is situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Mtkvari and the Aragvi, and it is surrounded by lush green hills and stunning mountain views. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities in the area.

Overall, Mtskheta is a must-see destination for anyone interested in Georgian history, culture, and religion. Its stunning cathedrals, ancient ruins, and beautiful natural scenery make it one of the most unique and fascinating places in the country. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a peaceful and beautiful place to visit, Mtskheta is a destination that should not be missed.

New Wine Festival Tbilisi: Celebrating Georgia's Ancient Winemaking Traditions

24 May, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 6 seen

Georgia, a country known for its ancient wine-making traditions and distinctive varieties of wine, has been holding the annual New Wine Festival in Tbilisi since 2012. The festival is a celebration of the end of the grape harvest and the beginning of the winemaking season. It is an opportunity for visitors to sample some of the country's finest wines, learn about the winemaking process, and immerse themselves in Georgian culture.

The event attracts wine lovers and connoisseurs from all over the world who come to experience Georgia's unique winemaking techniques, which have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.

The festival is an excellent opportunity to taste some of the best wines in Georgia. The country has over 500 grape varieties, and many of these are used to produce unique wines that are not available anywhere else in the world. Visitors can sample red, white, and amber wines, as well as sparkling wines and brandies. There are also traditional Georgian snacks, such as khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), lobiani (bean-filled bread), and grilled meat.

The New Wine Festival is not just about wine tasting. It is also a chance to learn about the history and culture of winemaking in Georgia. There are workshops, seminars, and masterclasses on various aspects of wine production, such as grape harvesting, grape pressing, and barrel aging. Visitors can also learn about the traditional Georgian winemaking method of qvevri, which involves fermenting and aging the wine in clay vessels buried in the ground.

In addition to the wine-related activities, there are also live music performances, traditional dance shows, and art exhibitions. The festival is a vibrant and lively event that reflects the spirit of Georgian hospitality and cultural richness.

New Wine Festival in Tbilisi is a must-visit event for anyone who loves wine and wants to learn more about Georgian winemaking traditions. It is an opportunity to taste some of the country's finest wines, learn about the history and culture of winemaking, and experience the unique atmosphere of Georgian hospitality and cultural richness.

Whether you are a wine lover, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, the New Wine Festival in Tbilisi is not to be missed.

Experience the Best of Georgia: A Road Trip from Kutaisi to Tbilisi

23 May, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 88 seen

Georgia is a country that is filled with breathtaking natural landscapes, rich culture, and unique experiences that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. From the soaring peaks of the Caucasus Mountains to the pristine beaches of the Black Sea coast, Georgia has something to offer every type of traveler.

Back in 2014, I had the pleasure of taking a road trip with my dad from Kutaisi to Tbilisi. Along the way, we experienced the many different sides of Georgia and the wonderful people who call it home.

One of the first things we noticed on our drive was the abundance of honey being sold by local vendors in the Imereti region. The air was thick with the sweet smell of honey, and we couldn't resist stopping to sample some of the local varieties. Each jar had a unique flavor and aroma, and we were impressed by the craftsmanship and care that went into making them.

As we continued our journey, we came across a small town called Khashuri. Here, we discovered that the locals were known for selling handmade nets. The town's main square was lined with vendors selling an array of fishing nets, each one crafted with skill and care. It was fascinating to see the pride and passion that went into creating these useful tools.

Our next stop was Gori, a town known for its delicious apples. We were amazed by the sheer variety of apples available, from the crisp and tart Granny Smith to the sweet and juicy Red Delicious. We sampled as many different varieties as we could, and were amazed by the sheer quality of the produce.

As we continued on our journey, we were struck by the diversity of the landscape. From the lush green hills of the Imereti region to the rocky, mountainous terrain of the Caucasus, Georgia seemed to offer something new and exciting at every turn.

At the end of our road trip, we arrived in Tbilisi, the country's vibrant capital city. We were blown away by the beautiful architecture, rich history, and warm hospitality of the local people. From the winding streets of the old town to the modern boutiques and cafes of the new city, Tbilisi offered a unique blend of tradition and innovation.

Looking back on our road trip through Georgia, we were struck by the country's diversity and beauty. The local people were warm and welcoming, and their passion for their craft was evident in everything they did. Whether you're interested in food, culture, or nature, Georgia is a country that has something to offer every type of traveler.

How to Launch a Successful Facebook Ad Campaign on a Minimal Budget

22 May, 2014 | Blogging | 3 seen

Facebook advertising can be a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes to reach their target audience and drive conversions. However, many small businesses may feel like they don't have the budget to launch an effective Facebook ad campaign. The good news is that with some smart planning and execution, it's possible to create a successful Facebook ad campaign even on a minimal budget.

The first step in creating a minimal budget Facebook ad campaign is to define your target audience and your campaign goals. This will help you determine the most effective ad format, targeting options, and messaging to use. With a clear understanding of who you're trying to reach and what action you want them to take, you can create ads that are highly targeted and focused on driving results.

Once you've defined your audience and goals, it's time to create your ad content. Facebook offers a range of ad formats, including image, video, and carousel ads, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. For a minimal budget campaign, it's best to start with a single ad format that's aligned with your campaign goals and has been shown to be effective for your audience. Keep your messaging clear and concise, and use high-quality visuals that capture your audience's attention.

When it comes to targeting, Facebook offers a range of options based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. For a minimal budget campaign, it's best to focus on a small, highly targeted audience that's most likely to engage with your ad and take the desired action. Use Facebook's targeting options to narrow down your audience based on factors such as age, location, interests, and behaviors.

Finally, it's important to monitor and optimize your ad campaign over time. This means regularly reviewing your ad performance and making adjustments to improve results. Use Facebook's ad reporting tools to track key metrics such as click-through rates, conversions, and cost per result. Experiment with different ad formats, messaging, 

and targeting options to see what works best for your audience, and make changes accordingly. Consider adjusting your budget allocation based on the performance of different ads and ad sets.

It's also important to continually refine your targeting to ensure you're reaching the most relevant audience possible. Facebook's Audience Insights tool is a great resource for gaining a deeper understanding of your audience and identifying new targeting options to test.

In conclusion, creating an effective Facebook ad campaign on a minimal budget requires a clear understanding of your target audience and campaign goals, effective ad content, smart targeting, and ongoing monitoring and optimization. By following these tips and continuously refining your approach, you can create a successful Facebook ad campaign that drives results without breaking the bank.

Are you looking to take your Facebook marketing strategy to the next level? As a skilled digital marketer, I have extensive experience in creating and implementing effective Facebook marketing campaigns. I specialize in helping businesses and organizations reach their target audience, drive engagement, and ultimately, achieve their marketing goals. From defining your target audience to crafting compelling ad creative and analyzing results, I can provide the expertise and guidance you need to succeed on Facebook. If you're ready to take your Facebook marketing strategy to the next level, let's connect and discuss how I can help your brand succeed on the world's largest social media platform.

I failed to blog 365 days in a row

15 May, 2014 | Blogging | 5 seen

<p>Unfortunatelly due to my travels abroad, and despite I have 3G phone, I failed to connect to internet and post blog posts for 2 days. There still is places on Earth where is no internet connection.&nbsp;</p><p>I hope I wont fail next time</p>

Laidi Manor

9 May, 2014 | Tourism objects | 81 seen

Laidi manor or palace (Laidu muiža - pils in Latvian) is a very cool tourism sight in Laidi parish, Kuldīga municipality, in the historical region of Courland (Kurzeme)

Built in the early 19th century by the local German nobility, it has housed the Laidi primary school since 1921.

Park at Laidi manor

The origins of the manor date back to the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. The complex of the manor has formed around the administrator’s house, which is the oldest one in the manor. From the year 1800 to 1810 the nobleman Manteuffel was building the manor’s castle with its household buildings in classicism style. The complex is symmetrical and has been formed around the inner yard. At both sides of the castle facing each other are two buildings – a barn with a coach house and the administrator’s house, connected by a gate.

Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi

4 May, 2014 | Churches and Monasteries | 48 seen

Bagrati Cathedral probably is among the most iconic site to visit in Georgia, and it should be a must have on your travel list if you have been in those parts of Georgia (Kutaisi). If you are traveling to or from Kutaisi International airport take your time and pay a visit here.

In fact I have visited Bagrati cathedral just between my travels to or from Kutaisi airport. So did happened my first visit here after I had been living in Georgia for more than 3 years. And so did happened when I last time took my mom here after she arrived to Kutaisi.

P.S. Both of my parents have visited Bagrati Cathedral while visiting me in Georgia.

I was eager to play with a HDR images for my digital photography school project and here are some lovely photos of Bagrati Cathedral. 

Bagrati cathedral in HDR

It was a lovely October Sunday, weather was great and  managed to take a decent HDR with super rich architecture and blue skies. Just lovely.

Bell tower at Bagrati Cathedral 

Bagrati cathedral and bell tower in HDR

Old stone pillars at Bagrati cathedral

Bagrati Cathedral was built in the early years of the 11th century, during the reign of King Bagrat III, due to which it was called "Bagrati", i.e., Bagrat’s cathedral. An inscription on the north wall reveals that the floor was laid in "chronicon 223", i.e., 1003. In 1692, it was devastated in an explosion by Ottoman troops who had invaded the Kingdom of Imereti. The incident caused the cupola and ceiling to collapse

Candlestick inside Bagrati Cathedral 

Candlestick inside Bagrati Cathedral 

Altar inside Bagrati cathedral 

Dome / Cupola inside Bagrati cathedral

Entrance doors at Bagrati cathedral 

View to Kutaisi city from Bagrati cathedral

Bagrati's Cathedral - info sign near cathedral

About Bagrati Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Dormition, or the Kutaisi Cathedral, more commonly known as Bagrati Cathedral, is the 11th-century cathedral church in the city of Kutaisi, the region ofImereti, Georgia. The cathedral, rebuilt officially on September 16, 2012 after heavy damage ages ago, served as a masterpiece in the history of modern and medieval Georgian architecture.

A distinct landmark in the scenery of central Kutaisi, the cathedral rests upon the top of Uk’imerioni Hill. It was built in the early years of the 11th century, during the reign of King Bagrat III, due to which it was called "Bagrati", i.e., Bagrat’s cathedral. An inscription on the north wall reveals that the floor was laid in "chronicon 223", i.e., 1003. In 1692, it was devastated in an explosion by Ottoman troops who had invaded the Kingdom of Imereti. The incident caused the cupola and ceiling to collapse.

Conservation and restoration works, as well as archeological studies, began in 1952. In 1994 the Bagrati Cathedral, together with the Gelati Monastery, was included in UNESCO's World Heritage Site list as a single entity. In 2001, ownership of the cathedral was transferred from the Georgian state to the Georgian Orthodox Church. It is now of limited use for worship services, but attracts many pilgrims and tourists. It is also frequently used as a symbol of the whole city of Kutaisi, being one of its main tourist attractions.

How to add Pin It button to Drupal 7

3 May, 2014 | Drupal Development | 20 seen

In this Drupal tutorial I will show you how to add Pinterest Pin It Button to Drupal 7 site using views and html.tpl.php file.

I like it keep it simple, and I have created a separate view for all social share plugins (Facebook, Twitter, G+ and Pinterest). Each of the social sites came with his own JavaScript you have to load either to your template.php file or I prefer to add it to html.tpl.php in theme folder (If you have not it, consider creating it).

Add Pinterest script to your html.tpl.php

Create a new view, or modify your existing one

• Add Contextual Filter: Nid
• Add Relationship: File usage

More for configuring Relationship for this task please read this comment: https://drupal.org/node/1098938#comment-5025942

Add Fields:

• Content:Path (Excluded) 
• File: Path (Excluded)
• Content (Title) (Excluded)
• Custom Text

In field Custom Text add:

Where Path is path to your node, URI is path to your image, TITLE will be description field, you can change this to BODY if you prefer.

If everything done right, your Pin It Button should be fine. Just add a block in your theme.

By using this approach I have added Facebook, Twitter, G+ as well all in one view. You can see it in live above each of my posts.

Hotel Royal Batoni, Kvareli, Kakheti, Georgia

3 May, 2014 | Hotel reviews | 15 seen

One of the most interesting hotels I have stayed last time. Located in the footsteps of surrounding mountains next to Ilias lake, which offers some recreation opportunities, in heart of Georgia, Kakheti, Kvareli.

We stayed here at Easter weekend, 2014 and we definitely got what we paid for.

About Royal Batoni

Located in a picturesque area on the bank of Ilia Lake, between the Kvareli Mountains and the Duruji River, Royal Batoni offers a sauna and outdoor swimming pool with beautiful views of the lake. Free Wi-Fi and private parking are available.

The elegant rooms feature modern design and furnishings. They offer satellite TV and private bathroom with a bath or shower, hairdryer and free toiletries. Rooms feature lake or mountain views.

Royal Batoni has a wine cellar, cigar room and restaurant serving local cuisine. It offers a games room with billiards and table tennis. The hotel has a terrace and BBQ facilities. Free bikes are available.

Tbilisi is 90 km away. Tbilisi Airport is 122 km away.

Book Royal Batoni online

Auto post to Facebook page using Twitter

2 May, 2014 | Blogging | 9 seen

I agree social media makes a huge impact on blogs traffic and its conversation rates.

In this tutorial I will show how you can auto publish your posts to your Facebook page using Twitter and Twitterfeed.

At First we will setup auto publish to Twitter, using Twitterfeed, you can find tutorial here.

Once all of our posts are synced with Twitter, we can use Twitter built in features to connect and publish to our Facebook page. 

For full guide read here: https://support.twitter.com/articles/31113-using-twitter-with-facebook

If you are using Open Graph it's gonna be just fine in your Facebook page.

My online income report - April 2014

2 May, 2014 | Blogging | 7 seen

My Online income in April has raised for about 42% compared with month of March and makes modest $7.86.

In average in month of April I earned about a $ 0.26 in a day, what is up by by $0.08 compared with March averages, when it was about $0.177 in a day

• Highest earnings per day: $ 1.19
• Days earning more than $1: 3
• Lowest earning per day: $ 0.01

In April my Adsense ad units made me money each day, thanks to RPM.  So in this case, I can say, I didn't spent a day without earning some penny.

Speaking of my Adsense goals, some time ago I have setup on - Earn $40 in a month. By today I'm 1/5 way there. 

The Adsense ad units are implemented on several of my internet websites. 

Change of Adsense placement for higher CTR - Experiment 2

1 May, 2014 | Blogging | 6 seen

I have been serving Google AdSense on my blog for a while. My traffic is pretty modest and so do is my earnings from Google AdSense.

I have CTR about 0.7% on this blog, and I want to improve that, by getting at least 1% CTR. Some time ago I made the first experiment with changing layouts for serving ads. That didn't work as expected, and I'm changing again.

Meet the new layout:

For now, I am serving maximum allowed Google AdSense ad units on my site - 3. I have placed first under Title, and I'm using for that Responsive add Image only. Then I'm having 2 Responsive ads, this time text only. And I'm having third ad unit - Sidebar 300X300 with image only.

Why I have chosen Responsive ad units?

Because it's responsive. It works great on any mobile phones and tablets. The cons of Responsive ad unit so far I have noticed, the CPC ir much lower for regular ad units. But since my aim is to improve CTR this time, rather CPC, I'm not paying to that a much (at this moment). In case those ad spaces will convert in higher CTR, I will change them to popular ad units.

Why, image only, text only?

Its well-known fact that Google delivers better ads if the settings are intact. I just wanted to make them appear visually better.

I will leave the ad units for all month of May intact, and make some modifications or changes next month.

I believe this ad unit positioning could increase CTR in my blog a little over 1%.

Blog statistics April 2014

1 May, 2014 | Blogging | 5 seen

Month of April was pretty good in terms of organic search traffic. My traffic increased by 80.258% this month compared with previous month. In total making 977 unique visitors.

By now I'm getting 32.5 unique visitors in a day.

My goal is to reach 6000 unique visitors in a month, by end of this September/October.

6000/month stands for 200/day. Right now I'm 1/6 there. Time is left not so much - 5 months. And that is making me worried. Althoug I'm seeing pretty good traffic increase, it's still very modest. And if things will continue go like previous 7 month, it could be hard to get 6000 uniques b end of this September/October.

Speaking of my next month prognosis (May), I will keep my prognosis modest - I will be happy to see result 1200-1500 by end of this May. Acutally it's interesting, this January I got overall more than 1400 uniqe visitors, thanks to my first traffic spike. It would be great to get bigger numbers this month. But as I said, I'm pretty modest in my this month prognosis.

Time-Lapse: Observing the Thriving Ivy on the Opposite Wall

30 April, 2014 | Digital Photography School | 15 seen

Have you ever wondered how nature changes over time? One fascinating way to witness this transformation is through time-lapse photography.

For three weeks in April 2014, I've been taking photo shoots of the wall opposite to me and observing the leaps of ivy as it thrives. Now, after capturing the growth of this plant over a period of time, I am excited to share the finale of this time-lapse experiment with you.

Time-lapse photography allows us to see the changes that happen too slowly for us to perceive with our own eyes.

In this case, the ivy's growth was captured day by day and compiled into a video, revealing the impressive speed at which the plant has grown. The time-lapse provides a unique perspective on the beauty and majesty of nature.

Time-lapse Day 1

Time-lapse Day 2

Time-lapse day 3

Time lapse day 4

Time lapse day 5

Time lapse day 6

Time lapse day 7

Unfortunately I missed some two weeks of photography here so I got a last photo from April 30, 2014

Time-lapse Day last

Romania: An Overview of its Economy and EU Membership (2014)

30 April, 2014 | Emerging Markets | 7 seen

Yesterday I took a brief overview of Moldova, and today I'm eager to dive into the neighboring country of Romania.

Romania is a full-fledged member of the European Union since 2007, together with Bulgaria, and is considered one of the poorest countries in the EU in terms of wealth.

With a population of 21.33 million people and a GDP of 169.4 billion USD in 2012, Romania's GDP per capita is 7.942 thousands USD. Although Romania is four times richer than its neighbor Moldova, it is still five times poorer than Germany.

Since becoming a member of the EU in 2007, Romania's GDP has remained unchanged, reaching its peak of 204 billion USD in 2008. While some may not be happy with Romania's decision to join the EU, it is uncertain whether the country would have fared better without it.

According to IMF predictions, Romania's GDP is expected to rise to 288.662 billion USD by 2019, a third more than it is today. Additionally, the expected GDP per capita for 2019 is $13.53, which is about half of the country's current GDP.

It has been 24 years since the fall of the Soviet Union, yet the gap between the rich and poor in Europe continues to widen. The process of developing the former Iron Curtain countries is a long and slow one, but hopefully, Romania will see continued growth in the years to come.

In conclusion, Romania has a lot of potential for growth and development, but the country must overcome several challenges before reaching its full potential.