Lopota lake resort & SPA in Georgia
| Living in Georgia | 11 seen
Lopota Lake Resort & Spa is ideal for those seeking a peaceful place to rest. Your personal piece of paradise is located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, surrounded by the famous Caucasus mountains, just 2 hours drive from Tbilisi, the nation's capital.
Awesome weekend at Lopota Lake resort, made a few fly-throughs with a drone, night shots, and an active track. Spring is in the air.
Music by: Urmuli - Suliko
Admiral Fish Restaurant near Birtvisi / Algeti
| Restaurant reviews | 39 seen
Admiral Fish restaurant is located near Birtvisi canyon literally on Algeti river. We discovered this place a few years ago while hiking at Birtvisi canyon and have returned ever since,
They have both a restaurant and fish farm on site, the place seems is run by Russian/Ukrainian business people. Here you can get a wide variety of fish food and caviar. It's said they deliver to Tbilisi fish also.
Admiral Fish restaurant
There is a place for parking, a kid's corner, restrooms, and really cozy gazebo's for dining. The best - it's outdoors. The restaurant is literally located on Algeti river.
I guess they are using freshwater for fish farming.
Gazebos above the river
Algeti river connected to the Nearby Algeti reservoir
If you happen to be in this area, make sure to make a stop here and try some fish.
Husky moto park in Tbilisi, Manglisi, and Birtvisi Canyon
| Tourism objects | 16 seen
A day in our lives - Husky moto park in Tbilisi, Manglisi, and Birtvisi Canyon in Georgia - failed attempt to press the record button with an active track filming motorbike in action was fully compensated with my free run and hide from a drone in Birtvisi.
Filmed April 17, 2021 DJI Mavic Air 2, Adobe Premiere Pro
Music by Scott Holmes: Hotshot and Stomps & Claps
Husky MotoPark in Tbilisi
| Outdoor Activities | 71 seen
Husky moto park is located on the left side of Tbilisi - Kojori highway, not reaching Mtatsminda.
I had a chance to spend some 20 minutes at Husky moto park and filming Enduro ride with DJI Drone Active track (unfortunately I failed), so I plan to return here some more.
What I know about this place, there is a school, tours and of course a club available. I was told that I could rent an Enduro bike and drive inside the track for about GEL 60/hour. Which seems reasanable.
Husky moto park in Tbilisi
Husky Group was founded in 2016 and has become an official dealer of Husqvarna Motorcycles in Transcaucasia. Other than dealership, we offer our customers off-road moto track for training - Husky Park, riding school, service for Husqvarna and KTM motorcycles, Husky Club membership, bike rental and adventure, enduro and Polaris RZR tours around Georgia.
Uplistsikhe cave town in Georgia / 4K / DJI Mavic AIR 2
| Churches and Monasteries | 9 seen
Here is short drone footage from Uplistsikhe cave town in Georgia.️ Taken with DJI Mavic AIr 2, April 9, 2021, post-processed Adobe Premiere Pro.
Should add more hyperlapses in the future videos.
Music by Scott Holmes: Epic Cinematic Thumbs up
Aparani Church from a Drone Flight
| Churches and Monasteries | 9 seen
Aparani Church of Saint George, Martkopi is located on Vaziani-Martkopi-Norio road, some 30 km from Tbilisi.
The surviving foundation in front of it suggests that in ancient times a larger church stood here. The church was built by Dito Kakhurashvili in 2000, and in 2001 a 12-meter cross (authored by Zurab Matiashvili) was erected near it, which was blessed by Father Zaza (Bezhashvili) on the feast of Aparna. The Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated in the 3rd week of Easter
Our must-go destination for apple twigs around Easter time. Seems this area is nice for some barbeque too. Taken April 4, 2021 / DJI Mavic Air 2 Music by Scott Holmes: Our Big Adventure
March 2021 Dividend Income Report - $91.06
| Investments | 53 seen
Welcome to the forty-seventh (#47) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks in March 2021.
The last March we spent in Latvia, but on the last day of March, we returned back to Georgia. There is some progress with our apartment renovation works in Vilgāle. But works have started to slow down.
Vilgāle apt update: Window Casing, Drywall ceiling
From the perspective of dividend income - Last March was decent. The thing is it is about a year already I'm not focusing on dividends at all, instead, I'm growing my total portfolio using options trades.
In total, we took some shy $91.06 in dividend income last month. Which is quite OK, for doing nothing
Compared to the previous March in 2020, when we took $163.01 in dividend income, our monthly dividend has decreased by -44.14% (-$71.95). A year ago we did set a goal to take at least $250 this month, now this didn't happen.
Luckily, an additional $5,928.44 was made from options trading.
As options trading is not a passive form of making money while you are sleeping it wouldn't be fair to include them in dividend income reports.
Check out our options income report here: March 2021 Options Income Report - $5,928.44; Net Liquidity EUR 19,451
Interest income in March 2021
From the stocks we got the following income last month:
Ticker
Dividend
PFE
$33.15
USA
$20.83
O
$12.75
INTC
$10.35
RA
$8.46
EDF
$5.44
WFC
$0.08
Total: $91.06
I like what I see here, mos are good dividend stocks. from now on seems that every quarter will deliver better results, waiting for some bump in June, September, and December, as more O and INTC stock is planned to add
Monthly income
I've been tracking my journey towards million dollars in a savings account since January 2017. More than 4 years already.
Monthly dividend Income chart as of March 2021
The cumulative earnings for 2021 now are $204.70 which is exactly 7.87% from my goal of 2021 ($2,600). On average, it would ask me to generate $266.14 every month for the next 9 months to reach my goal. Right, now this goal looks pretty hard.
2020 in Review and Financial Goals for 2021
Goals for March 2022
This is my favorite part of the reports - trying to forecast/set goals for the next year. But before setting a goal for 2022, let's see what I forecasted/said a year ago (March 2020)
When looking at March 2021 I will say $250 is what I'm looking on, It's going to be very tough now, there are more dividend trims planned ahead, but I will keep adding some quality stocks to get there.
Yup, as I forecasted it was very hard to get there, dividends were slashed awfully. Now, when looking on March 2020, I will be quite optimistic I say USD 150 is what I'm looking at.
Now, there is one more fun thing I would like to do - reinvest all dividends in quality dividend aristocrat stock, more on that in other articles.
Aparani Church / Martkopi
| Churches and Monasteries | 17 seen
Aparani Church of Saint George, Martkopi is located on Vaziani-Martkopi-Norio road, some 30 km from Tbilisi.
Our must-go destination for apple twigs around Easter time. Seems this area is nice for some barbeque too.
Here is some info I found about this place in Georgian: The single-nave, hall-type church is a late medieval monument.
Aparani church near Martkopi
The surviving foundation in front of it suggests that in ancient times a larger church stood here. The church was built by Dito Kakhurashvili in 2000, and in 2001 a 12-meter cross (authored by Zurab Matiashvili) was erected near it, which was blessed by Father Zaza (Bezhashvili) on the feast of Aparna. The Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated in the 3rd week of Easter
Sigulda from a drone flight
| Tourism objects | 7 seen
Fun day at Sigulda / Made my first hyperlapse at Turaida Castle.
The famous Ferris wheel, Gutmanis cave, river Gauja, and some other goodies. Filmed November 8, 2020
10 Years in Georgia
| Living in Georgia | 4 seen
Ten years ago I first landed at the Tbilisi airport and for the first time took a step on Georgian land.
That happened on April 1st, 2011 - I like this data - it's known Worldwide as a Fool's day. With this article, I'm celebrating my ten years in Georgia. Unlike in previous year anniversary posts, today I'm going to re-post one day in my life from April 1, 2021 as seen on my Facebook wall
10 years ago on this date, I first put my foot on the holly Georgian Land. alone. now 10 years later returning as a family. awesome. in the cage the 4 passenger - Tīģeris
Waiting to depart from Riga airport
Good morning from Tbilisi. The weather is a bit chill. systems are all up and running. delivery guys still delivering. Alexa still talking.
Mount Mtatsminda and Tbilisi TV tower as seen from our apt
after some 8 hours in a cage Tiger can enjoy his King Size bed
Tiger in a king size bed
my lovely home office / traders hut
my lovely home office / traders hut
I've been trading stocks from this table for some 2 years
and now let's eat.
Delicious mcvadi and salads delivered by Wolt delivery
extended trading with a great support. just rolling forward options. historical day. SPX cracks 4,000 for the first time. almost tripled in the past 10 years. Will we see SPX at 12,000 - 15,000 by April 2031? I guess so!
My trade station in Tbilisi
Vilgāle apt update: Window Casing, Drywall ceiling
| Home Remodeling | 11 seen
Now, when the floor is poured in and hardened enough, contractors continued works.
As usual, we spent these days in Jūrmala and communicated with contractors only via phone. I really love it. Next month we are planning to leave for Georgia, and I hope all will keep going as smooth.
The only thing that concerns me - I have a little cash drag now, all funds are almost dried up and new ones are not yet coming in. The biggest problem I have a negative cash balance in the stock market and cannot take out my profit, Hope to solve this in coming months.
Anyhow, here are the latest pics from the renovation project
Kitchen corner
In the future, here will be a modern kitchenm area, with cabinets, fridge, oven, dishwasher, sink and of course a nice dinning table, but for now some gaps are filled, windows casing is built and drywall ceiling with rock wool is installed
Preparing to install drywall wall
here a central heating wood pellet stove will be installed, and storage for wooden pellets will be built.
Living room
Now, this looks awesome already
Living room
The window casing is made. here it is planned a flat-screen TV on the wall and a huge coach
Master bedroom Under construction
Almost done here, left is to finish windows casing and wall around it, and some paint job can be started soon
for the next weeks, it's planned to finish installing drywall ceiling and finish window casing
Cost so far:
- Water plumbing: EUR 60
- Sadales Tīkls: EUR 60
- Electrician: EUR 155
- Architect: EUR 800
- Removing walls and floor: EUR 775
- Chalk removing, / wiring: EUR 500
- Wall plastering/frame for drywall ceiling (bedroom): EUR 875
- New windows: EUR 1,252
- Window replacement: EUR 200
- Estrich floor with an underfloor heating system and all plumbing: EUR 1,916
- Rock wool for the ceiling, drywall constructions, drywall, and some wiring: EUR 866
TOTAL: EUR 7,459
Former Archaeological Museum Building in Tbilisi from a Drone Flight
| Tourism objects | 15 seen
The former Archeological Museum Building in Tbilisi is a great example of Soviet architecture in Georgia.
I was first introduced to this place by amazing Brutal Tours back in 2017.
Music by: Scott Holmes - Inspirational Outlook
Filmed and post-processed: September 20. 2020
Vilgāle Apt Update: Windows replaced, New Floor with underfloor heating installed
| Home Remodeling | 7 seen
At the end of February, I got a call from the windows guys, informing me that windows are fabricated (in Poland), delivered to Latvia and they are ready to install them.
We agreed they will install them on Monday morning. As we kept spending our days in another part of Latvia, I asked to send me the final images.
After windows were replaced, a new concrete floor with an underfloor heating system was installed. Here are some pictures
New windows installed
These are so-called 6-pane glass windows
Plastic windows from the inside
This one is the kitchen window
Once the windows were installed, contractors moved on and started preparing the floor for dry concrete (Estrich) with underfloor heating
Preparing floors for dry concrete
The pipes visible outside from the floor in the future will be the backbone of the heating system
Master bedroom under construction
In the future, it's planned to install here hardwood flooring (parquet)
Pipes for underfloor heating
Bathroom. during the construction process, we decided to install a small sauna later here (instead of a bath tube)
Sand mixer machine
It was a convenient way to pour in concrete using this compressor aggregate and making all concrete outside
Some special laser aggregate to pour in the floor in a right level
Pouring in new concrete floor
new concrete flooring with underfloor heating system
I was told that a total of 8 cm concrete floor were poured in
for the next weeks, it's planned to install drywall ceiling and finish window aisles
Cost so far:
- Water plumbing: EUR 60
- Sadales Tīkls: EUR 60
- Electrician: EUR 155
- Architect: EUR 800
- Removing walls and floor: EUR 750
- Chalk removing, / wiring: EUR 500
- Wall plastering/frame for drywall ceiling (bedroom): EUR 700 ( EUR 175)
- New windows: EUR 1,252
- Window replacement: EUR 200
- Estrich floor with an underfloor heating system: EUR 1,500
- Rock wool for the ceiling, drywall constructions, and some wiring: EUR 250
TOTAL: EUR 6,227 ( EUR 175)
With that said, the total cost for the purchase and renovation (so far) has reached EUR 10K. So far we have spent around EUR 109 per square meter for renovation works
Narikala Fortress & Mother Georgia from a Drone flight
| Tourism objects | 15 seen
Narikala Fortress and Mother Georgia are one of the most visible tourist attractions in Tbilisi.
It was at the end of August 2020 - I made a sort but lovely drone footage (DJI Mavic Mini) at both of these places.
Narikala Fortress & Mother Georgia
Circuit cinematic flight around St. Nicholas church
Music by: Scott Holmes - Together we stand
Made with Love in Adobe Premiere Pro, Tbilisi August 23, 2020
The White Dune At Saulkrasti
| Tourism objects | 18 seen
The White Dune is one of the landmarks of Saulkrasti, on the Vidzeme gulf coast. The dune offers a splendid view of the sea, the mouth of the Inčupe River and the vast beach.
Probably, best visited in Summer, we made a short visit here in February 2021
The White Dune formed as the wind drove beach sand over the clay silt of Baltic Ice Lake. Its white 18 meters high sand outcrop once helped local fishermen find their way home. The dune got its name from its white, hardened layers of sand which look like sandstone.
Baltic sea near Saulkrasti
Landscaping has been conducted in the area, and the slopes of the dune have been reinforced. Although the dune is covered by a pine tree forest, its steep slope, which faces the sea, is still visible.
The White Dune from a drone flight
On your way to the White Dune you will see linden trees named after Russian Empress Catherine II. Legend has it that Catherine II planted the trees while vacationing at Pabazi seaside.
The White Dune at Saulkrasti
The approximately 4 kilometers long Sunset Trail winds from the White Dune to the center of Saulkrasti. By walking this trail you will be able to see the landscape typical of the Saulkrasti, its wide, sandy beach and fore-dunes, the Pēterupi River and tall pine trees growing. Beautiful views of the river valley and the sea can be observed from several vantage points on the trail.
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