July 2017 Dividend Income Report - $124.51

7 August, 2017 | Investments | 13 seen

Welcome to the third (#3) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend paying stocks, peer to peer lending (both fiat and crypto currencies) in July 2017. 

I started my wealth building adventure (portfolio) in January 2017 with a simple goal to invest $8,561 this year in several batches. First months of the year didn't generated me nothing much, but starting May it has started slowly pick up.

Make sure you check out my previous two dividend income reports:

• June 2017 Dividend Income Report - $53.42
• May 2017 Dividend Income Report - $65.45

In todays article you will learn both how much I've received in dividend income in July 2017, also I will publish my net worth, with a few tables.

My investments right now are spread across few different investment types - stocks, peer-to-peer lending, mutual funds, cash and latest addition to my portfolio - crypto currencies. The vast majority is invested in Nasdaq Baltics and Mintos.com peer to peer lending loans (in EUR and GEL currencies)

For the sake of…

Explore the beauty of Georgian Black Sea resort towns

6 August, 2017 | Travel guides | 46 seen

This article was originally written as a guest post by Ms. Anya Sapharova (written back in 2017)

Summertime motivates adventure-seekers to pack handbags and grab their piles of bright ideas and high expectations in order to make holiday dreams come true.

Batumi Real Estate Crypto Investment

The exotic country of Georgia offers a big variety of sunny resorts where one can have a wonderful rest. Georgia is a promising place for both families and lone wolves who are looking forward to building up new relations with representatives of different countries. It is already common knowledge that Georgia is a mountainous country in the Caucasus but Mother Nature didn’t deprive the sunny country of the seaside. Having mountains and the Black Sea together makes Georgia a place where any person has a chance to satisfy needs and preferences of his/her own.

When talking about seaside resorts of Georgia fancy pictures of models under the palm trees at the shore of the foamy sea in the beautiful sunshine are getting closer to reality and you start believing in paradise on the Earth. Having a swim is not the only option how to spend your time…

Dividend Paying Stocks - Review After 3 Months of Investing in Nasdaq Baltics

5 August, 2017 | Investments | 17 seen

It was around the end of April 2017, when I started to diversify off from investments in peer to peer lending only.

As at one stage my savings were heavily concentrated at mintos.com consumer loans only. Investments in dividend paying stocks at Nasdaq Baltics was my second thought. Now, after 3 months of investing there, I will share some brief recap and observations there.

In general I look on savings in stocks as more stable and reliable source than peer to peer lending in long term, that's way I've put about 47% from my savings in stocks, as of written this article I've stock investments in the Nasdaq Baltics only

Investment portfolio as of July 2017

Currently stocks holds 47% in my portfolio, followed by peer to peer lending (43.2%), mutual funds (6.4%), investments in crypto currencies (2.6%) and small amount of cash (0.8%). 

There have been some changes in my portfolio, during past two months - I've added new investment position - crypto currencies and I've started to allocate some space for cash savings. Though the…

How to Recover Bitcoin Cash from btc.com Wallet

3 August, 2017 | Crypto | 62 seen

The further written applies to those btc.com wallet owners who moved their bitcoins to wallet prior to August 1 bitcoin fork. At least I did so. 

Things you will need: BTC.com wallet and optional withdraw address at Kraken or any other exchange that support BCH (I ended up using hitbtc.com exchange for withdrawing BCH)

As coinbase announced that they are not looking to support Bitcoin Cash (BCH) I moved my coins out of it (in fact I had some coins on Poloniex.com, I moved them also, as there were no clear answer how Poloniex will handle this fork/split.

Luckily btc.com come out with a calm answer: Your Bitcoin Cash is safe with BTC.com.

I waited until storm is over and in August 1st noon went to btc.com wallet to see how to get free Bitcoin Cash (BCH), here comes another update from btc.com: The Ultimate Guide to Get Your Bitcoin Cash

Log in to your BTC wallet on your browser. Remember, while you BCC is safe no matter if you use the browser or the app version, the BCC extraction tool does not work in the app. We highly recommend you to use your desktop.

Top attractions In Kutaisi and nearby vicinity

2 August, 2017 | Travel guides | 9 seen

Republic of Georgia can be called a country with Western and Eastern ‘lungs’ as long as its two busiest and biggest cities are scattered in the opposite directions of the country. Many tourists haven’t seen Georgia beyond its Eastern center –Tbilisi. What concerns the Western state with the ancient city of Kutaisi as its center – only the most curios with inexhaustible thirst for adventures discover the mighty city with its vivid historic heritage which is under UNESCO protection.

Still a lot has been funded to renovation, industrialization, and development of Kutaisi. You can easily arrive at Kutaisi International Airport that has become an irreplaceable source of transportation and Georgia’s connection to the rest of the world. It is the second largest airport in the country and serves about 250 passengers per hour - not bad for a small country’s scale.

Traveling to Kutaisi may resemble a walk with the history shoulder by shoulder. This sacramental atmosphere surrounds the city and afterwards the visitors as well primarily because of a big number of churches and cathedrals there.…

Invest in Cryptocurrencies - Review After One Month

1 August, 2017 | Crypto | 14 seen

Last July was the first full month I opted to invest in crypto currencies, the idea come after a brief conversation with a friend over Facebook, while I was enjoying mild Summer night in Crete, Greece.

As I had already investments and even investment strategy, since the start of 2017. Desire or FOMO (fears of missing out) to acquire crypto currencies was so huge, that I quickly developed, so called,  Dollar Cost Averaging strategy to buy and hold crypto currencies. I plan to buy 3-5 crypto currencies each month, no matter the price, by the end of 2020.

I opened an account on Coinbase, (it was easy to open an account there, but it took some time to actually get verified account and start trading) I bought ETH first, then bought additional litecoins and bitcoins, additionally I bough (exchanged) additional ripple (XRP) coins, again - FOMO. See: Why I Rushed to Buy Ripple (XRP) Cryptocurrency at $0.19

My first month in crypto currencies have been like a roller coaster, a complete new world have emerged for me. At one stage last month, my portfolio shrunk by more than 50%. Yes, crypto…

Okatse Canyon - Emerald - Green Journey in Georgia

31 July, 2017 | Tourism objects | 21 seen

Tourist destinations can vary from fancy shops and restaurants to alienated deserts and unknown highways that may lead nowhere. Being a tourist equals to explorer’s profession with a blank map under one’s arm and a pocketful of desired adventures. Georgia - the county that has gained a great popularity among tourists reveals its secrets year by year with an endless trust and kindheartedness. Places once sacred and sacramental hidden under the tree crowns shyly become the prior tourist destinations. The funny fact is that the spirit of adventurism pumps up foreigners to examine the far-away and little-known lands of inscrutable Saqartvelo that sinks into one’s soul and dwells in its matter.

Mountainous country welcomes its friends and guests with spiky mountains and green hills, expands its vast territory to the fields lined with flowers. The range of natural sights seems to be limitless and at some places even abnormal and enchanting. The country embraced with mountains shows one ore of its peculiarities in the face of canyons that fascinates not only the tourists but the locals as well. One of the reason why Georgians are characterized as very proud people takes its…

Rafting in Georgia - The Black and White Beauty - Aragvi

30 July, 2017 | Outdoor Activities | 18 seen

According to the accepted standards Georgia is associated with high and spiky mountains that plough the skies and try to reach the sun with their lofty heads. The landscape creates the feeling of the high-rise sky that seems to be somewhere far-far away. It is also one of the reasons why even during the summertime it gets darker almost at eight o’clock in the evening. Mountains, without any doubt, occupy the honorable first place in the beauty contest of Georgia’s natural peculiarities. Bewildered by the beauty of the scenery many people forget about another crucial element of Georgian nature and the shadowed beauty of rivers is going to be the topic of my following discussion.

Swift and roaring rivers penetrate both eastern and western parts of Georgia that had always been the source of life beginning from the early signs of civilization. Rivers are wild, bear an unprecedented character, and this fact makes them not easy to conquer.

Book a rafting tour in Georgia

Aragvi – one of the most beloved rivers of the rafters has shown its obstinate temper. Extreme sport lovers confess that Aragvi wins heart…

Mtirala National Park or The Green Canvas of the Crying Mountain

29 July, 2017 | Living in Georgia | 19 seen

We are used to seeing stunning nature beauty and emerald green forests on documentaries and National Geographic Channel as if keeping in mind that deep forests and unknown places must be thousands kilometers away from civilization. Somehow urbanization has created a big wall that separates humans from the peacefulness of big and rough mountains creating an unattainable representation of wild nature. Georgia, as always, has made its mark in terms of providing perfect conditions for those who are spoiling for natural seclusion.  

Mtirala National Park has always attracted lots of tourists starting from the beginning of the 20th century and during the Soviet Era it was called the ‘bladder if the Union’ due to it was acknowledged as the most humid place all over the gigantic territory of the former Republic.

You get the vibes of adventure when you get to the National Park and wander in the subtropical jungles of Mtirala Mountain vicinity. You can find various natural treasures in the representation of numerous rivers, waterfalls, charming bridges and gorges. Though, there is no threat of being chased by a predator and you do not…

Camping in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

28 July, 2017 | Living in Georgia | 36 seen

Mountains mesmerize. Mountains make you stronger. Mountains are irreplaceable. Georgia’s natural treasure in the face of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park represents a big portion of protected territories in the country.

The area is under government’s protection and the administrative center altogether with guides, tour operators, and rangers create all conditions for those whose choice falls upon extreme camping in the woods. If you plan going to Borjomi-Kharagauli Park you had better be prepared both physically and mentally as long as you have to walk a lot and in some places – no exaggerating, you are just climbing up the mountain, like a hobbit but, please, don’t get scared as long as this is just a warning!

Before going to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park it is better to plan your trip thoughtfully.

Borjomi

It is highly recommended to spend a night or two in the city of Borjomi in order to look for attractions and drink mineral medicinal water. Analyze what the weather is going to be and only then think of spending a night or two in the Park itself. If the forecast shows…

Chania Bus Station

27 July, 2017 | Railway / Bus / Ferry | 43 seen

There is a cheap and pretty convenient way to travel to the nearby beaches and more distant routes in Crete from Chania town. Your journey will start at Chania bus station.

In fact there is a bus service to/from Chania airport, with ticket price just about EUR 2 per person. The bus transport in Chania is cheap. I remember, once I paid about EUR 40 for a one way trip from an airport in Norway to the Oslo city center (see: Moss Airport, Rygge, Norway). Buses in Chania are cheap. 

We spent one night in Chania (see: Lithinon Studio Apartment in Chania Review), but for next couple of days decided to locate to Agia Marina beach (we already booked a hotel there), so it was just a matter of getting there. Though I decided better to take a taxi from here, as it would be much easier to find our next hotel with taxi driver, and not trying to guess which is our stop by using bus. By the way for such taxi trip we paid just EUR 14 (fixed price to Agia Marina from Chania)

Chania Bus station

See complete bus routes and timetables at e-ktel.com website

The use of buses…

About Organic Food in Tbilisi and Georgia

26 July, 2017 | Living in Georgia | 73 seen

Caucasian region is the motherland of various dishes that include meat. Georgians even say that real men must eat meat at least once a day as if only meat nourishes body with all the needed vitamins and organic elements. It may be just a gossip but you can find it yourself by just looking through the menus of most Georgian restaurants.

Despite being deep meat lovers Georgians cook an abundance of different vegetable dishes, make so called ‘kompot’ (stewed fruit drink), cook special sauces and astonish travelers with always full of fresh products baskets in the shops and markets.

Lots of tourists do not trust the place known as ‘bazaar’ situated near Station Square Metro because it looks differently from clean and cozy markets in their motherland.

Tbilisi Dezerteer bazaar

Bazaar is the largest place where merchants sell different kinds of fruit and vegetables, fragrant greens, savory spices, Georgian cheese, meet in all its possible variations, and sometimes even livestock. When you enter the open space you can see people selling products in any kind of weather. Any people say…

Why I Rushed to Buy Ripple (XRP) Cryptocurrency at $0.19

24 July, 2017 | Crypto | 23 seen

I've been a lot into crypto currencies lately, in fact it's not even a full month passed since I've started my investment adventures into crypto currencies.

For crypto investments I've a verified coinbase.com account and right now coinbase offers to buy just following three crypto currencies by VISA card - bitcoin, ethereum and litecoin, unfortunately there is no support yet for ripple. To buy XRP at coinbase you will need at first buy BTC, then exchange it on Poloniex.com or some other exchange. Although seems there are some exchanges that offer to buy XRP directly, as I haven't tested them out, I cannot say for sure.

​Remember your capital is at risk, never invest capital you cannot afford to loose!

I've bought all three currencies available now on coinbase this month, and frankly speaking I've a little clue what's behind scenes, I'm just into the rush for the next big thing, though at one time from my short crypto investor carrier I've lost more than 50% in total value. That should be a bold warning for you - crypto currencies are volatile. So don't take further…

Lithinon Studio Apartment in Chania Review

23 July, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 15 seen

Situated 100 m from Chania Old Venetian Harbour in Chania Town, this air-conditioned apartment features a terrace. The apartment is 100 m from Mosque of Kioutsouk Hassan. Free WiFi is provided .

We booked this apartment in Chania for a one night stay at the start of June 2017. 

As we hadn't yet booked a rental car in Crete, we took a public bus from Chania airport to get to the city center and then using Google Maps navigation went some 10minutes from Chania coach station to find this place. Located on pretty silent Lithinon street, this place still is just a block away from lively Chania harbor, see: Postcards from Chania

Lithinon street in Chania

​There is a dining area and a kitchen equipped with dishwasher. A flat-screen TV is offered. Free private parking is also available at this apartment.

Lithinon Studio apartment in Chania

For dinner we went our tonight and spent lovely time at Taverna En Plo in Chania

​

Outdoor yard at Lithinon studios

Archaeological Museum of Chania is 200 m from Lithinon Studio With Yard, while Municipal Art Gallery of Chania is 200 m away.…

Taverna En Plo in Chania

22 July, 2017 | Restaurant reviews | 59 seen

This was a very long and tiring day, in the morning we left Tbilisi to travel to Athens, spent whole day there, and in the evening fled to Chania, Crete, after we checked in at out apartment in Chania, I took a tripod and we made a lovely evening photo walk.

Our evening ended at this nice Greek tavern - En Plo on Portou street 20. 

En Plo seems is a quite popular tourist place, we hardly managed to get a free table here once we get one we spent a good time of waiting our order to be taken.

En Plo tavern in Chania, Crete

This place offers a kind of typical Greek menu (Cretan) - wide variety of grilled meats and so on. We decided to stick with a platter for two for about EUR 35.

Because of a lot of people tonight, we had to wait about an hour for our meal to be served, though cokes and other drinks were served almost instantly. 

Grilled meat plate at En Plo

A oot of variety of meet under potatoes there, grilled sausages, steaks and so on. Tasty. Probably served in a touristic way, but still tasty and affordable. 

After our meal we were offered free ouzo drinks, we kindly rejected by…