Blog Archive: July 2018
An ex-pat living in Georgia since 2011, I trade stocks, take photographs, work out at the gym, and many more. Here I write about travel, finance, and other things that might interest me.
Latest articles
Postcards from Ventspils
Ventspils is a city situated on the western coast of Latvia, on the Baltic Sea. Ventspils is one of Europe's busiest ports. It is also the city that honours the past, thinks of the future, and never stops working! In today's Piece of Life series - postcards from Latvian seaside town - Ventspils. Captured back in Summer 2017 A cannon Found one at the inner yard of Ventpils Livonian Order Castle Cow-traveler sculpture in Ventspils…
Viewing Platform In Ventspils
You can have a look at the city from the bird’s eye view from the 19 meters high viewing tower located next to the Ventspils Southern quay. When visiting a new place for the first time I'm always looking for some observation desk to make some great landscape photography, that's how I discovered this Venstpils viewing platform - offering great views across the Baltics and some urban cityscape. 19 meters high viewing platform in Ventspils I…
Venstpils Livonian Order Castle
The Castle of the Livonian Order, which houses Ventspils Museum since September 2001, is the oldest preserved building in Ventspils, built in the second half of the 13th century (first mentioned in 1290). The castle was built as a convent-house type building with an inner yard and can be regarded as the oldest medieval fortress in Latvia to have retained its original form virtually unchanged. Indeed, after visiting a couple of Livonian Order…
Rāmkalni restaurant near Murjāņi
Rāmkalni is a popular recreational area near Murjāņi (some 60km from Riga), this place features a traditional Latvian Cusine restaurant/bistro The venue is on the edge of the Murjāņi-Valka road (A3) and in the Gauja River Valley. It offers Latvian and Western European cuisine, as well as a shop at which you can buy local goodies and homemade treats. An active leisure park is alongside the restaurant. Goodies at Rāmkalni Typical Latvian…
Miciņi
Miciņi has a very special place in my heart. I spent a good time in my early teenage years living here together with my dear granny. In fact, she was born here in 1929. Back in these days, a life buzzed in this area. Now, little has left over from the past glory - our family even doesn't own the land plot here. This is the thing I'm planning to change.When I have a chance - I always try to visit this now almost abandoned place - it gives a good…
Valmiera Market
Valmiera market is another market I've visited latelty in Latvia (See: Riga Central Market, Liepāja market and Kuldiga market). Though I believe some could buy here goodies grown by local farmers, last time I visited this market (July 2017) all I could find was just flowers and plants. Valmiera market Residents of Valmiera come here every day for produce grown by local farmers, gardeners, ranchers and artisan food producers. Flowers and…
Mazais Ansis Restaurant Near Valmiera
Mazais Ansis is a popular roadside cafeteria/restaurant located some 15 km from Valmiera town (if driving from Riga). This place serves a traditional Latvian cuisine. When traveling to the Vidzeme region in Latvia, I love to take a stop here and have a lunch. Here comes my latest review back from Summer 2017. The outdoor terrace at Mazais Ansis Seems that at the nearby lake there are some water attractions available Interior at Mazais…
Former bath-house of Emilija Racene in Jurmala
When thinking about bathhouses the first thing that arrives in my head is the sulphur bathhouses located in Tbilisi, should they be located in the Abanotubani district or the old and neglected Kiev's bath. Turns out there is not less interesting bath-house (though former) in Latvian Jūrmala - Former bath-house of Emilija Racene Again, when thinking about something former - I always remember the lovely former hotel London building in Tbilisi…
Lake Ķīšezers
Ķīšezers is a lake in Riga, Latvia, with a primary inflow of the Jugla River. The lake is 1,730 ha (4,300 acres) large, it has 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) of average depth and reaches 4.2 metres (14 ft) at the deepest point. Lake Ķīšezers is a popular recreation area both for locals and foreign guest in the Mežaparks neighborhood. Riga Zoo is located close to the lake. A recreational area near Lake Ķīšezers in Riga
Top Hotels & Apartments in Valletta (Malta) when Traveling with Kids (Family Friendly)
Valletta is the capital of the island nation of Malta. A harbor city, Valletta preserves much of its 16th-century architectural heritage built under the Hospitallers. With its large array of shops, catering establishments, entertainment venues, and culture, Malta's capital has what it takes to capture people's imagination. Though, I have never been to Valletta or Malta, when planning our possible upcoming holidays next travels to Malta I…
Pontoon Footbridge Over Mill Lake In Kazdanga
The pontoon footbridge over Mill Lake in Kazdanga, Latvia is a recently built and opened for a public a really cool tourist attraction. Such tourist attractions seem is really gaining the momentum in Latvia, as in fact, this is already third such type of construction I've visited lately in Latvia. See: The Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk and Hiking Trails in Kemeri National Park (Near Forest House) Kazdanga footbridge is 2 meters wide and 190…
Eden Beach Hotel Review in Agia Marina
During our about a month-long trip around the island of Crete back in 2017, we stayed at Agia Marina twice - for about 2 nights at trips start and about 5 days at the end of the trip. For the start, we chose Vergina beach hotel which was good and for the end, we stayed at Eden Beach hotel apartment - which was amazing. Eden Beach Hotel is set in Agia Marina Nea Kydonias and provides air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, as well as…
The Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk
The Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk is a popular tourist destination in Kemeri National Park, offering visitors a chance to explore the bog and its inhabitants. As we have been relocated to Latvia's Jūrmala for some time, we decided to explore nearby vicinity, and we started with nearby hiking trails. Ķemeri has many attractions to offer, sure The Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk probably is the most popular, but there are other routes as well, for…
La Playa Taverna Cafe Ouzeri Near Rethymno
And again I must say - strange how it works - I almost missed coordinates for this place but with a little investigation from pictures and help with Greek transliteration and even Greek car plate registration table I was able to locate this place finally on the map. Meet La Playa Taverna Cafe Ouzeri Near Rethymno Discovered during our latest trip to the island of Crete back in Summer 2017 Beach near La Playa Taverna Cafe Ouzeri Palms…
Postcards from Talsi
Talsi is a city in Latvia, I have discovered just lately. During the Summer of 2017, I had to spend here some time. During my stay, I discovered some amazing places, and have returned here for a couple of times more. In today's Piece of life series - postcards from Talsi. Postcards from Talsi Reminds me panoramas from Germany's Mossel Valley, see: 3 day leisure trip to Germany (The Mossel Valley) or Andernach - A Lovely German Town On The…