Blog Archive: March 2020
One Day in Istanbul
Istanbul has been on my travel map ever since I remember (Okay, I first were here back in 2009).Time after time we like to take layover flight via Istanbul, and so did happen last time, at the end of February 2020 - we booked a connected flight Tbilisi - Istanbul - Riga with Turkish Airlines so we have a chance to spend at least a day in IstanbulAfter taking a hammam in our centrally located Istanbul hotel (Best Point Hotel Old City Istanbul (Sultanahmet)), in the next morning after breakfast we took a little walk to nearby tourism objectsWhat to do and see in Istanbul in less than 24 hoursTurkish tea for sale near Blue MosqueWe went through a small market which was still…
Snowy day in Tbilisi
On the morning of March 17, 2020, snow surprised us here in Tbilisi.
While sipping morning coffee I decided to grab a camera and take a few shots for the history.
As it has been a while since my latest update from the Living in Georgia series I found this photo story a great way to illustrate how we spent a day, while in self-quarantine because of the Covid19 virus.
Documenting winter in Georgia has been a tradition of this blog, see Tbilisi - Fairyland in Winter, Georgia in Winter (Photos from Tbilisi), Hiking trails near Turtle lake, Tbilisi in Winter
Snow in Tbilisi
Seeing snow in Tbilisi is quite rare, though possible, mostly at the end…
Best Point Hotel Old City Istanbul (Sultanahmet)
Located in the Old City of Istanbul, this hotel is within walking distance to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Best Point Hotel Old City offers air-conditioned rooms. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel.We booked here a one night stay at the end of February 2020, during a layover flight from Tbilisi via Istanbul to Riga. We booked a family room which included a really comfy bed (s) and even a private hammam (Turkish sauna).Our price about $95 per one-night stay (additionally we paid about $90 for a transfer back and forth from Istanbul airport, transfer was organized with the help of hotel). We like travel to Turkey and…
National Library of Latvia
The National Library of Latvia, also known as Castle of Light is located on Mūkusalas iela 3, Riga - on the left side of river Daugava, opposite to Old RigaThe current building was designed in 1989 by noted Latvian-American architect Gunnar Birkerts (1925-2017), who emigrated to the United States and made his career there. It was constructed in the early 21st century and opened in 2014. Today the Library plays an important role in the development of Latvia's information society, providing Internet access to residents and supporting research and lifelong education.I had a chance to visit the National Library of Latvia at the end of February 2020 and I must admit I was very…
Drunk Cherry Gudauri Restaurant
Drunk Cherry is a stylish restaurant located in Gudauri next to the GoodAura ski-left (New Gudauri ski resort)Discovered during a weekend trip to Gudauri. And I should say I was really impressed. The food, service, and even the prices are as if you were in some of the best Tbilisi restaurants.Warm and cosy even on the coldest days. We promise fast and friendly service and a unique atmosphere.We order here some hot-wine, soup harcho, hummus salads, hamburgers, and even pancakes. I would call this cuisine pretty much European with a Georgian accent.Salads served with hummusI have noticed this is quite popular now in Georgia. Every chill place serves salads with hummus. It's…
Condohotel 'GVC 217' New Gudauri
GVC 217 is a condo/aparthotel located in the New Gudauri ski resort, some 120 km from the nation's capital Tbilisi.We booked here a weekend (2-night stay) in January 2019 and paid $138 for that. Despite we booked via Booking.com they accepted only cash.As I later learned owners of this condo have a travel company in Georgia, mostly specializing on incoming tours across Georgia for Russian speaking tourists - G-V-C or Georgian Voyage Company. Also, I learned that GVC owns/manages at least 14 condos here in Gudauri.Alternatively see: Ultimate List With Top 10 Gudauri Hotels (Georgian Ski Resort) of my reviews with Gudauri hotelsGVC 217There is an indoor pool, sauna and ski…
February 2020 Dividend Income Report - $251.15
Welcome to the thirty-fourth (#34) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks and peer to peer lending in February 2020.Last February we spent both in Georgia and Latvia, with a small stop to Istanbul, Turkey (layover flight). Our daughter has started to visit English preschool in Tbilisi and now she is really fast picking up new things and words. Amazing. Latvian National Library in RigaThey have a great kid room on the 7-th floor with great views towards Old Riga.From the perspective of the market, last February was a bloodbath, the Corona Virus dominated the news and all major indexes (S&P 500, Dow Jones) were down 10-15…