Blog Archive: December 2023
Minimum Wages Set to Increase in Baltic States in 2024
| Macroeconomics | 120 seen
As we usher in the new year, significant changes are on the horizon for the Baltic states, particularly in the realm of minimum wage. In 2024, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are all set to witness an increase in their minimum wage, signifying a shift in economic dynamics. Let's delve into the details of these changes and their potential impact.
In 2024 minimum wage is set to increase in all Baltic states. Estonia will have a minimum wage of EUR 820; Latvia - EUR 700 and Lithuania - EUR 924.
Estonia, a key player in the Baltic region, is slated to implement a notable increase in its minimum wage. Starting from 2024, the minimum wage is set to rise to EUR 820. This move reflects Estonia's commitment to addressing economic disparities and ensuring a fair standard of living for its workforce.
Across the border in Latvia, the minimum wage is poised to see an increase as well, reaching EUR 700 in 2024. This adjustment comes in response to various factors, including inflation rates and the cost of living, aiming to uplift the financial well-being of workers in the country.
Meanwhile, Lithuania, another significant player in the Baltic…
Postcards from Ushguli
| | 67 seen
Ushguli is a community of five villages located at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Georgia.
Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Compared to somewhat more developed towns like Mestia, Ushguli is not in an accessible location, which has preserved many of the villages' medieval characteristics, including unique defensive tower houses called Svan towers. Because of their preservation and traditional architecture, Ushguli, Mestia, and the surrounding area was recognized as the Upper Svaneti UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
I had a chance to visit Ushguli for a few hour visit back in September 2023, during which I made some amazing drone photography (I was so inspired that order photo prints for our office walls in Tbilisi)
We traveled to Ushguli by a 4x4 car, back in the days there was just a dirt road, but in recent yeras major improvemtn has been made, and currently there was about.6km unpaved dirt road. I would say quite accesible location.
The famous Swan towers of Ushguli
Ushguli is located at an altitude of 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) near the foot of Shkhara, one of the highest summits of…
Westminster Abbey
| Tourism objects | 31 seen
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. Since 1066, it has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British monarchs, and a burial site for 18 English, Scottish, and British monarchs. At least 16 royal weddings have taken place at the abbey since 1100.
I had a chance to visit the famous Abbey at the start of August 2023, during my birthday trip to London
Although the origins of the church are obscure, there was certainly an abbey operating on the site by the mid-10th century housing Benedictine monks. The church got its first grand building in the 1060s under the auspices of the English king Edward the Confessor, who is buried inside. Construction of the present church began in 1245 on the orders of Henry III. The monastery was dissolved in 1559 and the church was made a royal peculiar—a Church of England church responsible directly to the sovereign—by Elizabeth I. In 1987, the abbey, together with the Palace of Westminster and St. Margaret's Church, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its historic and symbolic…
Tower of Love in Svaneti
| Tourism objects | 51 seen
As you make your way from Mestia to Ushguli, one of the highest settlements in Europe, look out for the “Tower of Love”, which stands on a huge boulder in the river Enguri.
This three-story tower has high floors that are connected with one another by vertical stairs, although you should be especially careful when climbing them. The thick walls of the tower have stood for centuries and are likely to stand for many more.
We forst discovered this tower at the end of September 2023, during our few day trip to Svaneti. We were asked GEL 2 for entrance and were actaully allowed to climb up the tower. I decided not to climb but filmed with a drone.
The root of the tower’s name lies in local legend. Once upon a time, Miaguli Pirveli, a beautiful woman, met a skilled hunter called Otia Margvelani during the Kvirikoba festival. They fell in love, but Otia was married and had five children, while Miaguli did not want to ruin her beloved’s family.
Saddened by this story, Otia went hunting, fell into the river and died. His wife could not bear the pain of her husband’s death and jumped into the Enguri river as…
Big Ben
| Tourism objects | 52 seen
The Elizabeth Tower is the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster in London, England. It contains the Great Clock, a striking clock with five bells. The tower is nicknamed "Big Ben", a name which was originally applied only to the largest bell of the clock.
The tower was officially called the Clock Tower until 2012, when it was renamed to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
Probably one of the most recognizable tourist attractions around the World. I first had a chance to visit it, in August 2023, during my birthday trip to London.
The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a Perpendicular Gothic Revival style and was completed in 1859. It is elaborately decorated and includes symbols related to the four nations of the United Kingdom, the Tudor dynasty, and a Latin inscription to Queen Victoria.
The tower stands 316 feet (96 m) tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps. Its base is square, measuring 40 feet (12 m) on each side. The dials of the clock are 22.5 feet (6.9 m) in diameter.
Elizabeth Tower, originally named the Clock Tower, and popularly known as "Big Ben", was built as a part of Charles Barry's…
KidZania London
| Entertainment | 26 seen
KidZania London is a unique learning and entertainment experience filled with ultra-realistic role-play activities designed to mirror real-world careers. Their unique blend of education and entertainment aims to boost confidence, and independence and empower children to make a difference early on in life.
KidZania London is located at the Westfield London shopping mall (Ariel Way Shepherds Bush LONDON W12 7GF).
It took us about 1-hour taxi drive by Botl from our hotel at White Chappel to reach this place at the start of August 2023.
Join Kidzania to unleash your child's full potential in a world of hands-on discovery, learning and fun (and all without their phones or devices), and children aged 8+ are welcome to explore without an accompanying adult for that added sense of freedom and autonomy!
As our kiddo during our visit was 5 year old, one parent had to stay with her during the activities. Mom stayed, while daddy explored shopping mall.
Kids got involved into flying an airplane, paramdecis, police, banks, shops and even firefighters.
About KidZaniaWe're a learning and education centre for children to …
Enguri Dam
| Tourism objects | 91 seen
The Enguri Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Enguri River in Tsalenjikha, Georgia. Currently, it is the world's second-highest concrete arch dam with a height of 271.5 meters (891 ft).
It is located north of the town of Jvari. It is part of the Enguri Hydroelectric Power Station (HES) which is partially located in Abkhazia. In the past, I had heard about this damn but didn't expect I will actually visit it during our few-day trip to Svaneti at the end of September 2023.
Construction of the Enguri dam began in 1961. The dam became temporarily operational in 1978, and was completed in 1987. In 1994, the dam was inspected by engineers of Hydro-Québec, who found that the dam was "in a rare state of dilapidation". In 1999, the European Commission granted €9.4 million to Georgia for urgent repairs at the Enguri HES, including replacing the stoplog at the arch dam on the Georgian side and, refurbishing one of the five generators of the power station at the Abkhaz side.
In total, €116 million loans were granted by the EBRD, the European Union, the Japanese Government, KfW and Government of Georgia. In 2011 the European Investment Bank (EIB) loaned €20…