Blog Archive: February 2025
Dedoplis Tskaro / Eagle Canyon / Big Shiraki (2024)
Our summer journey through Georgia's hidden treasures has been an unforgettable adventure! We began by hiking the stunning Eagle Canyon near Dedoplistskaro, a limestone marvel home to majestic birds of prey. The 1 km trail led us through breathtaking landscapes, offering glimpses of eagles' nests and rare flora.In Sighnaghi, we indulged in authentic Georgian cuisine at Pheasant's Tears restaurant. Chef Gia Rokashvili crafts dishes inspired by local markets, ensuring a fresh and delightful dining experience. The cozy ambiance and delectable flavors made our visit truly special.Our curiosity led us to the Big Shiraki abandoned Soviet airfield, a relic from the 1950s nestled in the Georgian…
How to Install Drupal 11 with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.3, MySQL, phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 24.04 - Linode Guide
In this article, you will learn how to set up a webserver for serving Drupal 11 websites running with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.3, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 24.04For the following tutorial, I used very much the information from my previous guide with Ubuntu 23.04, but I decided to rewrite it for Ubuntu 24.04 version as it is shipped with php8.4 and also php8.4 version and will work with Drupal 11 (most probably with previous versions too)PrerequisitesUbuntu 24.04Root privileges.You can get a cheap VPS starting at just $5/mo from Linode. That's what I did - bought a new nanode from LinodeLiterally, in a couple of seconds, the new server was up and running - that's what…
Kakhaberi Restaurant: A Culinary Gem Near Bibliani
In early January 2025, during a weekend trip to Gudauri, we stumbled upon Kakhaberi restaurant near Bibliani. What a discovery it turned out to be! Nestled along the route to the mountains, this place is a treasure trove of authentic Georgian cuisine, offering a delightful mix of great food, efficient service, and genuine hospitality.Our experience was memorable from the moment we stepped in. The food was not only amazing but also served promptly—a blessing when traveling with a young child. The staff, fluent in English, made communication effortless and added to the welcoming atmosphere.For myself, I decided to try 50 ml of their locally made brandy, only to be generously served what…
Salty Garden & Lisi Lake (2024)
The last weekend of April 2024 was filled with nature, good company, and memorable experiences. The journey took us to Salty Garden near Bazaleti Lake, where I met Anastasiya, who was working at the Salty Garden tavern, and later, a hike around Lisi Lake wrapped up the adventure.Located in the picturesque surroundings of Bazaleti Lake, Salty Garden is a hidden gem perfect for relaxation. The area is known for its tranquil atmosphere, fresh air, and scenic landscapes. The garden itself offers a cozy retreat with charming outdoor seating, organic food, and a peaceful environment, making it an ideal place to unwind. The lake, surrounded by rolling hills, adds to the beauty of the spot,…
How to Install Composer on Ubuntu (24.04) for Easy Drupal Module & Theme Updates
As a Drupal developer, keeping your modules up to date is crucial for security and performance. To streamline this process, I use Composer—a powerful dependency manager for PHP. It allows me to quickly update Drupal modules without the hassle of manually downloading and configuring each one. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of installing Composer on Ubuntu 24.04.I typically run Drupal on an Ubuntu-based server with Nginx as the web server. This combination provides excellent performance and stability for hosting Drupal sites. Composer plays a crucial role in managing dependencies efficiently in this environment.Composer is a dependency management tool for PHP that…
Erisoni Restaurant in Gori
During my recent visit to Gori, I had the pleasure of dining at Restaurant Erisoni, a place I wouldn’t have discovered if it weren’t for a friendly recommendation. The night before, while enjoying a cup of coffee at Georgia Hotel Gold, I struck up a conversation with David, my business partner. As we chatted about things to do in Gori, I asked for some tips on must-visit spots, and without hesitation, David insisted that I should check out Erisoni. He even provided me with precise navigation details, emphasizing that it was a place worth visiting.Initially, dining at Erisoni wasn’t in our plans, but fate had other ideas. The next morning, as we attempted to get breakfast at the hotel, we…
Karavela Restaurant: A Cozy Gem Near Tbilisi Sea
For years, we’d been eyeing Karavela, a charming restaurant perched near the Tbilisi Sea. The idea of stopping by lingered in our minds, especially during our many drives around the area back in 2019-2020 One memory stands out vividly—driving around the serene waters with our toddler daughter in her baby seat, hoping the gentle motion of the car would lull her to sleep. Each time, we’d search for a decent spot to dine but somehow never made it to Karavela… until early January 2025.There is a little fish pond with many ducks, we were left to feed them. Quite avesome.Finally, we decided to give this long-admired restaurant a try, and I’m delighted we did. As a vegetarian who practices…
Gori, Uplistsikhe & Mom
We kicked off February with a trip to Gori, a city known for its deep historical roots and a connection to one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century—Joseph Stalin. But our journey wasn't just about history; it was a mix of relaxation, local flavors, and a dive into Georgia’s ancient past.Our base in Gori was the Georgia Gold hotel—don’t let the fancy name fool you, this place is budget-friendly and offers great value. The real highlight? An indoor pool that made it feel like summer, even in the middle of winter. It was the perfect way to unwind before setting out to explore the city.For a taste of traditional Georgian cuisine at prices that felt like they were frozen in time…
Tbilisi Museum of Illusions & Holloseum
At the start of February, we spent a delightful afternoon exploring the Tbilisi Museum of Illusions and Holloseum. Our little one, having already visited the museum a few weeks prior with her class from the British International School of Tbilisi (BIST), enthusiastically suggested we go as a family. Given her excitement, we couldn’t resist!While sipping on a late latte at Entree on Marjanishvili, I decided to book a taxi, and soon we were off to the Jewish Quarter of Tbilisi, where the museum is located. The venue, which houses both the Museum of Illusions and the Holloseum, promised an intriguing mix of interactive experiences and digital art exhibits.Having been to several illusion…
Colva Beach: Golden Sands and Tranquility in Goa
Colva Beach, located in South Goa, is known for its expansive golden sands and tranquil atmosphere. Stretching for several kilometers along the Arabian Sea, the beach offers a peaceful escape from the busier tourist hubs in the region. Its wide shoreline, framed by swaying palm trees, provides plenty of space for visitors to relax, stroll, or simply enjoy the sound of the waves.We visited Culva Beach on the recommendation of our hosts at Maria Guest House after a busy afternoon at Margao Market. The taxi ride was uneventful—our driver wasn’t particularly talkative, but the short journey gave us a chance to take in the lush Goan landscape. Once we arrived, the beach’s quiet and open setting…
Birthday party (2024) aka Kartuli Disko
Back in June 2024, amazing team at Caucasus Translations pulled off an incredible surprise birthday party for my dear partner. The birthday girl of honor had absolutely no clue what was going on as I secretly took her to the party spot in the suburbs of TbilisiAs soon as we arrived, the energy was electric. The music kicked in, and the dancing started immediately. Traditional Georgian dances took over the floor, and of course, Kartuli disko was the highlight of the night. It was impossible not to get swept up in the rhythm and excitement, and soon everyone was dancing nonstop, celebrating together.If the dancing wasn’t enough, we even had smoke bombs that lit up the night with color.…
Schuchmann Wines Château: A Long-Awaited Stay in Georgia’s Premier Winery Hotel & Spa
It took us over a decade to finally make it to Schuchmann Wines Château & Spa, and it was well worth the wait! We’ve spent years recommending this stunning winery hotel to visiting friends and business partners, yet somehow, we had never experienced it firsthand—until now.Back in 2011, when I first relocated to Georgia, Schuchmann Wines was already on my radar. Nestled in the heart of Kakheti, near Telavi, it seemed like the perfect place for a retreat, yet circumstances always got in the way. In fact, we even booked a stay about 10 years ago, but without a car, reaching the hotel from Sighnaghi proved too challenging. Fast forward to 2025, and we finally made it—hosting our annual…
Margao Market, Goa: Spices, Sweets, and a Slice of Local Life
We decided to take a relaxed day trip to Margao, thanks to our host at Maria Guest House in Palolem Beach, who kindly organized everything. The main event? A visit to Margao Market. It turned out to be a short but fascinating experience, filled with sights, smells, and tastes that left a lasting impression.The moment we stepped into Margao Market, it felt alive. The place buzzed with activity—vendors calling out their prices, customers haggling, and the air filled with the scent of spices and fresh produce. The market felt familiar, almost like the Dezerteer Market in Tbilisi. There’s something universal about these bustling marketplaces—they’re chaotic, colorful, and full of life.…