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Restaurant Istabas In Talsi Review
Restaurant Istabas in Talsi is among the best restaurants I've tried in Latvia lately, located on Liela street 31 in Talsi city, the restaurant offers great views of Lake Talsi .Istabas restaurant serves great European/American cuisine.First visited back in the Summer of 2017, since then have returned here for a couple of times.Restaurant Istabas in TalsiLocated in a three-storey building, seems there is a hotel…
Galaxy Iraklio 5-star Hotel Review (Heraklion, Crete)
Located in Heraklion's elegant district, this 5-star hotel offers 2 gourmet restaurants, a free wellness centre and a large freshwater pool. Luxurious rooms feature balconies with pool and city views.We booked this hotel for a one night stay back in the Summer of 2017 and paid about EUR 100. Top 5 star and Luxury hotels in HeraklionDisclosure: this article contains links to Booking.com, by clicking on links on this page and by…
Postcards from Crete
It has been now over a year since we visited the Greek island of Crete, during the past months I've already documented many stories from this trip. In today's Piece of Life series - one of the last days on the island back in 2017.Town in CreteThe town is most probably Argiroupoli, as somewhere in this area we enjoyed a cup of coffee, see: Palios Mylos Restaurant Review near Argiroupoli Springs, CreteRural CreteSee: Discoveries in…
Talsi Evangelical Lutheran Church
On the top of the abrupt Baznīcaskalns (Church Hill) stands the white masonry Talsi church – the dominant of the old town.It was built in 1567 and later rebuilt for several times. A transept and sacristy are attached to a rectangular, elongated building.Talsi Evangelical Lutheran ChurchThe square bell-tower is attached on the west side of the church, it has a pyramidal spire with a sphere, rooster and a cross. The church…
Another Year, Another Barbeque
It has been already a tradition to feature the first barbeque of the year at our rural country house in the blog. See First Barbecue Festival in Our Newly Inherited House2018 is no exception, and it today's home remodeling series a few photos from the early Spring 2018Grilling season has just startedLast year we bought an extra huge grillCat enjoying such activitiesGrilling 2018
Tapping Birch Sap in the Backyard
Can't decide on a new hobby? Think about tapping birch sap in early spring. Depending on the region you are located and availability of birch trees you might even enjoy this drink - a birch sap.In today's article a few photos from tapping a birch sap in early spring in our backyard using Libertu Birch Sap Kit.You can purchase this kit at sula.lv to get your own tree sap. If you have maple or birch trees in your yard or forest you can…
Kitesurfing Pāvilosta
Seems Pāvilosta is a popular spot for kitesurfing among surfers from the Baltics. It was on mid-June 2017 we decided to visit lovely white sand beaches near Pāvilosta piers when I noticed some kitesurfer gathering. Seems there was a good wind that day.As I was equipped with my gear and a telephoto glass - I made some photography here. A piece of Life, after all. Kitesurfing in PāvilostaActually, I'm not sure what is the name…
Pesto Cafe Review in Kiev
Pesto Cafe is a popular restaurant chain located in Kiev, Ukraine. We visited branch located near the Independence square (located inside the shopping mall Globuss). Actually, that was the closest restaurant from our hotel room at Hotel Ukraine,Pesto cafe serves classic Italian cuisine for pretty affordable prices.View towards Independence square from Pesto CafeBruschetta at Pesto CafeSalads
Grass Trimming 2017
It was back at the end of June 2017, we had just returned from about month-long travel (Turkey, Georgia, and Greece) to notice that grass have more than overgrown.I took my old pall - Edward The Trimmer and started my fight with the grass once more. Freshly cut grassIt's always a pleasure seeing such a nice scenery.Trimming near the flower gardenTrimmer in the rest
Varenichnaya Katyusha Restaurant in Kiev
Varenichnaya Katyusha (Вареничная Катюша) is another cool Kiev's restaurant, discovered by accident back in the Summer of 2017.Turns out Вареничная Катюша is a popular restaurant chain across the Kiev. But I didn't know that back when discovered it.We found this place after a night boat ride along the Dnieper river and before returning to our hotel room we were just wandering around for someplace offering a meal after the midnight…
Disco Boat Tours in Kiev, along the Dnieper River
Boat Tours in Kiev, along the Dnieper River kind of reminded me a popular track from early 2000 by Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage. Loud music, a lot of booze and hell - it's really cool.We were just checked in at Hotel Ukraine, had some rest after a flight and decided to explore Kiev by night. We went out from the hotel, around the Independence square caught a taxi and asked for some recommendations - boat tour was an idea from the taxi…
Hotel Ukraine in Kiev Review
Hotel Ukraine is a 4-star hotel located on Independence Square in the heart of Kiev, this hotel offers air-conditioned rooms and suites with elegant décor. It is a 3-minute walk from the Maidan Nezalezhnosti and Kreschatik Metro Stations.We booked Hotel Ukraine at the end of July 2017, during my birthday trip to Kiev. We stayed here for some 4-5 days. For getting here from Borispol's airport we hired a…
Postcards from Kuldīga
Kuldīga has been featured on the blog many times, starting old brick bridge over the Venta river, including flying fish over Venta rapid, ending some of the finest Kuldīga restaurantsIn today's Piece of Life series - a tranquil sunset from KuldīgaStatue of Love during sunset in KuldīgaA cool, wood carved sculpture. Compare this one with the metallic sculpture of Ali and Nino (located in Batumi, Georgia)Brick bridge in KuldīgaBrick…
Planting Onion Springs and Radishes
For the past three years, it has been already a tradition planing some veggies in the garden.For this year's early garden works - planting onion springs and radishes.Planting spring onionsPlanting radishes
Lazy Day in The Beach (Dubulti - Majori)
it was one of the sunniest days in early April 2018, we opted in for a Dubulti - Majori (Jūrmala, Latvia) lazy hiking trip. The route is easy and distance is pretty short. As usual - I was equipped with a camera and captured some moments. The inspiration for this title I took from here: Lazy Day in Beach (Torremolinos, Spain)In fact, that is a thing I have been thinking a lot lately - Jūrmala could be developed in a style of…
Next stop - Station Dubulti (B&W Photography)
Black and White (B&W) is not the part of my favorite photo techniques, but sometimes a good B&W can add some drama to a photo story.I don't call myself a drama expert (at least in photography), but I have tried in the past and sometimes love to experiment with this photo technique. See: Wandering In The Woods B&W PhotographyIn today's Piece of Life series - a single photo from my second 365 days photo project's second day…
Farewell to Winter (Sunrise at Jūrmala beach)
It was in the early April morning, I couldn't sleep, and decided to grab a camera and catch a lovely sunrise at the nearby Jūrmala beach. I remembered the times we use to live in Batumi, Georgia and went out for a walk just shortly before sunrise. Jūrmala ain't no Batumi, but still, can I get some mood out of it?After this morning's short photo walk I decided to start my second 365 days photo challenge, that said - Farewell to Winter.…
Hiking Trails in Kemeri National Park (Near Forest House)
Kemeri National Park in Latvia is special for its great biological diversity, the unique Kemeri Bog, mineral waters and therapeutic mud found here.It was on a lazy Sunday afternoon we decided to visit Kemeri National Park, as we had no idea what exactly to look for, we decided to make a stop at first "look-a-like" place, so we ended at Forest House, located some 45km from nations capital Riga.I was equipped with my Canon DSRL…
Palios Mylos Restaurant Review near Argiroupoli Springs, Crete
Ahh, I love these lovely roadside cafeterias which are hard to locate, after visiting and leaving, on the map. This time I was lucky enough and turned out I had pictured the name of this place in Greek. A bit patience and usage of Greek language transliteration and here you go - found both the name and location of this place, meet Palios Mylos Restaurant near Argiroupoli Springs, Crete.Visited back in June 2017. Now it's hard to recall…
Winter near The Baltic Sea (Dubulti beach, Jūrmala)
In today's Piece of Life series, a couple of HDR's from the Baltic sea (more precisely Dubulti beach in Jūrmala, Latvia)Pinewoods, frozen sea and cold fresh air.Frozen Baltic seaWould love to return here in Summer.Restaurant Orizonte in Dubulti beachPinewoods near Dubulti beach
Winter in Bākūži 2 - 2018
A couple of weeks ago I made a couple of HDR's back at Bākūži (Bākūži Winter 2018), despite it was still a winter, we had little to no snow back then. Now at the end of February 2018, I made some more photos - let's say this - there is still room to grow to reach the levels of the fairytale in Tbilisi, but still lovely.Snow, frozen pond, and lonely rock garden see it for yourselfCar parked next to the pondPile of firewoodStill needs to be…
Rixwell Elefant Hotel Riga Review
Rixwell Elefant Hotel is a 4-star superior hotel and it is conveniently located between Riga International Airport, which is a 5-minute drive away, and the city centre. Shopping center Spice is within walking distance from the hotel and 10 km away is the famous water park Livu Aqua Park in Jurmala.Rixwell Elefant hotel in Riga is among the cheapest 4-star hotels I've stayed so far, both in Riga and elsewhere,…
Bākūži Winter 2018
Made a couple of HDR's back at Bākūži, the country house where for the last couple of years we have done some home remodeling.In today's Piece of Life series, simple winter mood from Latvian winter (January 2018)FishpondA decent level of water, not to say more, see: Waiting For The Water Level To Rise In The PondBack view of the houseApple orchardFor those of you interested how it all started, see: Home Remodelling - How It All Starts
Homemade Lasagna (Filling from Minced Meat + Bechamel Sauce)
Welcome to just another food blogger series - today I'll share one of my favorite recipes - homemade lasagna. To make a lasagna you will need for filling: carrots, onions, minced meat (I prefer mixed lamb and pork), for bechamel sauce: butter, milk, flour, nutmeg, and cheese. To stick it all together we will need lasagna plates - there are two options - to use ready-made or make your owns. In today's recipe, I will use ready-made…
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