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Skrunda-1 Abandoned Soviet Military Ghost Town In Latvia
Update: Originally I visited Skrunda - 1 in Summer 2015, Skrunda -1 is closed for public visitors in 2022 Skrunda-1, also known as Skrunda-2, is a ghost town and former Soviet and later Russian radar station located 5 km (3 mi) to the north of Skrunda, in Raņķi Parish, Kuldīga Municipality in Courland region of Latvia. It was the site of two Dnepr radar (NATO designation "Hen House") installations constructed in the 1960s. A Daryal radar was…
Snēpele Manor
Latvia is a land of old manor houses and palaces, they dates back from the times when German nobles ruled this territory. A lot of manors one (perhaps you) can find in a historical region of Courland. I found this interesting Snēpele manor during a trip back from Kuldīga town. Since I'm eager to improve my photography skills, I did find just another reason to add a new post on my blog. Snepele manor I made a lot of shots of this…
Bangert's Restaurant Review in Kuldiga
Bangert's restaurant is kinda a new restaurant located on the banks of river Venta between Old Brick Bridge and the Venta Waterfall on Pils street 1 in Kuldīga. I first visited this restaurant last summer and found it a really great. So on the lovely Springs Sunday when I was doing some photo-shooting near Venta river banks I insisted we should visit this restaurant again so just I can add it to my blog and show it for you. Restaurant…
The Venta Waterfall (Rapid) - Widest In Europe
The Venta rapid forms a widest waterfall in Europe. It's located very close to Kuldīga town centre in Latvia. See: Flying Fish over Venta Rapid in Kuldīga I took my DSLR camera and decided to master my photography skills, couldn't say it improved drastic, but here is the thing I was told by a good friend a professional photographer: If I may say try and get lower angles on the waterfall. Popular idea is to stand in the water if…
The Old Brick Bridge Across The Venta River In Kuldīga
Brick bridge in Kuldīga over the river of Venta according to some sources is the longest of its kind bridge in Europe. I believe nobody actually pays attention to the lengths of this bridge instead I believe the reason everyone enjoys it - it just looks great. Since it looks great I spent some time here to improve my DSLR photography, I actually made here some 180 photos, but just 5 have made it to you. Brick bridge over Venta River in…
Bistro 'Elvi' In Skrunda
Seems this place is out of the business in 2021, instead there is a liquor store Bistro Elvi is a restaurant-style catering place offering a home-style cuisine, today I will speak about one located in the town of Skrunda. Bistro Elvi in Skrunda town is located in a local shopping centre also called Elvi and actually is part of Elvi chain. Close to this bistro is located Skrunda bus station, were buses from Rīga and Liepāja makes a…
Bakery Lāči
Some Latvians prefer to call Bakery Lāči a top notch place for foreigners to visit. So I decided to visit this place and make some short review of it. This bakery is located outside the capital Riga and you can reach it by driving route A9 (which is a highway connecting Riga to Liepāja) - in case you are up for a Courland tour, you can make a stop here and enjoy some local brunch/lunch and/or to buy Lāči bread. And don't be surprised if a…
Neighbourhoods of Riga: Iļģuciems
Iļģuciems is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Riga. History of this neighborhood dates back to the early 13th century. Back in 1236 a small manor was built here and given the name of Hiligen geest hove (Heiligen Geist Hof) in English meaning - "Holy Spirit Convent", from which latter originated name Iļģuciems in Latvian - at first Hilgzeem, then Ilgezeem and finally Iļģuciems. Unfortunately less has left over from those days. In our days…
Bakuzi cemetery
Bakuzi cemetery (Latvian: Bākūžu kapsēta) is located in region of Courland (Latvia) in parish of Rudbarzi, Skrunda Municipality. The history of this cemetery dates back to at least to mid 18th century (I found old grave cross with dates of 176o-ties). I believe back in those dates some German nobles were buried here. In history of Courland and Latvia German nobles plays a major role. The cemetery is really small - I doubt…
Riga Airport
Riga International Airport, also know as RIX is a largest airport in the Baltic states located in capital of Latvia. Airport is located some 13km distance from city centre of Riga. I was agreeably surprised by noticing it was quiet and still here at Riga airport comparing it to Tbilisi airport. I decided to add a few photos taken at Riga airport travelling with two cats on board. Cat just landed at Riga airport Two cats just landed…
Tbilisi Aerial Tram
Tbilisi aerial tram is just in recent years built cable cars in Tbilisi connecting Rike Park (or more precisely Europe Square) to the fortress of Narikala. It eases your travel up to the Narikala fortress in huge. Prior to this cable car the one and only way to get to Narikala fortress was just by climbing up in the hill. For some that climb can make a lot of troubles. View from Narikala footsteps to Tbilisi city You can get a nice and…
Flea Market Near Dry Bridge In Tbilisi
The Flea market near Dry Bridge in Tbilisi is an interesting place to visit, just to look on old Soviet time relict's, starting medals, belt buckles from Soviet military, ending movie posters of famous Soviet day films. As well you can find here a lot of old tableware (some might be even antique). Most of the items you will find here is pretty much useless but they still can give you some fun if bought as an souvenir. Well that's why we…
Tbilisi By Night - Cycling Old Town To Didube
The other day we took again our bikes and made a pretty lovely night ride in Tbilisi. From Old Tbilisi to Didube and back. For some reason my GPS tracker (MapMyRide) didn't worked properly, it missed at least first 2 km from this route. Another thing to mention - I have a pretty bad camera for night vision shots back at the time I didn't know how to shoot night photography the right way, please don't judge too hard my shots of nightly…
Rike Park In Tbilisi
Rike park is a landscaped territory located close to the Tbilisi Old Town. You can enter Rike park either crossing the pedestrian bridge of Peace or from the opposite side using stairways from the Avlabari district. There is an aerial tram in the territory of the park which will bring you up to the fortress of Narikala. The Bridge of Peace The Bridge of Peace is a pedestrian bridge used to enter Rike park from Tbilisi…
Coffee Bar 'Entree' Review In Tbilisi (Agmashenebeli Avenue 86)
Entrée is a popular chain of coffee bars located in Tbilisi which serves great coffee, pastry, sweets and even bakes a bread. Today I will write about Entrée located on Agmashenebeli Avenue 86 (close to Marjanishvili square) in Tbilisi. As usual for taking photographs I'm using my Samsung phone and using Instagram (then taking them from Instagram and adding to posts - you can read a blog post on how I turned my…
Chashnagiri Restaurant Review in Natakhtari
For many hearing a name of Natakhtari first associations might be related to those tasty Georgian lemonades branded under 'Natakhtari' name. Well, turns out Natakhtari actually is village located in Georgia's region of Mtskheta-Mtianeti, pretty close to nations capital Tbilisi. This village is advanced enough to have pretty sold restaurants located here, and today I will wrote about one of them - Chashnagiri Restaurant. This restaurant was…
Château Mukhrani Winery
Château Mukhrani is a winery located in Mukhrani village, Mtskheta-Mtianeti region (somewhere between Mtskheta town and Natakhtari village), Georgia . Idea to head here first arise to friend of mine (another expat) living here in Georgia. Friend of me pre-booked a guided wine tasting tour at this place. On a rainy Saturday morning, after a short visit of Jvari monastery we straight headed to Château Mukhrani. During this…
Anchiskhati Basilica in Tbilisi
Anchiskhati Basilica is one of the oldest (if not the eldest) Georgian Orthodox church's located in Old Town of Tbilisi. The history of this church dates back to the 6 th century AD. Though I have visited it so many times, I haven't yet effectively photographed it. Recently I acquired a new DSLR camera and soon I decided to improve my photographer skills. A walk in Tbilisi is a great both for photo - hobbyists and professional photographers.…
The Bridge Of Peace In Tbilisi
The Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi is a pedestrian bridge and one of the most famous tourist spots in the city. It connects district of Tbilisi Old Town with Rike Park over a river of Mtkvari. This bridge is relatively young, it was opened for public just in 2010. I first discovered this bridge back in 2011, when I first arrived to Georgia. Back then I rented a spacious room in unusual hostel in district of Avlabari, and my first days in Tbilisi I…
Art Studio 'Kon-Tiki' In Tbilisi
The other day taking a walking tour around Tbilisi and by in-liking a new camera, after visiting Ancshikhati church (and taking marvellous photos there) my next photo stop arrived unexpected - meet Art Studio - Kon Tiki. A lovely and narrow street in Old Tbilisi (Ioane Shavteli street) On this street in distance of some 100-150 meters from Anchiskhati church is located art studio Kon-Tiki Welcome sign at Art Studio Kon - Tiki Here is the…
Aristaeus - Boutique shop for Georgian Spices and Cheese
The other day I did took a camera I recently acquired and went on a long long walk around Tbilisi to improve my photography skills and probably reviewing some local place. Soon after I finished shots on Rustaveli avenue I headed near Liberty square taking turn on Alexander Pushkin street. One of my first stops were a local Georgian boutique shops of Georgian cheeses, spices and even a liqueur (chacha) - Aristaues. Since I were more into a…
Jvari Monastery In Georgia
Jvari monastery is a popular tourist destination in Georgia, and I believe there are two reasons of that - first it's located close to the nation's capital Tbilisi and second it offers a really scenic views to nearby city of Mtskheta and delta of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Another reason to mention - the monastery is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. First time I headed here was probably back in 2011, since then I have visited this…
First Impressions Of Canon EOS 1200D Camera With 18-55mm Lens
I'm not a professional photographer and never have wanted to became a pro. For years I have used my good old Sony DSC H7 camera and never have complained much of it. Well the one and major issue with Sony DSC H7 - it doesn't take good night vision photos. You can find pretty much of photos I have taken on my blog's photos section. See: Photos Lately (for about a year) I have been using my phones (Samsung) camera even more than I have been using…
'Factory 27' Restaurant Review In Tbilisi
Factory 27 is a kinda avant-garde restaurant located on Zandukeli street 27 in Tbilisi. European style cuisine is served here. We have heard of it before on some local Facebook groups and many users called this place as must have / best of the kind in the city. So on a lovely Sunday's morning at the end of March we decided to head here and try it ourselves. Our first problems arise - we had no clue of precise location of this place.…