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Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity, is a basilica located in Bethlehem, the State of Palestine. The grotto it contains holds a prominent religious significance to Christians of various denominations as the birthplace of Jesus. I first visited this church back in 2009 and revisited it again at then end of 2022. To get here I caught a street taxi near the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the driver agreed to take us here and…
Western Wall in Jerusalem
The Western Wall is known in the West as the Wailing Wall, and in Islam, as the Buraq Wall is a portion of ancient limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem that forms part of the larger retaining wall of the hill known to Jews and Christians as the Temple Mount. Just over half the wall's total height, including its 17 courses located below street level, dates from the end of the Second Temple period and is believed to have been begun…
New Years Party at the Caucasus Translations office in Tbilisi
On January 7, 2023, New Year's party was celebrated at the Caucasus Translations office in Tbilisi. We arrived early to set up the party scene, decorating with ballons and more. Pizza, sushi, wine & champagne, pinata game for little ones, t-shirts for employees. Music by Alexa (Amazon Echo) In total about 130 helium filled ballons were ordered for the party from myday.ge Cake from the local Madat bakery in Tbilisi It was a sushi, pizza…
Hotel GreenWood in Bakuriani
Greenwood hotel is located in Bakuriani on the A. Tsereteli street is next to the forest and close to the ski lifts and city center. We booked lux family rooms during Christmas 2022, paying about GEL 1,000 for a 3-night stay, thus as there was little snow in Bakuriani we left one day earlier. Here I made a short documenary about our latest stay in Bakuriani: Christmas in Bakuriani Greenwood hotel is a 3 or 4 storey building kind…
How To Buy (or not) Real Estate in Tbilisi - Samgori EcoCity December 2022 Update
At the start of December 2022, Uday, a business partner from Canada arrived in Tbilisi, and we went together to the Meti office in Saburtalo to meet with the developers and sign the documents on-site (we already had them electronically). After the meeting with the developers, we went to the actual construction site in Samgori. I have been eyeing real estate in Georgia since I originally come up with my idea - buying black frame projects in…
Pullman Tbilisi Axis Tower Gym and Pool
Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers Wellness Center is located in Vake (37M Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue) on the 6th floor at Axis Tower. It has a 25 meters heated indoor pool with a retractable roof, sauna, steam room, gym (more like a fitness), spa treatment rooms, and a lounge. We booked an unlimited membership here for one month in November 2022 (paying GEL 600 each, kids go free) with unlimited access to the gym pool and sauna facilities. Kids (…
Shaori Reservoir
Shaori Reservoir is an artificial lake located in the region of Racha, Georgia - some 170 km northwest of the capital Tbilisi. I first visited it in mid-October 2022, during our first trip to Racha The Shaori reservoir stretches from the southwest to the northeast, its length is 7.1 kilometers, the greatest width is 2.7 kilometers. The greatest depth is 14.5 meters, the average depth is 9.8 meters, the area is 9.2 km². The volume…
Sikvaruli Waterfall in Racha
The Sikvaruli waterfall (Waterfall of love) is located in Racha, near the town of Ambrolauri, Georgia The waterfall flows on the mossy rocky massive and creates marvelous sight. Waterflow is located across the Rioni River. We discovered this place by a chance - when our Rachan driver Levan, showed this place as one of the top sights around Ambrolauri. Indeed the waterfall is quite impressive and looks double interesting because of the…
Sakhluka Rachashi, Cozy Cabin in Racha / Agara
Sakhluka Rachashi cabin house is located in Agara in the Racha region of Georgia. We booked this place on Airbnb for about a 2-night stay in mid-October 2022, during our Racha trip. In total, we paid about $300 for our stay here. As this time we were traveling without a car, we arrived here from Sadmeli Winery near Ambroulauri, after a short trip around Racha, by a driver I hired in Ambrolauri. We had a little nice cabin house, with…
Nikortsminda Cathedral
Nikortsminda Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox Church, located in Nikortsminda, Racha region of Georgia. I first discovered this beautiful cathedral in mid-October 2022, during our first trip to the region of Racha. It is said, that Nikortsminda was built in 1010–1014 during the reign of Bagrat III of Georgia and was repaired in 1534 by the King Bagrat III of Imereti. Three-storied bell tower next to the cathedral was built in the second half…
Navtlugi Farmer's market Tbilisi
Navtlugi farmers market is located in the Samgori metro area, Tbilisi. It seems it is possible to buy here fresh veggies from local farmers, kitchen sinks, electric lamps, bicycles, and many more. Navtlugi market seems is like a mix of a Dezerteer bazaar, Kidobani market, and Dry Bridge flea market. I had heard about this market from friends, but I first time discovered it just at the end of 2022, during a scouting tour for buying an…
Guest house / Glamping Laimes taure
Located in the village Vabole, the region of Latgale in Latvia, some 20 km from Daugavpils, guest house Laimes taure offers accommodation with a garden, water sports facilities, a terrace, and free WiFi. We booked this place for a one night stay, during our trip to the region of Latgale at the start of August 2022. As it was also my birthday, I was turning 37, my better part surprised me, by booking a stay inside a glamping tent and hot pool in…
Sadmeli Winery & Guesthouse
Located in Sadmeli village, close to Ambrolauri town in Georgia's Racha region - Sadmeli Winery features a garden, terrace, spectacular views towards the valley, and free WiFi throughout the property. The guest house has family rooms. We booked a one-night stay at this place in mid-October 2022, during our Fall Break (at QSI Tbilisi) trip to the Region of Racha. We arrived here by plane from Natakhtari (Tbilisi) to the Ambrolauri…
Ambrolauri Airport
Ambrolauri Airport is a small regional airport serving Ambrolauri, a town in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Georgia. The airport is owned and operated by United Airports of Georgia, a state-owned company. It has been open in its current form since January 2017 and can serve airplanes with up to 50 passengers capacity. I first learned about this airport back in 2016, but first tried at the end of 2022, during a Fall break trip to…
Natakhtari Airfield / Airport
Natakhtari Airfield is a small domestic airport located in Natakhtari, close to Tbilisi, Georgia. It is privately owned and operated by the parent company of Vanilla Sky Airlines, Service Air. Domestic flights to Batumi, Mestia, and Ambrolauri are served from here. Free shuttle service is available from Tbilisi city center for Vanilla Sky flights. We have been huge fans of Vanilla sky airlines, for Tbilisi - Batumi flights, which previously…
Scouting Potential Apartment Investment in Tbilisi (Samgori Ecocity)
For the past couple of weeks and months, I have been working toward my Tbilisi real estate investment idea. Now I have a potential co-investor and we are looking to buy one apartment in Tbilisi (or Batumi) under construction, wait until it is completed, and sell it for a profit (hopefully). As I had done initial market research for some potential value deals in Tbilisi, I found this quite an interesting offer located in the city outskirts but…
Dumas Restaurant Tbilisi / Axis Tower
Dumas is a French Restaurant with a Southern European accent, located on the 36th floor of the landmark Axis Tower in Tbilisi. Looking to impress your date, business partner, or simply good coffee - Dumas restaurant is the way to go. Named after the famous French writer Alexander Dumas, the restaurant offers guests an authentic food and beverage experience that is fresh and flavorful. The ‘Dumas’ open kitchen serves up French and Mediterranean…
Basilica of the Assumption, Aglona
The Aglona Roman Catholic Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Aglona is one of the most important Catholic spiritual centers in Latvia. I have visited Aglona cathedral several times and always have left quite inspired. If there is a reason to visit Latgale,then Aglona Catholoc cathedral is atop of them. Construction of the present church, which is in the Italian Baroque style, began in 1768 and was completed in 1780.…
Christ The King Mount
Christ the King Mount (Kristus Karaļa kalns) is located near the Aglona Basilica in Latgale. This place have been opened to the public in 2006. Several large wooden sculptures depicting biblical characters can be seen here. This is a great place to visit for pilgrims and rest. I first visited this place back in 2010, with my latest visit here at the start of August 2022 This is a unique sculpture complex, with orchards of 650 ornamental…
Hotel Kopola in Tskneti Review
Hotel Kopola is located in Tskneti, the suburbs of Tbilisi. Kopola Hotel features an indoor pool, a green garden, and a sun terrace with sun beds. There is a bowling alley at the hotel and guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. I have been familiar with this place for ages, as in the past we come here for playing bowling and having some drinks. Now, it was at the start of September 2022, we were left with no car (Sold our VW Touareg at the…
How To Prepare Traditional Borscht Soup at Home
Borscht is a sour soup common in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. In English, the word "borscht" is most often associated with the soup's variant of Ukrainian origin, made with red beetroots as one of the main ingredients, which give the dish its distinctive red color. The same name, however, is also used for a wide selection of sour-tasting soups without beetroots, such as sorrel-based green borscht, rye-based white borscht, and cabbage…
Nida Pebble Beach
Nida Pebble beach is the most Southern public beach of Latvia located on the Baltic sea shores just 1 km from the Lithuanian border. The pebble beach is quite uncharacteristic for a typical Latvian seaside beach and that already a good reason to visit it. In fact the pebbles are hardly visible but still. There are plenty of smaller stones, so some can build some art. \on the other hand, there are plenty of pebbles in the sea. A good…
Cafe Somersēta in Aglona
Cafe Somersēta is located on Somersētas street in Aglona town, the region of Latgale in Latvia. We discovered this place by a chance shortly before visiting the famous catholic cathedral in Aglona. It seems the place is very popular among tourists, as during our meal time here, we mostly met tourists from all over the World. Well, we visited this place at the start of August 2022, I wonder what happens in the offseason. Anyhow, this place…
Piloru oak grove
Pilori Oak grove is located on the banks of Lake Ežezers in the region of Latgale. Total area is about 19.6 ha It is one of the rare oak groves in Latvia with a nature protection status granted already in 1928. The oldest oaks are around 300-400 years old. I first learned of this grove at the start of August during a weekend trip to the region of Latgale. The oak grove is located aside from Ezernieki – Andzeļi road, there is a small parking…
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Ādģēri: The 30K Mistake That Turned Into a Long-Term Experiment
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