Latvia

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 stop. Elvi Bistro in Skrunda Solyanka at Elvi Bistro…

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 Latvian brings you a gift from Latvia exactly the Lāči…

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 much of Iļguciems is dominated by Soviet-style block…

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 there are more than 100 burials on this cemetery. Frankly speaking I…

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 at Tbilisi airport Parking lot at Riga airport…

The Baltic States, which include Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, have been recognized as one of the fastest-growing regions in the European Union. The region has experienced significant economic development, attracting foreign investment, and becoming a hub for technology, finance, and other sectors. One crucial aspect of this growth is the regulation of minimum wages. In 2015, the minimum wages in the Baltic States were as follows: Estonia - The minimum wage in Estonia was €390 per month…

The Georgian-Latvian Business Forum was held in Tbilisi on November 27, 2014, and provided a unique opportunity for businesses to explore new avenues for growth and expansion. This event was organized by Invest in Georgia agency and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, two organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to fostering innovation and progress in the business world. The Georgian-Latvian Business Forum brought together business leaders and stakeholders from various…

A while ago I already compared Baltic nations with Caucasian nation by GDP (that time I was comparing data for 2012). Since it's second half of 2014 already, I decided to compare how 6 independent states looks alike in 2013 (Most recent data we can get from World Bank) Some might argue - why I'm comparing those regions? Well - why not?  Baltic states and South Caucasus GDP 2013/2012 Country 2012 ($bln) 2013 ($bln) Growth ($bln) Azerbaijan 68.73 73.56  4.83 Lithuania…

It has been six months since I last analyzed the minimum wages in the former Soviet Union. Although it is not a major factor in economic growth, the minimum wage is still a relevant indicator in understanding a country's economic status. In my previous research in 2013, I found that Estonia had the highest minimum wage of $427, while Kyrgyzstan had the lowest at just $17 per month. In this updated analysis for 2014, the highest minimum wage is still in Estonia, with an increase to $480, and…

Laidi manor or palace (Laidu muiža - pils in Latvian) is a very cool tourism sight in Laidi parish, Kuldīga municipality, in the historical region of Courland (Kurzeme) Built in the early 19th century by the local German nobility, it has housed the Laidi primary school since 1921. Park at Laidi manor The origins of the manor date back to the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. The complex of the manor has formed around the administrator’s house, which is the oldest one in the manor. From…