Ophitara Three Cascade Waterfall
| Tourism objects | 96 seen
Ophitara three cascade water wall is located near the Kutaisi - Tskaltubo - Tsageri - Lentekhi - Lasdili highway, after the village of Ghvedi. We first discovered this beauty back at the end of September 2023, returning from Ushguli via Lentekhi road.
Made a quick stop here to take a few drone photos and stretch our legs. We were accompanied by a few friendly stray dogs. On-site, there are picnic tables available.
It seems that there are dozens of such waterfalls in the Western part of Georgia. Look at the impressive moss-covered rock waterfall if crossing.
Spectacular place to stay and take a short rest (or longer)
Indira Gandhi Delhi International Airport
| Airports | 62 seen
Indira Gandhi International Airport is the primary international airport serving Delhi, the capital of India. The airport, spread over an area of 5,106 acres (2,066 ha), is situated in Palam, Delhi, 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of the New Delhi Railway Station and 16 km (9.9 mi) from New Delhi city centre.
Named after Indira Gandhi (1917–1984), the former Prime Minister of India, it is the busiest airport of India
I first traveled to Indira Gandhi Delhi international airport at the end of Decmeber 2023 from Tbilisi airport by indigo airlines
IGI Airport serves as a major hub or a focus destination for several Indian carriers including Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir, and Vistara. Approximately 80 airlines serve this airport. At present, there are three actively scheduled passenger terminals, as well as a cargo terminal.
Recently, Delhi Airport operator DIAL has introduced an e-boarding facility for passengers at all the three terminals of the airport, by which all boarding gates will have contactless e-boarding gates with boarding card scanners, which will allow passengers to flash their physical or e-boarding cards to verify flight…
Crypto, Retreats, and Tiny Houses: Goals for 2024
| Crypto | 100 seen
Greetings from Goa, India. As we hoist the sails and set our course for 2024, I'm thrilled to share the compass points guiding my journey. I'm Reinis Fischer, CEO and Founder of Terramatris crypto hedge fund, and this year is brimming with exciting goals that promise to make waves in both my professional and personal life.
It was shortly before midnight in Goa, India when I quickly wrapped up my goal for 2024 and with the help of my buddy ChatGPT we made them sound awesome:
Hosting 4 Trading Retreats:
Picture this: trading wisdom shared under the open sky, surrounded by kindred spirits. In 2024, I'm steering the ship toward hosting not one, not two, but four trading retreats. It's more than just charts and numbers; it's a chance for us to unite, learn, and grow together. I'm looking to host these retreats in different parts of the world, with first being hosted in Georgia already at the end of March 2024. Second might happen in mid-Summer in Latvia. Third - not sure yet, while the fourth might be hosted in Brazil. Exciting.
Away from the buzz of the market, I'm embarking on a unique project—a tiny house with a sauna. A…
Minimum Wages Set to Increase in Baltic States in 2024
| Macroeconomics | 125 seen
As we usher in the new year, significant changes are on the horizon for the Baltic states, particularly in the realm of minimum wage. In 2024, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are all set to witness an increase in their minimum wage, signifying a shift in economic dynamics. Let's delve into the details of these changes and their potential impact.
In 2024 minimum wage is set to increase in all Baltic states. Estonia will have a minimum wage of EUR 820; Latvia - EUR 700 and Lithuania - EUR 924.
Estonia, a key player in the Baltic region, is slated to implement a notable increase in its minimum wage. Starting from 2024, the minimum wage is set to rise to EUR 820. This move reflects Estonia's commitment to addressing economic disparities and ensuring a fair standard of living for its workforce.
Across the border in Latvia, the minimum wage is poised to see an increase as well, reaching EUR 700 in 2024. This adjustment comes in response to various factors, including inflation rates and the cost of living, aiming to uplift the financial well-being of workers in the country.
Meanwhile, Lithuania, another significant player in the Baltic…
Postcards from Ushguli
| | 69 seen
Ushguli is a community of five villages located at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Georgia.
Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Compared to somewhat more developed towns like Mestia, Ushguli is not in an accessible location, which has preserved many of the villages' medieval characteristics, including unique defensive tower houses called Svan towers. Because of their preservation and traditional architecture, Ushguli, Mestia, and the surrounding area was recognized as the Upper Svaneti UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
I had a chance to visit Ushguli for a few hour visit back in September 2023, during which I made some amazing drone photography (I was so inspired that order photo prints for our office walls in Tbilisi)
We traveled to Ushguli by a 4x4 car, back in the days there was just a dirt road, but in recent yeras major improvemtn has been made, and currently there was about.6km unpaved dirt road. I would say quite accesible location.
The famous Swan towers of Ushguli
Ushguli is located at an altitude of 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) near the foot of Shkhara, one of the highest summits of…
Westminster Abbey
| Tourism objects | 32 seen
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. Since 1066, it has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British monarchs, and a burial site for 18 English, Scottish, and British monarchs. At least 16 royal weddings have taken place at the abbey since 1100.
I had a chance to visit the famous Abbey at the start of August 2023, during my birthday trip to London
Although the origins of the church are obscure, there was certainly an abbey operating on the site by the mid-10th century housing Benedictine monks. The church got its first grand building in the 1060s under the auspices of the English king Edward the Confessor, who is buried inside. Construction of the present church began in 1245 on the orders of Henry III. The monastery was dissolved in 1559 and the church was made a royal peculiar—a Church of England church responsible directly to the sovereign—by Elizabeth I. In 1987, the abbey, together with the Palace of Westminster and St. Margaret's Church, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its historic and symbolic…
Tower of Love in Svaneti
| Tourism objects | 51 seen
As you make your way from Mestia to Ushguli, one of the highest settlements in Europe, look out for the “Tower of Love”, which stands on a huge boulder in the river Enguri.
This three-story tower has high floors that are connected with one another by vertical stairs, although you should be especially careful when climbing them. The thick walls of the tower have stood for centuries and are likely to stand for many more.
We forst discovered this tower at the end of September 2023, during our few day trip to Svaneti. We were asked GEL 2 for entrance and were actaully allowed to climb up the tower. I decided not to climb but filmed with a drone.
The root of the tower’s name lies in local legend. Once upon a time, Miaguli Pirveli, a beautiful woman, met a skilled hunter called Otia Margvelani during the Kvirikoba festival. They fell in love, but Otia was married and had five children, while Miaguli did not want to ruin her beloved’s family.
Saddened by this story, Otia went hunting, fell into the river and died. His wife could not bear the pain of her husband’s death and jumped into the Enguri river as…
Big Ben
| Tourism objects | 52 seen
The Elizabeth Tower is the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster in London, England. It contains the Great Clock, a striking clock with five bells. The tower is nicknamed "Big Ben", a name which was originally applied only to the largest bell of the clock.
The tower was officially called the Clock Tower until 2012, when it was renamed to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
Probably one of the most recognizable tourist attractions around the World. I first had a chance to visit it, in August 2023, during my birthday trip to London.
The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a Perpendicular Gothic Revival style and was completed in 1859. It is elaborately decorated and includes symbols related to the four nations of the United Kingdom, the Tudor dynasty, and a Latin inscription to Queen Victoria.
The tower stands 316 feet (96 m) tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps. Its base is square, measuring 40 feet (12 m) on each side. The dials of the clock are 22.5 feet (6.9 m) in diameter.
Elizabeth Tower, originally named the Clock Tower, and popularly known as "Big Ben", was built as a part of Charles Barry's…
KidZania London
| Entertainment | 28 seen
KidZania London is a unique learning and entertainment experience filled with ultra-realistic role-play activities designed to mirror real-world careers. Their unique blend of education and entertainment aims to boost confidence, and independence and empower children to make a difference early on in life.
KidZania London is located at the Westfield London shopping mall (Ariel Way Shepherds Bush LONDON W12 7GF).
It took us about 1-hour taxi drive by Botl from our hotel at White Chappel to reach this place at the start of August 2023.
Join Kidzania to unleash your child's full potential in a world of hands-on discovery, learning and fun (and all without their phones or devices), and children aged 8+ are welcome to explore without an accompanying adult for that added sense of freedom and autonomy!
As our kiddo during our visit was 5 year old, one parent had to stay with her during the activities. Mom stayed, while daddy explored shopping mall.
Kids got involved into flying an airplane, paramdecis, police, banks, shops and even firefighters.
About KidZaniaWe're a learning and education centre for children to …
Enguri Dam
| Tourism objects | 91 seen
The Enguri Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Enguri River in Tsalenjikha, Georgia. Currently, it is the world's second-highest concrete arch dam with a height of 271.5 meters (891 ft).
It is located north of the town of Jvari. It is part of the Enguri Hydroelectric Power Station (HES) which is partially located in Abkhazia. In the past, I had heard about this damn but didn't expect I will actually visit it during our few-day trip to Svaneti at the end of September 2023.
Construction of the Enguri dam began in 1961. The dam became temporarily operational in 1978, and was completed in 1987. In 1994, the dam was inspected by engineers of Hydro-Québec, who found that the dam was "in a rare state of dilapidation". In 1999, the European Commission granted €9.4 million to Georgia for urgent repairs at the Enguri HES, including replacing the stoplog at the arch dam on the Georgian side and, refurbishing one of the five generators of the power station at the Abkhaz side.
In total, €116 million loans were granted by the EBRD, the European Union, the Japanese Government, KfW and Government of Georgia. In 2011 the European Investment Bank (EIB) loaned €20…
London Stansted Airport
| Airports | 74 seen
London Stansted Airport is an international airport serving London, England. It is located near Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, 42 mi (68 km) northeast of Central London.
London Stansted serves over 160 destinations across Europe, Asia and Africa. Stansted is a base for a number of European low-cost carriers. This includes being the largest base for low-cost airline Ryanair, with over 100 destinations served by the airline. As of 2022, it is the fourth-busiest airport in the United Kingdom after Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester.
I first visited this airport back in August 2023, returning to Riga from London by Ryanair. Cozy little airport. To get here we used the BOLT app, while actually staying for a night in a nearby hotel at Radisson Blu.
Converted to civil use from RAF Stansted Mountfitchet in the late 1940s, Stansted was used by charter airlines. It came under British Airports Authority control in 1966. The privatised BAA sold Stansted in February 2013 to Manchester Airports Group as a result of a March 2009 ruling by the Competition Commission against BAA's monopoly position.
London Stansted Airport is located near the village of…
Khobi Central Park
| Tourism objects | 38 seen
Khobi is a small town in western Georgia with a population of 4,242. The settlement of Khobi acquired the status of a town in 1981 and currently functions as an administrative center of the Khobi District within the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region.
I first visited this small town at the end of September 2023, during a few-day trip to Svaneti, we made a stop at what seems a central square of the city, found a nice cafe, and enjoyed some light breakfast/dinner.
There is an impressive mural located on the city hall building and there is an interesting monument, a central element of the square. A little bit further there is an actual central park of Khobi, which seemed nice, equipped with some labyrinths for kids e.t.c
It seems the palce has been renovated and opened for the public back in 2019:
Up to 1 million GEL have been spent on the construction of the central park.The project was supported by the regional development projects fund and local budget. The next stage envisages rehabilitation of culture house, a square in front and a surrounding area.
It looks there is a stadium located behind the park and further away there is Rioni…
Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
| Hotel reviews | 40 seen
Featuring 3 international restaurants, the Radisson Blu is just a 2-minute walk from Stansted Airport Terminal. Guests can enjoy stylish, non-smoking, modern rooms featuring free Wi-Fi and a fully equipped gym.
We booked this hotel for a night's stay back in August 2023, while traveling from London to Riga, we chose this hotel because it is directly connected to the airport with a passage, which is awesome. For our night stay we spent about EUR 150, brekfast included.
For getting here, we paid about 70-80 Biriths piunds using Bolt application, the ride was about 2 hours
The Wine Tower Bar offers a variety of beers, wine and cocktails. Guests can also enjoy traditional British cuisine in our Collage restaurant. The third restaurant is Station 169, it serves British and American dishes.
The spacious rooms have 24-hour room service, free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Some rooms feature Nespresso coffee machines, bathrobes and slippers. Express check-out and express laundry is available.
We got a free extra bed for our 5 year old daughter.
The M11 is 10 minutes’ drive away, and central London can be reached in 1 hour by car.
…
Dadiani Palace
| Tourism objects | 38 seen
Dadiani Palace is an interesting site to visit once in Zugdidi, there is actually located the histroy and architecture musem.
The Dadiani Palaces History and Architecture Museum is considered to be one of the most eminent palaces in the Caucasus. It is a Neo-Gothic building.
I had heard so much about this place, but finally visited and took off my bucket list at the end of September 2023, during a few-day Svaneti trip together with my mom. We were traveling with Vazha, our good old friend and driver here in Georgia. Made a stop just for a brief time to make an aerial photography with a drone.
The first exhibition, of archaeological excavations of the ancient city of Nakalakevi was prepared by Megrelian prince David Dadiani and took place in 1840. Three palaces form the modern museum complex, parts of which are also Blachernae Virgin Church and Zugdidi Botanical Garden.
The Dadiani Palaces History and Architecture Museum houses some exhibits of natural cultural heritage of Georgia – Tagiloni treasure materials, Mother of God holy vesture, the icon of queen Bordokhan – mother of queen Tamar of Georgia, manuscripts from 13th – 14th centuries,…
Birthday in London
| Travel guides | 117 seen
The long-awaited London movie has finally graced our screens, capturing the essence of a remarkable birthday celebration back in August. Join us as we embark on a journey that begins in the heart of Tbilisi, meanders through Riga via Kutaisi, witnesses the construction of a house in Capšu zeme, experiences grass-trimming adventures in Jēči, indulges in a delightful fish grilling session, and culminates in the vibrant cityscape of London, with travels through Luton and Stansted.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of London, the city unfolds as a compact and charming destination. Our exploration reveals hidden gems, and one area that stole the spotlight was none other than the enchanting Whitechapel. Discover the allure of this locale and its unique character that left us captivated.
Our London escapade wasn't just a visual feast; it was a treat for the taste buds as well. From excellent pints of Guinness to the irresistible allure of tasty cider, London's culinary scene left a lasting impression. Join us as we raise a virtual toast to the delightful gastronomic experiences that added flavor to our adventure.
As we reminisce about our journey, we invite…
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