Perseid Meteor Shower Time Lapse Video / Photography - August 13, 2017
| Digital Photography School | 14 seen
The Perseid meteor shower, one of the brighter meteor showers of the year, occurs every year between July 17 and August 24. The shower tends to peak around August 9-13.
The 2017 Perseids peaked on the night of August 12 and early morning hours of August 13. I was a little bit late to the party and decided to capture star trails on night from August 13 to August 14.
What was meant to be a star trail photography, actually turned out a lovely time lapse video.
I'm not an expert in astro photography, in fact I've done just one star trail photography before, see: My first star trail photography, a year ago. This year I was prepared technically better, if previous year I did all long exposures manually by pressing shutter release button after each 30 sec exposure, then for this year I had bought - intervalometer - a must have tool for astro photography or time lapse.
Once It was all setup, I decided to stick with largest aperture 3.5, ISO 800 and 20 sec exposure. In total I made 3 different scenes at our rural country house, see: home remodeling
…
Vergina Beach Hotel Review, Agia Marina, Crete
| Hotel reviews | 12 seen
This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Set right on the sandy beach of Agia Marina, Vergina Beach Hotel offers free WiFi in all areas and air-conditioned accommodation with views over the Cretan Sea. It includes a beach bar and a cocktail bar.
We booked this hotel at the start of June 2017 and stayed here for 2 nights, paying in total about EUR 106.
As we hadn't yet booked a rental car here, for getting here we took a taxi from Chania bus station and paid a fixed price EUR 14, in case you are not willing to pay for taxi, you can take bus, it's really cheap.
Room at Vergina Beach Hotel
Vergina studios, suites and apartments are simply, yet tastefully furnished, with a private balcony. They include a kitchenette with electric kettle and mini fridge, as well as a flat-screen TV.
Beach near Vergina Beach hotel
Really nicely located just in the front of the beaches.
At the beach restaurant, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and snacks. The cocktail bar serves cocktails, drinks and pizzas, and it also features 8 large flat-screen TVs. Within a few metres from the property, you will find a bakery, a…
An Insight to Beauty of Imereti (Georgia)
| Living in Georgia | 19 seen
Georgia can be divided in Eastern and Western parts that differ from each other in terms of climate, traditions, cuisine, landscape and even population’s manners. If West is comparatively green and plain with lots of fast-flowing rivers and lowlands then East is drier and hotter.
You can easily guess on any photo which part of the country is captured – the greener the place the more Western part it is and on the contrary. One of the most beautiful and pleasant regions of Georgia that is always in blossom, with mild winters and abundant harvests is Imereti.
Imeretian khachapuri, mchadi (corn pons), different kinds of boiled lobio (red beans), Imeretian cheese, outstanding tkhemali (special Georgian plum sauce), juicy fruit and organic vegetables – yes, Imereti is the motherland of delicious food and extraordinary natural beauty. Apart from being exotic and stunning Imereti is rich both culturally and spiritually.
Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi
Top attractions In Kutaisi and nearby vicinity
The capital of western Georgia is…
A few tips for solo female travelers coming to Georgia
| Living in Georgia | 12 seen
Throughout its vibrant history Georgia has earned a reputation of a ‘Country of Contrasts and Contradictions” where ‘yes’ means ‘no’ and ‘red’ means ‘white’.
Being situated in the Caucasian region hospitable Georgians are known for their determination, patriarchy, and deep affection for Christianity. They even claim that faith helped them to withstand their numerous enemies’ onslaughts. A tangled chain of political and geographical factors shaped Georgia as a country where the fittest and strongest rules over the lands.
Hunting, military craft, and martial arts occupied a significant part of the lives of ancient Georgians and the role of a woman was not diminished, but, to say it correctly, it was put on the second place. It is known that people here cherish ancestor’s traditions and maintain their country in the conservative manner though globalization has laid its footprint on the Georgian way of life.
Nowadays you can hardly imagine that Georgia once used to be strictly patriarchal country where women had to listen carefully to each word their husband said and daughters had to do the work about the house forgetting about their…
Winter tours in Georgia: Gudauri Bakuriani
| Travel guides | 17 seen
Winter time is always exciting because it associates with New Year and Christmas preparations. Starting from childhood we believed that miracles happen around this season and any activity you are engaged in leads you to some kind and fairy discoveries.
Georgia is known for its snowy mountains and mild winter in the central part of the country and its capital though the situation is cardinally different in the mountainous region. Snow level reaches your knees and without proper clothes and equipment hiking is almost impossible although there is good news for lover of the ski-sport. Georgia provides tourists with skiing resorts with all kinds of conditions for having unforgettable time with your family and friends. Gudauri and Bakuriani, for example, are very well-known not only for ski-tracks but also for many other activities.
Paragliding and photography are among the occupations you can find interesting as a tourist. Let’s talk about each resort and create a small description in order to show why it is special or worth seeing.
Gudauri is 120 km far from the capital (Tbilisi) and resides at the slope of the Big Caucasian Ridge (2196…
Explore Soviet Architecture In Modern Tbilisi
| Living in Georgia | 15 seen
Despite being an independent Europe-oriented country Georgia nowadays represents a big merge of its Soviet past and intervened modern architecture. Some disapprove this mixture, others clam it to be the pinnacle of the architectural masterpiece but no matter how much you argue there is no definite answer whether Georgia should have remained its Soviet architecture without implementing construction plans with lanky skyscrapers or maybe it would have been better to create a downtown center without any hints to the grim Soviet culture.
In order to embrace the whole grandeur of Soviet culture in Tbilisi it is crucial to move to its center – Liberty Square which is near to Sololaki district – place known as an archipelago of ancient discoveries including extraordinary and heavy buildings built in 1940s and even earlier.
The former National Bank of Georgia is situated in Leonidze Street that goes up Liberty Square. National Bank of Georgia is in 20 meters and from the first sight you understand that this building was built with a refined sense of taste. Erected in 1913, this grand grey building belonged to Tbilisi Mutual Credit Society but Soviet leaders confiscated…
From Kazbegi Region through the Valley of Truso
| Travel guides | 14 seen
North-East of Georgia is genuinely a mountainous region also known as Mtskheta-Mtianeti. This name can be translated as ‘Mtskheta in the Mountains’. Still, locals got used calling the territory ‘Kazbegi Region’ as if paying tribute to the famous Mount Kazbek.
The main Caucasian Ridge lies right at the border of Russian Federation and Georgia and the well-known Georgian Military road is also paved right in the Kazbegi Region that serves as the most significant trading road between two counties.
The trip to Kazbegi Region is one of the most picturesque events that can ever happen in the life of a hiker. Once becoming part of virgin nature all the impressions you had ever gained before will seem to be dull and even unrealistic as gigantic mountains, big soft floating clouds, and fresh air immediately make you feel special. Panoramic view from the car’s window will grab your attention for the whole trip. Truso Valley – not thoroughly explored place and is considered as the hidden beauty of Georgian mountains. It may take you about 2, 5 hours to get there if you are traveling from the capital – Tbilisi. Others may prefer to stay on a several-day…
July 2017 Dividend Income Report - $124.51
| Investments | 13 seen
Welcome to the third (#3) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend paying stocks, peer to peer lending (both fiat and crypto currencies) in July 2017.
I started my wealth building adventure (portfolio) in January 2017 with a simple goal to invest $8,561 this year in several batches. First months of the year didn't generated me nothing much, but starting May it has started slowly pick up.
Make sure you check out my previous two dividend income reports:
- June 2017 Dividend Income Report - $53.42
- May 2017 Dividend Income Report - $65.45
In todays article you will learn both how much I've received in dividend income in July 2017, also I will publish my net worth, with a few tables.
About Portfolio in July 2017My investments right now are spread across few different investment types - stocks, peer-to-peer lending, mutual funds, cash and latest addition to my portfolio - crypto currencies. The vast majority is invested in Nasdaq Baltics and Mintos.com peer to peer lending loans (in EUR and GEL currencies)
For the sake of…
Explore the beauty of Georgian Black Sea resort towns
| Travel guides | 46 seen
This article was originally written as a guest post by Ms. Anya Sapharova (written back in 2017)
Summertime motivates adventure-seekers to pack handbags and grab their piles of bright ideas and high expectations in order to make holiday dreams come true.
Batumi Real Estate Crypto Investment
The exotic country of Georgia offers a big variety of sunny resorts where one can have a wonderful rest. Georgia is a promising place for both families and lone wolves who are looking forward to building up new relations with representatives of different countries. It is already common knowledge that Georgia is a mountainous country in the Caucasus but Mother Nature didn’t deprive the sunny country of the seaside. Having mountains and the Black Sea together makes Georgia a place where any person has a chance to satisfy needs and preferences of his/her own.
When talking about seaside resorts of Georgia fancy pictures of models under the palm trees at the shore of the foamy sea in the beautiful sunshine are getting closer to reality and you start believing in paradise on the Earth. Having a swim is not the only option how to spend your time…
Dividend Paying Stocks - Review After 3 Months of Investing in Nasdaq Baltics
| Investments | 14 seen
It was around the end of April 2017, when I started to diversify off from investments in peer to peer lending only.
As at one stage my savings were heavily concentrated at mintos.com consumer loans only. Investments in dividend paying stocks at Nasdaq Baltics was my second thought. Now, after 3 months of investing there, I will share some brief recap and observations there.
In general I look on savings in stocks as more stable and reliable source than peer to peer lending in long term, that's way I've put about 47% from my savings in stocks, as of written this article I've stock investments in the Nasdaq Baltics only
Investment portfolio as of July 2017
Currently stocks holds 47% in my portfolio, followed by peer to peer lending (43.2%), mutual funds (6.4%), investments in crypto currencies (2.6%) and small amount of cash (0.8%).
There have been some changes in my portfolio, during past two months - I've added new investment position - crypto currencies and I've started to allocate some space for cash savings. Though the…
How to Recover Bitcoin Cash from btc.com Wallet
| Crypto | 57 seen
The further written applies to those btc.com wallet owners who moved their bitcoins to wallet prior to August 1 bitcoin fork. At least I did so.
Things you will need: BTC.com wallet and optional withdraw address at Kraken or any other exchange that support BCH (I ended up using hitbtc.com exchange for withdrawing BCH)
As coinbase announced that they are not looking to support Bitcoin Cash (BCH) I moved my coins out of it (in fact I had some coins on Poloniex.com, I moved them also, as there were no clear answer how Poloniex will handle this fork/split.
Luckily btc.com come out with a calm answer: Your Bitcoin Cash is safe with BTC.com.
I waited until storm is over and in August 1st noon went to btc.com wallet to see how to get free Bitcoin Cash (BCH), here comes another update from btc.com: The Ultimate Guide to Get Your Bitcoin Cash
Step 1.: Log in to your walletLog in to your BTC wallet on your browser. Remember, while you BCC is safe no matter if you use the browser or the app version, the BCC extraction tool does not work in the app. We highly recommend you to use your desktop.
…Top attractions In Kutaisi and nearby vicinity
| Travel guides | 7 seen
Republic of Georgia can be called a country with Western and Eastern ‘lungs’ as long as its two busiest and biggest cities are scattered in the opposite directions of the country. Many tourists haven’t seen Georgia beyond its Eastern center –Tbilisi. What concerns the Western state with the ancient city of Kutaisi as its center – only the most curios with inexhaustible thirst for adventures discover the mighty city with its vivid historic heritage which is under UNESCO protection.
Still a lot has been funded to renovation, industrialization, and development of Kutaisi. You can easily arrive at Kutaisi International Airport that has become an irreplaceable source of transportation and Georgia’s connection to the rest of the world. It is the second largest airport in the country and serves about 250 passengers per hour - not bad for a small country’s scale.
Traveling to Kutaisi may resemble a walk with the history shoulder by shoulder. This sacramental atmosphere surrounds the city and afterwards the visitors as well primarily because of a big number of churches and cathedrals there.…
Invest in Cryptocurrencies - Review After One Month
| Crypto | 11 seen
Last July was the first full month I opted to invest in crypto currencies, the idea come after a brief conversation with a friend over Facebook, while I was enjoying mild Summer night in Crete, Greece.
As I had already investments and even investment strategy, since the start of 2017. Desire or FOMO (fears of missing out) to acquire crypto currencies was so huge, that I quickly developed, so called, Dollar Cost Averaging strategy to buy and hold crypto currencies. I plan to buy 3-5 crypto currencies each month, no matter the price, by the end of 2020.
I opened an account on Coinbase, (it was easy to open an account there, but it took some time to actually get verified account and start trading) I bought ETH first, then bought additional litecoins and bitcoins, additionally I bough (exchanged) additional ripple (XRP) coins, again - FOMO. See: Why I Rushed to Buy Ripple (XRP) Cryptocurrency at $0.19
My first month in crypto currencies have been like a roller coaster, a complete new world have emerged for me. At one stage last month, my portfolio shrunk by more than 50%. Yes, crypto…
Okatse Canyon - Emerald - Green Journey in Georgia
| Tourism objects | 19 seen
Tourist destinations can vary from fancy shops and restaurants to alienated deserts and unknown highways that may lead nowhere. Being a tourist equals to explorer’s profession with a blank map under one’s arm and a pocketful of desired adventures. Georgia - the county that has gained a great popularity among tourists reveals its secrets year by year with an endless trust and kindheartedness. Places once sacred and sacramental hidden under the tree crowns shyly become the prior tourist destinations. The funny fact is that the spirit of adventurism pumps up foreigners to examine the far-away and little-known lands of inscrutable Saqartvelo that sinks into one’s soul and dwells in its matter.
Mountainous country welcomes its friends and guests with spiky mountains and green hills, expands its vast territory to the fields lined with flowers. The range of natural sights seems to be limitless and at some places even abnormal and enchanting. The country embraced with mountains shows one ore of its peculiarities in the face of canyons that fascinates not only the tourists but the locals as well. One of the reason why Georgians are characterized as very proud people takes its…
Rafting in Georgia - The Black and White Beauty - Aragvi
| Outdoor Activities | 17 seen
According to the accepted standards Georgia is associated with high and spiky mountains that plough the skies and try to reach the sun with their lofty heads. The landscape creates the feeling of the high-rise sky that seems to be somewhere far-far away. It is also one of the reasons why even during the summertime it gets darker almost at eight o’clock in the evening. Mountains, without any doubt, occupy the honorable first place in the beauty contest of Georgia’s natural peculiarities. Bewildered by the beauty of the scenery many people forget about another crucial element of Georgian nature and the shadowed beauty of rivers is going to be the topic of my following discussion.
Swift and roaring rivers penetrate both eastern and western parts of Georgia that had always been the source of life beginning from the early signs of civilization. Rivers are wild, bear an unprecedented character, and this fact makes them not easy to conquer.
Book a rafting tour in Georgia
Aragvi – one of the most beloved rivers of the rafters has shown its obstinate temper. Extreme sport lovers confess that Aragvi wins heart…
Latest video
Tsikhisdziri & Batumi Botanical Garden
After returning from our amazing trip to Thessaloniki, we decided to extend our holiday a bit longer — this time in beautiful Tsikhisdziri. Huge thanks to Eto for kindly offering her cozy apartments at Bambo Beach, where we enjoyed a full week of relaxation by the sea.During our stay, we explored local gems like Shukura Tsikhisdziri (შუქურა…
Summer in Latvia 2025
Summer in Latvia movie is out - Join us on our July (2025) journey through Latvia: installing a bathtub in our countryside cottage, setting up a pop-up store at Bangotnes, celebrating a birthday in Vērbeļnieki, traveling via Riga to Jaunpiebalga, Vecpiebalga, Smiltene, and Valka. From sipping sparkling wine with swallows to running 4K morning…
Chateau Ateni. Gori
This time (May 2025), our journey takes us to Gori and the enchanting Chateau Ateni - a hidden gem where authentic Georgian cuisine blends seamlessly with avant-garde natural wines, soulful traditional dance, and even the charming surprise of a small chick farm.What makes this trip extra special is sharing it with our Latvian/Georgian friends,…Living in Georgia
12 Rounds Boxing Club in Tbilisi
Sometimes even the most loyal gym-goers need to shake things up—and that's exactly what I did this month. After years of training at the "luxurious Axis Tower gym", I decided to take a short break. Not because I had any complaints about…
Tbilisi Circus: A Historic Landmark with a Surprising Past
Tbilisi Circus is an iconic part of the city's cultural landscape. Having lived in Georgia since 2011, I have passed by the Tbilisi Circus almost every day. However, it wasn’t until I attended a show that I truly appreciated its grandeur…
Foraging for Mushrooms near Tsodoreti Lake: A Day in the Suburbs of Tbilisi
Back in June 2024, I first came across Tsodoreti Lake during one of the Tbilisi Trails races, which turned out to be one of the most challenging runs of my life. While I tackled the 10K trail route, my partner and our kiddo took a gentler…
Axel Georgian Business Angel Networking Event: Exploring Opportunities in Tbilisi
In mid-October 2024, I had the pleasure of attending the Axel Georgian Business Angel networking event, held right here in Tbilisi. Having passively observed the Georgian tech scene for over a decade, this event provided the perfect…
Frame House
Frame House Upgrades: Big Windows, New Porch, and Apple Trees Planted in Latvia
In mid-April, during our kiddo’s Easter school break, we traveled to Latvia for about 10 days — a trip packed with projects, energy, and transformation. A lot of pre-planning had gone into it before we even arrived: we ordered the windows…
Frame House in Latvia: Outdoor Patio, Inner Walls, and More
As June came to an end, our family embarked on a journey from Tbilisi to Latvia, skipping Renee's school year for the last week and focus on our frame house project. Here's a glimpse into our busy but rewarding time working on the house.We…
Spring Break Project: Building Progress on Our Frame House in Latvia
As the chill of winter slowly gives way to the warmth of spring, it's the perfect time to roll up our sleeves and dive back into the construction of our dream frame house in Latvia. During this Spring break from British International…
Piece of Life
Postcards from Marseille
It’s been nearly two years since our last trip to Marseille, a sun-drenched jewel on France’s southern coast that left an indelible mark on our memories. That summer of 2023, we set out to explore the city’s vibrant beaches and winding old town, arriving and departing through the bustling hub of Marseille St. Charles train station. As I sit…
Christmas Eve at Palolem Beach: Fire Shows, Old Monk
While we just celebrated Orthodox Christmas in Georgia, I can’t help but delve into the memories of our Western Christmas last year (2024), spent on the serene shores of Palolem Beach in Goa, India. That evening was magical in every way, filled with vibrant energy, beautiful scenery, and a new discovery that made the night unforgettable.Palolem…
A Family Guide to Borjomi: Hiking Trails and Sulfur Bath Tips
As summer came to a close, we continued our family's tradition of visiting Borjomi. This year marked yet another memorable trip at the end of August 2024, reaffirming our love for this beautiful Georgian town. Visiting Borjomi at least twice a year has become a cherished routine, a piece of life that we look forward to, blending relaxation,…
Travel guides
Summer in Latvia 2025
Summer in Latvia movie is out - Join us on our July (2025) journey through Latvia: installing a bathtub in our countryside cottage, setting up a pop-up store at Bangotnes, celebrating a birthday in Vērbeļnieki, traveling via Riga to…
Birthday in Thessaloniki, Greece
Turning 40 is a milestone worth celebrating in style, and what better way than in Thessaloniki — a city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and cuisine. From affordable flights and boutique stays to seafood feasts and hidden beaches,…
Azeula Fortress, Tbilisi Sea, and Ateni Sioni
August ended with yet another packed and memorable weekend in Georgia. This time, our journey took us from the hills near Kojori to the refreshing waters of the Tbilisi Sea, and finally to the historical town of Gori, where we enjoyed a…
Hotel Reviews
Stays & Trails La Maison Hotel Review in Panaji
At the tail end of 2024, just before catching our flight back to Delhi, we decided to book a one-night stay at Stays & Trails La Maison Fontainhas in Panaji, Goa. After weeks staying in Palolem beach, we wanted to wrap up our trip with…
Schuchmann Wines Château: A Long-Awaited Stay in Georgia’s Premier Winery Hotel & Spa
It took us over a decade to finally make it to Schuchmann Wines Château & Spa, and it was well worth the wait! We’ve spent years recommending this stunning winery hotel to visiting friends and business partners, yet somehow, we had…
Hotel Belvedere Prague: A Practical Stay with Easy Access
During our recent trip to Prague in mid-October 2024, we stayed at Hotel Belvedere. My partner attended the MEET Central Europe Translators conference, and we were joined by one of our office employees, so we opted to book two rooms. …
Review: Art Hotel Prague – A Cozy Stay in a Tranquil Part of Prague
During our recent trip to Prague in October 2024, we opted for a one-night stay at the Art Hotel Prague. We arrived at the hotel via Bolt taxi from Václav Havel Airport, which was straightforward and efficient. At about EUR 120 per room…
Toursim objects
Plage des Catalans: A Shrinking Memory in Marseille
Plage des Catalans, a sandy crescent tucked along Marseille’s coastline, holds a special place in my travel tapestry. I first visited this beach in the summer of 2003, a carefree stop during my early adventures in the city. Back then, it felt like a haven—close to the bustling port yet offering a slice of Mediterranean calm. When I returned…
Colva Beach: Golden Sands and Tranquility in Goa
Colva Beach, located in South Goa, is known for its expansive golden sands and tranquil atmosphere. Stretching for several kilometers along the Arabian Sea, the beach offers a peaceful escape from the busier tourist hubs in the region. Its wide shoreline, framed by swaying palm trees, provides plenty of space for visitors to relax, stroll, or…
Charles Bridge: A Timeless Landmark in Prague
The Charles Bridge (Karlův most) in Prague is one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in Europe. Built in the 14th century under the reign of King Charles IV, this Gothic stone bridge spans the Vltava River, connecting Prague's Old Town with the Lesser Town (Malá Strana). Adorned with a series of 30 Baroque statues and surrounded by…