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Greetings from Scotland! Over the past week, we've been making the most of the school break by travelling to this beautiful part of the world. We've explored Edinburgh…
As of October 16, 2026, our options-selling-powered dividend stock portfolio stood at $13,456, marking a weekly decline of 1.37% compared with the previous week.This…
As of October 9, 2026, our options-selling-powered dividend stock portfolio stood at $13,643, showing a decent weekly increase of +0.72% compared with the previous week.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
In October 2023, we enjoyed a week-long school break from the British International School in Tbilisi, Georgia. Seizing the opportunity, we made plans to travel back to Latvia to advance our DIY project involving a Frame House.
In preparation for our trip, I had already placed orders for OSB (Oriented Strand Board) and hardwood flooring from local suppliers. We had coordinated the delivery, with an agreed-upon date of the evening of October 18. As soon as we landed in Riga, we wasted no time and immediately headed to the construction site to unload the eagerly anticipated wooden boards.
Feeling somewhat weary after the flight from Tbilisi to Riga and a two-hour drive to the construction…
In September, the Tsinandali music festival unfolded, marking another chapter in the cherished tradition upheld by the team at Caucasus Translations. Year after year, this cultural extravaganza has become an integral part of our calendar, drawing us into a world of beautiful classical music and the delectable flavors of Georgian cuisine.The Tsinandali music festival is a symphony of cultural richness, offering enchanting classical performances that resonate through the picturesque landscapes. Immerse yourself in the harmonic blend of melodies that captivate hearts, making it an experience that transcends the ordinary.Beyond the musical notes, the festival is a celebration of taste, with…
The other day Gvantsa from the translation office in Tbilisi asked if could I help to fix her Trados SDL Studio 2021.
As not being an actual user of this program, just providing support for the office technique I took a look and saw there are some problems with permissions, as the software was saying Access to the path 'C:\Users\...\My Music' is denied when opening a Trados Studio project package.
I thought what a strange choice for the folder and most probably there are some permission problems. Though that may be running this software as an administrator might solve the issue, it didn't
My second guess, was maybe the Windows operating system is glitching as it has been a while…
This guest house is located in the picturesque village of Mestia. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are provided at Mestiatour Guest House.
We booked here one night stay but two separate rooms for the price of GEL 200 at the end of September 2023, during our few-day Svaneti trip
The private and dormitory rooms are heated and simply furnished.
We got a nice room in the third floor, with nice views towards Mestia. Simple and cozy.
From the guesthosues yard I made a few drone photographies. Impressive surroundings views with dozzens of Svan towers around.
For additional GEL 60 we got some simple brekfast with egg, bread, salad e.t.c
A variety of cafés and restaurants can be found within a 5…
In the vibrant tapestry of Tbilisi's cultural landscape, October 2023 marked a significant celebration – the International Night at the British International School of Tbilisi. This enchanting event brought together a kaleidoscope of experiences, where Georgian dance, delectable cuisine, and the warmth of camaraderie transcended borders.As the rhythmic beats of Georgian dance echoed through the venue, attendees were immersed in the rich cultural heritage that has become synonymous with this enchanting region. The captivating performances were not just a testament to the nation's artistic prowess but also an invitation for everyone present to join in the celebration of diversity.The culinary…
As our weekend journey led us back to Georgia via Kutaisi, my family and I seized the opportunity to extend our school break. Our chosen retreat? The exquisite Paragraph Resort Hotel nestled near Shekvetili and Batumi. This decision promised days filled with water attractions, encounters with majestic white sharks, and the renowned warmth of Georgian hospitality. Dive into our adventure through the video, and don't forget to give it a thumbs up!Our extended stay at the Paragraph Resort Hotel opened doors to a world of aquatic adventures. From exhilarating water slides to relaxing poolside moments, the water attraction parks on the premises provided the perfect blend of excitement and…
Intourist Batumi Hotel is located in the popular Black Sea resort of Batumi, 300 metres from the nearest beach.
We booked a one-night stay here at the end of October 2023, paying a little less than EUR 80 (breakfast included). After arriving here from Parapgraph Resort Hotel in Shekvetili it felt a little bit outdated, but for the price paid - Hotel Intourist Palace is an excellent choice in the heart of Batumi.
Legend says that Yalta conference during WW2 was intented to be held in Batumi as wished by uncle Joe (Stalin) and the hotel Batumi Intourist Palace was among the choises (built in 1939). In the last minute they agreed to change the location to Yalta. Haven't verified…
On October 1, 2023, I ran the 10K at the Tbilisi Marathon and finished in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 1 second — a personal best for me at the time. The event was organized by HeidelbergCement Georgia, and the 2023 programme included a half marathon, a 10K and kids' races.
After our earlier Tbilisi Fun Run in spring, many of us from Caucasus Translations decided to take on another race together. Before this one, I had managed four 10K-focused sessions: three on a treadmill and one almost-9K trail run around Turtle Lake with a friend.
Race morning
The 7:00 start meant an early alarm. The course passed our street, Mikheil Tsinamdzgvrishvili Street, and we were not sure whether we would get…
After over a decade in exile, the moment finally arrived – I set foot in the enchanting region of Svaneti last weekend, and the experience was nothing short of magical. Accompanied by our trusted friend, Vazha, we embarked on a road trip that traced the scenic route from Kutaisi to Mestia and Ushguli, with a return via Leteknhi. This four-day sojourn unfolded like a cinematic narrative, with each stop revealing the rich tapestry of Svaneti's beauty and cultural heritage.A Journey through Time: From Kutaisi to UshguliThe road to Svaneti is more than just a passage; it's a journey through time. Driving through the historical city of Kutaisi, we felt the echoes of the past reverberate in its…
After our successful start at the Tbilisi Adventure run back in April I gathered everyone from the Caucasus Translations office for the Tbilisi Marathon Run in October (2023).
This time we applied for a 10K distance. To test my limits I started to train for the 10K run at the gym on a treadmill.
Surprisingly my results were quite good, and maybe that's why Olga (Latvian explat), after seeing some of my Facebook posts invited me to join her for a trail run. I was intrigued enough and agreed.
After returning from our Svaneti trip - I sent her a message asking which day and where should we plan our run. We agreed on Thursday morning at 8:00 AM at Turtle Lake.
Said - done! I took our kiddo…
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