My Spain + Andorra Travel Guide

10 December, 2014 | Travel guides | 9 seen

This is a round-up post of our travel discoveries in Spain at the end of October 2014, particularly in the region of Catalonia. I hope it can inspire you if you are planning your trip to Catalonia. 

Our trip started at Tbilisi, went through Istanbul, and landed at Barcelona El Prat Airport (by Pegasus)

We booked a car from the Firefly office at El Prat Airport and our one-week-long adventures started. 

This trip took us from Barcelona to Girona, then to Roses and Cadaques, and then back to Figueras to visit World famous Salvador's Dali museum, then again back to Costa Brava. Superb hotels and even a 2-hour drive to Andorra.  Did I mention a stop at one of the most popular gay resorts in the world? 

Below you will find more detailed descriptions of places we visited:

Spain is a very budget-friendly country - we got the car for about EUR 68 for a week, for gas we spent approximately the same. Hotels ranged from EUR 40 - to EUR 130. 

I hope this guide could inspire you for your Catalonia trip. 

Amazon CPM ads review

9 December, 2014 | Blogging | 53 seen

I have been a proud Amazon Associate since this summer and during this time I have made some (as I think) pretty solid income from Amazon Associates program.

Nowadays for me it's hard to remember what impulse got me to switch to Amazon, because for more than 5 years I have been using Google Adsense only to try to monetize my internet assets. But I'm glad that such impulse happened.

Well - why I'm mentioning Google Adsense here? Simple - Amazon CPM ads (I will talk about them latter on this article) might be the real alternative for Google Adsense. I'm liking to look to both of Google Adsense and Amazon CPM ads as - set and forget tools to monetize your website. But difference is here - while you will get paid for clicks with Adsense, you will get paid for impressions with Amazon CPM ads.

Amazon CPM Ads is a display advertising program that enables you to show ads from Amazon and other premium advertisers on your web site(s). You will be paid on a cost per thousand impressions (CPM) basis for each ad impression served.

If you are an Amazon…

"Piena Ceļš Georgia" - Visit of Dairy Farm

6 December, 2014 | Farms | 30 seen

In my childhood there was a time I lived in countryside next to a cattle farm. They had around 100 cows and as for a child in a village were nothing else interesting is happening I spent pretty much time with cows though I never have milked a one.

Some time ago in Tbilisi happened Georgian - Latvian business forum were a guy from Latvia (Jānis Bērtulsons) made a presentation of his company in Georgia - a dairy farm - "Piena Ceļš Georgia". 

In Georgia there is a deficit for a milk, for a qualitative milk I mean. As far my understanding reaches it's made from milk powder.

Just naturally that I had a interest to get a fresh milk made from a real cow. So we negotiated with representative of this farm to make a meeting in more relaxed atmosphere in his farm.

Said - done! Today we visited farm where magic happens - not far from Tbilisi.

Though we didn't get any milk here, we tasted local brewed wine and chacha. It's Georgia!

Cow paddock at the farm

Speckled cow

House-dog

Cows

Vineyards

Seems that owners of the farm likes to…

Drupal module: Hierarchical Select

4 December, 2014 | Drupal Development | 18 seen

<p>Drupal module Hierarchical Select is a handy "must-have" module for sites that are heavily based on category terms and their childes. I have been using this module for some previous projects in combination with another, yet more simple module -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.drupal.org/project/shs">Simple hierarchical select</a>.</p><p>Though there are times second module suits more than first - I still prefer first over second.</p><h2>About&nbsp;Hierarchical Select</h2><p>This module defines the "hierarchical_select" form element, which is a greatly enhanced way for letting the user select items in a hierarchy.</p><p>Hierarchical Select has the ability to save the entire lineage of a selection or only the "deepest" selection. You can configure it to force the user to make a selection as deep as possible in the tree, or allow the user to select an item anywhere in the tree. Levels can be labeled, you can configure limit the number of items that can be selected, configure a title for the dropbox, choose a site-wide animation delay, and so on. You can even create new…

My Online Income Report - November 2014

3 December, 2014 | Blogging | 17 seen

This is already my 11 online income report. I'm making an income report each month covering earnings I have made solely in internet and in general with my blog.

Those reports keeps me track were I'm, were I was and were I'm heading to. I hope they can inspire some as well.

• In total I earned $704.00 , what is a 392.96% increase if compared to previous month ($142.81)
• $704.00 makes average $23.46 in a day

In brief - this November was a goldmine, it beat all previous best results and totalled in pretty serious $704.00. Well for some it might not sound a very serious amount of earned capital, but for me - this has been the best month so far.

It has been achieved by using two custom channels - Google Adsense and Amazon affiliates program - I will not get in details how each of the channels earned, I will just note that vast majority comes from Amazon affiliates.

Speaking of second (Amazon affiliates) - previous month was pretty slow, and combined brought me in $142.00, then I said following words:

Obliviously I started to wonder - why does income…

Blog Traffic Report - November 2014

2 December, 2014 | Blogging | 9 seen

This is already 14 blog traffic report, this time covering November 2014.

In short - November was a month of gainer, it beat all of my expectations.

Blog Traffic November 2014 (Data Source: Google Analytics)

• My blog got 9,096 unique visitors what is a 90.09% growth if compared to previous month
• It's 4,311 unique visitor gain if compared to previous month
• 9,096 unique visitors in a month makes average 303.2 unique visitors in a day. It's up from 154.3 in previous month.

Though these number might look modest for some, for me it's a great achievement, I not only cracked 5,000 goal I set previous month - I did setup a personal record so far. My previous best personal result was 5,988 back in January 2010.

When I started this blog, back in October 2013, I did set up a goal to crack 6,000 unique visitors per month in a year. Though it took me more than year to reach that goal- I finally achieved that. And it's important for me.

Now - I'm not willing to wait for another 5 years to beat my personal best, and right now it's…

Average Salary in European Union 2014

2 December, 2014 | Macroeconomics | 299 seen

A time ago I measured what is the minimum government set wage in European Union (EU). It turned out - the most minimum wage is received in Luxembourg while the least in Romania.

In today's article - average salary in EU for the year of 2014.

Update: Average Salary in European Union 2018

Web Design Update and Drupal Development for Translation & Localization Agency

30 November, 2014 | Drupal Development | 11 seen

Caucasus Translations is a professional translation and localization agency located in Tbilisi, Georgia. The agency has established itself as a leader in the translation and content localization business in the Caucasus and Central Asia, employing over 300 translators to provide cost-effective, accurate, and native translation solutions for companies in various industries across 40 countries.

The website of Caucasus Translations was originally built with Drupal 7 back in 2011, and as a Drupal developer, I managed to update the site and ensure its smooth operation.

The site is now available in 4 languages (English, Georgian, Russian, and Latvian) and can easily be extended to include more languages as needed.

Expert Drupal Development Services in Tbilisi, Georgia

Caucasus Translations offers a user-friendly experience with its website, allowing customers to request a free quote via a webform, and potential translators to submit their resumes in the same manner. The company prides itself on providing high-quality translation services, utilizing the expertise of native-speaking professionals who are experts in their respective fields,…

Christmas Charity Winter Fair in Tbilisi Sheraton Hotel (2014)

29 November, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 3 seen

I recently attended the Winter Charity Fair organized by the International Women's Association Georgia for the third or fourth time. Based on my past experiences, I arrived early at the Sheraton Metekhi Hotel to purchase some goods from the US and participate in the Bottle Bank game at the UK stand.

The objective of the Winter Charity Fair organized by the International Women's Association Georgia (IWAG) is to raise funds for projects in Georgia that focus on women, children, the elderly, and those with special needs. This event has traditionally been held as Christmas approaches and marks the 15th Winter Fair in the history of IWAG.

China's stand

Danes or Swedes are preparing their stand (perhaps it was a joint Scandinavian event)

France's stand is getting prepared

Japan's stand

Handicrafts are being prepared for selling

Local Georgian craftsmen preparing their stands

Books for sale

Hotel Sheraton Metekhi Tbilisi

Danes are selling hot wine in front of entrance at hotel

Volunteers from Dog shelter…

Lenovo Laptops: A Comprehensive Review of the Top Models for Business and Personal Use

28 November, 2014 | Laptop Reviews | 15 seen

When it comes to laptops, Lenovo is one of the most reputable brands in the market, known for its high-quality and durable devices. Whether you are looking for a laptop for business or personal use, Lenovo has a wide range of models that cater to all needs.

In this article, we will be looking at some of the top Lenovo laptops for both business and personal use, and what makes them stand out.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an Amazon link on this page and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is one of Lenovo's most popular laptops, and for good reason. This ultralight and ultra-portable laptop packs a punch, with its 10th Gen Intel Core processors and up to 16GB of RAM. It also has a long battery life, which makes it an excellent choice for people who are always on the go. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon also has a sleek design, making it a perfect choice for business users who need a professional-looking laptop.

If you're looking for a laptop that can handle both work and play, the IdeaPad Flex 5 is…

Georgian - Latvian Business Forum (2014)

27 November, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 16 seen

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 sectors, including technology, manufacturing, and trade. Attendees had the chance to engage in meaningful discussions on industry trends, business strategies, and investment opportunities, making it a valuable experience for all participants.

As a representative of Caucasus Translations, LTD, I had the privilege of participating in this forum and representing our company to potential partners and clients. The event offered an excellent platform for establishing new connections and exploring opportunities for collaboration, investment, and growth.

Georgian - Latvian Business Forum

Latvian Television Station (LTV7) at Tbilisi

…

Latvian Fashion Show at Tbilisi History Museum (2014)

26 November, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 6 seen

While I don't consider myself a high fashion aficionado, I did have the chance to attend the exquisite Latvian Fashion Show at the Tbilisi History Museum in Georgia.

Latvian Fashion Show

Hostess of the evening

Models at Latvian Fashion Show

Models at Latvian Fashion Show

Models at Latvian Fashion Show

Latvian Fashion Show

Latvian Fashion Show

Latvian Fashion Show

Poster for Latvian Fashion Show

If you appreciate originality and individuality alongside elegance and practicality, make use of the privilege and become familiar with the interesting costumes offered by various Latvian designers.

The fashion collections are rich and offer unique and original fashion masterpieces that will pleasantly surprise you with their prices.

The costumes confirm their designers’ creative maturity and daring, as well as the excellent taste, style and self-confidence of their owner. Latvian fashion designers offer reckless eccentricity that manifests itself in original patterns, fabric…

How To Create Drupal Views Distance Filter using Location module

25 November, 2014 | Drupal Development | 81 seen

Drupal is a popular content management system that allows users to create complex websites with a wide range of features and functions. One of the most useful features of Drupal is its ability to create views, which are customizable displays of content that can be filtered and sorted in a variety of ways.

One useful type of filter is the distance filter, which allows users to filter content based on their proximity to a particular location. In this article, we will explore how to create a Drupal views distance filter using the Location module.

Drupal Distance Block

As you can see in above screen - I have listed Nearby Tourism sights in right sidebar displaying thumbnail, title, distance and category.

If you are looking for similiar functionality, here is what you will need:

• Drupal
• Views module
• Location module
• Gmap  module (recommended)

Enable Location module to be able collect geo data, be sure you enable it for your content type as well. You might want to use Gmap module as well for displaying geo data on Google Maps.

Now once you have some content…

Best Selling Laptops / Notebooks Under $500

24 November, 2014 | Laptop Reviews | 11 seen

Finding a reliable and affordable laptop can be a daunting task, especially if you're on a budget. However, with technology evolving rapidly, laptops that once seemed unattainable for the average consumer are now available at prices that won't break the bank.

We've compiled a list of the best selling laptops/notebooks under $500 that will suit your needs.

Disclaimer: This article contains links to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. 

The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best laptops under $500 in the market. With a 15.6-inch full HD IPS display, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, this laptop offers great performance and speed for daily use. It also comes with a backlit keyboard, which is a great feature for those who prefer typing in low-light environments.

The Lenovo Ideapad 3 is a budget laptop that offers a lot of features for its price. It comes with a 15.6-inch HD display, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, making it a great option for those who need more storage and performance.…

Hotel Hesperia Sant Just in Barcelona Review

23 November, 2014 | Hotel reviews | 40 seen

We stayed at this hotel about a month ago, during our one week Catalonia trip, in which we actually drive even to Andorra, so this hotel was our last hotel in Spain before departing back to Georgia.

To book this hotel we chose hotwire.com (they offer secret deals - you kinda buy a cat in a sack - but you don't need to worry about a bad product, you could get - there are major hotel brands, that are not willing to tell others - they are selling it low). After booking a hotel on hotwire - we got this one, located somewhere close of driving in to Barcelona from Andorra, and next to the road heading to Barcelona El Prat Airport.

We got this hotel for 2 nights for price of EUR 113.50. 

Result - see it yourself:

Hesperia Sant Just Barcelona

Hesperia Sant Just

Bathroom at Hesperia Sant Just

Bedroom at Hesperia Sant Just

Bedroom at Hesperia Sant Just

Mini Lounge at your room at Hesperia Sant Just

Flat Screen TV at Hesperia Sant Just