Vilgāle apt update: Drywall for Bathroom, Kitchen and Hallway, Building Sauna
It has been a while since I posted the latest updates from our Vilgāle apartment renovation, the active construction works have been paused since March, except some minor plastering was done by mid-June.
In the Summer months in Latvia, it is hard to find contractors. I was left with no other option than to wait for the fall/ winter season.
Without further ado, works have resumed with lightning speed and there is a hope we will finish this apt by the end of this year (2021), at least the major construction works.
Rock wool, wiring. In the hallway there is going to be installed a wood pellet central heating stove.
We already started to look on Ikea store for some cabinets to install…
Le Meridien Batumi Hotel Review
Le Meridan hotel is one of many 5-star hotels in Batumi I've stayed in so far.
We booked a one-night stay here in August 2021 to celebrate my 36 birthday. For this stay, we paid about $340, and this seems a bit overpriced. I still prefer Radisson or Hilton, but if money is no obstacle, why not?
We arrived bit late in the evening from Batumi international airport (flight from Tbilisi). It was already getting late, but I managed to capture the above sunset .
Beach reachable within only 656 feet, Le Meridien Batumi is a 5-star hotel and features 105 tastefully decorated and furnished rooms and suites with stunning Black Sea views. Guests can take a dip in an indoor swimming pool, work out…
Halloween 2021
Our spooky Halloween short. From the mist-covered Sighnaghi to Bazaleti lake. Trick or treat!
Chateau Bruale Tkhilistskaro
Chateau Bruale offers accommodations in Tkhilistskaro. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and free private parking is available on site.
We booked a one-night stay at this place at the end of August 2021 and paid about EUR 30. Additionally, we ordered some dinner and breakfast, for an additional GEL 120
Chateau is located in the middle of vineyards and hazelnut grove. I actually bought some 5 kilos with hazelnut, paying about GEL 8 per kilo.
I held a small talk with the owner of the chateau, a retired colonel, and I was told that a good land for sale in Kakhetia cost about $20,000 per ha (albeit they are not selling to foreigners)…
Autumn in Laidi
Laidi is a village in Laidi parish, Kuldīga municipality, Latvia. The village is located some 28 km from the county center of Kuldiga and 167 km from Riga.
One of the most interesting objects to see: Laidi manor - Built in the early 19th century by the local German nobility, it has housed the Laidi primary school since 1921.
In today's Piece of Life series - Autumn in Laidi
Beautiful scenary with colourful trees
The Grand Documentary of 2018
2018 was very special. Here is a brief recap in a 25-minute long documentary.
Some shorts from Tbilisi, relocating to Jūrmala. A lot of snow. Building a baby crib, chilling. chilling a lot. Picking up a baby name. First meeting with a little person. First bathing. Many things were done for the first time. Relocating back to Georgia. And many more. Enjoy!
Prometheus Epic Hotel & Spa near Tskaltubo
Located just some 500 meters from Prometheus Cave, Prometheus Epic Hotel & Spa provides accommodations with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool, and a bar.
We booked this hotel for a 2-night stay at the start of September during our Kutaisi and area trip. This was a pretty affordable stay, in total we paid about EUR 110 for a two-day stay.
With a garden, the property also has a terrace. The property features a spa center, free WiFi throughout the property and a 24-hour front desk.
Unfortunetly during our stay here (September) there was some heavy rain, but still we enjoyed the hot pools.
Prometheus Epic Hotel & Spa offers 4-star accommodations…
Kļavu Lapas Laidos
Kļavu lapas Laidos - an attempt to catch some falling colorful leaves. Laidi manor and more. October 17, 2021 Dji Mavic Air 2, Galaxy A52
Eagle Canyon / Gorge
Eagle Canyon also Eagle Gorge or Artsivi Gorge is located close to the town of Dedoplitskaro in Georgia.
The natural monument represents a unique complex consisting of two sites. The first one is a limestone rock canyon, while the other is an adjacent forested area, where the Khornabuji fortress was built (V c).
I first discovered this great canyon at the start of June 2021, during a Vashlovani trip.
There is a little rangers cabin at the main entrance inside the canyon
The canyon with a picturesque landscape is a home to several birds of prey (eagle, vulture etc.). Looking at the hanging cliffs from the rocky slopes of the gorge, it is possible to observe nests of eagles and…
Lake Zvirgzdu
Lake Zvirgzdu is located in Kurzeme historical region on the border of Kuldīga and Alsunga municipalities.
There are several campsites available at Lake Zvirgzdu, with one of the most popular being - Ezermaļi.
I discovered this place by a chance, back in September 2021, while randomly driving around the area
There are 6 farmsteads on the shore of the lake, the V1264 highway runs along the western end.
In 1976, the Latvian feature film "Lake Sonata" was shot on the shore of the lake.
Valmiera & Cēsis 2021
Valmiera & Cēsis from a drone flight.
Took a quick day trip from Riga on January 2, 2021, to visit some lesser-known places
DJI Mavic Air 2, music by Scott Holmes - Discovery
Big Shiraki Abandoned Soviet Airfield in Georgia
If you are into military heritage or have some interest in Soviet history - Big Shiraki airfield in the Georgian dessert (steppe) might be an interesting object to visit in Georgia.
I had not a single idea there even exsit such place here in Georgia, but at the astart of June, during a Vashlovani trip, a German friend took us to this place.
Not an expert on Soviet or any other military I was told that during the Soviet Era Sukhoi figher jets were based here. At start it looked bit unrealistic, as the small angars looked capable of storing some smaller aircraft not a figherjet, but latter I learned the Sukhoi airplane could actually be stored here.
Around 1950, the Soviet government…
Restaurant Lakeside Tskaltubo
Restaurant Lakeside is located in the town of Tskaltubo, Georgia on the lake Tsivi.
First discovered and visited at the start of September 2021
In the evening life music was performed. Really chill atmosphere. Food was good.
Surami Fortress
Surami Fortress is located in the town of Surami, not far from Khashuri. The fortress itself is located on a rocky mountain.
If you have been traveling arund Georgia, especially by the Tbilisi - Kutaisi - Batumi road, you probably have noticed this fortress, as I do. Actually I've been passing by this place quite often, but bever actually visited. Now, I decided to change that, and when returining from Kutaisi made a quick stop here, to fly a drone around, and learn that Surami is quite an interesting little town.
The fortress is an important work of historical, monumental art. Surami Castle is located at the crossroads of two main roads; One goes west through the Likhi Passes and…
Tsivi Lake in Tskaltubo
Tsivi lake is located in the town of Tskaltubo, region of Imereti, Georgia. A direct translation into English - The Cold lake.
We discovered this place (more precisely we discovered the cafeteria located near the Tsivi lake) at the start of September 2021, during a weekend trip to Kutaisi and region.
The White Dune at Saulkrasti from a Drone Flight
The White Dune is one of the landmarks of Saulkrasti, on the Vidzeme gulf coast. The dune offers a splendid view of the sea, the mouth of the Inčupe River, and the vast beach.
Probably, best visited in Summer, we made a short visit here in February 2021
A quick trip outside Jūrmala/Rīga to Saulkrasti
Taken February February 21, 2021
Music by Scott Holmes: Conclusion
Takhti-Tepha Mud Volcanoes in Georgia
Takhti-Tepha mud volcanoes, sometimes also referred to as Vashlovani mud volcanoes is a landform created by the eruption of mud, slurries, water, and gases in the proximity of Takhti-Tepha mountain range.
I had heard about this beautiful place many times before, but first visited at the start of June 2021, during the Vashlovani Trip
This mud volcano is located on the plane, south of Dali water reservoir, at 620 m above sea level in Dedoplistsqaro Municipality, Georgia, and incorporated in Vashlovani Protected Areas.
Mud craters, along with small open vents are constantly active, erupting mud, oil, and gas.
The length of the pedestrian path across the Takhti-Tepha Natural Monument is 0.5…
Paravani lake
Paravani lake is a volcanic lake in Georgia, located in Javakheti Plateau between Abul-Samsari and Javakheti Ranges in the Samthske Javakheti region, some 2h 30 minutes drive (around 130 km) from Tbilisi.
In the shores of Paravani lake, there is located famous Phoka monastery
Paravani Lake is located 2,073 m (6,801 ft) above sea level and has a surface area of 37.5 km2 (14.5 sq mi) and a drainage basin of 234 km2 (90 sq mi).
Its maximum and average depths are 3.3 m (11 ft) and 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) respectively. The volume of the lake is 91,000,000 m3 (3.2×109 cu ft). The water level is low during October and November and is high during May and June.
The lake is frozen during wintertime and…
Hotel Newport Kutaisi Review
Built in 1914, former courthouse building has transformed itself into a modern 4-star hotel, located in the heart of Kutaisi.
Featuring a bar and a terrace, Newport Hotel Kutaisi is located in Kutaisi, 400 m from Colchis Fountain and 1.5 km from Bagrati Cathedral.
We booked this 4-star hotel for one night stay at the start of September 2021 and paid GEL 267 (USD 85 / EUR 72). Our stay was quite good, except the rooms seemed bit tiny.
Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel has newspapers and a fax machine and a photocopier that guests can use.
Turns out a few…
Dalis Mta Water Reservoir
Dalis Mta water reservoir is a man made reservoir built on Iori river, at the distance of 30 km to the south of Dedoplistskaro, in the vicinity of Chachuna Managed Reserve.
We first discovered it during a Vashlovani trip in the Summer of 2021, we actually stayed overnight next to this water reservoir at the Hotel Dalis Mta
Very spectacular place. I would say - one of the most interesting I have recently seen.
The mountain at the coast of the water reservoir is called “Dalis Mta”. The total water volume is 140,0 million m3. Hundreds of thousands of larvae are placed there annually.
The following fish species are spread: Grass Carp, Barbels, Common Carp, Silver Carp,…