Takhti-Tepha Mud Volcanoes in Georgia
| Tourism objects | 44 seen
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 km. The total area of the natural monument is 9.7 ha. The largest mud cater is 3,5-4 m in diameter. The landscape is built of sandstones and clays.
Definitely a very beautiful place to visit while in Georgia
Why I'm investing in DelfinGroup IPO
| Stock Portfolio | 17 seen
DelfinGroup is a Latvian fintech company that offers accessible, simple, and consumer-focused finance and pawn services.
Starting September 28, 2021, there is an ongoing IPO for DelfinGroup on Nasdaq Baltic stock market. IPO will end on October 11. There is a small hype with this IPO in Latvia and seems after IPO will end, it will attract new first time investors to the Baltic stock exchange (Nasdaq Baltics). Which is great, and hopefully more people will start to explore and invest in other listed companies as well.
This is not trading advice. Investments in stocks, funds, bonds, or cryptos are risk investments and you could lose some or all of your money. Do your due diligence before investing in any kind of asset.
It has been almost 4 years since the last IPO on the Riga stock exchange, back in 2017 Madara Cosmetics launched its IPO, back then I was a bit skeptical about that company, see: Why I'm not investing in Madara Cosmetics (MDRAUC)
As a strong investor in the Baltic region (Dividend-paying stocks and peer to peer lending) investment opportunities in DelfinGroup has been on my radar,…
Paravani lake
| Lakes | 70 seen
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 the thickness of the ice ranges from 47 to 73 cm (19 to 29 in).
In addition to the small rivers of Shaori, Sabadostskali, and Rodionovskis Tskali, the lake gets its water from snow, rain, and underground springs. The river Paravani begins from the southern part of the lake, and connects to the Mtkvari to the right. The lake is a popular destination for fishing.
Fighting Webform Spam - Drupal 9 - AntiBot
| Drupal Development | 136 seen
Recently I migrated my personal blog (the one you are currently reading) from Drupal 7 - to Drupal 9.
The migration process actually still is in process, as I faced a few issues with the site, like lost coordinates with gmap module, some lost pictures here and there, etc.
For the contact form, I decided to re-create it using the webform module as I don't like the new default contact form (or I'm just too used to the webform).
How To Add CAPTCHA Protection to Drupal 8 Webform
Soon I started to get a massive amount of webform spam, which I blocked using IP-block, but it started to really annoy, and I decided to fight back with some Drupal modules, so I found the AntiBot module, which seems could prevent some 90% of spam submissions as it works really simple but yet excellent - it asks for the JavaScript to be enabled
Antibot is an extremely lightweight module designed to eliminate robotic form submissions on your website in an innovative-fashion. The module works completely behind the scenes and doesn't require any interaction from the end-users (no annoying CAPTCHAs!). The only requirement to the end-user is that they must have…
Hotel Newport Kutaisi Review
| Hotel reviews | 15 seen
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 years ago I have stayed for night at the hotel next to this one, see: Hotel Edemi Review in Kutaisi, Georgia
Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. Featuring a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries, rooms at the hotel also offer a city view. All rooms include a wardrobe.
A buffet breakfast is available daily at…
Dalis Mta Water Reservoir
| Lakes | 48 seen
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, Labeobarbus, Common Bream, The Danube Bleak. Fishing is allowed only with a fish-hook. The most desirable period is from May-June through November. It is possible to relax in a peaceful environment and on fresh air in the hotel located here.
Surrounding territory is populated with 3 species of amphibians, 31 species of reptiles and 25 species of mammals are spread here. Birds are particularly diverse – 132 species.
Valka Bus Station
| Railway / Bus / Ferry | 24 seen
Valka bus station is centrally located in Valka and offers quite convenient intercity connections to Riga, Valmiera, Rūjiena, and Smiltene.
The bus station in Valka was opened to the public in 1965. There is cafe Walk across the square.
Saghamo Lake
| Lakes | 17 seen
Saghamo Lake is a lake of Samtskhe-Javakheti, southeastern Georgia, just south of Gamdzani. It covers an area of 458 hectares. It is located north of Madatapa Lake and Biketi Lake. The village of Saghamo lies on its eastern bank.
We made a brief stop here, during our Javakheti trip in early June 2021
Saghamo lake is located on the east part of Javakheti volcanic mountains, in the Paravani river basin, at an altitude of 1996 meters.
The watershed of the lake is located in the east part of the Samsari range and at the west part of Javakheti range slopes.
The south and south-western shores of the lake, built with andesites are downhill and collapsed. From the north side of the lake is a volcanic uplift, which doesn't create a high bank. The east and southeast banks of the lake are low. Has a trapezoidal shape. It feeds with underground, rain, and snow waters.
The highest level of water is in May, lowest in September. Through the lake is passing river Paravani. In winter it freezes for 4-4.5 months. Near the lake is the village Saghamo.
Okatse Canyon and hanging cliff trail with a platform
| Tourism objects | 85 seen
Okatse Canyon is another breathtaking landmark in beautiful Georgia. The main tourist attraction at Okatse canyon probably is the 780 m long hanging cliff trail with the 20m long platform at the trail end, hanging above the canyon and providing panoramic views. The canyon is located some 50km west of Kutaisi, Georgia.
I first visited Okatse canyon at the start of September 2021, during a weekend trip to Kutaisi and the area, see: Kutaisi Trip / Tskaltubo, Okatste canyon, Kinchkha waterfall, Martvili
We arrived to the main entry by our own car, and from there hired a local driver for GEL 80 to take us to the start of the trail (its possible to walk by foot and free too). Also GEL 17 entrance fee per adult.
From Okatse Canyon visitor center in Gordi village a 6 km long pedestrian passageway starts with 2300 m long stone paved section in Dadiani historical forest and leads to the Okatse Canyon checkpoint where the 780 m long hanging cliff trail starts.
From here one way ends with the 20m long platform, hanging above canyon and providing panoramic view. This is visitors favorite spot for bird watching and taking selfies. The second 645m…
Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe trip
| Living in Georgia | 12 seen
A quick day trip (with an overnight stay) to Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe in beautiful Georgia
In this drone video footage - Saint George Church and Monastery (sometimes referred just as that lovely women monastery up there somewhere in Borjomi), Atskuri fortress, the gem of Samtskhe Javakheti region - Safara monastery; and of course Rabati complex (there is a nice hotel actually located inside the complex).
Music by Scott Holmes - Epic Cinematic!
Taken September 25 and 26, 2020 with DJI Mavic Mini.
Kinchkha Waterfall in Georgia
| Tourism objects | 28 seen
Kinchkha Waterfall is located in Georgia near the village of Kinchkha, some 300km away or 4h 30m drive from Tbilisi / or about 55km 1h20m drive from Kutaisi.
The waterfall is located in the river gorge of Okatse (Satsikvilo) at 843 meters above sea level.
We first visited Kinchkha waterfall at the start of September 2021, despite I had heard about this magnificent place many many times before.
The waterfall is clearly visible from the roadside, but if you want actually get down to it, there is a visitor's center and the entry price was about GEL 18 per adult (foreigners) in 2021
Kinchkha Waterfall has three steps in the chalkstone slopes: the upper step with 25m height drop, the main waterfall with 70 meter height drop and the third one with 20 meters high drop, which has an additional water supply from the small streams.
The main waterfall created huge siphons in a flatland. It is possible to visit Kinchka waterfall and nearby Lomina waterfall by marked trails, however typical tourist infrastructure is not arranged.
Wooden church near Paravani Lake / Phoka monastery
| Churches and Monasteries | 21 seen
Poka St.Nino Nunnery - is located at the shore of Paravani lake, Ninotsminda Municipality, South Georgia.
The Little Wooden church is located bit outside the Poka village, on the left side on Tbilisi - Kojori - Tsalka - Ninotsminda road. That' s how we actually found this place. We were heading from Ninotsminda and wanted to make a stop at the famous Phoka nunnery, but at first found this lovely woodend church near the Paravani lake. Just later we learned that the nunnery is actually located inside the village (some 500 meters back on the road), while there is still a men monastery located close to the wooden church (some 200 meters)
The establishment of the monastery is connected to the St. Nino, who preached Christianity in Georgia. St. Nino entered Georgia from Javakheti and had a rest at Paravani lake. She stayed at the lake for two days. She had a vision here: a mans bright face aapeared to her and gave her a special marked letter and ordered her to go to Mtskheta and to give the letter to the king. After she awake, she prayed to the Holly Mary and continued her way to Mtskheta. She converted King Mirian and Queen Nanan to Christianity and soon…
Top 3 Best Selling laptops with AMD Ryzen 7 Processor
| Laptop Reviews | 6 seen
Although not as popular as Intel, AMD is a reliable and good-performing processor.
In this article, I've listed the top 3 best selling laptops on Amazon with AMD Ryzen 7 powered processor
Top 4 Best Selling laptops withAMD Ryzen 5 Processor
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on the Amazon site, I might earn an affiliate income from that. Prices for laptop computers listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product Advertising API and is updated daily. For actual prices please refer to the product page on Amazon.
Lenovo Legion 5 15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Display, AMD Ryzen 7 5800H Processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti, Windows 10H, 82JW0012US, Phantom Blue
- Escalate your game with up to 8 high-performance cores in the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD storage
- With NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics behind you, you can enjoy the depth and visual fidelity of real-time ray-tracing –…
Kutaisi Trip / Tskaltubo, Okatste canyon, Kinchkha waterfall, Martvili
| Living in Georgia | 26 seen
UFO-shaped but abandoned spa sanatoriums, hot pools near stalactite caves, waterfalls, and canyons.
Rivers and great cuisine. shortly put another great weekend has been recorded. Tskaltubo, Okatse, Martvili, Kutaisi and more.
Martvili Canyon
| Tourism objects | 23 seen
Martvili Canyon is a picturesque landmark of water and rocks, located some 50km west of Kutaisi, Georgia.
It is located 5 km from the town of Martvili, and 2 km from the village of Gachedili (which gave the canyon its other name, Gachedili Canyon).
We first visited Martvii Canyon at the start of September 2021 during a weekend trip around this part of Georgia.
The entrance fee per adult as about GEL 18 (for foreigners). At Martvili canyon a boat trip is possible, but during our time here boats were out of service.
700 meters circular hiking trail starts from the visitors' centre and passes through Dadiani's historic walkway.
There are 2 bridges, 3 viewing platforms, and 30-step historic staircase that is built from limestone staircase.
The canyon was formed by the waters of the Abasha (Abashi) River. It is 2.4 km long, and the height of the canyon walls reaches 40 m in some places.
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