Maiden Tower in Baku
The Maiden Tower is a 12th-century monument in the Old City, Baku, Azerbaijan.Along with the Shirvanshahs' Palace, dated to the 15th century, it forms a group of historic monuments listed in 2001 under the UNESCO World Heritage List of Historical Monuments as cultural property, Category III. It is one of Azerbaijan's most distinctive national emblems, and is thus featured on Azeri currency notes and official letterheads.We visited Baku in early August 2019 to discover Maidan tower at the start of the Old Town near the Boulevard. Maidan tower in BakuThe Maiden Tower houses a museum, which presents the story of historic evolution of…
Patara Tba near Dedoplis Tskaro
Patara Tba or Little lake is located near the town of Dedoplis Tskaro in the region on Kakheti, Georgia.We tried to visit this lake at the end of June 2019 but as the road heading here turned into an offroad turned our car back - as a rule of thumb in Georgia - once you are of from the main highway - the road turns into offroad. Off road driving in GeorgiaPatara Tba from distance
Yanar Dag / Burning Mountain in Azerbaijan
Yanar Dag literally meaning "burning mountain" is a natural gas fire which blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea near Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.Flames could jet into the air 3 meters (9.8 ft) from a thin, porous sandstone layer.I had a chance to visit Yanar Dag for the first in August 2019, during a weekend trip to Baku. To get here we ordered a taxi from Bolt and paid about AZN 20 for a roundtrip from our hotel room at Flame towers and back to the old town. Once on the site, I had to pay 9 AZN / ~ 5USD, but local can enjoy the entrance for just 2 AZN . ~ 1USD (VISA card is accepted…
Monadire Dedoplis Tskaro Restaurant
Monadire is a small roadside restaurant located in the town of Dedoplis Tskaro, we made a stop here at the end of June during our explorations in the area.The places look bit abandoned or not well maintained, but despite first looks - the place is quite good. They may not have all ingredients on-site, but they will figure it out to go to the nearby hop to buy missing ingredients.As we learned- Monadire means hunter. The places serve typical Georgian cuisine. Ostri and saladsDespite the overall feeling was that the place is bit abandoned and we were the only guests, the meal was goodMonadire restaurant in Dedoplis Tsaro
September 2019 Dividend Income Report - $260.36
Welcome to the twenty-ninth (#29) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks and peer to peer lending in September 2019.Last September we spent in Georgia, traveling around the country a bit, in September the grape harvest time (Rtveli) is celebrated in Georgia.So we headed off for a weekend to the region of Kakheti and actually for the first time I was eating grapes from the field. Luxury stay at Akhasheni Wine Resort in GeorgiaIt was my pleasure selling covered calls with a view.The last September was very good in terms of passive income. At the end of the month, I have collected $260.36 from dividend stocks and…
Nukriani Lavender fields in Georgia
Nukriani lavender fields are located near Nukriani village in the region of Kakehti, Georgia.Best way to get here when driving from Tbilisi is to take a shortcut before Chalaubani and drive the road Tsnori - Dedoplitskaro-Kvemi Kedi.We took a trip here at the end of June 2019, and almost missed this point, luckily I noticed a tiny signboard on the roadside informing that lavender fields are somewhere here:Signboard Nukriani Lavender The next is kind of offroad driving for some 200 meters to reach the destination.Free parking in the middle of fieldIn front of the lavender fields there is a tent, where we met a girl from Moscow selling entrance tickets for GEL 4. At the tent you…
Baku by night
I had a chance to explore a little bit from Baku by night after we returned to our hotel room in Flames Tower from a lovely Azerbaijani cuisine restaurant Dolma in early August 2019.Night photography is one of my favorite topics, and so I raised the ISO level a bit and made some candid street photography in Baku. From our short walking distance I was surprised there are many International World brands featured in Baku, like Hard rock cafe or Paul. Not to speak about McDonaldsHard rock cafe in BakuI really love Hard Rock cafe which is located in neighboring TbilisiNice outdoor scene in Baku by nightMany outdoor cafeterias in Baku, very European I would sayPaul Bakery in…
Orbeliani Square
Orbeliani square has recently undergone some serious renovations works and has been opened for public.It's said that about $31 mln has bees spent on renovation works, which took more than two years.It's interesting to notice President Salome Zurabishvili, moved to the Presidential Palace on the Orbeliani Street when she was elected to the post in 2019Renovated Oberliani square in TbilisiA couple of years ago similar renovation works were done on the Agmashenebeli avenue, see: New Life for Agmashenebeli avenue, TbilisiWork on historic buildings included the removal of irreparably damaged sections, constructive reinforcement, removal of unregulated structures from facades…
Fairmont Baku hotel at Flame Towers
Located in the Flame Towers Complex, just a 3-minute walk from the famous Martyrs' Alley, 5-star Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers features picturesque views of Baku City or Caspian Sea.We booked a two-night stay at Fairmont Baku in early August, during my birthday trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, for a two-day stay we paid USD 349, which I believe is the lowest amount of money we have paid for a luxury stay at 5-star hotel ever. Top 14 Luxury 5-star hotels in Baku, AzerbaijanFor the money paid we got a large (more than 50 m2) hotel room on the 15th floor, with a city view. The price also included unlimited access to the indoor pool and sauna.A large room at Fairmont hotel inside Flame…
Amazon Alexa Echo Dot (3rd Gen) - Smart speaker Review
There are more than 50,000 user reviews about Alexa Echo Dot smart speaker on Amazon, and in this article, I wont be very original, but I will write another review from a point of view of a stock trader and a father of a little baby girl.I purchased our first Echo Dot smart speaker at the end of August 2019, it took more than 2 weeks to get it shipped to Georgia (country) and just in the mid-September, it was finally here. Disclosure: This article contains links to Amazon, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on Amazon site, I might earn an affiliate income from that at no cost to you.How To Order Goodies From US to Georgia - Usa2Georgia.…
Dolma restaurant in Baku
Dolma restaurant is located on M.Rasulzada street 8 in Baku, this places serves typical Azerbaijani cuisine and is named as of the best Baku restaurants.This restaurant was a recommendation from a Tripadvisor, we got here from our hotel room in Flames Tower using Bolt Taxi applicationAt first, it was hard to find this place, as the restaurant is actually located in a basement, which actually is more like a dungeonRestaurant Dolma in BakuI barely noticed the signboard among the many other flashing lights in the cityTraditional Azerbaijani pilafWow, that was really good one. Pilaf is served with apricots, chesnuts, raisins and meat. Spcies from East are used to flavor the…
Buratino Lake
Buratino lake is a relatively small, artificial (man-made) water reservoir near Manglisi town in the region of Kvemo Kartli, Georgia.We first discovered and visited Buratino lake in the mid-August 2019, after getting directions here from the Algeti Visitors center. Just shortly before getting here we made a short stop at Manglisi cathedral.The road heading to Buratino lake is not in the best shape, an SUV car is recommended, but I noticed locals get here even by taxi - you could probably hike here or take a taxi from Manglisi town to get down to the lake. The reason we wanted to get here is quite simple - to have an outdoor barbecue (for that reason we bought…
Guest house / Viesu Māja 'Kuncīši' near Murjāņi
Featuring free WiFi and a barbecue, Viesumāja Kuncīši Murjāņos offers accommodation in Murjāņi, 41 km from the center of Rīga. Free private parking is available on site.We booked guesthouse Kuncīši for a one night stay in July 2019, we paid EUR 100 in cash and for the money got a separate guesthouse (for up to 12 people) - a sauna, small indoor pool and a grill to prepare a barbeque.The evening spent here reminded me of our travels in Germany about two years ago when we were booking holiday homes. See: 3 day leisure trip to Germany (The Mossel Valley)Guesthouse Kuncīši near MurjāņiWe got a separate house for up to 12 people. We were traveling 4 (3 adults and our baby girl)Grill…
Baku Boulevard
Baku Boulevard also is known as National Park is a promenade established in 1909 which runs parallel to Baku's seafront.Its history goes back more than 100 years, to a time when Baku oil barons built their mansions along the Caspian shore and when the seafront was artificially built up inch by inch.I first visited Baku on August 2019, and Baku boulevard was our first stop after arriving at Baku Railway station. To get here we caught a street taxiThe park stretches along a south-facing bay on the Caspian Sea. It traditionally starts at Freedom Square continuing west to the Old City and beyond. Since 2012, the Yeni Bulvar (new…
Manglisi Cathedral
Manglisi Cathedral or Manglisi Sioni Cathedral is a 6th-7th-century Georgian Orthodox cathedral near the town of Manglisi, Tetritsqaro Municipality, Georgia.For me, it was interesting to observe the traditional cross from the Russian orthodox church decorating the top of this cathedral. Also, the coat of arms with two-headed eagle from Tzarist Russia is featured on the facade of Manglisi cathedral.Two-headed eagle from Tzarist RussiaAccording to sources the first church was built in 4th century. The current cathedral was constructed in 6th-7th century. The cathedral went through a huge restoration in 1002.The arch gate is the main focus of the western…
Hotel 'Keizarmezs' Review in Riga
The Keizarmezs is located on the shore of Lake Kisezers in the Mezaparks district, a 20-minute drive from Riga’s centre. A private car park is available free of charge. We booked a couple of nights here in July 2019, during our visit to Riga hotel Keizarmezs offered lowest value deal price, for a 3-night stay we paid here about $70 (while most of the other Riga hotels asked around $300)Now, the hotel is bit outdated, but the price compensates that.A simple, little bit outdated room at hotel KeizarmezsThe rooms at the Keizarmezs Hotel have a bathroom and satellite TV. Irons and hairdryers are available at the reception. Room service is also available.Bathroom at Hotel KeizarmezsA bit…
August 2019 Dividend Income Report - $259.58
Welcome to the twenty-eight (#28) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks and peer to peer lending in August 2019.Last August, I turned 34. For this years birthday celebrations, we traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan and had some really good time there. Fairmont Baku hotel at Flame Towers (Read my review here)As I've reached the age of 34, starting the next year I will put aside at least 54% from my yearly income. Here is the formula = my age + 20 = 54%. I'm raising this number every year. Now, the last August was very good and even had a surprise dividend from Silvano Fashion Group. At the end of the month, I have…
Baku Central Railway Station
Baku central railway station has gone through some serious modernization recently.We booked a train to Baku from Tbilisi in early August 2019, and that's how I first visited this railway station.Tbilisi - Baku by Train Ticket InformationAccording to RailwayPro - It took 2 years to renovate and modernize the whole capital’s rail station. The station has a shopping area on the second floor, the main building has been renovated and all the platforms been reconstructed.Baku Railway buildingInside the building, there are modern facilities - a shopping and dining area (a hint at Pizza hut they have a free Wi-FI). There is a few ATM located inside the building, I was able to withdraw 95…
Georgia / Azerbaijan Border Crossing by train (Gardabani / Boyuk Kasik)
When traveling by train from Tbilisi to Baku, there are two border checkpoints (one in Georgia, and one in Azerbaijan) - the total border crossing procedure can take around 2 hours (an hour for each side) and you can stay inside the train during the checkups.In this article, I'll share some notes from our latest trip to Baku from Tbilisi by train in the start of August 2019Tbilisi - Baku by Train Ticket InformationIt takes about an hour for the train to reach Georgia / Azerbaijan border at Gardabani. Police officers (border guards) will enter the train, collect passports and check if you have Azerbaijani e-visa.Cold drinks on the Gardabani border checkpointDuring the border…
Algeti National Park Visitor Center Manglisi
The main entrance of the national park is located near the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary of Manglisi.Algeti National Park Administration has a small infrastructural unit – a picnic area with auxiliary buildings and a forest adventure park. Algeti has been on our radar ever since we discovered Algeti water reservoir while hiking in Birvisi Canyon.To get here we used Tbilisi - Kojori - Tsalka - Ninotsminda roadDay trip To Tsalka and nearby VillagesForest adventure park at Algeti Visitors centerFrom first sight, the forest adventure park looks quite easy. During our visit here in the mid-August 2019, the adventure park didn't seem to be working.Children playroom inside…