Blog Archive: October 2014

Hotel Globos Review in Sitges, Spain

31 October, 2014 | Hotel reviews | 13 seen

One of the things I like about hotels is not to plan a stay at hotel before. No bookings, no planning. Just pass by, if you like it - go into it, and ask for a room and price. The best of this is bargain.

So did happened this time, after we arrived from Peratallada, a nice medieval town to resort city of Sitges, close to Barcelona. Turns out with spontanous decissions I have not only stayed on hotel I liked, but I have visited one of the most gay resort cities in world. 

Price for a room at this hotel: EUR 55

Here comes the pictures of Hotel Globos, hotel we find close to sea:

Bedroom at Hotel Globos

Balcony at hotel Globos

Bedroom at hotel Globos

Bathroom at hotel Globos

Seaside view from hotel Globos at Sitges

Balcony at Hotel Globos

Mojito at hotel Globos

In overall - modest hotel for reasonable price with close to sea location, but a little bit walk distance from city centre. Rooms were clean. 

About Hotel Globos

The Los Globos Hotel Sitges, a charming hotel which is open the whole year round, permit you to enjoy Sitges and Barcelona.

Ideally located in the heart of a calm residential neighbourhood of Sitges, right next to the beaches and the ocean breeze, and just a 300 meters walk away from the animated center of Sitges, the hotel can be reached by strolling on the maritime promenade. The Los Globos Hotel, André and Philippe and its staff welcome you and wants you to feel like if you are at home.

This is the hotel’s philosophy, aiming for a privileged ambiance for its clients.

http://www.hotelsitgeslosglobos.com/en/

About Sitges

Sitges  is a town about 35 kilometres southwest of Barcelona, renowned worldwide for its Film Festival and Carnival.

Located between the Garraf Massif and the sea, it is known for its beaches, nightspots, and historical sites. While the roots of Sitges' artsy reputation date back to the late 19th century, when Catalan painter Santiago Rusiñol took up residence there during the summer, the town became a centre for the 1960s counterculture in mainland Spain, then still under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, and became known as "Ibiza in miniature".

Nowadays it is a popular destination for gay and lesbian travellers, as it has become one of the most gay-friendly places in the world.

Today, Sitges' economy is based on tourism and culture offering more than 4,500 hotel beds, half of them in four-star hotels. Almost 35% of the approximately 26,000 permanent inhabitants are from the Netherlands, the UK, France and Scandinavia, whose children attend international schools in the area. There are 17 beaches. Sitges was also the site of the annual Bilderberg conference held in June 2010. Sitges has been referred to as the Saint-Tropez of Spain,

with property prices approaching those of the most expensive European cities, the main reason for this being the setting by the sea and the surrounding Parc Natural del Garraf. Proximity to Barcelona-El Prat Airport is also a major advantage.

For over a century, Sitges has been celebrating nonstop — between the months of February and March, according to the liturgical calendar — Carnestoltes, or Carnival. The festivities begin on Dijous Gras, or Fat Thursday, with the arribo, King Carnestoltes’ spectacular arrival.

From the moment this character appears until the burial of the sardine — late afternoon on Ash Wednesday — you could well say that life in Sitges moves to a new beat. Folk dances and xatonades (traditional local salad served with assorted omelets) are also characteristic carnival elements.

The two most important moments are the Rua de la Disbauxa, or the Debauchery Parade, on Sunday night and the Rua de l'Extermini, or Extermination Parade, on Tuesday night. Some forty-odd floats with more than 2,000 participants fill Sitges.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitges

Peratallada - a Charming Stone Building Town in Catalonia, Spain

30 October, 2014 | Travel guides | 29 seen

When we left a charming hotel in Begur, we straight headed to a little and charming medieval town of Peratallada, which is located some 22 km east of Girona, and some 15 km west of Begur.

Here are 22 pictures I made at this lovely town:

Road to Peratallada

Peratallada

Medieval streets of Peratallada

Medieval streets of Peratallada

Medieval streets of Peratallada

Catalan flag on streets of  Peratallada

Peratallada

Bicycle on streets of Peratallada

Property for sale on Peratallada

Peratallada streets

Peratallada Town square

Restaurant at Peratallada Town square

Restaurant at Peratallada Town square

Balconies at  Peratallada Town square

Waiting for coffee con Leche

Lavender on table

Peratallada

Peratallada streets

Peratallada streets

Loca Fruta

Peretallada

Tourist sign

About Peratallada:

Peratallada is a town in the municipality of Forallac, in the county of Baix Empordà, in Catalonia, Spain.

It is located 22 km east of Girona. Its name is derived from pedra tallada, meaning 'carved stone'.

Declared a historic-artistic monument, most of the buildings are built from stone carved from the fosse or moat which still encircles parts of this small fortified medieval town.

The privately owned Castle of Peratallada is the dominant structure in the center of the town, with a 13th-century Romanesque church dedicated to Sant Esteve (Saint Stephen) outside the town walls. The castle has been documented as early as 1065 AD and it was restored as a luxury hotel in the 1960s. During restoration, traces of settlement were found that date back to the Bronze Age.

Today, Peratallada is known for its beautiful old stone buildings, rutted stone streets and passageways. Its proximity to the beaches of the Costa Brava and its numerous restaurants, small boutique hotels and artists' galleries make it a popular destination. The 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was partly filmed on location here. A festival – the Festa Major, is held every year in early August with concerts and activities and there is a medieval festival in the autumn.

About Costa Brava

The Costa Brava "Wild" or "Rough Coast"is a coastal region of northeastern Spain, consisting of Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà and Selva, in the province of Girona.

The Costa Brava stretches from Blanes, 60 km (37 mi) northeast of Barcelona, to the French border. In the 1950s, the Costa Brava was identified by the Spanish government and local entrepreneurs as being suitable for substantial development as a holiday destination, mainly for package holiday tourists from Northern Europe and especially the United Kingdom and France.

The combination of a very good summer climate, nature, excellent beaches and a favourable foreign exchange rate, which made Spain a relatively inexpensive tourist destination, was exploited by the construction of large numbers of hotels and apartments in such seaside resorts as Blanes, Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar.

Tourism rapidly took over from fishing as the principal business of the area.

The province of Girona is within Catalonia, it covers an area of 5,885 square kilometres and is situated in the extreme northeast part of the Iberian Peninsula, between 41º40' and 42º30' latitude and 5º27' and 7º longitude east. The western border is a broken line that separates it from the province of Barcelona. The coastal strip is its eastern border, which extends along 158 linear kilometres (85 nautical miles) or 256 kilometres of the intricate profile of the Costa Brava.

Hotel Es Cel de Begur Review in Begur, Spain

29 October, 2014 | Hotel reviews | 10 seen

On our third Spain trip day we stayed overnight at one of the interesting hotels I have ever stayed - Es Cel de Begur Hotel at Bergur.

We booked this hotel on Booking.com it offered a huge savings, instead of paying EUR 400 we paid for room with partial sea view and bed with baldachine EUR 81.

Well I doubt the actual value for this room is EUR 400, it's more some booking.com neat marketing trick. But price EUR 81 for such a hotel room in such an amazing place with partial, but still sea view - is a value deal.

Well we ordered few coffees con leche (Coffee with milk in Catalan) and a supper onsite's restaurant, so total bill was EUR 131. No regrets at all.

N.B. Though this place offers free onsite parking - the drive to it, will be...lets say, pretty adventures :) Leave me a comment, if you have tried that road :)

Enough talking, here is the pictures:

Es Cel de Begur Hotel bedroom

Baldachin at Es Cel de Begur Hotel

First time had a sleep at Baldachin

Baldachin at Es Cel de Begur Hotel

Bathroom at Es Cel de Begur Hotel

Bathroom at Es Cel de Begur Hotel

Bathroom at Es Cel de Begur Hotel

Bedroom

Mountain lavender for better sleep

View to mountains and bay from balcony

Our room was with nice balcony with partial see view

Rooftop swimming pool at outdoor terrace

Restaurant at hotel

Indoor interior at Es Cel de Begur Hotel

Indoor interior at Es Cel de Begur Hotel

Catalan style supper at hotel

About Es Cel de Begur Hotel

Offering an outdoor swimming pool and sea views, Es Cel de Begur Hotel overlooks the coast at Begur. Surrounded by gardens and terraces, the hotel features free Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

Rooms at Es Cel de Begur feature a flat-screen TV, a telephone and a minibar, along with a private bathroom including a shower. Guests can also enjoy a shared lounge and a library.

A buffet breakfast is served every morning, while lunch and dinner are also available in the hotel restaurant.

Es Cel de Begur organizes different activities such as sailing and diving in the Illes Medes Islands area. Begur town centre is 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel and Sa Riera Beach is 15 minutes’ walk away.

Book this hotel on Booking.com

About Begur

Begur is a municipality in the comarca of the Baix Empordà in Catalonia, Spain, on the coastline of the Costa Brava. Begur has 3,986 inhabitants (according to the census of 2005). It is an important tourist attraction in the Baix Empordà. During the summer, the population can exceed 40,000 people. Despite of its tourist character, the village has important historical remnants that go back in early history. The castle of Begur is a good example of medieval remains. The castle was constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The town of Begur also includes Esclanyà (with a Roman town centre), Aiguafreda, Sa Riera, Sa Tuna, Aiguablava and Fornells. Some of the most prestigious beaches of the Costa Brava can be found here: Sa Riera, Aiguafreda, sa Tuna, Platja Fonda, Fornells and Aiguablava. The latter is also home to a Parador Hotel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begur,_Spain

Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres, Spain

28 October, 2014 | Museums | 130 seen

In our second day trip to Spain we visited Salvador Dali Museum located in town of Figueres.  I can tell you just one - This has finally happened - had heard so much about this great place before and now I actually visited it.

There are not much words I can use to describe this fabulous museum in Figueras, instead I can offer you 16 pictured from this place (Originally there were 43 pictures, but 2 years latter since originally created this article, I reviewed both article and pictures and made some post-processing for photography in Adobe Lightroom). Now, I feel a bit sorry about myself I can't travel back in time and capture much much better photography, as back then (2014) I was just like another typical tourist flash lighting around with my point and shoot camera. Sad.

But the story is about Salvador Dali, or more precisely about his works and museum in Figueras, so let's leave it as it is, and I will definitely return here for another photography session.

Salvador Dali Museum building at Figueras

The Dalí Theatre and Museum, is a museum of the artist Salvador Dalí in his home town of Figueres, in Catalonia, Spain.

The heart of the museum is the building that housed the town's theater when Dalí was a child, where one of the first public exhibitions of young Dalí's art was shown. The old theater was burned during the Spanish Civil War and remained in a state of ruin for decades. In 1960, Dalí and the mayor of Figueres decided to rebuild it as a museum dedicated to the town's most famous son.

In 1968, the city council approved the plan, and construction began the following year. The architects were Joaquim de Ros i Ramis and Alexandre Bonaterra.

The museum opened on September 28, 1974, with continuing expansion through the mid-1980s. The museum now includes buildings and courtyards adjacent to the old theater building.

Glass dome roof at Salvador Dali museum in Figueras

The museum displays the single largest and most diverse collection of works by Salvador Dalí, the core of which was from the artist's personal collection. In addition to Dalí paintings from all decades of his career, there are Dalí sculptures, 3-dimensional collages, mechanical devices, and other curiosities from Dalí's imagination. A highlight is a 3-dimensional anamorphic living-room installation with custom furniture that looks like the face of Mae West when viewed from a certain spot.

Author of this blog waiting a quee for the entrance at Salvador Dali museum

The museum opens at 9:00 AM, 10 minutes before nine, people are gathering for entrance at Salvador Dali museum

Cadillac at Salvador Dali museum

One of the main exhibits at this museum is this black Cadillac

Dali painting - Soft Self Portrait

So Dali!!!

Salvador Dali - Girl at the window (1925)

Golden coins at Dali's museum Figueras

Selphie at Dali's museum

Golden statues

Those Golden manikins from the Future kind of invites guests...

Boat at Salvador Dali Museum

Dali paintings

Dali art

Didn't quite get this one - kind of Catalonian woman with bread?!

Main hall

Lips, nose and eyes

I was quite surprised finding at the 4th floor paintings dedicated to Israel question dated with 1967

Israel theme

Salvador Dalí. The Persistence of Memory. 1931

Probably the most famous work of Dali. Dalí rendered his fantastic visions with meticulous verisimilitude, giving the representations of dreams a tangible and credible appearance. In what he called "hand painted dream photographs," hard objects become inexplicably limp, time bends, and metal attracts ants like rotting flesh. The monstrous creature draped across the painting's center resembles the artist's own face in profile; its long eyelashes seem insectlike or even sexual, as does what may or may not be a tongue oozing from its nose like a fat snail. Source

Outdoor exterior at Dali museum

About Salvador Dali 

Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, 1st Marqués de Dalí de Pubol (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), known as Salvador Dalí, wa a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter born in Figueres, Spain. Dalí was a skilled draftsman, best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work. His painterly skills are often attributed to the influence of Renaissance masters. His best-known work, The Persistence of Memory, was completed in August 1931. Dalí's expansive artistic repertoire included film, sculpture, and photography, in collaboration with a range of artists in a variety of media.

Best Budget Laptops for Under $300 in 2023

27 October, 2014 | Laptop Reviews | 3 seen

In today's digital age, having a laptop is almost a necessity. Whether you're a student, a freelancer, or a professional, a reliable laptop can help you accomplish your tasks with ease. However, high-end laptops can be quite expensive, which can be a burden for those on a tight budget. Thankfully, there are plenty of budget laptops available on the market that offer great value for the price.

In this article, we will discuss the 10 best budget laptops under $300.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon, which means that if you decide to make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate income. Please note that this does not affect the price you pay

In conclusion, a budget laptop can offer great value for the price. The laptops on this list are great choices for students, casual users, and professionals who are on a tight budget. They can handle basic tasks like browsing the web, streaming videos, and creating documents with ease. However, keep in mind that they may not be suitable for more demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.

Hotel Tarongeta Review in Cadaques

26 October, 2014 | Hotel reviews | 9 seen

We stayed at hotel Tarongeta in Cadaques in our second day trip to Catalonia, Spain.

You can read my photo article - covering Cadaques here.

Choice of Tarongneta was made spontaneous and all agreements regarding accommodation was made on site, not using any third party booking services (thus, I must admit I found this hotel on booking.com before we arrived at Cadaques)

This hotel offers few benefits - free parking on site, located in centre of Cadaques. The price? EUR 55 per night (I guess could bargain it down to EUR 40 with ease).

Nothing fancy - just great location and free parking.

Bathroom at Hotel Tarongeta

Bathroom at Hotel Tarongeta

Bedroom at Hotel Tarongeta

Bedroom at Hotel Tarongeta

Bedroom at Hotel Tarongeta

Rooms come with TV and free High Speed internet at hotel Targoneta

Corridor at Hotel Tarongeta

Sign right next to entrance at Hotel Tarongeta

Vestibule at Hotel Tarongeta

About Hotel Tarongeta

Set in picturesque fishing town of Cadaqués, the family-run Hotel Tarongeta with free WiFi and free on-site parking is situated just 150 metres from the beach.

The bright, air-conditioned rooms at the Tarongeta have a flat-screen TV and a safe. Rooms are also heated and each comes with a private bathroom.

The hotel serves a buffet breakfast. There is also a bar and a charming interior courtyard with a seating area.

Hotel Tarongeta is also next to the bus stop that can take you to Port Lligat, where you will find Dali's famous residence. Reception staff can advise you on what to see and do in Cadaqués and the surrounding area.

Book via booking.com

About Cadaques

Cadaqués  is a town in the Alt Empordà comarca, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. It is on a bay in the middle of the Cap de Creus peninsula, near Cap de Creus cape, on the Costa Brava of the Mediterranean.

It is only a two-and-a-quarter hour drive from Barcelona, and thus it is very accessible and not only attracts tourists but people who want a second home for weekends and summers.

In 2002, Cadaqués had an official population of 2,612, but up to ten times as many people can live in the town during the peak of the summer tourism season. Cadaqués has a special place in art history. Commanding charcoals, by local artist Meifrén, of the 19th century Cadaqués beleaguered by a winter tramontane, can be seen at the Cadaqués museum.

Fren was the first modern artist to live in Cadaqués and gave the town many of his works and a marble top table on which he sketched many of its turn-of-the-century fishermen.

Salvador Dalí often visited Cadaqués in his childhood, and later kept a home in Port Lligat, a small village on a bay next to the town. A summer holiday here in 1916, spent with the family of Ramon Pichot is seen as especially important to Dalí's artistic career.

Other notable artists, including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Marcel Duchamp, Richard Hamilton, Albert Ràfols-Casamada, Antoni Pitxot, Henri-François Rey, Melina Mercouri and Maurice Boitel also spent time here.

Cadaqués is mentioned in the story "Tramontana" by Gabriel García Márquez. The interesting submarine life of this sleepy fishing village was studied for several years by phycologist Françoise Ardré, long before Cadaqués was discovered and transformed into a tourism destination. On Mondays there is a travelling market in Cadaqués, located near the parking lot. This market has a wide variety of products.

Exploring Catalonia: from Roses to Cadaques

25 October, 2014 | Travel guides | 58 seen

On our second day on Catalonian trip, we left Girona and headed to Roses (Girona municipality) and after a short 5 minute stay at Roses we headed to Cadaques (Girona municipality).

I decided to stick with motto: one picture can say more than 1000 words, and here you have - 30 pictures I took during our trip Roses, Girona - Cadaques, Girona.

Beach at Roses, Girona

Roses, Girona

Literraly after 5 minutes here at Roses beach we decided - there is no need to dig deeper in this beautiful Spanish/Catalonian seaside town, and we turned our car around to head to Cadaques. I guess it's all about spontaneity. Sorry Roses in Girona - I will come back some other day.

On the road to Cadaques

Scenic views

Rocks at Cadaques

Turns out - somewhere near these rocks were Salvador Dali house museum - well, it was hard to find it among those rocks...

Cadaques bay

Instead of Salvador Dali house museum we got nice seaside views

Cactuses on cliffs

Cadaques bay with boats

Boats at Cadaques bay

Streets of Cadaques

Multilingual Road sign at Cadaques

Cadaques Town

Spanish cat

One of the things I like to photograph while abroad - cats. Doesn't this kitty looks like real Spaniard? Or perhaps Catalonian?

Spanish cats

View from Cadaques cathedral

People on streets of Cadaques

Salvador Dali billboard

Another cat

Cadaques

Beautiful house decorations at Cadaques

Arts and Crafts at Cadaques

Streets of Cadaques

Streets of Cadaques

Balcony at Cadaques

Restaurant at Cadaques

Ceramics at Cadaques

Bought an ashtray here

Architecture of Cadaques

More seaside views to Cadaques

Almost postcard of Cadaques

Fisherman with cigar

At Cadaques we stayed overnight - and I must admit - Cadaques is really charming town - were I would like to return.

Now is's time to open Wikipedia and learn more about those charming towns of Roses and Cadaques.

About Roses, Girona

Roses is a municipality in the comarca of the Alt Empordà, located on the Costa Brava, in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated on the coast at the northern end of the Gulf of Roses, and is an important fishing port and tourist centre. The C-260 road links the town with Figueres.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roses,_Girona

About Cadaques

Cadaqués  is a town in the Alt Empordà comarca, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. It is on a bay in the middle of the Cap de Creus peninsula, near Cap de Creus cape, on the Costa Brava of the Mediterranean.

It is only a two-and-a-quarter hour drive from Barcelona, and thus it is very accessible and not only attracts tourists but people who want a second home for weekends and summers.

In 2002, Cadaqués had an official population of 2,612, but up to ten times as many people can live in the town during the peak of the summer tourism season. Cadaqués has a special place in art history. Commanding charcoals, by local artist Meifrén, of the 19th century Cadaqués beleaguered by a winter tramontane, can be seen at the Cadaqués museum.

Fren was the first modern artist to live in Cadaqués and gave the town many of his works and a marble top table on which he sketched many of its turn-of-the-century fishermen.

Salvador Dalí often visited Cadaqués in his childhood, and later kept a home in Port Lligat, a small village on a bay next to the town. A summer holiday here in 1916, spent with the family of Ramon Pichot is seen as especially important to Dalí's artistic career.

Other notable artists, including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Marcel Duchamp, Richard Hamilton, Albert Ràfols-Casamada, Antoni Pitxot, Henri-François Rey, Melina Mercouri and Maurice Boitel also spent time here.

Cadaqués is mentioned in the story "Tramontana" by Gabriel García Márquez. The interesting submarine life of this sleepy fishing village was studied for several years by phycologist Françoise Ardré, long before Cadaqués was discovered and transformed into a tourism destination. On Mondays there is a travelling market in Cadaqués, located near the parking lot. This market has a wide variety of products.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadaqu%C3%A9s

Hotel Ultonia Review in Girona

24 October, 2014 | Hotel reviews | 36 seen

During our first day on our Catalonia trip for a first night, we stayed at Girona - Hotel Ultonia.

For a start I must admit - I wanted to book another less expensive hotel, but that was out of city center - so hell, for a sake of a couple of bucks we decided to book something valuable in the city center.

But to keep up with the costs - I found it's more affordable if you are using hotelclub.com rather booking.com. Basically, it works like this  - what on Booking costs in Euro's, the same on hotelclub costs in dollars. And if you are a currency geek - you will understand me - it's 25-30% cheaper.

Now - enough talking, show me the pictures:

Corridor at Hotel Ultonia Girona

Bathroom at hotel Ultonia Girona

Bathroom at hotel Ultonia Girona

Bathroom at hotel Ultonia Girona

Flat Screen TV at Ultonia hotel Girona

Unfortunately, all the channels are only in Spanish.

No English, not to say Russian. I even considered to complain regarding this - I really enjoy watching 1st Russian channel at hotels. And 1st channels has a great offer for those hotels, where their station is not available: http://hotels.1tvrus.com/

Channel One the best Russian channel - that should be in every hotel (By the way, have watched this channel in a hotel in the United States - so back off - Anti Russian friends lol)

Tiny pathetic window at Hotel Ultonia at Girona

The view from the tiny window...

The bed at Hotel Ultonia Girona

Although this hotel calls himself a 3 star hotel - I would give this hotel 1 and a half star:

We made a reservation for this hotel for $70 but would give the real value of some $40 - or if the hotel would offer free parking and free breakfasts, then $70 would be nice. I would never pay EUR 70 (what asks booking.com) for this hotel.

The lack of Russian TV - well, I can live without it - no English channels - it's not so funny anymore.

About Hotel Ultionia

Hotel Ultonia is located in the center of Girona, 3 minutes’ walk from the Old Town, Cathedral and Arabic baths. It offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV and minibar.

The hotel offers a buffet breakfast and a cafe-bar where you can enjoy a drink or snack. From May to October guests can access the roof terrace with impressive views of Girona Cathedral and its surroundings. There are also a variety of restaurants and bars within a 5-minute walk.

A special bicycle storage area is available free of charge in the hotel, as well as a private underground car park, with free parking for motorcycles.

Hotel Ultonia is situated next to Devesa Park, and just 10 minutes’ walk from the bus and train stations, with good connections to Girona Costa Brava Airport. Palacio de Fires Congress Centre and the city’s bullring are also just a 10-minute walk away.

Staff at the Ultonia Hotel’s 24-hour reception can provide tourist information about what to see and do in Girona, Barcelona and the Costa Brava.

I won't even publish a link to this hotel - sorry for that - turns out - I cannot recommend it to you!

Catalonia: First impressions of Girona - Cathedral of Girona, Jewish Quarter

23 October, 2014 | Travel guides | 12 seen

This probably will be a long photo article, with few comments on each of the photo.

It was my first time visiting Spain, and stop of Girona came just right after we landed in Barcelona, rented a nice Renault Megane car from Fire Fly company. During this trip I only started to recognize what is Catalonia - not any more an abstract term for me - it's real place with real folks and attractions there. 

So here are few shots from Girona, Cathedral of Girona and Jewish Quarter (probably last two are main attractions of Girona)

Scooters on streets of Girona

Green Overpass

Funny Vehicle on streets of Girona

Balcony with flowers at Girona

View to Girona Cathedral

Girona street view

Girona Events desk (Actual on October 19, 2014)

Catatonia's Flag

Scenic streets of Girona

Scenic streets of Girona

Backyard of Girona's street

Scenic street of Girona

Garden close to Girona's Cathedral

Cathedral of Girona from distance

Architecture of Girona

Tried to make an art here

Exhibition hall

Streets of Girona

Medieval Streets of Girona

Informative signs for tourists

Super cool building

Cathedral of Girona

View from Cathedral of Girona

Another attempt of Art - Rooftops of Girona

View from Cathedral of Girona

Best shot so far

Inside of Cathedral of Girona

Altar of Cathedral of Girona

Backyard of Girona's Cathedral

At Girona Cathedral

At Girona Cathedral

Skyline of Girona

Me - pretending a Holy Father

Jewish museum

Jewish museum

Jewish museum

Chillin' on Medieval streets of Girona

Chillin' on Medieval streets of Girona

Wow, that was a much - 38 photos taken with my old Sony DSC camera - hope you enjoyed at least.

Now let's get back to historic facts about places I photographed above:

About Girona

Girona  is a city in the northeast of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia in Spain, at the confluence of the rivers Ter, Onyar, Galligants, and Güell and has an official population of 96,722 as of January 2011. It is the capital of the province of the same name and of the comarca of the Gironès. It is located 99 km (62 mi) northeast of Barcelona. Girona is one of the major Catalan cities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girona

About Girona Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Girona, located in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Its interior includes the widest Gothic nave in the world, with a width of 22 metres (72 ft), and the second widest overall after that of St. Peter's Basilica, just for comparison, the width of the nave of Reims is 14.65 m, Saint-Étienne de Sens, 15.25 m and 12 m, in Notre Dame de Paris. Its construction was first started in the 11th century in Romanesque style, and later continued in the 13th century in Gothic style. Of the original Romanesque edifice only the 12th century cloister and the bell tower remain. The bell tower was completed in the 18th century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girona_Cathedral

About Jewish Quarter

Located within the Força Vella, the Jewish Quarter or Call is one of the city's most emblematic areas. It consists of a labyrinth of narrow streets and patios that have maintained their medieval atmosphere. It is one of the best preserved Jewish quarters in the world and clear evidence of the importance of the Jewish culture in Girona.

http://www.girona.cat/turisme/eng/monuments_call.php

What's next?

Stay connected to read about hotel we stayed in Girona and next itinerary stops in coming days.

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

22 October, 2014 | Airports | 19 seen

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport  is located some 32 km southeast of the city center, airport serves as the hub for AnadoluJet and Pegasus Airlines.

The facility is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the adoptive daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the first female fighter pilot in the world. Although Istanbul Airport, located 63 km (39 mi) west of the European side of Istanbul, is larger, Sabiha Gökçen is still one of the largest airports in the country.

I have been traveling via Sabiha Gokcen Airport several times flying in and out routes like Tbilisi, Trabzon, Izmir, Barcelona, and more. Most of the time flying Pegasus Airlines.

The airport was built because Atatürk International Airport (located on the European side) was not large enough to meet the booming passenger demands (both domestic and international).

When traveling to or from Sabiha Gocken airport see How to Get around Istanbul for cheap with this ride-sharing Taxi app

Georgian mythology, Founding Father of Georgia - Kartlos and Jesus Robe in Mtskheta

21 October, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 66 seen

Georgian mythology is a rich tapestry of legends and stories that provide insight into the country's cultural heritage. One of the most interesting myths is the story of Kartlos, the founding father of Georgia.

According to Georgian mythology, Kartlos was the grandson of Japheth, one of Noah's three sons. He was the eldest son of Targamos and great-grandson of King Nimrod. When his father died, Kartlos inherited the kingdom and became the first king of Kartli, which is modern-day Georgia.

The story of Kartlos is deeply intertwined with Georgian culture and history, and he is considered a national hero. His name is still used in modern-day Georgia, and it is the root of the country's name. Kartli, the region where Kartlos ruled, was later called Sakartvelo, which means "the land of Kartlos" in Georgian.

Another important aspect of Georgian mythology is the story of the Jesus Robe in Mtskheta. Mtskheta is a historic city in eastern Georgia that was once the capital of the country. According to legend, the robe that Jesus Christ wore during his crucifixion was brought to Mtskheta by a Georgian Jew named Elioz. He is said to have acquired the robe from a Roman soldier who won it in a game of dice.

The robe was eventually brought to Mtskheta, where it was housed in the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of the most important religious sites in Georgia. The cathedral is still standing today, and it is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The story of the Jesus Robe in Mtskheta is an important part of Georgian culture and history. The robe is believed to have miraculous powers, and it is a symbol of the country's strong Christian heritage. The cathedral that houses the robe is one of the most visited sites in Georgia, and it attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over the world.

In conclusion, Georgian mythology is a fascinating subject that provides insight into the country's cultural heritage. The story of Kartlos, the founding father of Georgia, and the Jesus Robe in Mtskheta are just two examples of the many legends and stories that make up this rich tapestry. These stories are deeply intertwined with Georgian history and culture, and they continue to be an important part of the country's identity.

Top Laptops for Graphic Design Students and Professionals

20 October, 2014 | Laptop Reviews | 69 seen

If you're a graphic designer, finding the best laptop for your needs can be a daunting task. You need a machine that is powerful enough to run complex design software, has a high-quality display for accurate color reproduction, and is portable enough to take with you on the go.

In this article, we'll take a look at the best laptops for graphic design, and help you find the perfect machine for your needs.

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Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch

The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch is a top pick for graphic designers. It has a stunning Retina display with True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature based on your environment. The MacBook Pro also has a powerful 9th-generation 8-core Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive. It also has a dedicated AMD Radeon Pro 5500M graphics card, making it a great choice for graphic design.

Dell XPS 15

The Dell XPS 15 is another great option for graphic designers. It has a stunning 4K OLED display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, making it ideal for color-critical work. It also has a 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive. The XPS 15 also has an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, making it perfect for running design software.

HP Spectre x360

The HP Spectre x360 is a stylish 2-in-1 laptop that is ideal for graphic designers. It has a stunning 4K UHD display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, making it perfect for color-critical work. It also has a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive. The Spectre x360 also has an NVIDIA GeForce MX330 graphics card, making it ideal for running design software.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a great choice for graphic designers who need a lightweight and portable laptop. It has a 14-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, making it perfect for color-critical work. It also has a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive. The X1 Carbon also has an Intel UHD Graphics card, making it a great choice for running design software.

Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581

The Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 is a unique laptop that is perfect for graphic designers who need extra screen real estate. It has a 15.6-inch 4K OLED main display, as well as a secondary 14-inch 4K IPS display, making it ideal for multitasking. It also has a 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB solid-state drive. The ZenBook Pro Duo also has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card, making it ideal for running design software.

In conclusion, finding the right laptop for graphic design is essential for success in this field. By considering factors such as display quality, processing power, and graphics capabilities, you can choose the perfect machine for your needs. The five laptops we have discussed are all excellent options for graphic designers, and each offers its own unique set of features and benefits. Ultimately, the best laptop for graphic design will depend on your specific needs and budget.

Drupal module: User Picture Field - A Brilliant Solution for Styling forms With Display Suite

19 October, 2014 | Drupal Development | 21 seen

Working with complex Drupal projects I'm always trying to escape many rewrites of existing Drupal built-in functionality.

This time I got a client's request to have a user edit form with two-level admin: One for username and password information - the second for custom user profile fields, like occupation, location, gender, etc.

At the start I said - well, let's use the Profile2 module, to handle this task, but soon I found there are bugs, and we all hate bugs, so I found a brilliant solution how to get rid of the Profile2 module, but to keep existing functionality.

Now arrived another problem - how to display the default Drupal user picture ($picture) using the Display suite module on two columns. Thing is, there are no problems to display a custom user image field with help of the Display suite, but there are problems to display the default picture field:

Found this little nice module after a couple of hours of investigating how to show the user picture next to comments. 

You might wonder - hell, what's wrong with you dude - Drupal has a built-in picture field for user profiles and it works on comment forms great.

Yes, you are right, Drupal does have a picture field for user profiles.

But it doesn't play nice in scenarios when you are using Display Suite to style your form - this field just doesn't exist in Display suite. So you cannot put this field in column "two" for example:

Take a look at this post to understand what I'm talking about: Drupal Display Suite Two Columns on User Edit Forms + Image Widget Default Image 

What I actually needed is to have a default user picture field enabled but with the option to style its display with help of the Display Suite module, and here comes the User Picture Field module:

This module allows you to add an image field to a user, and show it on the user registration form after the user registers an account, this module will use the fid that uploads by image field as the user picture's fid.

Usage:

1. Add an image field to a user, for example, "field_user_avatar"

2. config this field, and make it show on the user register form.

3. install this module, and navigate to "admin/config/people/user_picture_field", here you can config the "Machine name of source field that used as user picture"

When a user registers an account, he/she uploads an image through the image field "field_user_avatar", this image will be used as the user's picture(avatar).

profile2:

Now this module support Profile2, You must config 'Machine name of source bundle' and 'Machine name of source field that used as user picture'.

Author:

Howard Ge

The author can be contacted for paid customizations of this module as well as Drupal consulting and development.

Now - once you have this module installed configure it according to description, keep using Display Suite and everything should work as needed.

P.S. This little nice module solved another problem I'm facing by using Simple FB connect module to allow Facebook users to login in Drupal site.

Simple FB Connect uses default picture field as well for importing a Facebook users picture.

So by having default profile picture field, but with a little bit of extended functionality.

I can only confirm - avoid of rewriting Drupal default behaviour - in most cases you will struck to extend functionality. Look for simple "bridge" connectors.

In case you are looking for Drupal website developer for your project, look no more - hire me. 

Grigory Leps: The Russian Musician Who Fell in Love with Georgia

18 October, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 31 seen

Grigory Leps is a well-known Russian singer who has gained immense popularity not only in Russia but also in other parts of the world. Leps has been to Georgia several times for concerts and has garnered a large following among Georgians.

The Georgian people have always had a fondness for Russian culture, and Grigory Leps' music has struck a chord with many. His soulful voice, catchy tunes, and relatable lyrics have made him a favorite of many music enthusiasts in Georgia.

The first time Grigory Leps came to Georgia was in December 7th, 2014 when he performed in the capital city of Tbilisi. We attended this concert at Tbilisi sports palace. I managed to take a short YouTube video with Leps shouting loud - Sakartvelo Gaumarjos.

He was warmly welcomed by the Georgian people, who appreciated his music and his charismatic personality. Since then, he has come back to Georgia for several concerts, and his popularity has only grown.

One of the reasons for Leps' popularity in Georgia is his ability to sing in both Russian and Georgian. He has even recorded a few Georgian songs, which have become quite popular in the country. One of his most famous Georgian songs is "Tushuri," which is a folk song from the Tusheti region of Georgia. Leps' rendition of the song has made it more accessible to a wider audience and has introduced Georgian folk music to many who might not have heard it before.

Apart from his music, Grigory Leps is also known for his philanthropic work. He has contributed to various charitable causes in Georgia and has participated in several events to raise awareness about social issues. He has also expressed his love for Georgian culture and food, which has endeared him even more to the Georgian people.

Despite some political tensions between Russia and Georgia, Grigory Leps' music has been a unifying force. His concerts in Georgia have brought people together, and his music has provided an avenue for people to forget their differences and enjoy something they all love.

In conclusion, Grigory Leps has become a beloved figure in Georgia, thanks to his music, personality, and philanthropy. His concerts in the country have been a testament to the power of music to bring people together and transcend borders.

Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport

17 October, 2014 | Airports | 48 seen

Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport is the busiest international airport in Georgia, located 17 km (11 mi) southeast of capital Tbilisi. The airport handled 3.7 million passengers in 2019. Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the airspace of Georgia was closed for most of 2020 causing the number of travelers through Tbilisi airport to drop by 84% to less than 600,000.

Tbilisi Airport is home to Georgian flag carrier Georgian Airways and MyWay Airlines, which was founded in 2017. The airport is served by approximately 30 airlines, mainly from Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia serving roughly 30 destinations out of Tbilisi. 

Due to the increasing popularity of Georgia and the city of Tbilisi as a tourist destination, the number of travelers grew since 2010 from 1 million to almost 4 million until the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Tbilisi International Airport is operated by TAV Urban Georgia since October 2005 which concession has been extended until at least 2027. In Georgia, the company also operates Batumi Airport for a 20-year term since May 2007. TAV Airports Holding, which owns 76% shares in Tbilisi airport operator TAV Urban Georgia, agreed with the Georgian state-owned United Airports of Georgia to reconstruct and extend the unused runway, one of the two runways at the Tbilisi airport, in line with ICAO standards to accept all type of aircraft, including the Boeing 747-8, Airbus A380-800, Antonov An-225 and Antonov An-124. A new F Code taxiway was also planned.

There are a few wine shops, restaurants and souvenir shops available at Tbilisi airport. 

Tbilisi airport mainly serves destinations in Europe and the Middle East.

The George W. Bush Avenue (Kakheti Highway) leads from the airport to the center of Tbilisi. Taxi, Public bus and even a train is available to travel to and from Tbilisi internation airpport. A train service is available as well opposite the exit of the airport building.