Blog Archive: August 2020
Lower Bethlehemi Church
| Churches and Monasteries | 17 seen
The Lower Bethlemi Church, also known as the Church of Saint Stepanos of the Holy Virgins is a church in Tbilisi, Georgia. Built as an Armenian church, it now operates as a Georgian orthodox church.
Discovered by accident while hiking from other, Holy Mother of God Church of Bethlehem, Tbilisi at the end of August 2020.
Made some drone photography here
Lower Bethlehemi Church
Holy Mother of God Church of Bethlehem, Tbilisi
| Churches and Monasteries | 27 seen
Holy Mother of God Church of Bethlehem also now known as the Upper Bethlehem Church, is a church in Tbilisi, Georgia. Built as an Armenian church in the 18th century, on the site of an older church, it now operates as a Georgian orthodox church.
Discovered by accident while hiking from Mother Georgia monument in mid-August 2020. Returned here a week later to take some aerial photography with a drone.
Holy Mother of God Church of Bethlehem, Tbilisi
There are at least 3 roads how to get here. The first one is from the Mother Georgia monument using pretty steep stairways, kind of hiking trails. Another one is to come from Gomi street, and the third one is to climb from Betlemi street.
Holy Mother of God Church of Bethlehem, Tbilisi from a drone flight
There is a little fountain square in the front of church with running spring water. Quite refreshing after a long day hiking the area.
Also, an amazing view towards Tbilisi opens from the church
View towards Tbilisi
Mother of Georgia Monument
| Tourism objects | 138 seen
The Mother of Georgia or Kartlis Deda monument is located atop of the Sololaki hill in Georgia's capital Tbilisi.
The statue was erected on the top of Sololaki hill in 1958, that year Tbilisi celebrated its 1500th anniversary. Prominent Georgian sculptor Elguja Amashukeli designed the twenty-meter aluminum figure of a woman in Georgian national dress.
Mother of Georgia monument in Tbilisi
It's said that statue symbolizes the Georgian national character: in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine to greet those who come as friends, and in her right hand is a sword for those who come as enemies.
In 1966 Elguja Amashukeli was awarded the Shota Rustaveli State Prize for this sculpture. He called the statue "Capital", and it commonly became known as "Mother of Kartli". The accessories of the sculpture, the cup with wine and sword, are an expression of the history of our city, Tbilisi, the endless battles with the enemies, and the welcoming of friendly guests.
The original statue erected on Sololaki Hill in 1958 was a wooden allegorical statue that would…
Restaurant Pepo near Dashbashi Canyon
| Restaurant reviews | 45 seen
Restaurant Pepo is located in the village of Dashbashi, some 200-300 meters from the Saint George Church.
The cafe is an ideal base camp for exploring the famous Dashabshi Canyon. That's actually how we discovered this place in July 2020, during an unplanned trip to Tsalka, we decided to look for the "famous" Dashbahsi Canyon, where we found this lovely cafe/restaurant Pepo.
VIsa accepted and traditional Georgian cuisine served. We ordered some mtsvadi, salads, French fries a lot of lemonades, even a khachapuri. Our total bill here about GEL 100.
Meal at restaurant Pepo near Dashbashi canyon in Georgia
I used the territory of this restaurant as a base for drone flights to film nearby objects.
Restaurant Peop from above
Batumi Boulevard Dancing Fountains
| Tourism objects | 51 seen
Batumi Boulevard is the main and most visited sightseeing of the city.
One of its central elements is the dancing fountains located just in the heart of the city.
Batumi fountain square from a drone's flight
It was at the start of August 2020, we visited Batumi once again. I took a drone to make some photos, and one of the aerial shots is from Dancing fountain square.
In the summertime, this place can be quite busy.
Thanks to the joint efforts of the prominent Georgian architect Giorgi Erkomaishvili and the Armenian engineers, three colorful fountains were installed in the central entrance of Batumi Boulevard in 1977 bringing vibrancy and a new splash of life to the area.
In 2007, the fountains underwent large-scale renovations as a result of which music was added to them.
Nowadays these musical fountains dancing with rhythm and surrounded by lovely wax sculptures of the boys with pipes, represent the major attraction for tourists.
Park near Batumi dancing fountains
The recreation zone, which at the same time is a cultural heritage monument, for centuries, has unites the…
Djansug Kakhidze Garden
| Tourism objects | 21 seen
The Djansug Kakhidze Garden is located on Agmashenebeli Avenue (behind the Bank of Georgia building) in Tbilisi. The park is very popular among people living nearby. There is a little kid playground in the park s territory.
The park is named after Jansug Kakhidze, the music director of the Georgian State Symphony Orchestra.
We have been heading to this park for ages since the times we were living on Tamar Mepe street when discovered this park first time. Now with a toddler girl, we (or a nanny) are spending much time here.
Water fountain from a drone's flight
The fountains os one of the central elements of the park, around the fountain there are many roses planted.
The Garden is located in an historic district of Tbilisi close to the left embankment of the Mtkvari River and was completed in 2011 as part of the extensive refurbishment of Agmashenebeli Avenue.
Statues of Iliko Sukhishvili and Nino Ramishvili in Djansug Kakhidze Garden in Tbilisi
Statues of Iliko Sukhishvili and his wife Nino Ramishvili, created by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, stand at the entrance to the…
Pheasant’s Tears Restaurant Sighnahghi
| Restaurant reviews | 35 seen
Pheasant's Tears is an awesome and authentic restaurant serving authentic Georgian cuisine. The restaurant is located in Sighnaghi, some 120km from the nation's capital Tbilisi.
We have heard a lot about this place in the past but actually visited it for the first time in June 2020, while driving around the region of Kakheti.
The little yard at Peasant's Tears restaurant in Sighnaghi
Pheasant’s Tears was born out of a love of authentic tradition, and culture and endless creativity. It is more than a winery, it's about songs, cuisine, art, heritage, tangible and intangible. For wine is born out of a confluence of the spirit of a place, its geology, its history, and the emotions of the vitner himself. In the end, a dialogue between nature and man, a fine tension between respect for the past and creating a new experience for tomorrow. Traditions here are seen as the nourishing soul for improvisation and respectful evolution.
Gia Rokashvili the chef at Peasant's Tears
I had a chance to meet friendly chef at the place. On the question, could we see the menu, he showed us the big black…
Saint George Church in Dashbashi
| Churches and Monasteries | 29 seen
St. George's Church / Ahalkalaki St. George Church is located close to the Tsalka town in the village of Dashbashi.
It was in mid-July 2020, when we discovered this place by accident, during an unplanned trip to Tsalka, we decided to look for the "famous" Dashbahsi Canyon, where we found a little cafe and as I had my DJI mini Mavic drone with I did some flying around the area, just to discover this picturesque church atop of the rock. Awesome.
Saint George Church in Dashbashi canyon, Georgia
It was a lot of fun flying a drone from the nearby cafe (located some 200 meters) and explore the area from the top.
I did some impressive drone video shooting also from this point.
Saint George Church in Dashbashi canyon, Georgia
St. George's Church stands to the north of the village, on the banks of River Khrami. The domed church is built of hewn stone and it has the shape of a cross. The church has two entrances - the south of the west arm and the west of the north arm. The south door is covered with a large carved stone. There are inscriptions on the top of the south door and on the east wall. The church…
My First Drone Video / DJI MAVIC MINI
| Digital Photography School | 19 seen
Here comes my first drone video filmed with DJI Mavic Mini drone.
DJI Mini Mavic Drone Review
Filming locations: our Tbilisi apt, Lisi lake, Rike Park, Dashbashi Canyon.
Cinematic music for dramas effect by Scott Holmes / Humanity
Quickly made with Adobe Premiere Pro
July 2020, Tbilisi
Radisson Blu Hotel Batumi
| Hotel reviews | 39 seen
Located within a 3-minute walk from the Black Sea beach in Batumi, this hotel features indoor and outdoor pools, a rooftop restaurant and free WiFi.
We booked one night here at the start of August 2020 and paid about $120 for a family room and breakfasts included.
It is fun to note that about 8 years ago we rented an apartment in Batumi, in the backyard of this hotel, and spend about $400/mo. Now time flies, things change, but Batumi Radisson stays.
Its large rooms include flat-screen TVs, Nespresso coffee machines and sea views. Radisson Blu Hotel Batumi has the Green Key eco-label and also, owns the safety and security certification by the Safehotels.
King size bed at Radisson Blue Batumi hotel
When traveling with kids - a family room is a must-have, and the one we got here at Radisson Batumi was excellent. Free baby crib was offered.
Partial sea view
the view could be better, but I do not complain much. In the evening we took a walk to the nearby Batumi boulevard and I flew my DJI Mini Mavic drone around to get some really stunning views.
…Rike Park from a DJI Mavic Mini Drone Flight
| | 9 seen
Rike park is a popular recreational area located in Tbilisi. We have been heading here ever since it was opened to public back in 2012.
Park is great for photography, a lot of interesting architectural elements. It was at the end of July 2020. I got DJI Mavic mini shipped to Tbilisi and it was agreed to go and test it out at the Rike park.
Air balloon over Rike Park in Tbilisi
There is a cable car station connecting Rike park with Narikala fortress
Rike park from above
A little amphitheater and many pathways
Rike park from above
The Bridge of Piece
The Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi is a pedestrian bridge and one of the most famous tourist spots in the city. It connects district of Tbilisi Old Town with Rike Park over a river of Mtkvari.
Tbilisi music theater and concert hall
Cows Cooling off in a lake in Georgia
| | 4 seen
It was in mid-July, we were heading to the Dashabashi canyon near the Tsalka town in Georgia when suddenly on the roadside we noticed a strange view - cows were cooling off in a small mud lake.
Such senses are more typical to Africa, it was the first time I have seen something like that in Georgia. Luckily I had a camera to take a few shots.
Cows cooling off in a muddy lake
DJI Mini Mavic Drone Review
| Gadget Reviews | 13 seen
DJI Mini Mavic drone has been around for a while already (since the end of 2019). It was at the start of July 2020, when I decided to order a drone for me.
As I didn't have any idea what's good and what's not, I just headed to Amazon and looked for best-selling drones/ quadcopters. I did order under $100 SnapTain 650 D, but once it was out for shipping and I started to familiarize better with the product from the description, I understood that this drone most probably is not for me - I was looking for something smarter, something with larger flight radius and something not working from my phones WI-FI.
Huge was my surprise when I discovered DJI MINI MAVIC drone for just $399. I actually order a combo box set for $499.
A quick note: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page, and by making a purchase on Amazon site, I might earn an affiliate income at no cost to you. Prices for laptops 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…
Hotel 'Castello Visconteo' in Cassano dʼAdda, Italy
| Hotel reviews | 8 seen
Castello Visconteo is a 13th-century fortress located in Cassano d'Adda, Italy.
We booked a hotel room here for a one night back in November 15, 2019 and paid about EUR 100 for that. We choose to book this hotel as it was pretty close to the Bergamo airport, as on the second day we had a flight back to Tbilisi
Stay at this hotel left an authentic medieval time feeling.
Our room at Castello Visconteo
Rooms at Castello Visconteo are air conditioned and come with parquet floors. Free WiFi is available throughout.
View to the nearby square from the hotel
Seems this place is very busy during the high-season. During our visit here in November, there were just a couple of guests.
Courtyard at Castello Visconteo
With its impressive interiors, which include frescoes from the Giotto school of painting, the Visconteo features a historic atmosphere. It once hosted Leonardo da Vinci.
Hall at Castello Visconteo
Hotels restaurant features high vaulted ceilings with original frescoes, and serves Italian and local specialities.
July 2020 Dividend Income Report - $136.90
| Investments | 13 seen
Welcome to the thirty-ninth (#39) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks and peer to peer lending in July 2020.
Just like the previous months, the last June we also spent in a self-isolation (because of Covid-19) here in Georgia. More of the strict lockdown measurements were lifted (inner tourism, restaurants, and hotels were opened for public) we did a few weekend trips with an overnight stay at local resorts here in Georgia. The baby girl attends her pre-school, she is doing great - talking a lot, putting together sentences, mixing languages, figuring out new words. Awesome. Quite fascinating what a two-year-old can do. Development is very rapid.
Last July I ordered a DJI Mavic Mini drone ($499) and spent a lot of time learning how to fly this little thing, but most important taking nice aerial photos and videos:
Saint George Church in Dashbashi canyon, Georgia
From the perspective of dividend income - last July was neither good nor bad, we keep suffering from trimmed dividends, and by the end of…