Blog Archive: October 2020
Sapara Monastery
Sapara Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox monastery located in the Akhaltsikhe District of Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Georgia.I had a chance to visit this monastery at the end of September 2020 and capture really awesome drone photography / catching colors of the fallSapara monastery from a drone flightIt has existed from at least the 9th century, and has numbered among its monks many important figures in Georgian ecclesiastical history. At the end of the 13th century Sapara became a possession of the Jakeli family, whose leader, Sargis Jakeli, was adept at staying on good terms with the Mongols, which enabled Samtskhe to enjoy a…
Ķemeri Forest House
Ķemeri Forest house is really cool outdoors tourism attraction located close to JūrmalaThe park centre is located in Ķemeri, in the “Forest House” . We first discovered this place back in Spring 2018 and made some nice hiking in the area, see: Hiking Trails in Kemeri National Park (Near Forest House)We have been returning here for a few more times ever since. Forest House in ĶemeriThe history of the “Tree House” dates back to the summer of 1933, when in the newly constructed building, a centre for sports and recreation (arch. Fridrihs Skujiņš) was opened, pleasing the visitors with “a exemplary shooting range, various American sport type apparatus, ping-pong, bowling alley,…
Another Daytrip to Kakheti in Georgia
I have said it already several times in the blog - day trips to the region of Kakheti are quite possible and easily done from Tbilisi
Day Trip to Kakheti in Georgia
In today's article, I'll share our route details and discoveries from the latest day trip to Kakheti on October 3, 2020
We left Tbilisi and headed to Telavi via Gombori Pass, here we made a stop at Ujarma fortress where I made some cool drone photography, see: Ujarma Fortress from a drone flight, our next stop is Italian restaurant Enzo's ezo at Chateau Mere close to Telavi.
From here on we head to the Lopota lake side to find some cool vineyards for more drone videography, see: Daytrip to…
Atskuri Fortress
Atskuri is a medieval Georgian fortress located on the right bank of the Mtkvari River, approximately 30 kilometres from Borjomi, in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.We discovered this fortress by accident while driving to the town of Akhatiskhe. As I was equipped with my DJI Mavic mini drone I made some cool aerography hereAtskuri fortressBuilt on a massive rock back in the 9th century, Atskuri Fortress was an important stronghold for the defense of Georgia during the Middle ages.The fortress was probably situated near the town of Atskuri, of which no traces have been found. First mentioned in the 9th century, the fortress was significantly…
Colors of Georgia / Failed Attempt to Reach Betania Monastery
It was at the start of October, we decided to visit Betania monastery not far from Tbilisi. We took our almost SUV car - Volkswagen Touareg and started the journey.The road sign said 6,7 km and we will reach the monastery.Cool, I thought, I have wanted to visit this place for ages, let me make some cool drone video.Colors of Georgia, on the road to Betania monasteryLittle we know that the drive is not the best, and can take about an hour. it was getting dark, our toddler girl was crying, and it was decided to turn back the car and return here some other day.Author of this blog captured in actionPiece of Life after all!
September 2020 Dividend Income Report - $117.04
Welcome to the forty-first (#41) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks and peer to peer lending in September 2020.Just like in the previous months, we spent the last September here in Georgia. We did a few road trips across the country.Also, I managed to crash and lose my DJI Mavic mini drone and had to order a new one, which got delivered at the end of the month, so more cool drone videos can be done.Sapara monastery in GeorgiaI had a chance to visit this monastery at the end of September 2020 and capture really awesome drone photography / catching colors of the fallThe baby girl attends her pre-school, she is doing great - talking,…
How To Withdraw PayPal to Bank Account in Georgia
Withdrawing funds from PayPal to a local bank account is a popular question in many countries, including Georgia.
As recently I had to renew my VISA card here in Georgia (Bank of Georgia) I decided to test - can I actually withdraw funds from Paypal to a Bank account in Georgia?
If you need consultancy or help with opening a bank account in Georgia, visit the Terramatris website: Opening Bank Account in Georgia
Turns out I can. And it is done at blazing speeds. Funds were transferred in seconds, Awesome.
For the test purposes, I decided to transfer $40 from my PayPal balance to my Georgian bank account.
the transfer took about 3 seconds and cost $5.
Not sure will the…
Rike Park Concert Hall - Music Theater and Exhibition
As the name suggests, the Rike Park Concert Hall is located inside the territory of Rike Park, Tbilisi. The other name Music Theatre and Exhibition hallRike park concert hall in TbilisiThe project site is located inside the green area called Rike Park, in Tbilisi, Georgia.The building consists of two different soft shaped elements that are connected as a unique body at the retaining wall. Every shape has its own function:The north part of the building contains the Musical Theatre Hall (566 seats), the foyer and several facilities, together with technical spaces for theatre machinery and various storages. The Exhibition Hall opens its great entrance with a ramp that brings…
Italy/Switzerland Travel Guide
This is yet another roundup post listing places from our latest trip to Italy and Switzerland at the end of 2019.
Long story short - we travel to Italy's Bergamo by Ryanair from Tbilisi airport, took a rental car, and went to cool places both in Italy and Switzerland. To make it more fun we traveled together with our 16 months old toddler
Also, see my notes from the 2015/2016 travels - My Italy Travel Guide
Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili, Autograph Collection Hotel in Georgia
Set in Shekhvetili, some 40km from Batumi, Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili, Autograph Collection offers 5-star accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court and a fitness center. We booked this hotel for an about a 4-day stay in early August 2020, to celebrate my 35th birthday here.For this stay here we spent GEL 3030 / USD 980. Arrived here from another great hotel in Batumi (Radisson Blu Hotel Batumi) using Bolt taxi application (About 40 GEL)Family room at Parapgrahp Resort and SPA hotel in ShekvetiliAs we were traveling with our 2 years old toddler girl, our room was upgraded (for free) to the family room. We saved at least GEL 1500 from this free upgrade. Which…