Blog Archive: January 2022
Gorijvari
| Churches and Monasteries | 18 seen
The ancient church called ‘’Gorijvari’’ stands between the Trialeti Mountains and the river bank of Mtkvari close to the Gori town in Georgia.
The church was named after Saint Georges, which was originally built in the 12th century. It was burned down by the Turks, rebuilt, and destroyed again by an earthquake in 1920. The current church was built in the 1980s.
It was at the end of January 2022, we were traveling around Gori town and were looking for some interesting sightseeing objects - and Gori Jvari popped on our radar. Unfortunately, we were not able (didn't try) to actually reach the monastery complex, instead, I was using a drone to film and photograph this place from a distance. Impressive!
I would call this place as awesome as Gergeti church near Kazbegi. Great touristic potential. The views from the top should be awesome. I guess a hotel like Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi in the footsteps would help Shida Karli region to boost tourism.
Gorijvari church is located in Shida Kartli region, Gori Municipality, in the village of Didi Gorijvari, 4 km away from Gori. The road goes to the church.
Tsunami Honganji Vihara
| Tourism objects | 48 seen
Tsunami Honganji Vihara is a Buddhist Monument in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
We discovered this place at the start of January 2022 while taking a local driver for a trip from our hotel in Bentota to Galle. Our driver told us the tragic story about Tsunami taking more than 35,000 lives in Sri Lanka back in 2004. This place is a memorial to the over 35,000 Sri Lankans killed by the Tsunami on the 26th December 2004
This Buddha statue was opened on the 26th of December 2006 at Paraliya as a memorial to the over 35,000 Sri Lankans killed by the Tsunami on the 26th December 2004. This statue is a exact replica of the 5th Century 175 feet Barmiyan Buddha Statue destroyed by the Muslim Fundamentalists in Afghanistan. This replica was created using the earliest known sketches of the statue.
The statue is a replica of Afghanistan's Bamiyan Buddha, which was destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
We didn't actually visited the memorial insde, just a quick stop before the Galle town
Barberyn Lighthouse
| Tourism objects | 49 seen
Barberyn Lighthouse (also known as Beruwala Lighthouse) is a lighthouse located on Barberyn Island some 800 meters offshore from the town of Beruwala on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka.
I noticed Barveryn Lighthouse from our hotel (Cinnamon Bey Berawula) and one day when at the beach, a local tour seller offered me a trip to the island and lighthouse. Our agreed price was USD 30 (two adults and one kid).
From our hotel the boat ride was about 5-10 minutes. Life jackets were provided.
The lighthouse was completed in November 1889, and operated by the Imperial Lighthouse Service. In 1969 it was upgraded with the replacement of the old dioptric apparatus (produced by Chance Brothers) and with a pedestal rotating beacon (Pharos Marine PRB-21 sealed beam optic and drive pedestal). It was further modernised in 2000, with the introduction of a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and is computer linked to the other major lighthouses around the country. The Barberyn Lighthouse is one of the four international lighthouses in Sri Lanka.
Our guide got one coconut and demonstrated us how to crack it. Awesome.
Besides the lighthouse there is nothing much to do (some can climb actually top to the lighthouse). The price USD 30 seems bit overprices for a boat trip here, but not complaining either.
Gori Fortress
| Military Heritage | 28 seen
Gori Fortress is a medieval citadel in Georgia, situated above the city of Gori on a rocky hill.
I've visited Gori several times, and several times have seens this impressive fortress, once I even made a nice photography with impressive warrior statues in the footsteps of the fortress, see: Gori Fortress & Memorial of Georgian Warrior Heroes
It was back in January 2022, I visited Gori again and decided to make a nice photograhy with the fortress
Standing on the hilltop, the fortress’s outlines follow the natural relief, hence the irregular shape. The inner fortifications occupy the entire plateau, from which the walls descend towards the road along the western slope. Originally, the walls reached the river below and the water had to be diverted through a tunnel, but the river has retreated since.
The fortress first appears in records from the 13th century, but archaeological evidence shows that the area had already been fortified in the final centuries BCE. The fortress was of major strategic importance, given its dominant position guarding a regional trade route, and accommodated a large garrison. In the 16th century the Ottomans captured it to overawe Tbilisi. In 1598 the Georgians, lead by their king Simon I, besieged it for nine months to no avail; in 1599 they feigned relieving the siege for Lent and then launched a surprise night attack to regain control over the citadel.The fortress continued to change hands between the Georgians and the Persians in the 17th century.
The citadel acquired its present-day form under the Georgian kings Rostom of Kartli in the 1630s and Erekle II in 1774. Following its completion, King Rostom asked the Italian missionary Cristophoro Castelli, who lived in Gori, to draw the fortress. His stunning illustration from approximately 1642 is a valuable historical document. After the Russian annexation of Georgia in 1801, the fortress was garrisoned by a Russian grenadier battalion, but its importance gradually declined and the fortifications went defunct. The city plan of 1824 shows the citadel, the city on the hill slopes and a moat encircling both. The British Encyclopædia Metropolitana reported in 1845:
At the foot of a chain of low sandstone hills stands the Town and Fortress of Gori, (perhaps the Gursenna of Strabo,) the next place in magnitude and importance to Tiflis. The Castle, an oblong, 200 paces in length, placed sixteen fathoms above the level of the Liakhvi, running at the foot of the hill on which it stands, is now abandoned, a Chapel in its South-Eastern angle being the only part in use.
Gori Fortress was significantly damaged by an earthquake in 1920. The best preserved structure is Tskhra-kara ("the Nine-gated"), facing to the west and adjoined by supplementary walls on the south and east.
Colombo Town Hall
| Tourism objects | 33 seen
The Town Hall of Colombo is the headquarters of the Colombo Municipal Council and the office of the Mayor of Colombo. Built-in front of the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka, it is the meeting place for the elected municipal council.
I discovered this awesome architectural place a by an accident, by taking a tuk-tuk ride around Colombo city at the start of January 2022.
In 1921 renowned Scottish town planner, Professor Patrick Geddes, recommended that the Council should construct a large central and dignified municipal building to house the council, a public reception hall, the mayor's office and a public library. The need for the Colombo Public Library was addressed by a philanthropic donation of a building by Dr. W. Arthur Silva in 1925. This building, Sirinivasa, is now the official residence of the mayor.
Although many alterations have been made to the original design, the building still possesses a few characteristics that have not been touched by modern renovations. The council chamber and its furniture, including the original lamps and lamp bases are still intact. All the doors and windows of the building are original, as well as the ornamental lamps on the staircase leading to the second floor from the lobby
How To Start a Restaurant in Tbilisi, Georgia - Food Safety and Permissions
| Doing Business | 289 seen
With this post, I'm starting a new series on the Doing Business in Georgia topic - opening and operating a profitable restaurant in Georgia.
Turns out - I'm not only enjoying eating at Tbilisi restaurants but now I'm also looking to open one. Well, my case might be a bit different as I'm more looking to open an online restaurant, the ghost kitchen also called the dark kitchen, serving orders online only. I have no idea where this journey will end, but one is for sure I'm looking to enjoy the road as much as possible.
Anyhow, once I was able to visualize and formulate what I want to achieve, I started to explore what steps should be taken next. Finding premises, registering a business, hiring staff, last but not least - food safety. Georgia is known as a country of easy-to-do business. so I guess opening and running a restaurant shouldn't be a brainer.
At this step, I could probably start looking to hire some local law firm, but I decided to learn as much as I can and visited the National Food Agency website to learn more about food safety measures and requirements. There is a lot of good read on that website, if you are up for opening a restaurant in Tbilisi and just like me looking into a section about food safety, make sure to visit the website and familiarize yourself with the content.
I noticed there is a chat option available on the website and without hesitation and in plain English started a little but useful conversation with one of the agents. Here I paste our conversation fully.
Thank you for contacting the operator and we will get back to you soon (2022-01-21 10:34:22)
Tamar: Hello, how can I help you?
Reinis: Hello! I'm interested in opening a food on delivery only. What are the requirements and where should I fill some forms for food safety?
Tamar: What kind of product are you going to produce?
Reinis: pizza
თამარი :first, you must register as a business operator in the public register, as well as with a reference to the activity in the register of economic activitie
Tamar: next You should read Resolutions: 173, 3014
Tamar: this resolution can see nfa.gov.ge
Reinis:okay, thank you! Have a nice day!
But then the nice operator continued
Tamar: The introduction of "hasp" is also important
Reinis:hasp?
Tamar:yes
Tamar: The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP) is a food safety system that is mandatory for all facilities;
Tamar:You can also introduce Hasp in accordance with the law or you can invite specialists.
Reinis: can you recommend some specialists?
თამარი: you need to find a specialist because Representatives of the National Food Agency do not introduce this
თამარი: You can also go to the National Food Agency to write an application and then the inspectors will consult you on the spot. The service is paid which you will find in Resolution 59.
Reinis: okay, thak you!
Tamar: have a nice day.
So, here you go some info to kickstart this process - Look for the Resolutions: 173, 301 and also implement hasp or HACCP
Pshavi's Champions Natakhtari Restaurant
| Restaurant reviews | 44 seen
Pshavi's Champions is another awesome roadside restaurant located in the village of Natakhari (Gudauri highway)
We love coming to this area for dinner and have discovered already a few Natakhtari restaurants so far. We were jsut returned from Sri Lanka trip and were looking for some nice dinning place - that show we ended up at Pshavi's Champions place.
Turns out Pshavi Champions is a chain of restaurants
Khashi's House and Pshavi Champions is a chain of restaurants that first appeared on the Georgian market in 2016 and offers customers delicious Georgian dishes, cozy and comfortable environment
-Pshavi Champions serves typical Georgian cuisine and a friend of mine suggested they are also making their own beer. Awesome!
Being vegeterain for the past 2 month helpes us avoid high bill. Total bill about GEL 50 for lot of vegeterian food - salds, badrijani, khachapuri, some khinkali and more.
If you happen to be in the area - give it a try!
Hilton Colombo Residence Apartment Review
| Hotel reviews | 18 seen
Located in the heart of Colombo city, Hilton Colombo Residence offers rooms and suites with panoramic views of the city, harbor, or the Indian Ocean. Boasting an outdoor pool, it also has a fitness center, squash court, and tennis court.
We booked a two-night stay here at the start of January 2022, during our trip to Sri Lanka. In total paid about USD 370. Additionally, we ordered an airport shuffle from the Colombo airport for about $35.
Top 13 5-star hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Instead of a 2bd we got a free upgrade to 3bd apartment.
We were quite happy with 1 and a half room already, but having apartment with 3bd and two showers was quite awesome.
Spacious suites at Hilton Colombo Residence feature comfortable lounge areas with 40-inch LED Televisions and BlueRay. Modern amenities include a washing machine and ironing facilities.
Enjoy the state of the art gymnasium or relax at the sauna and hot tub. Interesting day trips around Colombo are easily arranged at the tour desk. The accommodations also provides spacious meeting and banquet venues.
Regarding the swimming pool and hot tub I was hoping for more, but still cannot complain much.
Enjoy cuisines from around the globe at FLOW, the newly-built multi-cuisine restaurant. Light refreshments are offered at the BASICO Bar & Lounge. It also offers 24-hour in-room dining service.
Hilton Colombo Residence is a 30-minute drive from Colombo International Airport making it an ideal destination for business, leisure or family.
At the checkout day hotel organized us a shuttle transfer to Bentota city for about 12,000 Sri Lankan Rupees.
I would highly recommend to consider stay at the Hilton Colombo Residences apartment - great location, close to shops, tuk-tuks and taxi.
Book now on Booking.com
36 Reasons to Visit Georgia and Tbilisi
| Travel guides | 14 seen
In this article, I've listed 36 awesome places to visit in Georgia, Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, and more. These are the places I've actually visited and discovered for the first (Well most of them) back in 2021. From abandoned Russian airfields in the Georgian desert to 5-star hotels in Batumi.
Meeting new life-long friends in the middle of nowhere. Take a bath in the city center of Tbilisi or enjoy natural hot pools near Kazbegi.
Trying a fish near Birvisi or enjoying world-class service near Aspindza. Keep reading to learn more about those special places we have visited and highly recommend to others
Seema Malaka Buddhist temple in Colombo
| Churches and Monasteries | 36 seen
Seema Malaka is a Buddhist temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The temple is mainly used for meditation and rest, rather than for worship. Situated in Beira Lake, the temple was originally constructed in the late 19th century. Seema Malaka is a part of the Gangaramaya Temple and is situated a few hundred meters to its east.
I had a chance to visit this temple at the start of January 2022, during our Sri Lanka trip. We found this awesome place thanks to the local tuk-tuk driver, who agreed to show us 10 sites in Colombo for just 1,000 Sri Lankan Rupees.
Really picturesque place.
Seema Malaka was originally constructed in the late 19th century. The original structure slowly sank into the water in 1970s. In 1976, Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa was brought in to redesign and construct the temple, which stands today.
The temple is constructed on three platforms over water, which are connected to the mainland and with each other by pontoon bridges. The temple's main roof is covered with blue color tiles and the temple is made from collected spindles and handrails in wooden finishes. The architecture of the edifice resembles the Kandyan era.
All three platforms have numerous seated Buddha statues displaying different mudras. The main (central) platform houses wooden paneled shelter for meditation. On one of the side platforms is the Bodhi Tree which was grown from a branch of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura.
The four corners of the side platform have small shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Kataragama deviyo and Ganesha.
A shrine dedicated to Guanyin is found at the entrance to the temple and another statue of Guanyin is also found within the temple complex.
Hotel Marino Beach Colombo
| Hotel reviews | 40 seen
Marino Beach Colombo has a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and bar in Colombo. 2.4 km from Galle Face Beach and 1.7 km from U.S. Embassy, the property offers a garden and a terrace. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, room service, and currency exchange for guests.
We booked here a one-night stay at the start of January 2022 and paid about $135.
The reason we booked this hotel, probably is its rooftop infinity pool.
Top 13 5-star hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Th room size was quite ok.. Nowadays its modern having bathroom with a glass window.
Our threenager daughter enjoyed her time at the kid pool, while we were sipping mango and strawberry cocktails.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Marino Beach Colombo rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast.
Not the biggest skycrapper in the city, but still quite awesome.
Unfortunelty we didn't had enough time to enjoy all the hotel's facilities, as we were leaving early in the morning to depart from the Colombo airport back to Tbilisi, via Doha.
Decent 4-star hotel with a view. Book now on Booking.com
Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo
| Churches and Monasteries | 40 seen
Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence. Located on the Beira Lake, it was completed in the late 19th century.
We were for the second day in Colombo, at our Hilton Colombo residences when I decided to google for top sightseeing objects in Colombo and Gangaramaya Temple popped up.
It was a matter of catching a tuk-tuk and for 100 Sri Lankan Rupees, we were taken to this temple. At the temple, we were asked to pay 800 Sri Lankan Rupee entrance fee and our journey started (after removing our shoes)
The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.
This Buddhist temple includes several imposing buildings and is situated not far from the placid waters of Beira Lake on a plot of land that was originally a small hermitage on a piece of marshy land. It has the main features of a Vihara (temple), the Cetiya (Pagada) the Bodhitree, the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema malaka (assembly hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber. In addition, a museum, a library, a residential hall, a three storeyed Pirivena, educational halls and an alms hall are also on the premises.
Most notable for tourists is the architecture of the Simamalaka Shrine, which was built with donations from a Muslim sponsor to the design of Geoffrey Bawa.
Today Gangaramaya serves as a place of Buddhist worship and a learning centre. The temple is involved in Buddhist welfare work including old peoples' homes, a vocational school and an orphanage. The temple is uniquely attractive and tolerant of members of many different religions. It has been instrumental in establishing the Buddhist temple on Staten Island (US) the Buddhist Center in New York and the Buddhist Centre in Tanzania, thus helping to propagate the Dhamma in other countries.
Madu Ganga River Boat Safari
| Travel guides | 86 seen
Madu Ganga river boat safari is a fun and pretty easy attraction in Balapitiya, Sri Lanka
We booked a tour on Madu Ganga (and a few other destinations) from a local guy at our hotel's beach (Taj Bentota Resort & Spa).
We agreed to pay 8,000 Sri Lankan rupees for a Madu Ganga river boat safari, a visit to the turtle shelter and a visit to the spices and herbal garden. At an agreed time, our driver (s) already waited for us at the hotels' lobby and the trip started.
After some 25 minutes drive we were at the Captain Boat House Balaptiya and our actual boat trip started
Situated at Balapitiya, Madu Ganga is the second biggest wetland in Sri Lanka. Abundantly rich in biodiversity, the river covers at least 150 acres of land and consists of 14 mangroves out of the 24 mangrove species found in Sri Lanka.
The Madu Ganga wetland is considered to be one of the last remaining tracts of mangrove forests. It is the best place to watch prawn farming and traditional fishing methods. It is also home to 300 species of plants and about 250 wildlife species which makes it a haven for ecologists and botanists.
As our boat driver told - we were very lucky seeing a crocodile today, as it is kind of rare. Cool enough.
Visitors can book themselves for boat rides and bird-watching rides.
Accompanied along with trained professionals and local fishermen, the Madu River safari begins at the mouth of Madu River at Balapitiya, which lasts between 1 to 2 hours and visitors have the opportunity to see a large area of the wetland. The boat traverses through thick mangrove forests, which provide protection to a large number of aquatic birds, animal and plant species. One can get a chance to see crocodiles, water snakes, tree snakes, and wild boars in their natural habitat during the boat ride.
Plenty of refreshments here, starting a coconut juice for just 100 Sri Lankan Rupees and even Coca Cola for some 200 local money. Awesome.
Another interesting thing to do during the safari is the fish spa in the midst of the river. Sailing through the mangroves, one will encounter several rectangular fish tanks teaming with Gourami fish. The primary purpose of these fish tanks is to provide fish therapy. The natural environment around the fish spa is fantastic, and you get uninterrupted, scenic views of the vast mangrove forests.
Sandra decided to take the fish spa and for some 300 Sri Lankan rupees she got it and was very excited.
The river also consists of 25 islands, out of which only 15 are of sizeable landmass and safe to visit.
One island where the motorboat halts at is the Cinnamon Island which has cinnamon trees sprawling over acres of land, and the plantations date back to the 1900s. It is an age-old cinnamon plantation set on an island that has been run by a single family for generations. Here, one can learn more about the process of harvesting cinnamon.
I was very surprised learning the process how cinnamon is made. Quite an awesome trip.
Another stop in the Madu River Safari is at Koth Duwa, one of the large inhabited islands in Madu Ganga. The island houses an ancient Buddhist Temple comprises of many buildings and thus covers the entire island. The noteworthy places in the temple are Bo-tree, Image house, and Dagoba.
If you happen to be in area - consider Madu Ganga river boat Safari.
Visit Madu Ganga River Safari to book online or learn more
Hamad International Airport
| Airports | 13 seen
Hamad International Airport is the sole international airport in the state of Qatar, and the home of Qatar’s flag carrier airline, Qatar Airways. Located south of its capital, Doha, it replaced the nearby Doha International Airport as Qatar's principal airport.
The airport is named after the previous Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
I first visited Hamad International airport at the start of 2022 while traveling in transit from Tbilisi (Georgia) to Colombo (Sri Lanka).
Our connecting flight was some 8 hours long, to make our stay more comfortable in transit we booked lounge access with a chance to take a nap and have refreshments. Plenty of food, drinks and even a shower. Nice.
Here we took an access to kind of quiet area with a chance to take a nap on sofa.
Al Mourjan Business Lounge offers a variety of dining areas to suit your taste.
Spread over 10,000 square metres, Al Mourjan Business Lounge is around 10 times the size of an Olympic-size swimming pool. A rich variety of spaces have been designed around your needs.
You can enjoy a refreshing drink in our garden resort area, catch a quick nap in one of the quiet rooms, relax in one of the family rooms or simply kick back and enjoy a moment of tranquillity..
More than 38.8 million passengers arrived at the airport in 2019, up from 34.5 million in 2018
The Grand Documentary of 2021
| Documentaries | 25 seen
From more than 235 GB of footage (1409 short clips per year), I was able to produce about 48 minutes long documentary.
As every year - the documentary is made in a style of a home video, filmed with a DSLR camera, DJI Mavic drone and since April I've replaced the DSLR camera with a mobile phone. Which IMHO gives a much better result having both A-Roll and B-rolls.
The length of the film is determined by its main character, our daughter Renee.
Still, just a few travel around the World but more exploring our home countries (Georgia, Latvia).
Glued, sanded, lathed, beaten, and put together in Riga, Tbilisi, and Colombo