Blog Archive: February 2025

Living in Georgia

Dedoplis Tskaro / Eagle Canyon / Big Shiraki (2024)

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Our summer journey through Georgia's hidden treasures has been an unforgettable adventure! We began by hiking the stunning Eagle Canyon near Dedoplistskaro, a limestone marvel home to majestic birds of prey. The 1 km trail led us through breathtaking landscapes, offering glimpses of eagles' nests and rare flora.In Sighnaghi, we indulged in authentic Georgian cuisine at Pheasant's Tears restaurant. Chef Gia Rokashvili crafts dishes inspired by…

Drupal & Servers

How to Install Drupal 11 with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.3, MySQL, phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 24.04 - Linode Guide

In this article, you will learn how to set up a webserver for serving Drupal 11 websites running with Nginx, PHP-FPM 8.3, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 24.04For the following tutorial, I used very much the information from my previous guide with Ubuntu 23.04, but I decided to rewrite it for Ubuntu 24.04 version as it is shipped with php8.4 and also php8.4 version and will work with Drupal 11 (most probably with previous versions too)…

Georgia

Kakhaberi Restaurant: A Culinary Gem Near Bibliani

In early January 2025, during a weekend trip to Gudauri, we stumbled upon Kakhaberi restaurant near Bibliani. What a discovery it turned out to be! Nestled along the route to the mountains, this place is a treasure trove of authentic Georgian cuisine, offering a delightful mix of great food, efficient service, and genuine hospitality.Our experience was memorable from the moment we stepped in. The food was not only amazing but also served…

Living in Georgia

Salty Garden & Lisi Lake (2024)

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The last weekend of April 2024 was filled with nature, good company, and memorable experiences. The journey took us to Salty Garden near Bazaleti Lake, where I met Anastasiya, who was working at the Salty Garden tavern, and later, a hike around Lisi Lake wrapped up the adventure.Located in the picturesque surroundings of Bazaleti Lake, Salty Garden is a hidden gem perfect for relaxation. The area is known for its tranquil atmosphere, fresh air,…

Drupal & Servers

How to Install Composer on Ubuntu (24.04) for Easy Drupal Module & Theme Updates

As a Drupal developer, keeping your modules up to date is crucial for security and performance. To streamline this process, I use Composer—a powerful dependency manager for PHP. It allows me to quickly update Drupal modules without the hassle of manually downloading and configuring each one. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of installing Composer on Ubuntu 24.04.I typically run Drupal on an Ubuntu-based server with Nginx as the…

Georgia

Erisoni Restaurant in Gori

During my recent visit to Gori, I had the pleasure of dining at Restaurant Erisoni, a place I wouldn’t have discovered if it weren’t for a friendly recommendation. The night before, while enjoying a cup of coffee at Georgia Hotel Gold, I struck up a conversation with David, my business partner. As we chatted about things to do in Gori, I asked for some tips on must-visit spots, and without hesitation, David insisted that I should check out…

Georgia

Karavela Restaurant: A Cozy Gem Near Tbilisi Sea

For years, we’d been eyeing Karavela, a charming restaurant perched near the Tbilisi Sea. The idea of stopping by lingered in our minds, especially during our many drives around the area back in 2019-2020 One memory stands out vividly—driving around the serene waters with our toddler daughter in her baby seat, hoping the gentle motion of the car would lull her to sleep. Each time, we’d search for a decent spot to dine but somehow never made…

Living in Georgia

Gori, Uplistsikhe & Mom

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We kicked off February with a trip to Gori, a city known for its deep historical roots and a connection to one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century—Joseph Stalin. But our journey wasn't just about history; it was a mix of relaxation, local flavors, and a dive into Georgia’s ancient past.Our base in Gori was the Georgia Gold hotel—don’t let the fancy name fool you, this place is budget-friendly and offers great value. The real…

Georgia

Tbilisi Museum of Illusions & Holloseum

At the start of February, we spent a delightful afternoon exploring the Tbilisi Museum of Illusions and Holloseum. Our little one, having already visited the museum a few weeks prior with her class from the British International School of Tbilisi (BIST), enthusiastically suggested we go as a family. Given her excitement, we couldn’t resist!While sipping on a late latte at Entree on Marjanishvili, I decided to book a taxi, and soon we were off to…

India

Colva Beach: Golden Sands and Tranquility in Goa

Colva Beach, located in South Goa, is known for its expansive golden sands and tranquil atmosphere. Stretching for several kilometers along the Arabian Sea, the beach offers a peaceful escape from the busier tourist hubs in the region. Its wide shoreline, framed by swaying palm trees, provides plenty of space for visitors to relax, stroll, or simply enjoy the sound of the waves.We visited Culva Beach on the recommendation of our hosts at Maria…

Living in Georgia

Birthday party (2024) aka Kartuli Disko

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Back in June 2024,  amazing team at Caucasus Translations pulled off an incredible surprise birthday party for my dear partner. The birthday girl of honor had absolutely no clue what was going on as I secretly took her to the party spot in the suburbs of TbilisiAs soon as we arrived, the energy was electric. The music kicked in, and the dancing started immediately. Traditional Georgian dances took over the floor, and of course, Kartuli…

Stocks

January 2025 Stock Portfolio Update ($7,936)

At the end of January 2025, the total value of our stock portfolio was USD 7,936 (€7,611 ). What is about 14.17% increase or USD 984 gain, if compared to the previous month. Despite few troubled options trades our small but aspiring dividend stock portfolio ended strong.Most of the month we spent in Georgia, just at the start of the month we returned from our almost month long trip to India. While in Georgia, we did a few roadtrips to places…

Georgia

Schuchmann Wines Château: A Long-Awaited Stay in Georgia’s Premier Winery Hotel & Spa

It took us over a decade to finally make it to Schuchmann Wines Château & Spa, and it was well worth the wait! We’ve spent years recommending this stunning winery hotel to visiting friends and business partners, yet somehow, we had never experienced it firsthand—until now.Back in 2011, when I first relocated to Georgia, Schuchmann Wines was already on my radar. Nestled in the heart of Kakheti, near Telavi, it seemed like the perfect place…

India

Margao Market, Goa: Spices, Sweets, and a Slice of Local Life

We decided to take a relaxed day trip to Margao, thanks to our host at Maria Guest House in Palolem Beach, who kindly organized everything. The main event? A visit to Margao Market. It turned out to be a short but fascinating experience, filled with sights, smells, and tastes that left a lasting impression.The moment we stepped into Margao Market, it felt alive. The place buzzed with activity—vendors calling out their prices, customers haggling…

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