Reinis Fischer
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Genealogy

Baltic German DNA Uncovered: Tracing My Ancestry to the von Anrep Nobility

Kreiss Walk, With Homeln manor (Omuļu muiža)

Family legends often hold a grain of truth, even if they become distorted over time. My journey into family history, particularly on my maternal lineage—through my mother's mother's father’s side (Rozentāls)—has been a fascinating one. What started as a casual exploration turned into a deeper dive into historical records, DNA analysis, and surprising discoveries about Baltic German nobility in my ancestry.While researching my family history, I…

Living in Georgia

Salty Garden and David Gareja Monastery complex

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Our latest weekend escapade in Georgia was nothing short of a whirlwind, filled with diverse experiences, stunning landscapes, and a touch of nostalgia. It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years since we first stumbled upon the hidden gem that is Salty Garden back in 2021. That initial trip introduced us to its warm and welcoming host, David, and sparked a love for this unique spot near Bazaleti Lake. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re back at…

India

Stays & Trails La Maison Hotel Review in Panaji

At the tail end of 2024, just before catching our flight back to Delhi, we decided to book a one-night stay at Stays & Trails La Maison Fontainhas in Panaji, Goa. After weeks staying in Palolem beach, we wanted to wrap up our trip with a relaxing stopover in the charming old town of Fontainhas, known for its colorful Portuguese-style houses and laid-back vibe. This boutique hotel seemed like the perfect pick—and it didn’t disappoint for a…

India

Things to do in Palolem: Art Class with Swaroop

After spending a few weeks unwinding on Palolem Beach—swimming, surfing, and soaking up the sun—we decided it was time to explore some of the other activities the area had to offer. Palolem is more than just a stunning beach; it’s a vibrant hub of experiences for both kids and adults. Among the variety of activities, Sandra booked an art class for Renee, which quickly turned into a family affair.The art class, led by the talented and…

Czechia

Prague / Meet CE Conference

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In mid-October, during Renee's school break, we traveled to Prague for the Meet Central Europe Translator Conference. It was a great opportunity to connect with professionals from the industry, exchange ideas, and see how the translation business is evolving. But let’s be honest—the real highlight was exploring the city.Between conference sessions, we made sure to check out some of Prague’s must-see spots. We climbed towers for panoramic views,…

India

Fishing Adventure in Palolem: Dolphins, Turtles, and Local Flavor

During our stay at Maria Guest House in Palolem, we had the pleasure of embarking on an unforgettable fishing adventure organized by our host, Mir. It all began with an early start to the day—we left the hotel at 7:00 AM, just as the sun began to light up the picturesque Goan coastline.Mir had arranged everything seamlessly. A taxi was waiting to take us to the local boat pier, a short 10-15 minute drive from the guest house. Upon arrival, we…

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…

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…

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…

Living in Georgia

Schuchmann Wines Château & Caucasus Translations New Year's Party (2025)

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Caucasus Translations is kicking off the year with an unforgettable annual corporate event at the breathtaking Schuchmann Winery in Kakheti! 🍷✨ From wine baths to hot swimming pools and countless unforgettable moments, this retreat is all about celebrating hard work and looking forward to even greater achievements in the year ahead.A huge THANK YOU to our amazing Caucasus Translations team—your dedication and passion make everything…

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