Abano Mineral Lake Natural Monument
Abano Mineral Lake Natural Monument is a small lake in Kazbegi Municipality in Truso valley on the left bank of Terek River, to the east of the village Abano at 2,127 m above sea level.
First discovered back in Summer of 2021, during the Kazbegi trip
The lake was created by a carbon dioxide filled underground stream flowing to the surface…
Nīcava restaurant
Restaurant Nīcava is located in Nīca town, Latvia. some 230 km from the nation's capital Riga, sandwiched between Liepāja and Jūrmalciems.
We paid here a short stop in mid-July 2021, while traveling to the Pape beach
Turns out there is both a motel/guest house and a restaurant. Restaurant here serves typical Latvian cuisine.
Quite a nice…
Summer in Latvia 2021
Summer in Latvia 2021 or this is how we spent an awesome one month in Latvia.
From getting a vaccine at Akropolis shopping mall in Riga to wild beaches near Pape.
From a wooden boat in Pāvilosta to yacht in Ķīšezers.
Made a ton of hyper lapses, ate a ton of birthday cakes, and more. Enjoy the video!
How To add Pixelate effect Adobe Premiere Pro
Recently I faced an issue with a video uploaded to YouTube, the video featured parts that needed to be removed or pixelated. After a quick google search I found this awesome video tutorial, and here is how:
From the Effects panel search for 'mosaic' - > choose from Stylize and apply Mosaic to all clip
If you are looking to pixelate just a…
Hotel Butterfly House in Pāvilosta
Set some 3 km from the city center of Pāvilosta Butterfly House offers accommodation with free WiFi, BBQ facilities, a garden, and free private parking.
We booked this place for a 2-night stay in mid-July and paid EUR 266. We chose this hotel as we were looking for some nice place to stay and throw a birthday party for our 3-…
Guest house Otrā Elpa in Valka
Otrā Elpa is located in the center of Valka. Guests are welcome to use free Wi-Fi in all areas of this property.
I have stayed in this hotel a few times, and last time did it so back in the mid-July 2021, when had a quick trip to Valka and nearby area
Decorated in light colours, all rooms here will provide you with cable TV and a table. Private…
Gveleti Small Waterfalls
Gveleti waterfalls are located in the region of Kazbegi region near the small village Gveleti.
Outdoor lovers and hikers will enjoy this little waterfall a lot .
I first discovered this place at the end of July 2021, during a weekend trip to Kazbegi. As we were driving with a 4x4 SUV car, we drove most of the unpaved road to the…
Terek Valley Viewpoint
Terek Valley viewpoint is located along the Georgian military road, close to the border with Russia. Maybe not as impressive as Georgia - Russia Friendship monument located near the Gudauri, still, if you happen to be in this area of the world, give it a try, views are still quite spectacular.
There is a little altar of sacrifice built at the…
Andrejsala
Andrejsala is an area located in the Pētersala-Andrejsala neighborhood of Riga, Latvia within a former territory of an industrial port next to the city center.
Andrejsala is a chich, urban place to visit.
It is currently developed into a significant art, culture, and entertainment center featuring exhibition halls, clubs, workshops,…
Kazbegi Trip 2021
Kazbegi trip - or searching for hot pools at Truso Valley, wandering at Darial gorge near the Georgian - Russian border, reaching Gveleti waterfall, walk in the clouds at Gergeti..
and of course a lot of offroad driving. Thanks, Ralph Schmidt and Rosemarie Rivera for making this trip happen.
July 24-25, 2021
About Tbilisi - Batumi Flight by Vanilla Sky
At the end of May 2021, we traveled Tbilisi - Batumi (and back) for the first time with an airplane. And let me say - this is the best option to travel between these two Georgian cities. In the past, I've tried a train, marshrutka, and private vehicle.Flight is only 50 minutes and you don't feel tired not at all. i first hear about Vanilla…
Ērģeme Castle Ruins
Ērģeme castle is located in the parish of Ērģeme, Valka county, some 170 km north from the capital of Riga.
Ērģeme castle served as a powerful fortress for the protection of the Livonian Holy Order eastern border and as a castle-front for the Cēsis castle of the Livonian Holy Order master. The castle was mentioned in 1422 but it was built already…
Truso Valley
Truso Valley is known for its mineral water springs, white/yellow travertines, mineral lake with bubbles, towers of middle ages, -most notably Zakagori castle, villages on a very high altitude such as Resi (2350m), tasty cheese and Ossetian Khabidzginas (khachapuri with cheese and potatoes) and nice people.
I first visited this area during…
Laidi manor / Valtaiķi church / Rudbārži manor
November has started with some cool 4K cinematic drone videography at Laidi manor / Valtaiķi church / Rudbārži manor.
All places are great and highly recommended to visit, all places share some great history, starting Baltic - German nobleman Manteuffel at Laidi Manor, or some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in Latvia at Valtaiķu…
Georgia - Russia Friendship monument near Gudauri
Georgia - the land of many wonders
A drone flight around Georgia - Russia Friendship Monument near Gudauri
DJI Mavic mini, August 16th, 2020
Music by Scott Holmes - Epic Cinematographic
Khertvisi Fortress
Khertvisi fortress is one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia and was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period. It is situated in Khertvisi village of Aspindza Municipality, Southern Georgia, in Meskheti region. The fortress was first mentioned in the 10th-11th centuries.The church was built in 985, and…
Orbeliani square Tbilisi
Autumn feeling or fun with a drone near Oberliani square / Alexander Garden in Tbilisi. (The former and famous Hotel 'London' is located in this area) Music by David Hilowitz - Equilibrium I Cello version
Salty Garden Tavern in Mlashe
Salty Garden Tavern is an awesome place located in Mlashe village, some 60 km from the nation's capital Tbilisi near the Bazaleti lakeWe discovered this place at the end of May 2021 and were surprised to learn that the owner of the tavern - David speaks some Latvian.Mlashe villageOur mission is to support the development of our village Mlashe…
June 2021 Dividend Income Report - $128.31
Welcome to the fifthy (#50) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks in June 2021.The last June we spent in Georgia and at the end of the month traveled back to Latvia, we did many nice road trips, kept going to the gym and visited swimming pool, English kindergarten for our…
How To export Image from Video File in Adobe Premiere Pro
Lately, I've put my DSLR camera aside and mostly using DJI Mavic AIr 2 + phone for photography and video (mostly video).
The drone is an awesome replacement for a DSLR camera - you can have both video and photography, the only drawback - no audio, that's why I'm using a phone.
anyhow, recently I discovered an awesome place here…
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Berlin Brandenburg Airport
In April 2026, I had my first experience with Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) while flying the Riga–Berlin–Riga route with airBaltic. This was my first time using Berlin’s main international airport, and overall, it left a solid impression—modern, functional, and relatively easy to navigate. About a decade ago, I had the chance to travel through…
Mumbai & Goa / India Trip
It has already become something of a tradition for us - escaping the cold during our daughter’s winter school break and trading grey skies for warmth, color, and a slower rhythm of life. Each year, we carve out about three weeks to leave Tbilisi behind and head somewhere sunnier. And more often than not, that “somewhere” turns out to be India.Our…