Photo
The Cost-Saving Way to Build a Frame House in Latvia: Our DIY Project (Screw Foundation Piles)
Welcome to another interesting blog topic series - Frame house, where I'm going to share almost in real-time our endeavors of building a small 60m2 1-storey holiday house in Latvia. I decided to build it myself as much as I can, hiring only local people to help with lifting, digging and similar work. The labor cost and services can add a lot, especially in Latvia. For the below described works I spent about EUR 2,000 and two days in March…
How to Make Traditional Georgian Khinkali: From Dough to Delicious
Just made my first batch of khinkali and it turned out to be a delightful culinary adventure! I got creative with the fillings and tried out some unique combinations like banana, salmon, cheese and of course, some more traditional flavors. The result was a delicious burst of flavors that I can't wait to share with my friends and family. Who knew that making khinkali could be so much fun? Khinkali is a traditional Georgian dumpling that has been…
Sairme Pillars
The pillars of Sairme are a rock massif in the region of Racha - Lechkhumi, Georgia. The region of Lechkhumi is rich with remarkable natural and historical monuments. Among them is one of the natural monuments, the rocky massif- Sairme Pillars. I first learned about this place back in 2022, during our weekned trip to the region of Racha. I hired the local driver to take me here. I didnt hike here, just was flying DJI mavic air 2 around. The…
Alpana Waterfall
Alpana waterfall is a small waterfall along the Alpana - Tsageri road in the Racha - Lechkhumi region of Georgia. I was taken here by our driver we ordered back in Ambrolauri, just shortly after visiting Sairme pillars during our weekend trip to Racha back in October 2022 Seems there is a little pool where some could go for a nice refreshments in a hot Summer day Quite pictursque place. worth to spend some 5 minutes here.
Buying Property in Tbilisi - EcoCity Samgori - January 2023 Update
My mom visited us in Tbilisi for about a 2-week stay. As it was already the end of January, and I have the plan to visit our construction site at least once a month, to document the progress, take some photos and enjoy a cup of coffee at the local Navthlugi market, I decided to take my mom with me and go for a short excursion to Samgori. Prior to that, after our second monthly payment to the Developer, I sent a message over WhatsApp asking what…
Defunct Tkibuli - Tskhrajvari Cable Car
During our latest (and yet first) Racha trip we discovered this quite awesome, but defunct Soviet cable car station near Tskhrajvari. Turns out, it has been the second largest Second longest aerial tramway in Georgia and Soviet Union with 3644 meters, height difference: 850 meters. The cable car station near Tskhrajvari is located at the top of the cliff - nowadays quite a popular tourist destination in the area. Despite being defunct - I see…
Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem
Mahane Yehuda Market often referred to as "The Shuk" is a marketplace (originally open-air, but now partially covered) in Jerusalem. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the market's more than 250 vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables; baked goods; fish, meat and cheeses; nuts, seeds, and spices; wines and liquors; clothing and shoes; and housewares, textiles, and Judaica. We first visited this market at the end of 2022, during our week…
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity, is a basilica located in Bethlehem, the State of Palestine. The grotto it contains holds a prominent religious significance to Christians of various denominations as the birthplace of Jesus. I first visited this church back in 2009 and revisited it again at then end of 2022. To get here I caught a street taxi near the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the driver agreed to take us here and…
Western Wall in Jerusalem
The Western Wall is known in the West as the Wailing Wall, and in Islam, as the Buraq Wall is a portion of ancient limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem that forms part of the larger retaining wall of the hill known to Jews and Christians as the Temple Mount. Just over half the wall's total height, including its 17 courses located below street level, dates from the end of the Second Temple period and is believed to have been begun by…
New Years Party at the Caucasus Translations office in Tbilisi
On January 7, 2023, New Year's party was celebrated at the Caucasus Translations office in Tbilisi. We arrived early to set up the party scene, decorating with ballons and more. Pizza, sushi, wine & champagne, pinata game for little ones, t-shirts for employees. Music by Alexa (Amazon Echo) In total about 130 helium filled ballons were ordered for the party from myday.ge Cake from the local Madat bakery in Tbilisi It was a sushi, pizza and…
Hotel GreenWood in Bakuriani
Greenwood hotel is located in Bakuriani on the A. Tsereteli street is next to the forest and close to the ski lifts and city center. We booked lux family rooms during Christmas 2022, paying about GEL 1,000 for a 3-night stay, thus as there was little snow in Bakuriani we left one day earlier. Here I made a short documenary about our latest stay in Bakuriani: Christmas in Bakuriani Greenwood hotel is a 3 or 4 storey building kind of a…
How To Buy (or not) Real Estate in Tbilisi - Samgori EcoCity December 2022 Update
At the start of December 2022, Uday, a business partner from Canada arrived in Tbilisi, and we went together to the Meti office in Saburtalo to meet with the developers and sign the documents on-site (we already had them electronically). After the meeting with the developers, we went to the actual construction site in Samgori. I have been eyeing real estate in Georgia since I originally come up with my idea - buying black frame projects in…
Pullman Tbilisi Axis Tower Gym and Pool
Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers Wellness Center is located in Vake (37M Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue) on the 6th floor at Axis Tower. It has a 25 meters heated indoor pool with a retractable roof, sauna, steam room, gym (more like a fitness), spa treatment rooms, and a lounge. We booked an unlimited membership here for one month in November 2022 (paying GEL 600 each, kids go free) with unlimited access to the gym pool and sauna facilities. Kids (pre-…
Shaori Reservoir
Shaori Reservoir is an artificial lake located in the region of Racha, Georgia - some 170 km northwest of the capital Tbilisi. I first visited it in mid-October 2022, during our first trip to Racha The Shaori reservoir stretches from the southwest to the northeast, its length is 7.1 kilometers, the greatest width is 2.7 kilometers. The greatest depth is 14.5 meters, the average depth is 9.8 meters, the area is 9.2 km². The volume of water is…
Sikvaruli Waterfall in Racha
The Sikvaruli waterfall (Waterfall of love) is located in Racha, near the town of Ambrolauri, Georgia The waterfall flows on the mossy rocky massive and creates marvelous sight. Waterflow is located across the Rioni River. We discovered this place by a chance - when our Rachan driver Levan, showed this place as one of the top sights around Ambrolauri. Indeed the waterfall is quite impressive and looks double interesting because of the many…
Sakhluka Rachashi, Cozy Cabin in Racha / Agara
Sakhluka Rachashi cabin house is located in Agara in the Racha region of Georgia. We booked this place on Airbnb for about a 2-night stay in mid-October 2022, during our Racha trip. In total, we paid about $300 for our stay here. As this time we were traveling without a car, we arrived here from Sadmeli Winery near Ambroulauri, after a short trip around Racha, by a driver I hired in Ambrolauri. We had a little nice cabin house, with two…
Nikortsminda Cathedral
Nikortsminda Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox Church, located in Nikortsminda, Racha region of Georgia. I first discovered this beautiful cathedral in mid-October 2022, during our first trip to the region of Racha. It is said, that Nikortsminda was built in 1010–1014 during the reign of Bagrat III of Georgia and was repaired in 1534 by the King Bagrat III of Imereti. Three-storied bell tower next to the cathedral was built in the second half…
Navtlugi Farmer's market Tbilisi
Navtlugi farmers market is located in the Samgori metro area, Tbilisi. It seems it is possible to buy here fresh veggies from local farmers, kitchen sinks, electric lamps, bicycles, and many more. Navtlugi market seems is like a mix of a Dezerteer bazaar, Kidobani market, and Dry Bridge flea market. I had heard about this market from friends, but I first time discovered it just at the end of 2022, during a scouting tour for buying an…
Guest house / Glamping Laimes taure
Located in the village Vabole, the region of Latgale in Latvia, some 20 km from Daugavpils, guest house Laimes taure offers accommodation with a garden, water sports facilities, a terrace, and free WiFi. We booked this place for a one night stay, during our trip to the region of Latgale at the start of August 2022. As it was also my birthday, I was turning 37, my better part surprised me, by booking a stay inside a glamping tent and hot pool in…
Sadmeli Winery & Guesthouse
Located in Sadmeli village, close to Ambrolauri town in Georgia's Racha region - Sadmeli Winery features a garden, terrace, spectacular views towards the valley, and free WiFi throughout the property. The guest house has family rooms. We booked a one-night stay at this place in mid-October 2022, during our Fall Break (at QSI Tbilisi) trip to the Region of Racha. We arrived here by plane from Natakhtari (Tbilisi) to the Ambrolauri airplane.…
Ambrolauri Airport
Ambrolauri Airport is a small regional airport serving Ambrolauri, a town in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Georgia. The airport is owned and operated by United Airports of Georgia, a state-owned company. It has been open in its current form since January 2017 and can serve airplanes with up to 50 passengers capacity. I first learned about this airport back in 2016, but first tried at the end of 2022, during a Fall break trip to Racha. We…
Natakhtari Airfield / Airport
Natakhtari Airfield is a small domestic airport located in Natakhtari, close to Tbilisi, Georgia. It is privately owned and operated by the parent company of Vanilla Sky Airlines, Service Air. Domestic flights to Batumi, Mestia, and Ambrolauri are served from here. Free shuttle service is available from Tbilisi city center for Vanilla Sky flights. We have been huge fans of Vanilla sky airlines, for Tbilisi - Batumi flights, which previously…
Scouting Potential Apartment Investment in Tbilisi (Samgori Ecocity)
For the past couple of weeks and months, I have been working toward my Tbilisi real estate investment idea. Now I have a potential co-investor and we are looking to buy one apartment in Tbilisi (or Batumi) under construction, wait until it is completed, and sell it for a profit (hopefully). As I had done initial market research for some potential value deals in Tbilisi, I found this quite an interesting offer located in the city outskirts but…
Dumas Restaurant Tbilisi / Axis Tower
Dumas is a French Restaurant with a Southern European accent, located on the 36th floor of the landmark Axis Tower in Tbilisi. Looking to impress your date, business partner, or simply good coffee - Dumas restaurant is the way to go. Named after the famous French writer Alexander Dumas, the restaurant offers guests an authentic food and beverage experience that is fresh and flavorful. The ‘Dumas’ open kitchen serves up French and Mediterranean…