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Temple of Saint Seraphim of Sarov (Borjomi/Georgia)
Temple of Saint Seraphim of Sarov is located close to Borjomi (some 1.5km) in Georgia. You can get here either by car or as I prefer - by foot using Borjomi - Baghi - Tba - Tsemi road. That's actually exactly we did at the end of September during our hiking tour in Borjomi. I must admit this was not the first time for me at this place, but prior to that I didn't know the name and meaning of this place. Now I know, so the place is actually called…
Actual Price Index in Tbilisi Market (Georgia) - At Start of October 2015
Right, this might probably sound as yet another hipster style article and probably you are right. The thing is - during month of October I have decided to write down my everyday expenses and in the next month I will provide article on Cost of Living in Tbilisi (Georgia). Since it was start of October, I headed to Google Play store to download first expense tracking app and started to write down my expenses. I had to visit Tbilisi…
Barbecue Festival in Akhtala (Armenia)
At the start of September 2015, we booked a one day tour to Armenia. This trip took us to Lori province in Armenia, which actually is pretty close to Georgian border. During this trip we had a stops at Haghpat monastery, Sanahin monastery and Akhtala monastey. It turned out that at our final destination place - the Akhtala monastery, a barbecue festival was held. At start I did find it a bit strange - a barbeque and a monastery? Well...…
Borjomi Cable Car (Aerial Tram)
One of the most interesting attractions in Georgian resort town of Borjomi is a cable car leaving from Mineral Water Park and heading uphill offering lovely and scenery views of Mineral Water park. Sometimes it's just enough to take that ride here to enjoy those scenery and beautiful views of Borjomi. Cable car station in Borjomi There is actually just one cable car available at this station. Price for a ride per person 3 GEL…
First Georgia Expat Photographer Club Meeting
On September 19th, 2015 First meeting of Georgia Expat Photographers Club happened. As some of you already know - in the middle of this Summer Johann approached me with his idea to create a photo/travel club, and back then we established a community on Facebook. Read more on that here: Georgia Expat Photography Club Since our community was established on Facebook (if you are up to for something in Georgia, then Facebook is your best…
Super moon Total Lunar Eclipse 2015: Tbilisi, Georgia
Total lunar eclipse was fully visible in Tbilisi, Georgia on September 28, 2015 between 05:07 and 06:55 (Tbilisi time). I must admit that I really enjoy photography, but I had never ever done anything like this (photographing lunar eclipse) before. This night was one of the strangest and mysterious nights I have experienced this year (at least) - what was meant to be just a photography turned ou to be a man's rescue from cold…
Rhododendron Garden in Cirava (Latvia)
If you are heading to a remote Latvian village Cirava, you have few options to make your visit pleasant here, like there are very interesting but abandoned manor complex and a lovely church.However, local residents at Cirava has something else to offer for both local and foreign travelers - a rhododendron garden located in territory of cemetery. Well, if you are hoping to see here something like Keukenhofs tulip gardens, then .. then go to…
Akhtala Monastery in Armenia
Akhtala monastery was our third and last stop during our short one day trip to Armenia, before returning to Tbilisi. Prior to Akhtala monastery we visited Haghpat monastery and Sanahin monastery. The truth is - our trip was made especially to visit Akhtala because of a barbeque festival was held here. I will cover some details (and photos) about that festival in some of the next blog posts, but today I decided to share some photography I…
Sanahin Monastery in Armenia
Sanahin monastery is located in province of Lori in Armenia, close to Georgian border. Sanahin monastery was second site we visited during our short one day trip to Armenia, just shortly after we visited Haghpat monastery. I was so eager to master a photography using my DSLR camera and a tripod (it's damn hard to use a tripod in 30 minutes sightseeing tour) so I didn't actually paid much attention on history a local guides were telling about…
Haghpat Monastery in Armenia
Haghpat monastery, together with Sanahin monastery, are placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1996. At the start of September we booked a one day tour from Tbilisi to Armenia, and I had chance to visit both Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries. Since this time I was less into history, more into photography, that's what I exactly did - I photographed both places. Today I will start with photography of Haghpat Monastery…
Gardenia Shevardnadze - Flower Garden in Tbilisi
Gardenia Shevardnadze is a lovely garden of ornamental plants, located close to the Tbilisi Sea, where you can buy seedlings for your yard, balcony, terrace, home, or office. Or just enjoy a tranquil afternoon. I first discovered Gardenia Shevardnadze back in 2014 while Cycling to Tbilisi sea and back We have been returning to this place ever since. Sometimes with a tripod, sometimes not. Sometimes for macro photography,…
Cirava Evangelic Lutheran Church
Cirava Evangelic Lutheran Church is located in historical region of Courland in Latvia. Cirava church is closely located to Cirava manor complex, those of you traveling to Latvia and especially to Courland, it's woth to pay a visit to Cirava as well. Cirava Church This massive church has been built in 1780-1781, and had been rebuilt in 1876 and 1888. The church is known for its exquisite Rococo altar, pulpit and organ. Read more (…
Abandoned Manor Complex in Cirava (Latvia)
Now, this was a quite interesting experience discovering a small village in western Latvia (region of Courland) - Cirava. I was so fascinated about this place that I decided to make two separate articles - one for the manor complex and the second for the church. Today I will write about the manor complex which actually seemed abandoned for me, but as it turns out it's actually sold to some Italian investor for about EUR 700 000 back in…
Monument to the Sailors and Fishermen Perished in the Sea (Liepāja)
Although this monument in Liepaja (in seaside park) is dedicated to the sailors and fishermen perished in the sea I decided to add this place in military heritage category, because for me it kinda reminds something from Soviet military. Well actually this is a great example of Latvian architecture, as it turns out it's designed by local Latvian designers Alberts Terpilovskis and Gunārs Asaris. Anyway - once in Liepaja, this place is a worth of…
Practicing Photography: Doing Night Shots - Tbilisi By Night
Tonight was one, a really great evening, it was the first time I started to understand how ISO actually works. I took my DSLR camera, a tripod and a friend of mine and we headed to Zaarbrucken Square (Dry Bridge) in Tbilisi. At start I was planing to make some photos at Rose Garden (I actually did) but latter, when post-processed, I understood they don't look so interesting as images attached bellow. Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi by…
Liepāja Seaside Park and Blue Flag Beach
I'm continuing my Latvia travel guide notes I have taken (photographed) at start of the June 2015. This time I visited a lovely Liepaja Seaside Park and Blue Flag Beach. Map of the Liepaja seaside park According to the official Latvia Travel guide - This is the Latvia's largest dendrological park, now extending for about 50 ha, was gradually developed from 1870 to the early 20th century. The park boasts more than 140 different…
Asus X552M Laptop Review
For a long time I have been making laptop reviews, since yesterday I bought a brand new ASUS X552M laptop on a local Georgian Carrefour shop I decided to describe my first impressions and a few photos of my new best buddy. This model I believe is only available in Europe, for North American customers I believe there is an ASUS D550MAV or something. I could probably buy this one or even a better one for even a cheaper price…
New Orleans - Most Unique in United States
I'm continuing to summarize my memories from my latest trip to US back in Summer of 2013. Finally we have arrived at the city I probably like a lot - New Orleans. City of alternative cuisine, Jazz birthplace a lot of Voodoo and ... most interesting emotions from US. Although we spent some week or even more here, we actually settled in a another much smaller and much quiet town of Gretna. We did spent our nights at Gretna while our days…
Lux Express - One Of The Best Options To Travel Between Riga and Tallinn
At the start of this August I traveled to Estonian capital city Tallinn from Riga (Latvia) to celebrate my birthday and I had a few options to choose on how to actually get there - like, car, coach (bus) or plane (I believe there is a rail connection as well, but I also believe it takes some 12 hours to travel a short ~ 300 km distance) The fact is as I believe it will be even cheaper or about the same to fly between those two Baltic Capital…
Gretna - Small Town Close To New Orleans, Louisiana
We arrived at Gretna, Louisiana back in Summer 2013, just before the July 4th celebrations, and we actually stayed at this small town close to New Orleans a week or something, just for one plain reason - accommodation here is much cheaper than in New Orleans. We spent our nights here at Gretna, while our days passed in New Orleans. To get to New Orleans we used public transport - bus, we had a bus stop just right next to our motel. All the…
Walking Around Downtown Atlanta, GA
We enjoyed our stay in Downtown Atlanta for some 3 days (nights) back in Summer 2013. During our short 3 days stay here we visited World of Coca Cola Museum and CNN Center and did a lot of walking around city. As well I took a few pictures in Downtown Atlanta. Downtown Atlanta, GA Author of this blog captured at Rest in Downtown Atlanta Cyclists in Downtown Atlanta Seems Atlanta is cyclist friendly city and that is a good reason to…
Inside CNN Studio Tour at CNN Center in Atlanta, Ga
Turns out that Atlanta, GA is home not only for World of Coca Cola museum, but this city also hosts a CNN Center and you can actually book an inside tour here: The Inside CNN Studio Tour is a 50-minute walking tour that descends 8 flights of stairs. Elevator assisted tours are available at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. These tours tend to sell out quickly so reservations are highly recommended. Pricing: Inside CNN…
World of Coca Cola Museum in Atlanta, GA
It was a damned hot day when we arrived to Atlanta, Georgia. After a few hour rest in our motel we decided to explore what's interesting nearby our location, and turned out that museum "World of Coca Cola" were among the closest tourist attractions. So we started to walk (don't walk when it's + 108 Fahrenheit outside). And here you go - some pictures back from 2013. World of Coca Cola Museum in Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium at World of Coca Cola…
Thunderstorm in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee
We stayed in Knoxville for some 3 nights, since our motel was located pretty far away from Downtown Knoxville we traveled here by Public Transport (for a surprise they have a one). Since we didn't know much (except Megabus is heading here) about Knoxville, we opened Wikipedia and learnt that a World's Fair has been held here in 1982. We decided to take a closer look of Downtown Knoxville and here is what we got: Thunderstorm in…