Piece of Life
Postcards from Kvareli
Kvareli is a town in northeastern in Kakheti Province, Georgia. Located in the Alazani Valley, near the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, it was the birthplace of Georgian author Ilia Chavchavadze The area is in the center of the Kakheti wine-producing region, and the town itself is known for its Kindzmarauli wine, a semisweet red variety. Kindzmarauli Corporation Wine House in Kvareli, Georgia Anyhow, there are many cool things to…
Tbilisi TV Tower in the National colors of Latvia
The Tbilisi TV tower was lit in the Latvian nation colors on November 18th, 2018, to celebrate a 100 year anniversary since the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed on November 18, 1918 As I had the great observation point I made a quick long exposure and decided to share it via Piece of Life series. Tbilisi TV tower in the national colors of Latvia Happy birthday Latvia!
Postcards from Mtskheta 2
Mtskheta is a small and lovely town located some 20 km from nation' s capital Tbilisi. Some will find a lot of similarities in Mtskheta with the town of Sighanghi, while others will enjoy architectural and religious pearls of Mtskheta. Svetitskhoveli church, Jvari monastery or Samtavro are just a few to name. In today' s Piece of Life series - Mtskheta as we saw it in early November 2018 (from the small balcony of hotel Gino Wellness) Also…
Postcards from Ventspils
Ventspils is a city situated on the western coast of Latvia, on the Baltic Sea. Ventspils is one of Europe's busiest ports. It is also the city that honours the past, thinks of the future, and never stops working! In today's Piece of Life series - postcards from Latvian seaside town - Ventspils. Captured back in Summer 2017 A cannon Found one at the inner yard of Ventpils Livonian Order Castle Cow-traveler sculpture in Ventspils…
Postcards from Talsi
Talsi is a city in Latvia, I have discovered just lately. During the Summer of 2017, I had to spend here some time. During my stay, I discovered some amazing places, and have returned here for a couple of times more. In today's Piece of life series - postcards from Talsi. Postcards from Talsi Reminds me panoramas from Germany's Mossel Valley, see: 3 day leisure trip to Germany (The Mossel Valley) or Andernach - A Lovely German Town On The…
Early Spring 2018 in the Yard
Since early 2018 we have been relocated to Jūrmala resort town in Latvia. It was in early April 5th morning I decided to run my second 365 days photo challenge. I didn't sleep that night, I thought about making a cool sunset photography at Jūrmala beach. I actually did. Once we returned from the nearby sea to our yard - I decided to make a panoramic photography of the yard we have spent so much time. Piece of Life. Our yard for 2018 (…
Postcards from Crete
It has been now over a year since we visited the Greek island of Crete, during the past months I've already documented many stories from this trip. In today's Piece of Life series - one of the last days on the island back in 2017. Town in Crete The town is most probably Argiroupoli, as somewhere in this area we enjoyed a cup of coffee, see: Palios Mylos Restaurant Review near Argiroupoli Springs, Crete Rural Crete See: Discoveries in…
Kitesurfing Pāvilosta
Seems Pāvilosta is a popular spot for kitesurfing among surfers from the Baltics. It was on mid-June 2017 we decided to visit lovely white sand beaches near Pāvilosta piers when I noticed some kitesurfer gathering. Seems there was a good wind that day. As I was equipped with my gear and a telephoto glass - I made some photography here. A piece of Life, after all. Kitesurfing in Pāvilosta Actually, I'm not sure what is the name of this…
Postcards from Kuldīga
Kuldīga has been featured on the blog many times, starting old brick bridge over the Venta river, including flying fish over Venta rapid, ending some of the finest Kuldīga restaurants In today's Piece of Life series - a tranquil sunset from Kuldīga Statue of Love during sunset in Kuldīga A cool, wood carved sculpture. Compare this one with the metallic sculpture of Ali and Nino (located in Batumi, Georgia) Brick bridge in Kuldīga Brick…
Tranquil Sunset at Dubulti
Dubulti, has been our home since February 2018, we are spending here this Summer. One of the rare and actually only attractions here is the beach. I've been documenting it a lot lately. In today's Piece of Life series - a tranquil sunset from Dubulti beach: Storytelling photo - mother and child in a sunset Actually, that was here in Jūrmala, I decided to take my second 365 days photo challenge. Photos from today are from folder day 5…
Lazy Day in The Beach (Dubulti - Majori)
it was one of the sunniest days in early April 2018, we opted in for a Dubulti - Majori (Jūrmala, Latvia) lazy hiking trip. The route is easy and distance is pretty short. As usual - I was equipped with a camera and captured some moments. The inspiration for this title I took from here: Lazy Day in Beach (Torremolinos, Spain) In fact, that is a thing I have been thinking a lot lately - Jūrmala could be developed in a style of Spain's Costa…
Next stop - Station Dubulti (B&W Photography)
Black and White (B&W) is not the part of my favorite photo techniques, but sometimes a good B&W can add some drama to a photo story. I don't call myself a drama expert (at least in photography), but I have tried in the past and sometimes love to experiment with this photo technique. See: Wandering In The Woods B&W Photography In today's Piece of Life series - a single photo from my second 365 days photo project's second day - Next…
Easter Egg Painting 2018
The Christ is risen! Though we already celebrated Easters last week, the Orthodox Church (including Georgia) is celebrating Easters on April 8th, 2018. In today's Piece of Life series - our already annual tradition - Easter egg painting (from the last week) Easter egg painting 2018 Egg decor for 2018 Cat enjoying painted Easter eggs Easter egg and chocolate candy basket 2018 Happy Easters!
Farewell to Winter (Sunrise at Jūrmala beach)
It was in the early April morning, I couldn't sleep, and decided to grab a camera and catch a lovely sunrise at the nearby Jūrmala beach. I remembered the times we use to live in Batumi, Georgia and went out for a walk just shortly before sunrise. Jūrmala ain't no Batumi, but still, can I get some mood out of it? After this morning's short photo walk I decided to start my second 365 days photo challenge, that said - Farewell to Winter.…
Waiting For The Spring (Sunset HDR)
A tranquil evening, remote road and beautiful sunset. I was prepared, backpack with the gear was in the backseat, and here you go - tranquil mood, lots of clouds and my beloved HDR photography technique. In a couple of weeks (days) it will start blooming, but for now, there is even some snow leftover in the ditches. Shot in Latvia, at the end of March 2018. Sunset in Latvia Sunset HDR
Winter near The Baltic Sea (Dubulti beach, Jūrmala)
In today's Piece of Life series, a couple of HDR's from the Baltic sea (more precisely Dubulti beach in Jūrmala, Latvia) Pinewoods, frozen sea and cold fresh air. Frozen Baltic sea Would love to return here in Summer. Restaurant Orizonte in Dubulti beach Pinewoods near Dubulti beach
Winter in Bākūži 2 - 2018
A couple of weeks ago I made a couple of HDR's back at Bākūži (Bākūži Winter 2018), despite it was still a winter, we had little to no snow back then. Now at the end of February 2018, I made some more photos - let's say this - there is still room to grow to reach the levels of the fairytale in Tbilisi, but still lovely. Snow, frozen pond, and lonely rock garden see it for yourself Car parked next to the pond Pile of firewood Still needs…
Deep in The Forest (Winter Edition)
It was on some February's (2018) afternoon, we decided to make a simple hiking in very familiar to us Latvian forests, unfortunately, the temperature outside was way too freezing and our hiking ended after some 15 minutes, fortunately, I managed to capture some HDR's here. Followers of Piece of Life series will recognize this forest from Deep in the Forest or Wandering In The Woods B&W Photography series. Winter in Latvia No mushrooms…
Bākūži Winter 2018
Made a couple of HDR's back at Bākūži, the country house where for the last couple of years we have done some home remodeling. In today's Piece of Life series, simple winter mood from Latvian winter (January 2018) Fishpond A decent level of water, not to say more, see: Waiting For The Water Level To Rise In The Pond Back view of the house Apple orchard For those of you interested how it all started, see: Home Remodelling - How It All…
Catching Sunset Photography at The Libyan See (Crete, Greece)
The Libyan Sea is the portion of the Mediterranean Sea north of the African coast of ancient Libya, i.e. Cyrenaica, and Marmarica (the coast of what is now eastern Libya and western Egypt, between Tobruk and Alexandria).This designation was used by ancient geographers describing the southern Mediterranean, but the term is also used by modern travel writers and cartographers. The southern coastline of Crete which borders the Libyan Sea includes…
Happy New Year! Fireworks Photography from Tbilisi 2018
We wish you a very great and prosperous 2018! Here at Piece of Life photo series we canceled our planned trip to Sri Lanka and stayed in Tbilisi to capture following firework photography from Tamar Mephe bridge (ahh we have made dozens of great photos from this place). Just before the midnight left our apartment with a tripod and few spare batteries Tbilisi just a few minutes before New Year 2018 Fireworks have always been an interesting…
Panoramic Photography From Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, commonly known as Sameba (Trinity in Georgian) probably is among the most known Tbilisi tourist attraction sites and of course, it's the main cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. For me it's always been interesting to look at Sameba from two points of view - it's third highest Orthodox cathedral in the world and it symbolizes Georgian national and spiritual revival. See more: Sameba - Holy Trinity Cathedral…
Crazy, Stupid, Love - Tranquil Rough Adventures in Crete
This was one of the most beautiful and craziest days we experienced in Crete during our three-week trip around the island (June 2017).It feels like just this morning, we picked up our rental Opel at Agia Marina and set off with no destination in mind, just exploring the island. We had a lovely breakfast at Cafe Mixail Malandrakis in Kalydonia, spent some time at the beautiful beaches near Kissamos, followed a rough route to Balos Beach, turned…
Grape Harvest Rtveli in Georgia (Region of Kakheti)
If there is the best time to visit lovely Georgia, I would highly recommend to visit it in September, during the grape harvest time, or Rtveli. Rtveli is a traditional vintage and rural harvest holiday in Georgia accompanied by feasts, musical events, and other celebrations. It normally takes place in late September in eastern Georgia and in mid-October in western Georgia. It was in the mid-September of 2017, we had just returned from Latvia…