Sonia Writer

28.4.14

Magical Mykonos

We all have our own, personal view of what heaven should look like, and if heaven for you is a Greek island soaked in sunlight and bathed in idyllic charm; then Mykonos may be the holiday destination that you have been dreaming of.

Your first impression of the traditional whitewashed houses, their shutters and fences painted a Mediterranean deep blue, could lead you to believe that Mykonos Town has been decorated, according to a town hall approved colour scheme. But the truth seems a little more dramatic, when you learn that the traditional lime whitewashing used to be a mandatory method of keeping infectious diseases at bay!

Mykonos town is incredibly pretty with a myriad of exciting alleyways and cobbled streets, each containing hidden treasures from traditional Greek restaurants to sleek and expensive designer clothing shops. The island has a wonderful peaceful feel during the day, turning into an exciting beach bar vibe at night. For sun soaked bliss it is very hard to beat this!

The island has a very checkered history having been ruled by the Roman and Ottoman Empires, before gaining its independence in 1830. It was once a very prosperous port as well as a mecca for artists, poets, musicians and writers in the 1930’s.

Today its most famous inhabitant is undoubtedly Petros the pelican! A wounded pelican was originally rescued by a sailor in 1958 and nursed back to health by locals. Since then there have been another three pelicans, but the guy with attitude in the photo, has been given the honorary name of Petros and he is definitely the towns’ most sought after attraction.

Petros is quite a character and seems to enjoy posing for photos with tourists. In return he is fed a huge amount of fresh fish which is paid for, from a special budget approved personally by the mayor. Catching a glimpse of Petros is said to be a sure sign, that one day you will return to Mykonos… as if we would need any more encouragement!

The Bay Of Mykonos Town

View Of The Famous Windmills

The Perfect Afternoon

The Winding Cobbled Streets

A Sleepy Little Island

You'll Be Back...

19.3.14

Roman Holiday

From the romance of the picturesque piazzas, the stunning architecture of the Trevi fountain, to the sheer splendor of the the ancient Colloseum; a Roman holiday offers an abundance of pleasurable experiences to entice the discerning traveler.

If like me, you like a little culture to add zest to your your trip, then a a day spent at the Colloseum is a must. There is so much to see and experience, and the well trained tour guides provide excellent sources of interesting information. I have added a brief summary of the historical background to this amazing architectural wonder!

The Colesseum in Rome is the largest and most spectacular Roman amphitheatre in existence. It was built of concrete and stone, its construction begun by Emperor Vespasian in70 AD and finished in 80 AD, by his son and successor, Titus. The theatre could hold at least 50,000 spectators, possibly many more, who came to see the gladiator contests, re-enactments of famous battles, public executions and plays based on classical mythology. During the opening ceremonies, public spectacles were held for 100 days in which thousands of animals and gladiators were killed.

It was said at the time, that a cloud of blood rose up into the sky, which could be seen in up to 10kms away. Although very popular with the masses, this entertainment was regarded by some as a symbol of the worst excesses of the Roman Empire. The Colesseum ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era and was later used as a fortress, quarters for a religious order and as a Christian shrine.

If you are looking for a new destination or have already thrown your coin into the fountain, I am sure you will find much to enjoy on a Roman holiday!

Outside the Colosseum

Underground Tunnels for Animals and Gladiators

Internal Walls of the Colosseum

The Trevi Fountain

Piazza del Popolo

Perfect Pasta at Backstreet Restaurant!

30.5.13

Beautiful Barcelona - The Basilica

We all have a list of places we wish to visit, but sometimes when we actually get there, they can be a bit of a disappointment or we can find that they are not quite as we had imagined. I have always wanted to visit Barcelona and on this occasion, I was delighted to say that it was even better than I had hoped, or imagined it would be!

The city has such a lot of charm; from its stunning gothic quarter and winding cobbled streets to its vibrant cafés and restaurants. For many pole the highlight is undoubtedly the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia designed by Catalonian architect Antoni Gaudi. It is indeed an amazing sight although much of the outside was covered due to maintenance and reconstruction work, when I visited. But this did not reduce its splendor!

Outside, the famous Gaudi façade is amazing. The intricacy of the stone masonry is quite breath-taking; telling the life story of Jesus from his birth to his crucifixion.

Inside the cathedral the stain glass windows shimmer beautifully with light through the neo-gothic designs. Gaudis’ inspiration is for the internal design of the Basilica is the splendor of nature. The internal vaults have been created by pillars which resemble tree trunks stretching to the ceiling; creating an intricate illusion of an indoor forest. I have added some photos to give a visual impression, but the feeling of peace and tranquility, despite the many tourists, is something which cannot be captured here, in mere words!

The external facade

Stained glass and pillars

The illusion of the forest

The baldachin of the presbytery

This hyperboloid structure caps vault of the apse!

The suffering of Christ

Having a wonderful time!

If you enjoy reading my blog, then why not join me on my writers page on Facebook?

It would be nice to see you at 'Sonia KilvingtonWriter!'

www.facebook.com/pages/Sonia-Kilvington-Writer/198748660148295

13.4.13

Oroklini Spring 2013

As spring announces its welcome arrival, there is enough sunshine in Cyprus to warm any weary heart. No one can deny there has been a lot of stress in the village, since the financial crisis, but Cyprus has a historic and vivid history, and the current drama is yet another chapter in its long and colourful story. Having lived Oroklini village for seven years, I have seen many changes, there are more bars, more shops, and much more development; but despite all of the changes, the village has retained its character and is surrounded by natural beauty. Oroklini Lake is a wonderful place to spot both common and unusual birds species. The lake is famous for attracting flamingos and also the Black winged Stilt and the Spur-winged Plover. The wetlands look beautiful at dawn, and it is not unusual to spot bird watchers out there at sunrise!

Oroklini is a traditional Cypriot village of immense character, set against a stunning mountain backdrop. There are many stone built, traditional white washed houses, such as my friend’s house in the second picture. This photograph was taken by my husband and is featured on the cover my new mystery novel (set in the village), Buried In The Hills.

In answer to the question, I am often asked from abroad, has tourism been affected in the village? It is spring and there are already plenty of visitors, from many different countries and cultures. Oroklini is a beautiful, peaceful place of undeniable character and will continue to cast its spell on the hearts of its residents and visitors - while there is still sunshine and Cypriot charm, Oroklini will survive beautifully.