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Kamis, 28 Juli 2016
A FEW LOVELY DAYS IN MALAGA, SEPT 2015
I've been remiss in posting blogs since I learned that had to move in January and things got a bit hectic from then til moving day April 1. Now that I'm settled in my new place, things are getting back into my usual routines of writing. I'm finishing up old tasks and have been working on a new e-book for Hunter Publishing, a guide to the Greek Islands. And in just a few more weeks I'll be departing on another trip overseas, this time to mainly visit some of the islands as well as my friends in Athens.
First, though, I decided to post a few photos and memories of MALAGA, SPAIN, a city that I really fell in love with and would like to think I could return some day. I spent three days there last September visiting my friends Carlos and Natalia and had a wonderful time. Here's a few of the highlights.
My first panoramic view of the city convinced me it was going to a place I'd love to explore.
Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world, first settled by the Phoenicians in about 770 BC. They called it Malaka because of the fish that was salted at the harbor. Later it fell into the hands of the Greeks, then the Romans until the Moors took over. It was under Islamic rule for 800 years. So there are many ruins in Malaga which interested an archaeology buff like me.
First, though, I decided to post a few photos and memories of MALAGA, SPAIN, a city that I really fell in love with and would like to think I could return some day. I spent three days there last September visiting my friends Carlos and Natalia and had a wonderful time. Here's a few of the highlights.
My first panoramic view of the city convinced me it was going to a place I'd love to explore.
Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world, first settled by the Phoenicians in about 770 BC. They called it Malaka because of the fish that was salted at the harbor. Later it fell into the hands of the Greeks, then the Romans until the Moors took over. It was under Islamic rule for 800 years. So there are many ruins in Malaga which interested an archaeology buff like me.
The Roman Theatre dates from the 1st century BC
In te 8th century AD when the Muslim Arabic rule took over, the city became in important trade centre. The Moors left behind some outstanding structures, mainly the Castle of 'Gibralfaro which is connected to the Alcazaba the lower fortress and royal residence.
The Fortress
Walking up to the Alcazaba
The Alcazaba was built on a quadrangular plan, protected by an outer and inner wall supported by towers,between which a covered walkway led up the slope to the Gibralfaro Castle. It's an enjoyable trek up with some good panoramic views as a reward, plus a stroll through some lovely gardens.
Besides the archaeological sites of Malaga there are many other interesting places to explore. We wandered through plazas where people were enjoying an afternoon drink of wine and tapas, we passed by some old Churches and market squares, and down palm-lined pathways. There are various museums including the Pablo Picasso Museum and I even had my photo taken with him! And, we visited the old bodega (wine shop) in Malaga. That was very interesting! Barrels and barrels of wine
Pablo and me
The Oldest Bodega in Malaga
Of course there were the days by the seaside as well and a trip to the nearby resort town of Bandalmadena. It was crowded with tourists as are most of the seaside resorts near Malaga. If you've ever visited there you'll understand why it's a place that attracts so many tourists. I loved it!
Bandalmadena
Sabtu, 01 Agustus 2015
THOSE OLD FAMILIAR PLACES: ATHENS, Greece
My favorite perch above the rooftops of Plaka
Plaka at Night
Lysicrates Monument by the "Dirty Corner" where we used to all hang out
Stoa of Attalus in the Agora
I have had so many deja vu experiences it really does make me think I lived there in another lifetime. In fact, my Celtic novel DRAGONS IN THE SKY is a first person narrative of a Celtic girl who gets kidnapped and ends up in Greek Macedonia. In researching it I have discovered so many connections between the Celts and the Greeks. The whole idea of the novel (which I started writing in the '70's before I had actually visited Greece) was because my first historical novel, written when I was 17 in high school, had an Alexander the Great theme. I became fascinated with him when I was 16 and often people asked if I had lived in Greece before because I was able to write such vivid descriptions of the country and the characters.
The Parthenon
On my first trip to Greece I went to the museum in Thessaloniki and saw all the grave finds from Vergina, allegedly Philip II, Alexander's father. (This may now be contested with the discovery of a second tomb). When I took the train down to Athens I sat with a middle-aged doctor who was very kind and welcoming and when I arrived in Athens he was very helpful and encouraging. I checked into a small hotel, The Tempi, in Plaka and thus began my exciting exploration of this amazing, historic city that I have grown to love.
View of Lykebettos over the Plaka rooftops
I visited again the next couple of years and by 1983 I decided to fulfil a life-long dream and go to live in Europe. I had always thought it might be London I'd move to, but no, I KNEW it was Greece. So I found myself a home in Plaka and there I stayed tutoring ESL and enjoying a most fascinating life for the next five years. I regretted returning to Canada when I did in 1987 but later I went back to Greece, spending six months at a time while I was writing SHADOW OF THE LION. And since then I go nearly every year spending as much time as I can afford. I had always thought I'd return there to live, and almost did on a couple of occasions. And I still have that dream of living the rest of my retirement life there. But meanwhile I will be happy with my visits, each time exploring a new place in this wonderful country.
A place where I love to sit and enjoy the view
New Acropolis Museum
I have good friends in Greece and love to visit with them. I feel as at home in Athens as I do in Vancouver and in fact, when I return to Greece I feel my life 'changes', and I am more alive and happier than I am anywhere else.
Monastiraki market district
Dining at a favorite souvlaki shop in Monastiraki
So, this September I once again return to my beloved country. It has been so sad what has happened to Greece due to the econimic strife all brought about by former politicians and dishonesty and now by the determination of Germany to control all of Europe, especially greece, through the banks. My friends there have been suffering terribly and I understand the terrible situation they have been put in. If my meagre tourist dollars can help I will do what I can and I encourage others to visit this most fabulous country too.
Some of my Friends
Anna owner of the To Kati Allo Taverna
Anna's family, Dino (her son), grandson and husband Leonnatis
NEXT: Exploring some new places in Greece.
Rabu, 29 Juli 2015
EXPLORING NEW TERRITORY: Part 1 TORREVIEJA, SPAIN
I'm flying from Cardiff to Alicante, a seaside resort city on the Cosa Brava. My friend Inka, also a travel writer, will meet me there and we will go to her home in Torrevieja. Inka says her apartment opens up right onto the beach! 
Torrevieja is a seaside city on the Costa Brave about 30 miles from Alicante. It was originally a salt-mining and fishing village locate between the sea and two large salt lakes. The name "Torrevieja" means "Old Tower" as until 1802 it existed as only a guard tower and a few laborer's cottages. In 1803 King Charles IV ordered that the Royal Salt Works be moved to Torrevieja and this began the history of the town. It now has a population of about 104,000. Torrevieja is still a salt exporter and you can visit the Museum of Sea and Salt. It's popular with tourists from northern Europe who live there including a lot of Brits.
Torrevieja is a seaside city on the Costa Brave about 30 miles from Alicante. It was originally a salt-mining and fishing village locate between the sea and two large salt lakes. The name "Torrevieja" means "Old Tower" as until 1802 it existed as only a guard tower and a few laborer's cottages. In 1803 King Charles IV ordered that the Royal Salt Works be moved to Torrevieja and this began the history of the town. It now has a population of about 104,000. Torrevieja is still a salt exporter and you can visit the Museum of Sea and Salt. It's popular with tourists from northern Europe who live there including a lot of Brits.
Inka promises to take me on a number of excursions. These will include a visit to a pirate's island. There is lots to see and do in the area and I'll try to squeeze as many adventures as possible into the 4 days I'll be there. Another travel writing friend, Darlene Foster, from Vancouver, lives nearby so I'll get chance to visit with her as well.
www.torrevieja.com
Minggu, 26 Juli 2015
TRIP PLANS 2015: LONDON, THE COTSWOLDS and CAERPHILLY WALES
Houses of Parliament by the Thames
Richard the Lionhearted
'm just starting to plan my travels for 2015, leaving here August 28 with my first stop being LONDON.
I've been there so many times it's almost like returning 'home'. But each time I go I love to see new things (and there's lots to see in London!) This time I think I'll visit the Tower of London as I haven't been for some years. And of course I'll browse around all the old familiar haunts. I'll be staying at the Indian Y as usual (breakfast and dinner included) and it's right in the Bloomsbury area with a lot of historical houses including the one where Virginia Wolf lived which is right across the park from the Y.
Queen Victoria monument
The London Eye
I always go on the London Walks and this time I notice there is one called "The Cotswold Walk" which really interests me as I haven't been to the Cotswolds for years either. You meet a the Paddington train station and go from there for the day. These walks are always so much fun and this one sounds outstanding.
THE COTSWOLDS is an area in S. central England
roughly 25 mi (40K) across and 90 miles (145 Km) long just south of Stratford-on-Avon to just south of Bath. The name means "sheep enclosure in rolling hillsides" ("wold" meaning 'hills') The name is derived from the 12th century "Codesuualt" or "Cod's-wold" - Cod's is high open land (old English) or it could come from Brittonic name "Cuda" - a mother goddess in Celtic myth who was thoughtot reside int hat area. Cotswolds is famous for its honey-colored limestone villages. http://coswolds.com
Caerphilly Castle
After that, I'll be heading to WALES to visit my cousins in CAERPHILLY (where my dad was from). I love going there and every time I do I visit 'my castle', the Caerphilly Castle, one of the most magnificent in the UK. I'll only be in Caerphilly for a couple of days before heading to Cardiff to catch a flight to Alicante, Spain where my friend Inka will meet me to take me to her home town farther along the south coast to Torrevieja.
Me, in front of my castle.
NEXT STOP: SPAIN
Sabtu, 13 Juni 2015
architecture
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baroque
,
castles
,
churches
,
Germany
,
history.
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Rhine River
,
sight-seeing
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CASTLES ON THE RHINE AND A VISIT TO A MEDIEVAL TOWN
On my return home from Greece last October, I stopped for a few days in Mainz, Germany to visit my friend Patrick. I told him I'd like to see some of the Rhine Castles and he had arranged with his friends Wolfgang and Jurgen to drive us to several sites. We hopped on the train at Mainz and rode to a town nearby where Patrick's friends were waiting. 
Above the church stands the ruins of the Chapel of St. Werner dating from the early 14th century and above that, stands Stahlick Castle, a fortified castle dating to the 12th century.
It happened to be a rainy day, but that wasn't going to stop us from having lots of fun. We drove along the scenic river enjoying the views of vineyards that grow up the steep banks and river boats plying they way upriver.Even in the rain the scenery was beautiful.
Patrick, Jurgen and Wolfgang, my tour guides.
Rhine vineyards
Our first stop was the Sooneck Castle, built on the ruins of a Medieval castle by Prussian princes as a neo-Gothic hunting lodge. The castle was constructed in 1282, destroyed in the Palatinate War of Succession in 1689, and acquired by Frederick William, Crown Prince of Prussia and his brothers in 1834.
Sooneck Castle
An amusing little Russian guide named Leo greeted us as we entered and showed us through the various castle rooms. He explained all the artifacts on display from the long-bow hunting equipment to the bedrooms, which weren't actually slept in but more for show.
Our Castle guide, Leo
bedroom
dining room
crossbow for hunting
It was still raining when we left the castle but the weather began to clear by the time we reached the picturesque little Medieval town of Bacharach located where the Steeg Valley meets the Rhine Valley at a juncture near the old Roman road, Aosonius Way, which connected Mainz with Trier, branching off from the Roman riverbank road. The area was first recorded settled in 1094 bu probably was inhabited from antiquity.
old gate entrance
craftsman and his art
In the Middle Ages the town of Bacharach was an important outpost on the Middle Rhine, an economically prominent site as a place of transfer, trade and warehousing for wine and timber. We entered through a gateway in the original stone wall of the city. It was like stepping into a picture book, with quaint timbered houses and narrow streets, obviously these days a popular tourist site.
The Church of St. Peter
Interior of Church of St Peter
Located in the centre of Bacharach, the Church of St. Peter is dated between 1230/40 but has gone through numerous changes and renos. It has a baroque style sacristy and is one of the most unique examples of Romanesque architecture on the Lower Rhine. The Church is surrounded by courtyards and open-timbered houses, many from the late Middle Ages. The town's post office tower dates from the early 1400s.
Above the church stands the ruins of the Chapel of St. Werner dating from the early 14th century and above that, stands Stahlick Castle, a fortified castle dating to the 12th century.
Before heading off to explore Stalick Castle we stopped in a quaint restaurant for a typical German meal of veal schnitzel and beer.
On our way to Stahlick Castle
Stalick Castle, towers over Bacharach
Today Stahlick Castle is used as a youth hostel. There were children frolicking in the courtyard wearing capes and sparring with pretend swords.
http://www.jugendherberge.de/en/youth-hostels/bacharach390/shortportraet
On our trip back we stopped at the ruins of another castle overlooking the river, where there is now a first-class hotel and restaurant built in its place.
View of the Rhine River
Remains of old castle
The views along the river were magnificent even through the mist. In spite of the weather, we had an excellent day exploring and enjoying the sites along the majestic Rhine.
Sunset
Town View
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