Year: 2013

I may be a long way away from that tiny little place that I call home. Cyprus has been on the front pages of every magazine, newspaper and headline news on all radio stations, even as far far away as Australia. There is only one plus side- people I have met recently suddenly know where…

Are not to be dismissed whether they apply to Rugby, their very own game which they are immensely proud of, or to Customs and Excise. In fact dare I say it everything here is governed by clear rules and Australians and by extension all others who live here like us, seem to be extremely law…

At the risk of boring some of you I am going to blog a little more about the gardens. The richness of the fauna and flora is perhaps the single most remarkable aspect of this country and it is something I think that I will return to often and write about with the eye, hopefully,…

My last post from India was about Lodhi Gardens, a place of history, natural beauty and human vibrancy. My first outing in Brisbane is fittingly in an equally magical place which combines all the elements that are most dear to me. The Botanic Gardens in Brisbane are located not far from the river’s edge.They started…

My leather mocassins are soaked through. Lesson no 1 adopt flip flop footwear all year round.  My hair could not be tamed in a hurricane of hair dryers. There is a mustiness and some steam coming from my body after this prolonged, relentless exposure to Brisbane rain.  I can see how and why flooding happens,…

She was nearly ten years older than me and so always a bit of a mother figure, even more so when my parents died. In my youth, unlike other teenagers who probably hated having a baby sister tagging along, she would take my hand and walk with me on the beach in Famagusta where we…

My excitement is palpable. I have reached down under and I am waking up to blue skies and wonderful vistas. I never imagined I would live here.  Growing up in Cyprus, Australia was a place some poorer Cypriots travelled to in search of a better life and it felt then, a little like writing them…

Some of you may be aware that my time in India is drawing to a close and today I celebrate with you my last post from Delhi before flying off to Australia tomorrow which will be my new home.I plan to blog from Australia as I discover this new continent so for all my readers…

I started coming to the festival three years ago. I have returned this year and nothing about this event palls or bores – its vibrancy and energy, youthfulness and playfulness, discovery and drama is just as bit as pronounced as the first time I experienced it. What is even more remarkable is that the organisers…

The area is vast and you need time to take in and appreciate the sights of this ancient city. I will concentrate on some of the more remarkable ones which I felt made Hampi such a rewarding experience. The city was built in the 15th century and was built on a river in this granite…