Archive for the ‘ Places ’ Category

From the crypt of the Carmelite church

CarmeliteCrypt 225x300 From the crypt of the Carmelite church

Entrance to Carmelite church crypt

In keeping with the spirit (or soul) of November, I'm publishing a video taken in the crypt of the Carmelite church in Mdina.

Over the decades, I had on countless occasions been drawn down the few steps leading to a dusty and paint-peeled door, which unfortunately was always closed. From behind the chicken-wire that weaved in and out of the pillars decorating the upper half , I would squint into the gloom, entranced by the flickering light of candles ensconced in red, translucent plastic. My nostrils would also work overtime, overdosing on a fug of mustiness that might easily have been the scent of souls trying to escape the confines of that underground space.

This time the doors had been swung open and light had been let in (albeit an artificial one), finally allowing me to penetrate a place that had only resided in my imagination.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Evw9QAYpy0

2010
11/16
CATEGORY
Architecture
Malta
Places
Religion
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Cafe Delos

Location, location, location - the cry of real estate agents worldwide. If Cafe Delos has nothing else going for it, it surely can't be faulted on its location.

Think St Paul's Island...Selmun...Mistra Bay...the coastal walk connecting St Paul's Bay, Bugibba and Qawra...Gozo in the distance. All this visual delight is painted on the glass canvas of Cafe Delos'spanoramic windows, one floor above the flow and ebb of promenade life. Another glass wall looks onto the pool area, part of the Dolmen Hotel complex this coffee shop blongs to.

The downside for those suffering from sweet-tooth syndrome is the limited, and unexciting, selection of cakes, many of which share the same hard crust for a base. The saving grace is the baci cake, rich in nuts drowning under a thick dollop of Nutella. Today, however, its blandness disappoints me.

Whatever the season, this is the place for the most sinful of 'kisses' and seductive of views.

2010
10/29
CATEGORY
Malta
Places
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Small Memories by Jose Saramago

SmallMemories Small Memories by Jose Saramago

Small Memories

This book by Jose Saramago is appropriately entitled "Small Memories" for two reasons. First because it is a collection of reminiscences of when the author was still a small boy, until he was around 16. Secondly, these appear on the page as small episodes, some just a paragraph long, in fact.

The events are recounted in an approximate chronological order. As we all know from personal experience, we can't always date certain events in our childhood with calendular accuracy  ("calendular" is my creation). This doesn't detract in the least from discovering the humble origins of a most celebrated author, who was also honoured with the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998. Interestingly, in spite of the deprivations he and his family had to endure, his descriptions of a 1920s and 30s Portugal, and tone, elicit a certain charm.
While the book itself is nothing to shout about, I'm glad to have had this opportunity to discover some more about one of my preferred authors.
2010
10/23
CATEGORY
Auto/biography
Books
Literature
Places
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Mokka Lobby Bar

Golden Bay, renowned for its sandy enchantment, is also the location for another of my preferred cafes, Mokka Lobby Bar. To be precise, it forms part of the Golden Sands resort, which sits splendidly on the cliff top overlooking some spectacular coastline.

As befits a 5-star hotel, the chairs are plush, the tables are of dark wood and the carpeting runs from wall to wall. Definitely very comfortable surroundings but more suitable for a winter's day while catching glimpses of lightning in a stormy sky through the curtained windows.

The cake selection is somewhat restricted but Mokka Lobby Bar scores a winner with its apple crumble. The texture, the flavour, the consistency; these three elements combine to form the word 'divine'. Really, I have yet to find a rival to this apple-inspired heaven.

Tea and cake are pricey at €8.50 but highly recommended for that occasional winter treat.

2010
09/29
CATEGORY
Malta
Places
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Fave pic 4 – Harbour Dawn

I took this photo from the catamaran's deck prior to departing for my Sicilian bicycle tour. The soft, pale colours of dawn draw a sharp contrast with the hard walls and commerce of Valletta harbour.

harbour 300x225 Fave pic 4 Harbour Dawn

Harbour dawn

Previous fave pic: Angled Dome

Next fave pic (available from 16 September): Blue Balcony

2010
09/08
CATEGORY
Malta
Photography
Places
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