mosaic road

This Roof !!!

From a little distance away I think this tiled roof looks either beaded or cross stitched !!! I could not believe what I was seeing to be quite honest. The church is St Marks in Zagreb, Croatia. A restoration in 1876 saw the installation of this mosaic roof, although it was not in the plans. The pattern includes the coats of arms for Zagreb, Croatia, Slavenia and Dalmatia. The church only opens for Mass so I did not see inside but again it is very unusual as it has three aisles. If you go at a weekend which I did not, there is a changing of the guard ceremony. Zagreb (lucky for me) is not on most tourist agendas but there is a lot to see !!

Orthodox Beauty

The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Zagreb is located on a busy square full of shops and cafes. I didn't even really notice it as it is not of huge proportions  like many European cathedrals. There were no massive queues of tourists, and in fact when I opened the heavy doors there was not a soul inside. Only me !!! The beauty and silence filled me with awe. I wandered around, took my photos and still remained all alone in that very lovely mini cathedral. What luck to find somewhere not on the tourist trail !

A Local Experience

Last night really was a privilege and I am writing about it here as this experience is open to others....just let me know !! A local lady here in Marrakech, that I have known for over two years and who works as a cook is now taking dinner bookings in her own home. Six of us enjoyed a fabulous traditional Moroccan meal. We started with salads....a platter that was a riot of fresh market colour. Tagine followed. I went vegetarian but the others had chicken, olives and preserved lemon. A fruit platter was the grand finale and beautifully presented. We sat in typical Moroccan ambience with night falling outside the big open window chatting happily and finding it very hard to leave. This amazing cultural experience can be booked through me.....you will love it !!!!

Two Tables for Two

I know location, location, location is the usual catch cry but there is something to be said for presentation, a big something. This little cafe had that big something. The tables looked so pretty with a less is more approach. I did not go inside but presume the decor was similar. I have ear marked it for my next trip to Essaouira !!

The Port and the Scala

Essaouira dates back to 1506 but the port part is a tad more recent...1765. The port was built by a Sultan who clearly was looking at the big picture. He wanted to open the town up to the world. The Scala of the Port (the square looking fortress ) is one of two in Essaouira and was built as protection from attacks by sea. Bronze cannons from Spain were installed to this end. To assist with the massive construction, many slaves were marched through the Sahara,  bringing with them the heritage of  Gnaoua music as their songs told of their misery and suffering.Now,  Essoauira annually holds a massive Gnaoua music festival in June. By the 1780s this port was handling at least half of Moroccan international imports and exports. It is still very busy but mainly with meandering tourists,  a vibrant fishing industry and a zillion seagulls .

 

Fishy, Fishy, Fishy !!!

I think that phrase was coined on Sesame Street years back but it exists in reality today down on the Essaouira pier. The fish - a massive variety -  are all freshly caught and on ice. Buyers and sellers haggle loudly with the hungry noisy gulls adding to the cacophony. The pier and market are undergoing a renovation just now so it is messy and smelly but it does not stop the crowds of locals and tourists alike. Definitely unmissable even if you don't eat fish, like me !!

13th Century Hvar Town

Staying on Hvar (pronounced Hwar) Island was a highlight of my recent Croatian trip. The main town and port is Hvar Town, with a glitzy Riviera feel to it. The harbour is packed with expensive boats, the ferries disgorge up to 20,000 sightseers a day and the walls are from the 13th century. I loved the island and I loved this town. Spectacular weather helped of course but the architecture was amazing with painted buildings, stoney stairs and winding alleys. Add to this the glistening Adriatic and I was checking prices in the real estate windows !!!!!!

Bambi Park

Richmond Park is also known as Deer Park. It is 2,500 acres of open parklands and woodlands right in the heart of London. I could see the London Shard as we walked. Red and fallow deer wander at whim, unenclosed and thats the reason I went ...to see them. 

Lap After Lap

I dedicated years of my life to swimming, not me personally but my dolphin like children swam and swam. Endless learn to swim classes, then school teams and up at dawn training squads and even now they have all qualified as swimming teachers. When I looked at this lovely open water pool in Croatia, this cordoned off piece of clear blue Adriatic , I thought back to all those steamy indoor pools with that ever pervasive chloriney smell. How great to be in the fresh air with stunning scenery to look at when you get bored with your multiple laps. These kids probably don't know it but they are so lucky to have these al fresco swimming lessons under the big pines....it could almost tempt me to take a refresher course, only almost !!

All At Sea

I rarely swim in Australia, the oceans are freezing and I like tepid bath like temperatures...like in Thailand. The Adriatic really won me over as not only were the days very hot, but the waters are so clear, clean and an exquisite blue. Plus the sea can be up to 30 C in summer...perfect bathing temperature if you are not the rugged Ice Breaker type !!