Summer Reading

As the new week approaches, I'm getting ready again to fly off back to my second home, Malta. With all these travels I'm doing recently I've been needing to keep myself occupied and what best way to do that than to read the sizzling summer books, currently getting everyone hooked. 

I'm going to recommend two that I've read recently, that, in all honesty, I could not put down! I would be at a coffee shop and still have my kindle in one hand and my Earl Grey tea cup in the other! 

The first BIG read that I urge you to get your hands on this summer is The Girl on the Train. Now, at first, I was a bit sceptical. I usually like to read 'off the radar' books to find unknown writers that produce great novels (look at Rosamund Lupton, she's a star writer that not enough people praise her on). But I continued on, even my mum wanted to read the book, so I bought it so we could compare opinions after.

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I am SO glad I picked the booked up. It is full of mystery and suspense. It is gripping and Paula Hawkins lets you into Rachel's life, as her story unfolds. As the blurb says to the letter. She is the girl on the train who one day sees something that changes everything. She becomes involved in something so complex and becomes a major witness (if it weren't for her major drinking problem). I give this book five stars and would love to see what happens next for Rachel once the book ends, although, whether there will be a sequel, we have yet to see.

The next book I delved into, as I finished The Girl on the Train so quickly, was The Ocean at the end of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. 

Originally, Gaiman wanted to to make this a novella but soon turned it into a story as he began adding more and more to the plot line. 

The story is focused and told from a seven year old's point of view. This definitely did not mean that the book was angled at seven year old's! With a many allegorical meanings, Gaiman moves to the fantasy world when the narrator meets the Hempstocks'. Something about them brings a sense of mystery as he lingers back, something which the reader would like to find out too. He is wrapped up in a dangerous world that isn't quite human and is superficial. 

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An interesting read for someone with an open mind. I would definitely put this on your to read list this summer.

Are there any other books you could recommend?

Kirsty 

xx

Five fabulous beach hangouts

I returned from Malta earlier in the week and have been busy back at work and seeing friends. I have decided to make a list of my favourite five beaches and swimming spots to hangout by whilst sizzling in the sun! This list is not in any order, though.

ONE - WIED IL-GHASRI

Okay, this first one is in Gozo, but this idyllic hidden cove is one of the most magical spots on the island. Surrounded by rock, no seaweed has ever appeared when I'm here and certainly no current. It's crystal clear waters and picturesque view makes it all that more beautiful to visit. To get here ideally, you would need a car as it is north of the island and not very accessible by bus. You also need to be quite fit to get up and down the stairs to the alcove!

Photo taken from this link.

TWO - BLUE LAGOON

This stunning gem is situated in Comino. It's crystal clear waters make this area so enticing for swimmers, and the colour of the rocks the water makes when it glistens in the sun just seems to seal the deal for day-trippers who venture out to this lagoon. The best way to get here is by boat. These run daily from Valletta or Bugibba and can be arranged with a tour guide. The price to visit is usually around €20. 

The beautiful blue sea.

:)

Absolute paradise!

THREE - PARADISE BAY

Now, I'm not kidding when I say there are a few steps down to this dazzling beach, but there really is about one hundred steps (maybe more, eek). Paradise Bay remains firmly as one of my favourites for numerous reasons. Unlike the other two I've mentioned above, they can be susceptible to lots of jellyfish in the summer. Paradise Bay rarely sees many jelly's. The alcove can speaks for itself with its name as it looks out to Comino and Gozo, in the distance. It is surrounded by rugged landscape that keeps the wind at bay. With those one hundred steps, the last thing to think of is carrying an ice box down to the sand. Paradise Bay boasts its own shop, and, to make this beach more beautiful, it has its own BBQ shack where you can buy burgers and hotdogs for lunch!!

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FOUR - PRETTY BAY

This is so close by to me that I'm forever returning to this beach. It has some lovely places to eat at lunch cheaply and the sand and sea is clean which makes me enjoy it a lot more. Pretty Bay really did used to pretty according to my parents and pictures didn't do it justice. A port was built in the bay and so this became an eyesore. Despite this, it is a lovely little place to swim and not too far from me!

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FIVE - Mellieha Bay

My penultimate choice has to be Mellieha for several reasons. Firstly, this beach stretches for miles, and is the longest beach in Malta, stretching out at over 800m. It really is very long and so there is no doubt that you won't get your pitch. Secondly, the water at mellieha is shallow and I like this is summer when you just want to relax in the water. It also makes the water very warm, which is nice if you go later in the year. In the height of  summer, there is a massive inflatable park, full of trampolines and climbing mountains, which I LOVE! Again, this beach is north of the island, like Paradise Bay.

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This is only a part of the inflatable section at Mellieha. This is the link.

These are just a few of the beaches in Malta and Gozo, but some of my firm favourites.

What are your favourite beaches?

Kirsty

xx

The Silent City, Mdina

It's a lovely Saturday morning in Malta, and I've been here now a week with my mum. We had a friend come to visit and so we paraded around the island, showing her the sights and scenery of the best places in Malta. She was only here for three days and so my mum and I had to choose the most interesting places we think she would like.

We visited the Silent City, located in Mdina on the first day.

The gate to the front of the Silent City.

Historically, Mdina was established by the Romans. Melita (meaning Honey) was divided into two. The citadel was known as Mdina (the city) and the rest of the area was the village of Rabat (the suburbs). These two names are still used today. Mdina at one point in history was the most desirable place to live in Malta, not only because it was the capital, but because it was one of the highest places on the island. It's fertile land at its base provided food, and it was easy to defend for those who would try to attack.

The city wall, at the entrance of Mdina.

When the Order of the Knights arrived in Malta in 1530, they settled in Marsa, diminishing the importance of Mdina, as they were left undisturbed. When Valletta was built and became the new capital of Malta in 1571, Mdina became known as the 'Old City'. The term 'the Silent City' became prominent and the name is still kept today because no vehicles are allowed beyond the city walls, barring the residents, who are given chosen areas to park their cars. The narrow streets and alleyways make the city so picturesque and personally, I love to wander around the city for hours. It is so small and there is little here, consisting of only restaurants, churches, monasteries, tourist shops, and houses. All of this is protected by a dry moat and city wall that surrounds the area.

The beautiful alleyways, full of history.

The vicinity of this area is packed full of so much history, and the panoramic views are something to envy. All three of us loved it, and I took lots of photos!

A lot of these alleyways are only big enough for horse and carriage.

One of the beautiful churches inside Mdina.

St Agatha's Chapel dates back to 1410. This chapel was damaged in the earthquake of 1693.
Restoration of this chapel is ongoing as it is so old.

The panoramic view from the city walls.

We stopped by here for a drink, it was getting very hot!

The Cathedral is one of Mdina's Baroque cathedral, dedicated to St Paul and shares the title
of Co-Catherdral with St John's in Valletta. It was erected between 1697 and 1702 after the
earthquake destroyed the original.

I had the most lovely morning here. It is definitely a place to admire and muse upon. I will be returning there soon.

What cities have you visited that are very old and boast a lot of history?

Kirsty 

xxx