Why Bother with... Greek mythology

I first came to love Greek mythology after I visited Ephesus on a day trip whilst on a holiday to Turkey when I was about 11 years old. Everywhere I looked, I could see temples, standing tall and proud. The craftsmanship was so detailed; it made the buildings look brand new. In truth they were built around 550 BC, around the time that the Temple of Artemis – the central masterpiece of the whole site - was erected. It was easy to see how it would have looked in ancient times. I was in a state of disbelief due to how much is still standing. It’s a shining example of that old cliché – you really do have to see it to believe it.

You are guaranteed to love the inner secrets, full of history and stories. Myths and legends have a certain amount of truth in them and Greek mythology is no exception. It acts as an insight into a large piece of global history centred on and around Ancient Greek times. There are so many debates about where the mythology originated from, as there are very few surviving factual documents from that early stage in ancient history about Greek life. And yet, even though we don’t know much, the captivating stories give us a glimpse into what life was like. People never realise how much of an impact the mythology has on the world's history. Disappointingly, the only people who bother researching it are historians specialising in the Ancient World. Even then, they are hard pushed to know accurately what the lifestyle was like back then as there is little in the way of information dating back that far.

It is very easy to learn about Greek mythology. There are so many websites and books dedicated to the subject. I first learned it by having a Greek mythology Sticker book and Activity book. I had a lot of fun learning the myths this way as I got to stick the relevant stickers to each page and completing various activities – connect the dots, colouring, and word search. It was a lot easier to understand the myths and legends surrounding Greek history using both than sitting in a classroom and trying to learn from a slideshow PowerPoint presentation. 

As I was around three or four years old when I started, my best friends/older siblings offered to read the small stories attached when they were tasked to keep an eye on me. When they did, they tended to act out the characters and show me images of their symbols as it was what they were known for. It made me laugh like hell but it became clearer each time. Even from that first encounter, I showed a preference to three gods: Poseidon, Ares and Hermes; three goddesses: Hera, Hestia and Lupa; and three heroes: Achilles, Perseus and Jason. 

With the deities, I found I shared a characteristic they prized; stubbornness and determination (Poseidon), bravery and daring (Ares), mischievousness and practicality (Hermes), temperament and later grudge holding (Hera), independency and focus (Lupa), and never giving up and quick thinking (Hestia). Ironically, when they bought the Sticker and Activity books as presents for my good-ish behaviour (if you exclude the times I hid their work equipment in the break room!), they ensured it would feature the aforementioned figures. But as always at the top of the pile was Zeus, the Sky God and King of Olympus. 

Every mythological encyclopaedia page includes a rather large paragraph on Zeus, as his story is the most well-known. Breaking generations of tradition, I am leaving Zeus alone. 

Instead, I am going to champion my favourite Greek Deity and Greek Hero.

Poseidon: the middle brother of Zeus and Hades and one of the most overlooked Olympians. You hear about him only briefly when tour guides in Athens retell one certain myth. Athena and Poseidon competed for patronage of Athens, in front of the city’s population. Poseidon caused a saltwater spring to erupt from a hole he made with his powerful trident. Sadly, however the saltwater made the Athenians ill! Poseidon’s reputation and worth were washed away quicker than the emptying spring. Depicted as a strong man holding a trident (three-pronged spear, not a long-handled fork) and being the Sea God. He is as unpredictable as the seas under his control, with his favourite slogan being: ‘The Sea doesn’t like to be restrained.’ He is underestimated by his younger brother Zeus and Zeus’ arrogant children, who believe they are better than their father's siblings because Zeus happens to be the King. He’s like a swordfish, unassuming but powerful in his own right, though some have compared him to the Great White Shark. Not much is revealed about Poseidon in the myths and when he is commented on, he is imaged as a rule-breaker and troublemaker. One legend highlighting this is the myth of the Gorgon Medusa – which incidentally involves my second favourite hero Perseus. If you don’t know who it is – watch Clash of the Titans!

Achilles is known for being a fighter but little else. An immortal and demigod. His mother dipped him in the River Styx, holding tightly to his right heel. Big mistake there momma, you should have held him by the left ankle and repeated the process! The term 'Achilles heel' refers to a person's weak point and acts as a backhanded tribute to the hero himself. Unlike Zeus and Heracles, Achilles and his heroic effort in a battle between two major enemies the Kingdoms of Greece and Troy tends to be pushed to the side when compared to Heracles and his twelve labours. 

Greek Mythology continues today depicting modern day life combined with ancient history. Novels such as 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' series by Rick Riordan enthrals modern teenagers today as they find themselves fascinated by a world that blends fantasy and history together in a seemingly effortless way.

Greek mythology is a link into the past, with the remains of a thriving community we see today. Ephesus shows the remains of a time-forgotten empire. Greek mythology may have virtually disappeared from the archives, but it will never be forgotten. What started as a spark of interest in my early years has bled into how I view ancient history as a whole.

Like many others, I have been pulled into their complex world of factual fantasy; somewhere between the two will lay the truth. But most of us will probably never find it. 

Blogger Note: This piece was inspired by a day visit to Delphi whilst on a city break holiday in the City of Athens, for Delphi is considered to be the place the Gods declared as the centre of the world after Zeus' two eagles met and dropped a stone onto Delphi's location from a great height.

Friendship

Friendships - hopefully we all have them. Some are good, some are destined to fail, and some friendships are so strong they last forever.

People have friends all around them; sometimes they are not what they seem. Behind that smile, is there really a trustworthy friend at all? They could be fickle, spiteful, and rude; but you do not see that side of them. Maybe you just see the smile. Do not trust these ‘friends’ with your deepest secrets. Those same secrets will be spread around the school by next morning. These friends are only your friends because they want something in return. Money, good grades, popularity … even blackmail material. You see it all the time. They will befriend you while you are worth something to them. After, they find another classmate to befriend. You’re better off breaking friendships with these people early on before you end up getting hurt by their actions and words. Forget the “What ifs” and the “Only ifs” as all they do is cause pain and anger. Trust me, I should know. I went through five years going through this whilst in senior school. If it does happen, you end up becoming isolated, frosty, spiky and standoffish. You end up building thick walls around yourself to protect your mental stability and emotional state. 

You are not alone.

Don’t go through the same cycle year after year making failing friendships. Don’t be one of those people who always needs to act cool and wants to be with the “in-crowd”, and not seen with the “school outcasts”. Remake old, and build new friendships with the people you know you can trust. People who aren’t going to stab you in the back at the first chance. Those friendships are something you can cherish. It’s better to have two or three true friends instead of 10 artificial ones. We can only go on for so long without best friends; they are a part of a support system. Those are the people you trust everything with. Your secrets. Your history. Your regrets. Everything. Don’t be afraid to let them in. They are not about to gossip to others about everything you have said; they have more respect for you than that. So don’t panic. Best friends like that are for life. Some of those friends may become your brothers and sisters in all but name and blood; they are the people that you talk to about problems that you are too embarrassed to tell your family. 

You are not alone.

The first time I felt like that was 14^th October 2003, a couple of months before my seventh birthday. Every other day after school I used to go to my parents company in Congleton and spend the next three hours completing my homework and then playing around the office with my four ‘brothers’ and ‘sister’. They were my best friends, my second family, and my secondary support system. They helped me to deal with my differences, compared to everyone in my year; as I am disabled I felt like an outsider. Some of my ‘friends’ used this against me every other day and made me feel like I should have never been born. My real friends gave me a chance to live my life. I still think of them as my siblings now, 11 years later. That’s the beauty of true friendships; the more time you spend with them, the closer you get.

It’s not just me either. There are lots of other teenagers in high school, experiencing the same thing. Going through life, making friends and being ditched by those same friends. It’s not a nice feeling. It leaves you despondent, demotivated, and disappointed with life. “How would you feel if that was you? How would you feel if someone you cared about was experiencing that type of life?” It’s the worst feeling in the world. No child in school should ever feel alone. No child should have to put up with … deal with that kind of bullying. Losing friendships can lower a child’s self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-value. Until they feel useless. This leads to other major issues such as lack of trust, commitment, and a total fear of rejection. Is that what you want to happen? Do you want those children or teenagers living life as adults suffering from unresolved issues and not having the strength of will and mind to overcome them? It doesn’t matter if they appear physically fine. It doesn’t matter if it affects their school workload. It doesn’t matter if it affects their home life.

What matters is these young adults and children are suffering emotionally and psychologically. It’s time to ask yourselves this: “Why should we have to deal with this every single year? Why should we have to suffer a lifetime of loneliness when we have done nothing to deserve it?” It takes a lot of bravery and strength to admit something is wrong. It took me three years to finally gain the emotional, mental and physical strength to speak up. With every individual, it could take them days, weeks, months, even years to overcome that fear of speaking out. 

You are not alone.

But there is something everyone can do to help. If you know someone who is in this precarious situation, don’t just stand there and watch from the sidelines. There is one thing you can do for them and that is to give them hope. Be a friend to them. A true friend. All it takes is one conversation. Just the one and the results have an impact on their lives. Encourage them to join online communities, social groups, and volunteer sessions. Spending time around others in the same situation can give them the bravery and strength to deal with their lives to the best of their abilities.

Always remember: You are not alone.

Blogger Note: This piece was inspired by the friendship between the Scandinavian countries Norway and Denmark.

Costa del Sol, Costa Dorada and Gibraltar

You’ve decided you wish to visit the extraordinary golden coastlines of Miami, Florida or Queensland, Australia. Well what if you had more accessible and cheaper, but just as breath-taking, alternatives because there is. The Costa del Sol, Costa Dorada and the beaches of Gibraltar in Spain.  



View of Costa Del Sol from the air.

Translated as the Sun Coast, this shoreline has been under infrequent but long ownerships and incorporated into their many Empires. From 218 BC, it was ruled by the Roman Republic, which used the Costa del Sol as a transit port for the Via Herculea, which also boosted the economy and culture of the cities dotted along this ancient oceanfront. Centuries after the decline of Roman power, the trade industry dominated the source of income in the Malaga province in the 18^th Century. Since then, the Costa del Sol has been introduced to and see the benefits of the tourism industry. The region is situated in the south of Spain between its two younger sister coasts, Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) and Costa Tropical (Tropical Coast) along the Mediterranean. Along this renowned coast, there is the city of Malaga itself, the capital of the province with the same name. The city was founded in the 6^th Century BC whilst under the rule of Ancient Carthage but received its name during the leadership of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire from 218 BC. With a populous of over 569, 000, the city is the sixth largest in the whole of the Spanish Kingdom.

Map of Gibraltar.



Rock and City of Gibraltar -
an Overseas British Territory.



Near to this coastline is the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, located on the southern tip of Spain. Known in Grecian mythology as one of the two Pillars of Hercules, after he created the Strait of Gibraltar, this section holds an importance not many people are aware of. With a population of 32.2 thousand nowadays, Gibraltar also has a long distant memory intertwining with that of Carthage and Romans. However, Gibraltar has always remained under British sovereignty during and after the fall of the British Empire, which was reaffirmed during the referendums of 1967 and 2002.  

Flag of Gibraltar.

Unlike its two fellowships, Costa Dorada (Golden Coast) is a relatively medium sized coastline included within the province of Tarragona and the region of Catalonia, between Cunit and Alcanar facing the Spanish island of Ibiza, Malta and Mallorca. One of the many metropolises on its doorstep is Salou. With a population of just under 26.6 thousand, the history has a long past as a port city for the Greeks and Romans, but it also regained its infamy in 1229, after James I of Aragon departed Salou’s harbour to conquer the Balearic Islands to create the Kingdom of Majorca. Because of the increasing tourism industry, Salou’s main attractions are the Costa Dorada, the Church of Santa Maria del Mar, the Monument of Jaume I and the Fountains of Font Iluminosa.

Costa Del Sol Map.

Costa Dorada Map.

In 2012, I visited the Costa Dorada and the city of Salou in the Autumn Half Term School Break with my family. Once we arrived, it was a whirlwind of “visit this place, visit that place.” But I enjoyed the holiday as it was – a simple holiday with a raw breath-taking view of the Mediterranean Sea, broken up by the Balaeric Islands, which could be seen in the distance from the rocky crevices and soft sand beaches at the shoreline. The Costa Dorada is the personification of that image in your head of a cloudless sky,

View of Costa Dorada.

magnificent coast with a natural sense of awe and an endless horizon. These contrasts and simultaneous compliments that of the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar shorelines. These two coasts I visited two years after, in 2014 on a separate trip to see the Costa del Sol in its entirety. Whilst the Costa Dorada has the raw magnificence of a rugged shore, these two smooth, gentle beaches really are staggering in their individual perfections and are definitely, from a writers viewpoint, the scene of many character reflective scenes and sections in a story, with the Strait of Gibraltar drawing your attention to the output of Morocco and the African Continent. With the Rock of Gibraltar in the background and the Strait of Gibraltar in the foreground, the local shoreline is unquestionably and categorically the place where you can lose yourself and all the built up stresses for a while until that burden of work is replaced with a sense of content and belonging. As a part of Spain, the Sun and Golden Coasts, including Gibraltar despite it being a British Overseas Territory, have a very easy acceptance about them, allowing those disadvantaged to relax and enjoy their holidays, not intruding with uncomfortable questions about anything they perceive to be different.

Have you come to your decision yet? These three Spanish awe-inspiring coasts or the more expensive versions over across the Atlantic and on the other side of the world? You may find yourself surprised with what you find on the European continent, closer to home.

Alhambra, Nerja and Barcelona

Are you seeking an adventurous and relaxing city break on the continent of Europe? Well, Barcelona may be your ideal holiday destination, with the Alhambra in Granada a place to visit should your holiday be in Southern Spain!

Map of Spain -
showing Barcelona and Nerja.

On paper, Barcelona sounds like the same old boring European city, but that couldn't be further from the truth. With a population of 1.6 million, and with the nickname of 'City of Counts', Barcelona is filled with historic wonders like the Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia and the Coloumn of Christopher Colombus. Built, sometime before the 3rd Century BC, one of the legends dictates that the father of Hannibal, Hamilcar Barca, founded the city and named it Barceno after his family the Barca's. However, since the 12th Century, Barcelona became a political powerhouse when Ramon Berenguer IV married Petronilla of Aragon (the same Aragon as the first of Henry VIII's six wives Catherine of Aragon - the mother of Mary Tudor) and their titles were merged by their son and heir Alfonso II of Aragon when he ascended the throne in 1162. Located on the north-eastern shore of Spain and deep within the crevis of the Municiple of Catalonia, Barcelona is the third most sought after European city holiday break destination.

Nerja.

Likewise, Nerja has all the markings of an historical town developed into a city. With a much smaller population of 21, 000, Nerja is the permanent address to the Balcon of Europa, the Nerja Aqueduct and the Church of El Salvador. However, unlike Barcelona, Nerja was built during the peak of the Roman Empire and its dominance of all the territories surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. They built three settlements, including Detunda, which is now a large archaeological site with seen remains. The area was later taken by the Arabs in the early 8th Century, during which the town was given its original name Narixa, which translates as 'abundant spring.' Nerja is situated on the southern tip of the Spanish Kingdom along the Costa del Sol.

Palace and Gardens of Alhambra.

In contrast to both of these modern-day cities, Alhambra is not a city by the standards through which we view cities today but is one in its own rights. Built and completed by Yusuf I and Muhammed V, Sultan of Granada in the 1300s, the Alhamra reflects the cultures of its makers and their influences. The Alhambra also shows its intended usage as the ideal place for refugee artists and intellects as the whole place incorporates natural site qualities with man-made structures and gardens. In each set of buildings, there is a quality about the place which leaves both residents in the nearest metropolitan area and tourists alike breathless at the centuries-old craftmanship which stands against the test of time. This wonder is located in the centre of the county of Granada, in southern Spain and is a magnificent complex to behold and visit.

Barcelona - View of City
from Parc de Guille,
its mosaic masterpiece. 

Flag of Barcelona.

Barcelona remains stuck in my mind and has done since I experienced its natural wonder in 2010, whereas Nerja, unfortunately, doesn't quite remain as clear as I visited the town six years previous in 2004. The Alhambra also remains stuck in my mind as a potential muse for my writing as a setting for my characters in case I wish to write about them as something different than what they are currently. This was because my visit to its magnificence was more recent in 2012. As a hemiplegic, I noticed a lot of differences in how I was treated in Nerja, but a lot more in Barcelona. The residents treated me as an everyday person going about my normal day. Yes, they asked me questions, more leaning on how I find Barcelona from a tourist point of view. But there was zero questions about my disability, no uncomfortable questions and no close analysing scrutiny. Spain, and Italy now I think about it, have a very easy acceptance about them, allowing those disadvantaged to relax and enjoy their holidays.

If you're worried about either of these three locations not being up to scratch, don't worry as these are bound to blow all of your expectations out of the water.

Sicily

Mount Etna.

Looking for a stand-alone Italian district that's not on the Italian mainland, which is a perfect holiday destination for those craving a step-back from a busy city work life. Sicily is the answer!

Rising to prominence from 750 BC onwards when the Greeks began to inhabit the island, Sicily started to become profitable and thrive on the olive and grape importing and exporting businesses. From there, a significant part of Greek culture on the island included Greek religion (the Greek gods and goddesses residing on Mount Olympus), and many temples were built throughout Sicily, including several in the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento. Afterwards, Sicily was embroiled in three wars and military strategy as the claiming prize. Syracuse became desired by the Athenians, who set out on the Sicilian Expedition during the Peloponnesian War, which also became the Athenians downfall. Later on, in the Second Punic War, the Cathaginians attempted to take back Sicily, aided by the famous Greek mathematician Archimedes, who was killed by the Romans in 213 BC. 50 years before, Greece had begun to make peace with the Roman Repubilc, with the Roman's wishing to make Sicily its first province. In today's society, it can be compared to the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, both written by JRR Tolkien, with the Hobbit being set 60 years before LotR. However, unlike these two classics, Sicily was in for another rough ride in the tides of war. Sicily served at a level of high importance for the Roman's as it acted as the empire's food pantry. The period of history during which Sicily was a Roman province lasted for around 700 years. 

Official Flag of Sicily. 

Map of Sicily - showing the major
towns and cities.

Sicily is located within the confines of the Mediterranean Sea, just off the south-western tip of Italy. It is also the largest island in the area. As such, it has a Mediterranean style climate, which is suitable for growing its vast array of crops of citrus fruits and other stereotypical tropical foods like olives.


Home to Europe's Mount Etna and Stromboli, Sicily also boasts the cities of Taormina and Catania. These two cities hold an importance in Sicily's vast history under the rules of the Romans, Greeks, Arabs and Spanish. Taormina is, in my opinion, the more exquisite of the two as it is the place to forget worries and stress but is a city that sticks in your mind from its raw magnificence. This major province of Italy is also the permanent residences of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, including Villa Romana del Casale and the Necropolis of Pantalica. These sites, coupled with these two cities shows the global stage that, despite its links with Italy, Sicily is not to be ignored and rated as second class to its older brother. 

When I ventured to Sicily, ten years ago in 2008 with my parents, I was unsure that it would measure up to the likes of Italy only for me to be happily surprised. Sicily is very much its own country in its own right with its own political system, legal system and separate architectures and culture. To say it's copying Italy is an offence to the wonder that is the province of Sicily. The country has a raw wildness to it that Italy doesn't and couldn't have. During the break, I travelled to Taormina and everything I'd read beforehand couldn't hold a candle to the sheer scale and beauty of some of the archaeological and cultural sites. As a hemiplegic, the same acceptance I'd received on the mainland, seemed to have travelled to Sicily and their own views of what the words 'different' and 'disabled' mean. there was none of the hidden prejudice and discrimination I would later come face-to-face with in high school but open acknowledgement of: 'she sees the world from a different perspective and this makes her unique.' The place is a haven to try new things from another country but also incorporates that sense of belonging of home. 

View of Taormina from the theatre on the high hill.

With this in mind, if you're wanting an Italian holiday then Sicily is where you need to go. 

Rome and Sorrento

Italian Flag as we know it today.

Every Ancient History and History buff knows about how the Roman Empire has shaped how we see the world we live in today. But do you know about the two most influential peninsulas, which helped form that time period of World History.

The Eternal City of Rome's official flag -
showing the legend of Lupa
(the Mother of Rome) and the Wolf Twins
Romulus and Remus. 

Sorrento's Coat of Arms.

On paper, Rome and Sorrento are the same type of city. They both hold a Cathedral and they both have the attractions from the same era. But these two cities are vastly dissimilar.

Nicknamed the 'Eternal City', Rome is the important city and the heart of the Roman Empire we all know and love. Built in 735 BC by the Wolf Twins, Romulus and Remus, Rome became the powerhouse of the Western Empire, including the Roman Empire. As the legend states, Romulus and Remus founded the city but after a bitter argument between the pair, Romulus became the first King of Rome after his brother Remus was killed. This bloodied founding lay down the history of Rome once the Roman Empire was established. During this time period (509 BC-1453 AD), Rome became the central hub of the Mediterranean Sea empire. With the motto of the Republic being shortened to the SPQR: Senatus PopulusQue Romanus, there is no doubt this Empire can and will be able to boast being one of the greatest empires in existence. With Emperors such as Julius and Octavius (renamed Augustus) Caesar at the helm, these remains of the Roman Empire are still remembered today.

Sorrento City Map.

Rome's City map, displaying all the
attractions and sights.

Sorrento has less of a bloody history through revenge and war and more of a history through natural phenomena. With Mount Vesuvius, and the destroyed remains Pompeii and Herculaneum as the main attractions with the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast coming up as a very close second, Sorrento is always on the map for a good city break or for a proper holiday, especially with a population of 16.5 thousand. Known for that fateful day of 79 AD, Sorrento has its history intertwined with that of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius. Everyone on holiday in Sorrento visits those three places during these visits as everyone knows the story of Vesuvius' most famous eruption. But that does not mean, the town itsef should be overlooked. Sorrento has a huge variety of authentic Italian cuisine and materials - even architecture - for everyone to enjoy. The Port of Sorrento alone boasts a visit from Jamie Oliver himself. And yes, whilst it is busy at night when all the small businesses and restaurants are open, the town very much gives of that small Italian town ambience that is very much missing from small English towns and villages. Sorrento is also home to the Isole Sirenuse/Li Galle (the Island home of the three peaceful Sirens in the Odyssey, where Odysseus ordered his men to tie him to the ships mast so he couldn't go over board.)

Today, Rome is known as the Capital City of the Kingdom of Italy, located on the western side of the country, crossing the timeless Tiber river and built on seven hills: the Aventine, the Caelian, the Capitoline, the Esquiline, the Palantine, Quirinal and Viminal Hills. The city is in the centre of the Lazio Peninsula, which borders the Tuscany and Campania regions.

The First eight Emperors of the
Roman Empire as we know it
in History.

Likewise, Sorrento is one of the most visited cities in Italy and known throughout the world not because of it being on the political stage but the Tourism stage. The city is on the western part of the Campania region, which also shares borders with Lazio and the Basilicata regions.

Rome holds the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain alongside the Vatican City and Roman Forum. Each one of these can be found in the central district of the City of Rome with the Vatican City a little further away to ensure the peace of the Roman Catholic religious schedules. The Roman Forum and the Colosseum were built in the same two-decade period of 70-89 AD whereas the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, which depicts the three Greek/Roman titans of water Oceanus, Abundance and Salubrity with the Geek mythological Prince of the Seas and Oceanus' grandson Triton rides a chariot in the foreground, were much later additions, having been built in the 18th Century. but these two additions also adds to the mystery and wonder of this undying historical city.

Rome's famous Colosseum - where they
held Gladiator fights and shows when
Rome was the centre of the Roman Empire at
its peak. 

Meanwhile Sorrento is the home of the Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast and its closeness to the town of Amalfi. Together, these two stunning locations brings a depth to the city not known for its own achievements in the history books but that of its neighbouring attractions. But, with the later supplement of Sorrento Cathedral, Marine Grande and Museum Correale, Sorrento is every bit the city which keeps going despite adversary.

Myself with my 'hidden'
disadvantage in Rome at one
of the many Fountains -
sorry I can't remember of the
top of my head which one.

When I visited Sorrento back in 2000, all I was interested in, as are most three-year-olds, was seeing how much mischief I could get into without my parents noticing. As a Cerebral Palsy - right-sided hemiplegia sufferer, which despite what people is a quite common disability to have, which also has a side which manifest similar to ADHD tendencies - this happened a lot during the trip. One memorable aspect was my insistence on being as close to Vesuvius' crater as I could and forever running off to explore Herculaneum. Though for the most part, it didn't seem like much, Sorrento has become a place I wish to visit again just to retain the memories of what I saw the first time around but never understood. So, when I visited Rome in 2013, I gained some of that wonder back, but this time with the understanding and knowledge I had on hand pertaining the Roman era and its mythology. Now that I have visited the town for the second time in my life, I can certainly ascertain why mostly everyone converges on this one town. The view over the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast are a wonder to see in person. And despite the large amount of scooter traffic on Sorrento's roads, it is one of the most beautiful places in Southern Italy.

The town of Amalfi from the air -
it gives its name to the Coast it is sat upon.

The town of Sorrento from the water -
it is a popular town to reside in on a holiday
in Southern Italy.

With the Colosseum and Vesuvius playing a part in this timeless age of history, Rome and Sorrento are a definite holiday destination.

Northern Lakes

The Three Lakes being depicted within
distance of one another.

Everyone envisions visiting a small Italian town on the shores of a crystal clear, blue lake. If this is what you're after, the Italian Lakes are the perfect spot for a quick, short break from the stresses of the city and work life. With the Italian Lakes, you can take your pick between three of the country's favourites: Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore.

Lake Garda is the largest lake out of the three and stretches from the city of Verona (where Shakespeare's Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet had their ill-fated romance) in the south-east, Brescia in the south west and Trentino in the north. The history of the Lake as a military outpost and battlefield spot is a long one from the years 268 AD to 1943 when the Axis Powers used it as a nexus for military operations and communications for the Germans during the Second World War. The city that most stands is Limone Sul Garda on the North-Western shores of the lake. The ambience of the place allows you to relax and makes every advantage over the panoramic scenery and depth of the mountains and the lake itself. Limone also prides itself on its authentic Northern Italian cuisine, which is a definite must to try.

Panoramic View of Lake Como.

Panoramic View of Lake Garda and
Limone sul Garda.

Panoramic View of Lake
Maggiore and Isole
Superiore.

Lake Como is very different by comparison. As the third-largest lake in the area, after Garda and Maggiore, it is also the deepest and allows tourists from all over the world to experience life from a very dissimilar perspective. Como is also the most benefitted lake from the tourism industry with its plethora of holiday villas and spans, rugged landscapes and wildlife. Mostly being known an as ideal holiday resort for the aristocracy and wealthy since the Roman times, Lake Como brings a raw beauty that can never be seen in everyday life. This can be seen in the many works of literature, television shows and works of art that feature the lake and/or the cities on the lake shores. One of the town/cities thriving from this trade and setting galore is Menaggio on the Western shore. Menaggio was founded and conquered, like most of the Northern towns and cities, by the Romans in 196 BC. Since then, it has expanded and developed into the atypical North Italian town it is today.

Lake Garda Map.

Lake Maggiore Map.

Lake Maggiore, however, holds a contrasting sort of beauty when compared with the other two. In Italy, it is the second-largest lake, only second to Lake Garda, but it also happens to be the largest lake in Southern Switzerland. Bordering the Italian provinces of Lombardy and Piedmont as well as the Swiss district of Ticino, Lake Maggiore holds the sort of soulful resonance you get from coming home. It is not the stereotypical lake, instead making itself more appealing with its dotted islands.

I visited Lake Garda first during the summer of 2009 and stayed at Malcesine during the trip. This gave me, oddly enough, a time to reflect upon the direction my life was taking me whilst drinking in the magnificent views of the lake and mountains behind it. Since then, I have craved to use it as a muse and setting for my pieces of writing. As a hemiplegic writer, the inspirations were endless since at the time I really truly wanted to show Italy as a place where disadvantaged and disabled young adults and children could relax and enjoy their holidays.

On a second trip to the Northern Lakes years later in 2014, I was given the opportunity to explore the exquisite waters of Lake Maggiore when I stayed at the town of Stresa. I only remember the the town simply because of how close the Islands, Isola Bella and Superiore were to the town. This, like Lake Garda before it, gave me more of an insight into the lives of the Italian people and how life in towns differed drastically from the life of the people residing in cities. Unfortunately, I have been unable to visit Lake Como but from what I have heard through the mouths of friends, Lake Como should have a pride of place on everyone's bucket list.

By and large, the Northern Italian Lakes are the perfect places to explore, relax and enjoy the simplicities of life.

Norway

Map of the Kingdom of Norway.

The Land of the Midnight Sun and the Aurora Borealis, there is only one country where you can visit these eternal solar spectacular displays.

Geirangerfjord, near Alesund
on the west coast of Norway.

Home to the Geirangerfjord, the Nordkapp (North Cape) and the Seven Sisters Waterfall, Norway is the only place where the old Nordic traditions still hold sway and influence over the people residing there. A place always up for a visit has to be the Geirangerfjord, a series of cliffs and islands heading inland with the entrance near the town of Alesund. The Geirangerfjord stretches across from the western tip of the Kingdom of Norway to a hidden gem:the Seven Sisters Waterfall. A waterfall gifted its name due to the many waterfalls it has in its possession.

The Midnight Sun and
the Nordkapp (North Cape).

The fatherland of just under 5.3 million people, there is another fantastic resident in town - the Sea Eagle. This amazing type of sea bird can only be found here in Norway and nowhere else in the Nordic Peninsula. Officially called the Kingdom of Norway, Norway acts as a boundary and a safe haven for this bird as there are so few of them nowadays. another conservation project Norway can boast is the conservation of Moose's. This animal is also being hunted. seeing the care of these two vastly dissimilar creatures tells you all you need to know about the Norwegian people and how caring they are towards those entrusted into their care.

Norway is located in the Scandinavian Peninsula, sharing a border with Sweden and cuts a prominent figure in the Nordic States. It is just north of Denmark.

The Aurora Borealis - Northern Lights.

Sea Eagle

In Norway, there are quite a few metropolitan areas and Tromso is no different. this is a city borne to thrive on the tourism industry and the food and drinks industry, for there is an abundance of fresh and delicious foods all hailing from those timeless Norwegian recipes, the Norwegian people have been cultivating over the centuries. But Tromso doesn't just thrive on tourism, it thrives on its own local attractions such as the stain-glassed perfection that makes up the Arctic Cathedral. Built entirely out of concrete in 1965 and designed by Norwegian architect Jan Inge Horvik, the cathedral, in reality a parish church, boasts around 400,000 visitors per annum, so it is a definite to go onto the bucket list.

Me with the Captain and not
showing my hemiplegia
after discovering it
went numb very quickly
in the cold temperatures.

I have visited Norway twice on two separate occasions. Once to see the Northern Lights, in February of 2016, and the second to see the Midnight Sun, more recently this June just gone. Both times I have been mesmerised by the natural spectaculars this country boasts. Too see the Northern Lights, I recommend going in the Winter time, whilst for the Midnight Sun, I would try to see if a journey can be made as close to the Summer Solstice (June 21) as possible, for these are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and are a must-go-see on a persons, whether they be adult or child, bucket list. During my trip to see the Northern Lights, I struggled to stay out on the boats outside decking area, being forced to stay indoors, not out of choice but out of necessity. My right hand and arm, which are the most affected by my hemiplegia, would freeze up and become numb so quickly in the span of just 10 minutes that I was forced to spend the rest of the day and some of the following day in the side viewing deck just to bring my right hand and arm back up to a comfortable temperature. However, on the second trip, I was able to go out onto the viewing platforms at the front and rear of the boat, and
was mainly struck inside whenever the winds picked up.

The Stained glass window
of the Arctic Cathedral of Tromso.

Overall, Norway is must see and a must go to country, either around the middle of June to see the Midnight Sun or the January-February season which is the best time to see the Northern Lights.

Lanzarote

Flag of Lanzarote

The home of the rich and the island perfect for quick getaways, there's no doubt this small island is on everyone's lips.

Fire Mountains of Lanzarote

Home to the Fire Mountains and the Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote holds more green belt between cities than any other country. The island is picturesque for families and adventures alike, especially for those interested in the history of these iconic Mountains, which are breathtakingly rugged and natural. These two inter-connected locations are just one of the min attractions Lanzarote has in its arsenal. Other attraction include the likes of the city Matagorda, Arrecife, the beach at Puetro del Carmen and the Old Harbour and Papagayo Beach.

Map of Lanzarote

Nicknamed the Land of Eternal Spring, the island has a sub-tropical climate with temperatures hovering between 18 degrees in the Winter and 27 degrees in the summer. Said to be the first island to hold settlements, Lanzarote is located in the Canary Islands alongside its fellow Spanish communities of Tenerife and Gran Canaria in the Atlantic Ocean and bordering the Western point of Africa. At its place as the northernmost and easternmost island in the area, Lanzarote prides itself on its tourism and agriculture industries with its research into volcanic geology coming up as a close second. The Fire Mountains are one such example. These red sandstone mountains and dormant volcanoes keep the history of the island within its grasp, only allowing specialist geological researchers to answer the questions scientists have in regards to this fearsome landscape. This also links in with the Timanfaya National Park, which is one of the only National Parks to be created almost entirely of volcanic rock.

However, whilst Arrecife is the capital city of the island, my favourite has to be the city of Matagorda, located seven miles away in the south-west. Matagorda is a vibrant and lively city filled with colour and the contpunctuary popular restaurants selling cuisines from around the world, bars and small tourist shops and accompanied by the ambience of a stereotypical tropical seaside resort town with the ocean to one direction and local music from the other. Matagorda has a population of under 20,000, which whilst under Arrecife's figure of 59.7 thousand, is impressive and every resident has a warm and inviting charisma.

Fire Pit of the Fire Mountains

When I journey to the island in the summer of last year, I wasn't sure if this holiday would be as exciting as the previous times I have visited an island in the Canary Islands, but I was glad to be proven wrong. Lanzarote is a haven for natural wonders, such as the Fire Mountains and the Tamanfaya National Park, with its little devil signage. With the island coming under Spanish Rule, I was yet again reminded of the kindness and easy acceptance the Spanish have for those who are disadvantaged in some form - my hemiplegia - or another - someone with Dyslexia. When you visit the Continent, there are a lot of things that majorly set them apart from the British Isles and that is their acceptance of disabilities, which became more accepted through the worlds Military Forces coming home with their own forms of disability, and disadvantages. Spain and her overseas territories really can open someones eyes to what a simple acknowlegement and acceptance of that piece which makes that person stand out from the crowd.

Puetro del Carmen 

As a whole, Lanzarote should have a pride of place on the bucket list of people wishing to visit a tropical paradise without the hassle and stigma its neighbour Ibiza receives.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan Flag

Tajikistan may seem like it doesn't quite make up to standards but this is the misconception everyone holds when they have never visited this green paradise.



Tajikistan's Statue of Independence from the USSR
- 1991. Rumoured to be based off the Statue of Liberty
(Lady Liberty) in New York City.

Home to the Fenn Mountain Range, Tajikistan holds a higher ration of green farmland to desert over the other States in the same region. Perfect for the kind of outdoor and walking lovers and even its residents, the views you can get whilst on a walk out in these mountains is staggering. With their clear tops and clear blue lakes, there is no-one who doesn't fall in love with this small range located in central Asia and doesn't want to return.



Map of Tajikistan

The country claims the section of the Silk Road joining up Uzbekistan and China and so is the connecting bridge for these two pieces of the ancient road along its southern stretch of land. Unlike its neighbours, Tajikistan is one of the few countries along the ancient Silk Road to possess a mountain range. With its deep green valleys, mountains and clear deep blue lakes, there is little question as to why Tajikistan prospers from the trade industry. One such city is Hissar which brags the oldest fort madrassa dating back to the 11th Century when Alexander the Great passed through here searching for ways to expand his Empire and when Genghis Khan destroyed a part of the historical city.

Dushanbe's Central Park

Another notable city has to be Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital and home to a population of over 802 thousand. As the name suggests when translated from Tajik to English, there used to only be a Monday market. Until the early 1900's, Dushanbe was a trading village which expanded and transformed into a city whilst under Russian rule when Tajikistan was declared a Soviet State. However, it wasn't until 1924 that Dushanbe was Tajikistan's capital. This city was also visited by Alexander the Great, yet there is little to suggest he did anything other than visit unlike the Russian emissaries who developed the city at a rapid pace when the city was known as Stalingrad in honour of Joseph Stalin before it regained the name Dushanbe in late 1961.

Persian Poet Radaki

A second notable renowned figure in Tajikistan's history is the Persian poet Radaki, who taught astronomy and was a translator of languages. He became so important, that the Tajik people dedicated a stature to him in Dushanbe's central park. A Statue of Liberty type statue on the opposite side of the Park is devoted to showing Tajikistan's independence as its own country from the USSR (United Soviet Socialist Republic) in 1991 is also a commemoration of her past.

When I first heard that I would be vacationing in Tajikistan, back in July 2016, I am not proud to say that I dreaded to go but that all changed when I first got my proper look at what Tajikistan had to offer the world. As everyone was aware, there was a military coupe in Turkey that very summer and I witnessed the events at At a Turk Airport in Istanbul first-hand. Without the means of technology and no media reporting the aftermath, Tajikistan, for me, became the holiday. The country allowed me to forget the stressful times I had been through very early on into my holiday and gave me the chance to relax. That is what Tajikistan lets its visitors do. The country, despite its faults, is very peaceful and relaxing for stressed lives and giving an escape route for pressured minds. As a hemiplegic forever worrying about my future prospects living in Britain, it did this very thing for me also. I was able to forget the worries plaguing me and just enjoy the scenery and inside knowledge of the country's history, as part of the USSR and as its own independent country.


Fenn Mountains - Tajikistan's prized
mountain range

As well as these extraordinary figures stood proud and tall for everyone to see, the Fenn mountain range is a sight to behold. Though tiny in comparison to the Himalayas to the south-west, the Fenn mountains are dotted with beautiful crystal blue lakes connected by a series of glacial rivers. This small range is perfect for those of us who prefer the outdoors and adventure. Though located in the western sector of the country, the Fenn mountains hold the secrets of years and eras past built into their pathways and river network. It is this mountain range which holds the magnificence of Tajikistan and allows it to flourish in terms of trade and population welfare.

Tajikistan should always be considered for a visit along the ageless trading Silk Road of Central Asia!