Blue Flag beach & marina

The 2009 Blue Flags have been awarded. When a beach has a blue flag it simply means that the water is clean, in compliance with specific standards.

According to Wikipedia “A Blue Flag beach is a maritime or freshwater beach that has met stringent quality standards during the whole of the previous bathing season. Blue Flag status is also applied to marinas.

Blue Flag status is awarded to beaches in more than thirty countries in Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean based on standards and criteria owned and managed by an independent non-profit organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Campaign.

Compliance with Blue Flag criteria requires adherence to water quality standards, safety, the provision of services and general environmental management. Clean and safe bathing is provided in a dog-free environment.

In Europe, the water quality standards are enshrined in the EC Bathing Waters Directive.
The right to fly a Blue Flag at a beach or recreational water is a strong indication of high environmental standards and is a much sought after accolade by local authorities and providers of water-based recreational facilities.

For 2007, Spain had 576 Blue Flag Beaches.
For 2008, Spain had 455 Blue Flag beaches, Greece is second at 430, and Turkey is third at 258. Greece has the most flags in the Mediterranean sea.
For 2009, Spain leads the ranking once again with 493 Blue Flag beaches. Greece keeps following with 425 Blue Flag beaches.»

A detailed list of blue flag beaches and marinas can be found in the Blue Flag organisation site

Photos from Wikipedia

Ermoupoleia festival

The Ermoupoleia Festival in Syros island, Cyclades, Greece is organized each year by the Ermoupolis Municipality Cultural Centre from July until September. This year the rich in festivities programme includes the following:
5th Aegean Festival, 1-11 July
16th Classical Guitar festival, 12-16 July
3rd Independent Rock festival, 23-25 July
5th International Classical Music festival, 19-29 August
2nd International festival & animation forum animasyros, 24-27 September

The full programme of the events can be seen on the Ermoupolis Cultural Centre website, http://www.pkde.gr/

Photo by Dr. Andreas Eliadis

Must-See Natural Wonders for Caribbean Exotic Vacations

By Ron Harper

Unknown to many, the Caribbean Islands actually have more to offer than just white sand beaches and crystal blue waters. In fact, some of nature's best kept secrets are found here. Here's a handful that you might want to know about.

Pitch Lake - Not all famous natural wonders are pleasing to the eyes. The Pitch Lake of Trinidad is probably one of the most unsightly places you'll ever set foot on. This 100-acre lake is the largest body of liquid asphalt in the world. Parts of it are made of crusty material where you can walk on. As with practically all places mentioned in this list, a guided tour will allow you to learn more about this unusual site.

Soufriere Hills Volcano - Montserrat or the "Emerald Eye of the Caribbean" is known for this active volcano. The volcano's latest eruption was in 1995, which buried the entire capital of Plymouth. This temperamental geographical behemoth can be seen closely from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and is visited by many adventurous tourists every year.

The Pitons - Gros Piton and Petit Piton are two volcanic plugs towering above coral reef beds that are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. You don't have to get wet to experience the splendor of the place though. For laid-back-style exotic vacations, you can tour around the drive-in volcano, Diamond Botanical Gardens, and the mineral baths which are found within the area.

Bonaire National Marine Park - Unlike the previous one, this is one place where you would definitely have to get wet to appreciate its hidden grandeur. Around 200 feet below the water's surface is the most protected coral reef system in the entire Caribbean. Although swimming, kayaking, and windsurfing are also performed here, the best experience can be obtained underwater. Thus, be prepared to include snorkeling or even scuba diving in your luxury Carribean vacation planning.

El Yungue Rain Forest - Inject some fun and excitement into your Caribbean family vacations. Go hiking, fishing, and camping in this rugged tropical rain forest. Due to the volume and diversity of its wildlife, the El Yungue Rain Forest draws in 600,000 visitors into its jungles every year.

Photograph by Phil Thebault

International Animation Festival - Animasyros 2.0

The International Animation Festival & Forum AnimaSyros 2.0 will take place in Syros island, Cyclades, Greece from Thursday, September 24th to Sunday, September 27th 2009.

Copying from animasyros 2.0 site :
"...The International Animation Festival & Forum is an annual festival dedicated to the art of animation...The festival is an initiative of PLATFORMA- Urban Culture Co and is organised in collaboration with the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Hermoupolis and produced by mscomm company.
The scope of the festival is to present and promote Greek and foreign animation films, to familiarize the Greek audience with quality animation and to decentralize cultural events.

During the festival a variety of animated films from all over the world, representing a significant number of animation techniques will be screened in the competition section as well as in special screening tributes to international animation film festival such as Annecy International Animated Film Festival (France), Internationales Trickfilm Festival (Germany), Bradford Animation Festival (Great Britain), Anifest (Czech Republic) και Magma Short Film Festival (Italy).

In parallel, the festival organizes two media literacy programmes, a hands-on animation lab with the participation of students from the Technological Institute of Athens- Faculty of Graphic Arts & Design department of Graphic Design and a audiovisual workshop by young creators aiming at the audiovisual documentation of the Festival & the Forum.

The Forum
This year, animasyros 2.0 introduced the new dimension of a professional forum. The forum is a two-day meeting of professional networking, collaborations, presentations and seminars, with the participation of representatives from international animation organizations, educational institutes, creators, production companies, animation studios and other relevant organizations. The forum sessions start on Thursday September 24, 2009 and conclude on Friday September 25, 2009 with the Grand opening of the animation film festival and film screenings.

The indicative programme of the professional Forum includes the following sessions:
Thursday September 24, 2009
BRAVE NEW ANIMATION
Animation as a tool of public service advertising and social messages.

An open discussion on case studies of animation films and tv commercials, which have succeeded their goal to overwhelm and motivate the audience on crucial political and social global issues.

ANIMATION VS EDUCATION
Animation in education- Animation as an educational method
The presentation by audiovisual education and research organisations of formal and informal educational schemes based on animation.

Friday September 25, 2009
PITCHING ANIMATION SHELLS

A Pitching session, which includes the presentation of 4 animation films to representatives of distributors, TV stations and professionals of the audiovisual sector. The works screened will be thoroughly presented by their creators and will be evaluated on a technical, artistic and commercial basis.

PRESENTATION OF A HIGH-END ANIMATION STUDIO
More details will be announced soon.
Please note that the detailed programme of the Forum including the participants will be announced shortly.

WHEN
...The event starts on Thursday September 24, 2009 with the Forum sessions, which are concluded on Friday September 24, 2009 late afternoon. It is then the time for the opening ceremony of the Animation Film Festival and the screenings of the animation films participating in the competition and special tributes sections, the parallel events and of course the parties! will conclude on Sunday September 27, 2009 with the announcement of the winning films and the closing party!

Entrance is free of charge to all festival screenings and parties..."

For further information click here.

7 Strange Everest facts

By Jude Limburn Turner

What's in a name?

Everest, previously known just as Peak XV, was confirmed to be the highest mountain in the world in 1856. It was named after Sir George Everest (a previous Surveyor General of India) due to the fact that Tibet and Nepal were sealed off at the time, and so the local names couldn't be discovered. In Tibetan it is known as Chomolungma (mother goddess of the universe), while the Nepalese call the mountain Sagarmatha - goddess of the sky.

To put that in perspective...

The summit of Mount Everest stands at 8,848m - the equivalent of twenty Empire State Buildings, just below the cruising altitude of a jet. The Burj Dubai will be the tallest building on Earth once it is completed, but Everest will still be over twelve and a half times its height. Even Everest Base Camp (5,300m), the staging point for attempts on the summit, is higher than any of the Rocky Mountains.

Big, but not so tough

It may be the highest mountain in the world, but Everest is not the most dangerous. About 3000 people have made it to the top of Everest, and over 200 never made it back to the safety of Everest Base Camp - it is estimated that about 9% of Everest climbers do not survive their journey. This may sound like a daunting percentage, but compared to some other mountains, this is tame stuff - K2, known as the Savage Mountain, claims a quarter of its climbers, and Annapurna I has a staggering 40% mortality rate due to its frequent avalanches.

Rest in peace...

Anyone who is climbing from Everest Base Camp to Everest's summit must prepare themselves for the gruesome sight of the climbers who never made it back. At the higher altitudes, the corpses do not decompose due to the cold, and removing them is too dangerous. It is believed that over 120 bodies remain on the mountain, many of which are visible from the standard summiting routes. Anyone on an Everest Base Camp trek needn't worry - all the bodies are further up in the so-called "Death Zone".

The fastest way down...

There are plenty of speed records associated with Everest, but one of the most impressive is that of the fastest descent. In 1988, Jean-Marc Boivin of France went off the summit in a paraglider, making his descent in just eleven minutes.

You may kiss the bride

Couples are always trying to find ways to make their wedding day memorable, but few would think of holding the ceremony at 29,000 feet. On May 30th 2005, the Nepalese couple Mono Mulepati and Pem Dorje Sherpa became the first people to tie the knot at the highest point on Earth. Presumably, they had to find a Buddhist priest who was also a master mountain climber to perform the ceremony!

You're never too old...or too young

Keen mountain climbers who hope to one day go beyond Everest Base Camp and on to the summit itself may be embarrassed to discover the age of Everest's youngest summiteer. Temba Tsheri made it to the top in 2001 aged just 15. Then again, it's never too late to make it to the top - Min Bahadur Sherchan was 76 when he reached the summit.

Photo by Luca Galluzzi - Wikipedia

The white island: Visiting Mykonos

by GeorgiosK

The island of Mykonos is part of the Cyclades, -Greece-, a group of islands nestled in the southern and central Aegean Sea. In recent years, Mykonos has positioned itself as a trendy place to visit, rivaling even some of the swishiest locales such as Capri or Hawaii. The island's recent fame is thanks in part to the fact that some of the world's most beautiful people have been flocking here, including Madonna and Mick Jagger.

Among the best reasons to visit Mykonos is that it is a feast for all of the senses. The iconic white architecture, the extremely amenable climate, proliferation of archeological and historical hotspots are all among the many reasons to spend your vacation days on Mykonos. And let's not forget about the
magnificent beaches of Mykonos! The island is dotted with stunning beaches to suit the needs of every tourist, even those who prefer to take advantage of the "clothing optional" rule that some beaches have in place.

Of all the beautiful beaches on Mykonos, by far the most popular are Platis Gialos, Psarou, Paranga, Kalafatis, Elia and Agrari. Platis Gialos offers vistors an excellent choice of water sports, while Psarou is home to a first-rate diving center. Kalafatis is the island's largest beach, and Elia is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. On Elia Beach, you'll find many secluded hiding spots, perfect for a romantic moment or just some alone time.


On Mykonos, every street is a postcard image in the making, and around every turn is a new adventure. The scenery here is a study in contrasts, from the stark whitewash of the buildings to the sapphire blue sea, the rainbow-colored windows. The personality of the island bleeds through into its nightlife, too: When the sun goes down, many of the island's taverns, restaurants and discos come alive and are flooded with people, tourists and locals alike. The air is filled with a tangle of music from driving rock to soothing jazz. There's something for everyone.

If you fancy a little retail therapy, Mykonos can accommodate you, too. There are many shops on the island selling all kinds of local and tourist-aimed products of just about any category you can imagine. To soak in a little culture, the island of Mykonos has many museums for your enjoyment.

For a fun day trip from Mykonos, head to nearby Delos. There are organized tours leaving daily from Mykonos for Delos, an island that at one time was the cultural and religious epicenter of all of the Cyclades and for Greece as a whole. (For you legend lovers, the story goes that Apollo, god of the sun, and his sister Artemis; goddess of the hunt, were born on Delos. These days, it's an idyllic island with a very interesting museum and some breathtaking architectural monuments to see. While you're visiting Mykonos, you might as well take a day and see Delos, as well. (Oh, and as a note, the name "Mykonos" has a legend attached to it, too. It is named for Apollo's grandson. Legend also says that the rock terrain of Mykonos was formed by the bodies of giants being turned to stone by Zeus!)

Whether your perfect getaway involves nothing more than lounging on a beautiful beach while you take in the fresh sea air or whether you want to soak up a little culture and history, the Greek island of Mykonos has something to make your vacation the most memorable it can be. Be sure to bring along your camera and lots of film or extra memory cards when you go. Mykonos is a shutterbug's paradise!

The 2nd photo is provided by Wikitravel

Sagrada Familia - the unfinished masterpiece

By David Brydon
Visitors to Barcelona, -Spain-, flock to the city centre neighbourhood of Eixample with one main aim; to visit perhaps Europe’s strangest cathedral - the “Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia”. Easily seen from the air, towering above the square neighbourhood blocks, the Holy Family Cathedral is one of Barcelona's nine World Heritage sites, and a masterpiece designed by Antonin Gaudi, the famous Catalan artist, whose keen eye and gifted hand was also responsible for 6 of the other UNESCO Sites. In 1883, Gaudi was commissioned to continue a project already started one year earlier by diocesan architect Franciso Villar.

What makes the visitor figures even more bizarre is that despite dedicating the latter part of his life to the construction of the looming edifice, it is actually incomplete. Gaudi died tragically in 1926 while working on the “people’s Cathedral” and is buried in the crypt. The Cathedral is a stunning example of Modernista Gothic architecture, and currently has two facades, often mistaken for the front and the back. The Nativity Facade was the first to be built and completely overseen by Gaudi himself and is an intricate depiction of the birth of Christ. Comparisons have been made to a melting candle and no words on paper can do this part of the Cathedral justice – especially seen illuminated at night.

The opposite side is the Crucifixion facade, which was completed after Gaudi’s death. Original plans were destroyed by rioters and antagonists during the civil war, and although this has been used as an excuse by current planning officials, one suspects that an architect never works with the same enthusiasm if it’s not their own work. As a consequence, this facade has been designed by various leading world architects and pays homage to the rooftop chimneys of Casa Mila (also known as La Pedrera), which was another of Gaudi’s unmistakeable constructions across town.


The fascinating museum in the crypt of the Cathedral included in the entrance fee has photos, details and, more importantly, scale models of what the Cathedral will look like when finished. With 18 towers, the highlight will surely be the central tower dedicated to Jesus, which will have a huge stained-glass window, giving an impressionable light to the altar, 170 metres below.


Sagrada Familia is a controversial building, and indeed has various organisations headed by extremely influential authorities in the world of Arts, culture and architecture who object at the variations in Gaudi’s plans. Gaudi himself said that "The expiatory church of La Sagrada Familia is made by the people and is mirrored in them. It is a work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people.” And it is this very point that angers protesters. Rumours exist of many foreign corporations offering to finish the work due in rapid time, but all have been rebuffed, as this would go against Gaudi’s wishes.

The current funding comes from the foundation, donations and money from all other works by Gaudi in the city after overheads. For this reason progress is slow, and speculation about the completion date is a daily topic around the coffee shops and parks of Barcelona from residents and tourists alike. What is strikingly clear however, is that you absolutely must visit this unfinished masterpiece when you visit the city of Barcelona so that you can decide for yourself.

About the Author
David Brydon has been living in Barcelona for 9 years
Photo of Sagrada Familia by night (Nativity facade) from Wikipedia