Jumpin'Journal - pages of a diary (IV)

It's been a long time since my last Jumpin'Journal post. Today I'll dive straight into some music, movie and book recommendations while "jumping" in pictures from different locations. Let's start.

Sinaia - Cota 2000(1,3) , West Park Ploiesti(2)

How much I love music biography documentaries: the combination of hard work, struggle and talent is hypnotizing. My favourites are:
3. Amy - the life of Amy Winehouse struggling between drug problems, love triangles and childhood problems, a talent that we lost too soon.
2. Get On Up - the life of James Brown overcoming his poor childhood, a dismembered family and later drug and alchool addiction - a strict and driven man with a very clear vision, talent and passion.
1. La Môme(La Vie en Rose) - the life of the incredible Edith Piaf, a movie that makes me cry every time I watch it; Marion Cotillard is beyond amazing in this character - love, lost, tragedy, talent - a must see.

When it comes to music I am all the time searching for something new while the playlist on my phone slightly changes - I'm still listening to most of the same songs as I use to hear years ago.
Meanwhile I'm becoming a fan of the british singer Nao whose mix of electro and soul relaxes me - find more in my album review HERE!
Bruno Mars stole again the limelight with his latest hits collection intitled "24K MAGIC". While the first single with the same name reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, the second one, "That's what I like", surpassed it and reaches number 3 on this week's chart. Bruno has it all in my opinion: the voice, the swag, the moves. Check out his Grammy performance below.



If you are a fan of TV series well then maybe we have some in common or I can recommend you couple of them. Lately I was absorbed by "Taboo" and "Vikings".
I absolutely adored the "Night Manager" mini serie with one of my favourite actors, Hugh Laurie (did you know he is also a singer?! - check out his blues album HERE!).

"The Night Manager" was nominated for 31 awards and has won twelve, including two Emmy Awards for director Susanne Bier and music composer Victor Reyes and three Golden Globes for Best Performance by an Actor for Tom Hiddleston, Best Performance for an Actress in a Supporting Role for Olivia Colman, and Best Performance for a Supporting Actor for Hugh Laurie.

Ploiesti(1), Suceava(2), Alexandru Ioan Cuza Park Bucharest(3)

When it comes to books I have to admit I read more in the past 3 months than I did in the last year. If you're in the mood for an easy yet interesting reading I recommend you "La disparition de Richard Taylor" by Arnaud Cathrine: On May 16, 1998 Richard Taylor disappears without a trace and without apparent reason. The book is a serie of testimonies of women in the life of Richard or of those that he meets in the years that follow his getaway. In the game of shadows and lights, we discover fragments of an existence of a man who grew up by the book, doing all that it was expected from him and that suddenly wakes up not knowing who he truly is or what he really wants.

Another book that got me hooked from the first page is "The Magus" by John Fowles.
"This daring literary thriller, rich with eroticism and suspense, is one of John Fowles's best-loved and bestselling novels and has contributed significantly to his international reputation as a writer of the first rank. At the center of The Magus is Nicholas Urfe, a young Englishman who accepts a teaching position on a remote Greek island, where he befriends a local millionaire. The friendship soon evolves into a deadly game in which reality and fantasy are deliberately manipulated, and Nicholas finds that he must fight not only for his sanity but for his very survival."(Goodreads) 

Cantacuzino Castle Busteni(1,2), Mt. Ainos Kefalonia Greece(3)

Right now I just started reading "The Road less traveled" by M. Scott Peck. This book is by now a classic in the field of psychology. Yet, it's written for a mainstream audience and goes through some of the basic tenets of psychological theory (e.g. attachment, individuation, boundaries, delayed gratification) but does so through the lense of spiritual growth. Peck is an excellent writer and fine therapist who is sensitive to the issues of spirituality.

Here is how the book starts:
"Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."

Which are your favourite TV shows right now? What are you listening to lately and what you plan reading? Leave your comments below.

Untill next time check out some more Jumpin'Journal:

Jumpin'Journal - pages of a diary (I)
Jumpin'Journal - pages of a diary (II)
Jumpin'Journal - pages of a diary (III)


Beldi

Sunsets on Kefalonia

I will always remember the first sunset I've seen on the seaside. It was 2007, on Peloponnese. It was my first time travelling and working abroad. I will always carry those feelings of freedom, enthusiasm and wonder that overwhelmed my body watching the sun sinking in the Ionian Sea while I was swimming for the first time in the greek waters.

Skafidia Beach, Peloponnese

Since then I've spent 9 summers in Greece and I'm quietly but still impatiently waiting for the 10th.

On Kefalonia I first arrived at the beginning of June 2013 and since then it became my home away from home. An amazing island that still preserves its wilderness and the greek traditions at high ranks compared to its neighbours, Lefkada and Zakynthos.

Today I'm going to share with you some of the most idyllic places from where you can enjoy the beauty of the Ionian Sea at sunset.

For more reasons to visit Kefalonia check THIS POST!!!


1. Kounopetra

Of course the best sunsets you can see are on the western coast of the island and I'm starting with the southern point which is entitled Kounopetra. Its name comes from the "moving stone" a geological phenomenon that used to take place there for years without having any scientifical explanation. This area is the place where I am living and working. It is a privilege to walk to dinner while the sun is setting slowly between the pine branches. A short stroll takes me to the place I took these photos.

2. Vrahinari Beach

Almost 2 km away from Kounopetra there is Vrahinari, a quiet and sandy beach. I recommend you to have dinner in the restaurant close to the beach - fresh sea food and tasteful wine while your eyes feast with a stunning view over the sun setting slowly in the Ionian Sea.

3. Petani Beach

Petani is still considered a hidden treasure. The road is pretty challenging, riding up in the mountains, then going down one curve at a time, but it is more than worthed. Either you're on the beach or up for the panorama view in one of the hotels, the picture is as close to perfection as it gets. The pictures below talk for themselves.

4. Myrtos Beach

The iconic beach amazes its vistors with turquoise waters and white pebbles. Everyone who has been there has taken at least one picture with the amazing view from the hills beside. For those who love a challenge, go and try paragliding over Myrtos. It is as good as it gets. 

5. Assos 

Leaving Myrtos you'll get to the idyllic village of Assos, a beautiful bay with colourful houses and a spectacular view provided from the citadel on top of the hill next to it. I recommend you to stop at the upper point before you drive down to Assos. There you will risk falling in love irremediably with the sight of the blue sea and the golden sun going to sleep.

6. Makri Gialos Beach/Costa Costa

Moving towards the eastern part of the island there are couple of places where the sun can be seen setting behind the hills, one of this ones is Makri Gialos Beach. Long, wide and sandy, the beach is very busy in the summer time providing sunbeds, watersports, volley courts, bars and restaurants.

7. Aenos Mt.

Drive up Mount Ainos and you will be surprised how cool is to leave the heat behind and to enjoy fresh air, a walk in the forrest and the brilliant view that stretches towards Zakynthos, mainland Greece, Lefkada and Ithaka. Spend a little longer time for a sunset as no other. That's the moment and the place to feel as a God on Olympus.

8. Argostoli

The capital and the main city of Kefalonia tends to get crowded in July, August with its many coffee shops and tavernas, clubs and souvenir shops. Feeling a bit suffocated? No problem! Jump on the ferry and travel to Lixouri village. Enjoy the 30 minutes ride and discover a quiet yet alive village. On the way back enjoy a moment of beauty as the sun sets down kissing the shadows.

These were my favourite places to watch the sunset on Kefalonia. What do you think about them? Are you interested in visiting Kefalonia or Greece in the near future? Let me know in the comments.

Beldi

P.S.: Discover more about Kefalonia and its hidden treasures HERE (Assos) or HERE(Skala).