For Denzil’s Nature Photo Challenge #6: Sharp
Prickly-Pear Cactus 
Bird of paradise flower 
Saltwater crocodile Borneo 
Durian Fruits
The top and last image is from Cyprus while the others are from Malta and Sarawak in Borneo.
Sharp!
Tag: Mediterranean
My Lovely Basenji’s
My lovely dogs, they give me headache, they give me joy. They are so similar but at the same time very different. Felicia, one year and four months old still behaves like a puppy. She’s full of energy, she chews on my shoes and toilet paper is great fun to bite into crumbs.
Fanny turns five in July. She doesn’t feel well about constantly moving between different homes, as we have done in the past year. She sleeps a lot, she love to cuddle, she love to be close and she hate the cold. I’m sure she will feel much better once we move into our new home.
We’re there almost every day, to see the progress, and I think she knows, this is where we’ll settle.
Some images from our terrace. Here’s enough space for them to run, play or relax in the sun. Today we went to nearby areas to find places for long walks, we didn’t have to go far. The renovation of the house should be completed by the end of April, that’s when we expect to move in…
….and a happy Fanny will finally feel at home, in our real home.
Then we have no plans to move again, at least not for the next few years, if ever.
More Pictures, Less Words
Old. 
Lines. 
Balance. 
Glance.
“We’re so quick to make things black and white and to put things in their box.
But everything is this mixture – and that’s what this world is
– is this blend of different things.”
– Matisyahu
Mysterious. 
Distance. 
Fragility. 
Vigilance.
“All the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow.”
– Leo Tolstoy
A Day by the Sea
It has been raining non-stop for two days now here in Tsada but the other day the sun was shining and I took the dogs to the sea.
Chrysochou Bay
We haven’t been here since we moved from Latchi in October.
We were all alone as we walked along the long beach but we saw traces of others who had been there.
The hard stones, shaped by the waves of the sea were as soft as they looked, at least in my imagination.
View with the camera facing inland.
Come on mom, I want to play! 
Edible or not, you have to taste. 
Looks like they’re hugging but, I do not think so.. 🙂 
Curious and alert, as always
My lovely dogs enjoyed playing and fooling around along the deserted coast. That gives me joy and a sense of the invaluable moments of life. It doesn’t take much to feel that life is worth living, after all.
🧡❤️💚💙💜
The View
Just another sunset, but still, the first glimpse from where we will soon settle, the first glimpse of our view.
Zelemenos, Koili, Paphos, Cyprus
19 November 2021
Time to move on..
We have now been in Cyprus for three months and it’s time to leave the northwestern part of Paphos. Tomorrow we move to Tsada where we will stay until we can move into the house we bought located in Zelemenos Village close to Tala.
Here I stand, on the shores of the Mediterranean, looking at the beautiful mountains in the distance. What more is needed? 
A happy dog is a laughing dog 🙂
When I showed this picture to my dear husband he said,
“don’t post this, she looks dangerous!”
To me, it all depends on how you look at it, I only see a happy dog.
The small village of Argaka has 828 inhabitants.
Could this be a place to settle.
A blue sky, pebbles softly shaped by the sea and my lovely dog. 
Yes, it’s Fanny & Felicia but if you look closely to the right and to the left you can see some round white things. These are old markings but show that along this beach turtles sometimes come up to lay their eggs. 
Just four hundred meters above sea level but the view is amazing.
It’s with mixed feelings that I leave this beautiful and peaceful part of Paphos. I really hope that we have made the right choice where to live. Only the future will tell…
“There is no right decision in life,
because every decision we make is new and unpredictable.”
― M.F. Moonzajer
Neo Chorio, Paphos, Cyprus
26 October 2021
The Influence of Details
Picture No: 2
From my Collection of Photographs.
“We sometimes underestimate the influence of little things”
– Charles W. Chesnutt
Spinola Bay, San Giljan, Malta
November 2013
The Tree
This must be my most photographed tree! I just love the scenery, the sky, the sea, the dry honey-colored reeds, the bushes and the lonely tree.
Of course, there is more than one tree and more to see than just trees.
If I turn around, I see large fields, a house and the mountains in the distance while Felicia happily catches up with something I myself can not see, most probably Fanny around the corner.
The dogs are happy here, it’s the same place as I showed in my last post. We go here everyday, only fifteen minutes by the car, even though we have the sea within five minutes walking distance from where we live. I choose to go here because we are almost alone, like the lonely tree.
Argaka Coast,
Paphos District,
Cyprus
By the Sea
Fanny and Felicia, mother and daughter. They love to play and run along the endless beach while I enjoy seeing them have fun together.
“Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.”
– Van Morrison.
..where Dreams are Born
“Come with me,
where Dreams are Born,
and Days are Never planned”
– Peter Pan
Chrysochou Bay, Polis, Paphos, Cyprus
20 August 2021
Hello from Cyprus!
We have now been in Cyprus for almost three weeks and these are my very first pictures from where we live right now, on the outskirts of Latchi Marina located between Neo Chorio and Polis very close to the sea.
A Farmer’s Salad is enough as lunch in the heat. 
This is the house we rent. 
This is the name of the house we rent, Korona 1. 
We are not far from the Baths of Aphrodite where I’ve been a couple of times because of it’s sandy beach.
—–
💓“Shaded by an old fig tree, amidst lush greenery, legend tells that the Ancient Greek Goddess Aphrodite used to bathe in the waters. According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite met her lover Adonis at this beautiful spot when he stopped for a drink whilst hunting, and fell in love with her the moment when he drank the water.”💓
Since we arrived it has been very hot here on the island, a heat wave is going on but the doggies are doing well.
Glorious sunsets in the west. 
Polis Church
Polis and Neo Chorio are two very small villages while Latchi is a marina and holiday resort. We will not settle here permanently but on the other side of the mountains, closer to the city of Paphos which is about an hour from here by car.
Neo Chorio, Paphos, Cyprus 13 August 2021
Bye Bye Malta
Bye Bye Malta – Hello Cyprus!
We’ve arrived, we’ve been here for exactly a week now and it feels great! We rent a house by the sea in Latchi and we’ll stay here for at least three months while exploring the area around the Paphos district.
In Malta I found the power of flowers and colors. 
My brave beloved basenji dog Fanny gave birth
to six puppies in September last year.
This is what the buses looked like when we moved
to Malta in 2000. Today, they are a tourist attraction.
All photos in this post are from my archive. Every single picture I’ve taken during my years on the small island in the Mediterranean will be unvaluable memories from a time I’ve now left behind.
Bye Bye Valletta, the capital of Malta and a World Heritage site.
The island of Filfla, a small islet in the most southerly point of the Maltese Archipelago. Symbolically, it could be Malta seen from Cyprus, where the Paphos district is only slightly larger than the island we just left.
A new chapter in life has just begun…
By The Sea
There is no need to have it all, just make the best of what you have.
Pre-Moving Checklist:
Today I only packed two boxes, then I went swimming. It’s hot here now and 27 degrees in the mediterranean sea.
Thirteen days left…
Luzzu – Malta
It’s been a while now since I showed some of the colorful boats which are so typical for Malta, the luzzu’s.
A luzzu is a traditional fishing boat and often considered as a symbol of Malta.
They are usually painted in bright colours while the bow often has a pair of eyes.
“The Eye of Horus”
These eyes are a symbol of protection and good health and are believed to protect the fishermen from any harm while they are out at sea.
Pre-Moving Checklist:
Most of our winter clothes are now packed in boxes to be stored in the container and shipped to Cyprus.
Who knows for how long….?
Fifteen days left…
Miġra l-Ferħa
Last weekend we went to Miġra l-Ferħa which is just a few kilometers from Rabat where we live. As you can see in the image above, the cliffs are high and plunge vertically down to the sea while people and cars look like miniatures.
There are plenty of paths to walk along the high cliffs,
where you can walk for hours.
A plant is a plant, there are plenty of these
but I’v no idea what it is.
The color fits well into the slightly pale surroundings.
Felicia, on the edge. 
They may not understand how close they are,
but I trust them and I know them. Otherwise,
I would never leave Felicia or Fanny without a leash up here.
It’s a quite barren area but I saw at least a few colorful flowers 
Sky and sea merge on the horizon, the Mediterranean is calm,
the boats are few, it’s a bit hazy and it feels very harmonious.
Felicia senses the smell of something. 
Wonder who came up with the idea to build a window here!
Miġra l-Ferħa, Malta – May 2021
Different Views
Next to Rabat, where we just moved, is Mdina. The ancient city dates back 4,000 years, is older than Valletta and was the capital of Malta from antiquity to the Middle Ages. Mdina is today also referred to as the ‘Silent City’.
This view was taken just a few steps from where we live.
From a distance you can see where we used to live, in Sliema, closer to the sea but far from the countryside.
From Fanny’s and Felica’s point of view, they are much better off here.
And so am I…
Rabat, Malta 23 April 2021.
Malta’s Countryside
My precious dog Fanny almost disappears in this picture, but she can be seen down there, on the edge. And if you look closely, Felicia can also be seen among the bushes on the side. I didn’t even see her myself until I enlarged the image.
Here are a selection of photos from Malta’s countryside, along the sea. This is where I prefer to go with my dogs, in nature, far from home. Here we can walk for hours and forget the hectic traffic, high rise buildings, all the construction work and cranes that have taken over in the small town of Sliema where we live, where I feel I have lived too long now.
Hello!! 
It’s pretty steep here! 
Come on, the wooden bridge has been repaired so it’s not dangerous to cross anymore. 
Look at the couple on the narrow walkway far ahead!
It seems to be crowded here.
The walkways are narrow, the clay wall is steep and the sea is far down. It’s exciting to run here. 
Already sunset and time to head back home.
These are the places where I can fill my soul with energy while my dogs enjoy freedom and new exciting discoveries.
A valuable part of my everyday life here on the small island of Malta.
Ghajn Tuffieha, Riviera Bay & Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park
Malta March 2021
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Letter S
Silhouette by the Sea
Sun & Sky
Solitude
Smart Small & Satisfied Dogs
Spectacular Steep Scenery
Seaweeds on the Shore
Simplicity
Silence & Serenity
Splendid Surroundings
Għajn Tuffieħa, Riviera Bay,
Malta February 2021
Dog Joy
Fanny, her daughter Felicia and their best friend Freja running and playing in a sea of greenery and white flowers.
Running together in nature without a leash is pure joy, both for the dogs and their owners.
My dear husband, our best friend Fredrik, two basenji’s and a very cute American beagle.
Here we go!!!
…and here we were, in the area of Miġra L-Ferħa.
Located along the sea from where we could see the small island of Filfla. It was a very nice day!
Thank you Fredrik for taking us to this for us unique and unknown scenery.
Malta February 2021
Greenery
"Nature is the place where your soul go free" 
Cape Sorrel
A common yellow flower found all over the islands
"In nature you don't get lost, you find yourself" 
Arisarum vulgare
Friar's Cowl, Arison.
Present on the Maltese islands before man
Mimosa buds, soon in full bloom! 
Felicia! Lost in the greenery!!
The other day I took Fanny with me and went to Victoria Lines for a long walk.
The view from here is amazing and in the distance you can see the island of Gozo.
Here, in the scenic lush nature, you can walk for hours.
“Nature is the place where your soul go free” Cape Sorrel
A common yellow flower found all over the islands“In nature you don’t get lost, you find yourself” Arisarum vulgare
Friar’s Cowl, Arison.
Present on the Maltese islands before manMimosa buds, soon in full bloom!
Felicia! Lost in the greenery!!
That’s all for today from Malta!
💚💚💚💚💚💚
💚💚💚💚💚
💚💚💚💚
💚💚💚
💚💚
💚
På promenad…
Man kan gå hela sträckan på cirka tre km utmed havet från Tigne i Sliema till Spinola Bay i St. Julian’s men vi går sällan hela vägen utan vänder efter en halvtimme, speciellt nu när Fanny har valpar som väntar därhemma.
Går vi inte på klipporna så går vi på den breda strandpromenaden, här sedd ur Fanny’s perpektiv.
Den här skylten har sett sina bättre dagar och är knappast bildskön
men då jag ser den så ofta när jag är på väg hem får den också vara med.
Idag har det gått 18 dagar sen valparna föddes. 
Fanny tar det med ro 
Hon är en fantastisk mamma, inte alltid så lätt när sex hungriga valpar skriker efter mat.
Avslutningsvis några bilder på vovvarna. Valparna har precis öppnat sina ögon och snart är det slut med att bara äta och sova. Nu är det lugnet före stormen då de strax ska ut på upptäcksfärd med allt vad det innebär. Ska bli jättekul och snart kan vi också ana var och ens unika utstrålning och karisma.
Vill passa på att tacka Anki som varit behjälplig när jag skulle försöka lära mig den nya blockredigeraren. Tack vare henne lyckades jag bland annat att få in den vita texen i bilderna och göra dem klickbara.
Haha.. det tog faktiskt flera timmar att skapa vad ni ser här ovanför.
Puppy News
Today it has been six days since Fanny gave birth to her puppies.
They are adorable, so small and fragile.
But they are doing very well and Fanny is an amazing mother taking good care of the litter.
They grow very fast and when they are two weeks old they will open their eyes.
It’s a very exciting time that has begun…
Hello!
Hello from Malta. This is what it looks like where I am, or rather where I was this morning.
Mum took me to the sea, only a short distance from where we live. I’m used to run every morning but not now.
It’s 30 degrees but with a nice breez.
It feels relaxing to just lie here and watch.
I can swim but will probably have to wait until next summer.
Since I’m pregnant and due very soon I prefer to just sit on the rocks, relax and look around.
My mom goes swimming almost every day. No, she’s not sailing, she swims but there are no photos of her in the sea so this image is good enough as it shows that she only swims when the water is calm.
And I know she always thinks of me when she’s not at home. 
I honestly believe she can think of nothing but me right now, and of the puppies I will soon give birth to.
And she has no idea how many there will be🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕
So if she’s not visiting your site very often right now, you know why.
Lens-Artists Challenge – Negative Space
This week’s theme, Negative Space chosen by Amy feels both challenging and fun. Although at least one of the images I’ve chosen may not fit the theme completely, they all have something in common. The blue color.
“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.”
— Ansel Adams
“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.”
– Sally Mann.
“When people ask me what equipment I use – I tell them my eyes.”
— Anonymous
“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…
I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
— Elliott Erwitt
Lens-Artists Challenge #114 – Negative Space
Xwejni Salt Pans – Part 2
Here I’m again, among the Salt Pans in Gozo. Now much later in the afternoon and it’s a bit cooler.
As you can see in the first picture, the dried salt has now been collected in white bags.
I wonder how big these caves really are and what might be inside, I guess tools and more sacks.
Needless to say, someone taking a bike ride just before dusk.
Others choose to fish.
I’m curious about the salt, it looks like it hasn’t dried properly yet.
It looks like snow, wet snow.
But it’s not snow, it’s too hot for that on this small island in the Mediterranean.
Now the sunset awaits…
🐕
In case you missed part one, you’ll find it here
Where am I?
Looks like an exciting place, let’s go down and take a look.
Like a moonscape in the middle of nowhere.
Where am I?
I really enjoy to run freely along the cliffs, although it looks more like I jump on soft dunes.
It may not be easy to see me at first glance but look closely and you will find me.
Now you probably think I’m curious about that cave but I actually need some shade, it’s very hot.
Here I am, at Xwejni Salt Pans on Malta’s sister island Gozo, and yes, I’m in this picture too.
These salt pans have been in this region since Phoenician and Roman times,
and the tradition actually continues to be used even today.
Click here and you will learn more about salt harvesting in Gozo, it’s quite interesting. Many people probably think of salt as simply that white granular seasoning found in saltshakers on virtually every dining table.
But it’s far more than that..
No, I’m not in this picture but you can see a black dot far away, it’s the car that took me here.
It feels like a long walk back in the heat, but it was well worth the experience.
🐕
More to come from my short vacation in Gozo.
Trees, Wood & Thoughts
The tree on the top is from San Anton Gardens in Attard while the one above was taken when I was walking with Fanny in Victoria Lines And yes, if you look closely you can see my dog sniffing on the ground.
Cones are an important part of many trees.
Figs on the fig tree are soon ready to be picked.
It will take a while but in a few years, an almond tree will grow here.
Here someone planted a tree in Ta Qali in 2007.
Here you can see Figs on fig tree, a tree planted in 2007 and an indication of an upcoming almond tree.
Click on an image to enlarge.
I love trees and the wood from which you can create so much. In Sweden, wooden houses are common but here in Malta it seems like they have not realized how useful the material actually is.
But as seen here, we are well on our way.
Marsaxlokk
Last Sunday we went to the small and picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk.
The village is famous for its Sunday fish market and its many decorative painted boats.
The traditional Maltese fishing boat, luzzu, is usually painted in bright colors, while the bow has a pair of eyes. The eyes are referred to as the Eye of Horus or of Osiris and said to protect the fishermen while at sea.
If you are hungry and like seafood, this is the place to go. Here you’ll find a selection of the finest fish restaurants on the island. Or just sit down and relax with a cold drink after a peaceful stroll in the area.
It’s well worth spending a few hours in this colorful charming village. More to come…
Marsaxlokk, Malta 21 June 2020
A trip to Għajn Tuffieħa
Għajn Tuffieħa / Riviera Bay is located on the north-west coast of Malta. Here you’ll find clay slopes and high cliffs on either side of the bay, red sand, crystal clear water and lots of narrow footpaths to hike on.
Here I go with Fanny as it’s one of the few places where she can run freely. Ta Qali Park which is closer and where we normally go is completely closed and on the rocks along the sea at home dogs must be leashed.
This man has chosen a clever way to keep the social distance imposed by the authorities.
The scenery here is barren but offers several beautiful views. 
Singita Miracle Beach – Mgarr Għajn Tuffieħa – Malta / April 2020
Balance & Harmony
“To put everything in balance is good… 
...to put everything in harmony is better”
– Viktor Hugo –
No More No Less
Just Another Sunset…
A sunset like so many others..
…and some wise words from Singita, Miracle Beach.
The Tower
Għajn Tuffieħa Tower, designed by architect Vincenzo Maculaniwas, is a small watchtower built in 1637.
The tower was built on the site of a medieval watch post and was originally armed with a ½-pounder gun. Its garrison consisted of a captain and three men, who were paid by the Università of Mdina…read more
The view from here is amazing.
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, Malta – November 2019
Today’s Quote
“If You feel the Grass is always greener on the other side.
You surely need to water your garden more often”
– Shivangani Agrawal –
Saturday’s picture & Quote
A trip to Marsaxlokk – Malta
Last Sunday we went to Malta’s largest fishing village Marsaxlokk. I enjoy walking around here, mainly because of all the colorful fishing boats that are seen in the harbor but also because of its special atmosphere.
Even the fishing nets are colorful.
…and so are the benches.
Some snapshots!
On Sundays, many Maltese visit the fish market to buy from the morning’s catch and it’s a popular location among locals for Sunday lunch. We neither bought any fish nor ate lunch but it was well worth a visit!
Skyltsöndag
Söndag och dags att skylta igen. Fortsätter med mina bilder från Spanien med inslag från Malta.
Spanien. Ingen direkt skylt men en något udda lokal för skyltning av lite speciella festkläder.
Något historiskt i Granada, Spanien.
Valletta, Malta
Spanien
En gammal skylt från en nedlagd butik i Valletta, Malta.
Lite blandat från Spanien och Valletta på Malta.
Den här tycker jag om, rar på något vis, Spanien så klart.
Att namnge sitt hus är vanligt här på Malta. När vi hade hus i San Ġiljan döpte vi det till Larnita, en kombi av våra namn, Lars och Anita. De som köpte huset år 2005 lät skylten sitta kvar och den sitter där än idag.
Avslutar med en liten påminnelse om hur viktiga våra insekter faktiskt är.
Alla kan vara med och skylta på söndagar, BP håller i trådarna.
Länk till övriga deltagare.
Stones
Thousands of small, small stones, shaped by the waves of the sea.
Salobreña beach, Spain September 2019.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples”
– Mother Theresa –
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Stone
Time for a break
I’m taking a break now, not sure for how long. 
Flying away from Malta tonight for two weeks.
It really feels like I have to get away from it all right now.
💕 Take care out there! 💕 
“Sometime I just want to fly
away from here…
…as the bird fly before the winter.”
Upside Down..
Too messy?
Reflections in water, I just do it for fun, though I don’t really have time.
“Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted”
– John Lennon –
Summer Feeling
Which Way…
Nerja, Andalusia, Spain.
The foot bridge in Tigne, Sliema from where you can watch the view of Malta’s capital Valletta on the other side.
Harmony Bridge in Kuching, Sarawak.
Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park in Il-Mellieħa late afternoon.
A day in Marsaxlokk
Last Sunday we went to Malta’s largest fishing village Marsaxlokk.
Sundays are most crowded when many people flock to the Sunday market where street hawkers set up their stalls selling souvenirs, clothes and all kinds of things. And of course they sell lots of fresh fish.
But we were not here mainly for the market but for the colorful boats…
…and the genuine and lovely atmosphere among the locals.
We also found a dog friendly beach but it was quite small and rocky. Fanny just relaxed and enjoyed being in a new place while she was curiously looking at what happened in the harbor among the colorful boats.
Before heading back home we stopped at Ta Qali Park to let Fanny have fun and run freely. Lucky me found spring’s first Poppy, my favorite and no, I didn’t pick it but needed a helping hand because of the wind.
A little bit closer…
Here we were last weekend, in Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, to explore the amazing scenery.
These images are from the same place as in my last post. Just a little bit closer.
Today I’ve made one thousand posts on this blog! But it’s from when I started, in
Today I have 1,823 amazing followers!
My new blog, where I participate in a Swedish photo challenge, has 9 equally amazing followers.
💕Thank you all for stopping by my little corner of the blogosphere.💕
Silent Sunday
27 January 2019 – Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, Malta.
Which Way…
Stairway to heaven…
Sometimes we may need to just relax and contemplate before making any decisions, which way…
Let the New Year Begin…
Yes, I know, we are all almost back to our everyday life again and it’s the third day of the New Year 2019. Some may have noticed that I let my blog rest during the festive season, that was without any special reason.
Above, two typical images of Malta. Greenery all over the island and yellow flowers, even though it’s winter. And when you see the different colored balconies in the cluttered but yet charming surroundings, it’s easy to guess where you are.
From yesterdays visit to Il-Gżira Manoel / Manoel Island in Gzira. I also noticed that the mimosa trees got buds and they will soon bloom, in February.
But, it feels colder than cold, especially when I walk with Fanny on the cliffs along the Mediterranean sea. Strong winds, 12 degrees but luckily the sun shines. The forecast says it will drop to 4 degrees at night!
The new year has just begun and we know nothing about the future but it looks bright with lots of love and joy. Take care out there!!!
Anita & Fanny
Majjistral National Park…
Last Friday we went to Majjistral National Park in Il-Mellieħa. We haven’t been there since spring. It was 18 degrees, and a bit windy but it was really nice to walk on the cliffs again along the Mediterranean Sea.
Fanny really enjoyed running around freely in the green countryside.
I came home with more than hundreds of images in my camera.
These were just a part of them, there will be more from the park in my next post.
Hope you enjoyed!
Composition
This is my entry for this week’s fun theme.
Composition.
A Photo a Week Challenge – Blue
This is my first entry for Nancy Merrill’s photo challenge, where the theme for the week is Blue.
Where the first picture of the boy in blue jeans was taken, I will show in a later post.
Blue color in two different pools, or maybe the same pool but from different angles in different light.
Old and new surrounded by blue…
Back to the pool for a dip in the blue…
…before embarking on this sailboat for a trip on the Mediterranean blue sea.
Anita's Images 