I stayed at the Sunmarotel Hotel, Ermones. This hotel was spotless, you couldn’t really fault it. It had an unusual layout with the apartments built in to the side of a mountain. This meant we either had to wait for the cable car lift that ran from the top of the hotel by the pool, all the way to the bottom by the beach or walk up the many stairs. Unfortunately, I ended up going for the second option and let’s just say facing stairs first thing in the morning is not good! But, it was all worth it as we were all inclusive, which meant we could gorge on all the food we could eat... yummy!

The pool was open from the morning until around 6pm; this is where
I spent many of my days either playing volleyball in the pool with people from different countries, which was always interesting, or putting on some goggles and giving myself a little exercise by diving towards the bottom of the pool floor gathering all the coins people had accidentally dropped. There were also fitness classes, tennis courts and table tennis sessions where some of the holiday reps would be joining in.
Down at the hotels private beach there was also a range of activities that were seen to be a little more adventurous so you needed adult supervision. Like diving for example, this was only open to certain ages as you’d be travelling to wrecks out in the open ocean. My dad takes me diving but we didn’t take our full kit, instead we bought our snorkelling kits which is basically just a mask, snorkel and fins. We swam to the far cliffs and then put on our masks and gazed at the beautiful fish and coral beneath us. Everything was so colourful and the water was crystal clear.

Another activity we tried was the pedal boats with a slide that people of all ages could play with to plop into the ocean. I didn’t particularly want to go down it as we were quite far out and the water we were sailing on was rather deep, but I’m a good swimmer so after the mocking I was receiving from my dad I plucked up the courage to go for it.

I swam round the side of the boat where there should have been a ladder, only to find our ladder was broken and we only had the rails. So I tried to climb up but I just couldn’t do it! So then after my dad finished laughing he helped me up and went down the slide himself, not realising what I was saying about the ladder. So now it was my turn to laugh as he couldn’t get up either, but then I had the smile took off my face when I had to try and pull him on board.

Great experience

This was my first time in Greece and I found it to be totally different to my expectations. With it being quite a hot country the surrounding scenery really surprised me. Everything was very green. Plenty of trees and plants everywhere you looked, and if you got a taxi into the shopping town there was no litter in sight, it was immaculate. One thing we found out when we arrived in the town was that all of the restaurants are very competitive. Owners especially came to greet you whilst you were strolling past and try to capture your custom. However, we didn't complain as wherever you went you were made to feel extremely welcome and catered for in the best possible way. Plus there was an extra bonus, as a local band came roaming the streets and serenaded the customers of most restaurants with their charming Greek music, this made me notice that the town still held its traditional values, but somehow also managed to make itself seem modern whilst reflecting its natural beauty.

One of my favourite days was when my family visited Aqualand, one of the most amazing water parks I have ever been to in my life. It was so big and had so many areas within. I just didn’t know where to start. First, we went on the fun slides to get into the gist of the park, then we hit the extreme ones. I felt more of a thrill off the freefall drop slides than you ever would or could on a rollercoaster. Some people let out expletives whilst coming down these particular slides but
I didn’t manage to let out a shout or anything, I don’t know how people did it.
I was speechless and couldn't catch my breath. My mom isn’t a fan of big thrills so she stood there with the camera taking snaps. The lazy river was more her cup of tea, which allowed her to just float around the circuit and watch the world go by!

This water park held the world’s 3rd largest wave pool, so I went to check it out. It was real busy so I was surrounded by heaps of other people in rubber rings. The waves progressively got bigger and bigger which made it harder and harder to stay in your rubber ring, but it was lots of fun. I was having a wild time.

The views were spectacular, the staff were friendly and there was an endless list of activities available for you to do. I will take away so many amazing memories and this trip will never be forgotten. I recommend the island of Corfu to everyone as
I had quite a splendid holiday.


Cork, Ireland
by Natalie Whiston

Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and is the third most populous city after Dublin and Belfast.

When I heard I had family over in Ireland I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet them, so me, my mom and sister travelled to the city of Cork. From Cork airport we travelled by shuttle bus to the hotel and we managed to see a lot of scenery along the way. If you’re like me and you love to take photos of surrounding areas then you’ll be in luck with Cork, the side of the roads were littered with clovers and the mountains were almost endless in the distance, though that changes as soon as you reach the city centre. Just as you come in to the city centre you will see the bus depot, so you don’t have to stay in the main area you can venture all over the city.

We stayed in the Quality hotel and leisure centre which was in Shandon, so we had quite a good view of the St Ann Shandon cathedral. There was also a local sweet shop, restaurant and the butter exchange just down the street from us. We were a short walk from St Patrick Bridge which led right into the main city centre.

Cork city is packed with shops so if you are a shopaholic like myself and can’t bear the thought of missing out then have no fear because Penny’s (Primark’s twin) is just down the street, along with Debenhams, Marks and Spencer and other main department stores. Around St Patrick Street you will find the main department stores and check out Oliver Plunkett Street for hours of shopping. One shop that grabbed me, which of course was packed with gothic gear, was Moonshine. It was tucked away in Paul Street Shopping centre just two streets from the Crawford Art Museum and Cork opera house.

There are so many sights to see including the Shandon Bells, the Father Matthew Statue, the English Market, Red Abbey and of course there’s a lot more including the famous Blarney Castle.

As for night time entertainment, you could watch shows at the hotel, or just a short walk away you could hit the local family pubs in the area, each with live entertainment so you won’t be stuck for choice. Alternatively, why don’t you check out the plays and shows at the Everyman Palace on MacCurtain Street.

Overall, Cork may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it was a great girly weekend for me, my mom and my sister and I actually got to find out more about my Irish background.