Sunday morning: I prodded F awake in time for her to get up and photograph the pink sunrise.
The circuit lasted about 5 metres before F remembered that she wanted to photograph an abandoned, boarded up hotel.
She came back to the car pontificating about how photos don't portray what your mind sees when your interest is piqued by the poor old building.
The site of the Deco style building is lined with very tall swaying palm trees, in front a courtyard, which might once have been populated by humans relaxing in deckchairs under shady awnings. Imagine the building pristinely white with aquamarine shutters, and humans, in 1930's garb, stepping out of the dining room with that grand curved front to breathe in the sun warmed sea air, or twirling parasols as they meander down the steps for a promenade along the seaside, or to head off for a medicinal soak in the hot sulphur baths.
Today it is a sad ghost of its former grandeur; a victim we wonder of fashion, war, economics or earthquake? It appears relatively intact, so maybe its demise was a shift away from medicinal soaking in hot sulphur pools, to tourism that focuses on beaches and 'medicinal consumption' of a completely different kind.
F told me a story about a town in New Zealand that was destroyed by earthquake and fire in 1931 (she wasn't there - so it is just a story). It was extensively rebuilt in the styles of the time and has made Napier famous as one of the most complete collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. They trade on it of course and have festivals celebrating the style. If F had a wand she would transport the Methana art deco hotel to Napier where it would be lovingly restored and glow in all its design glory, and be loved and lived in and used in all sorts of modern ways by modern people who love being the conservators of a little slice of historical style.
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteOh, and I would be in with F on that idea - to see this faded glory is to have the architectural heartstrings pulled. Such iconic styling, crumbling away. I suppose cats are not that bothered really, but thanks for allowing F her interest, Tigger dear... and for sharing it with us. hugs and whiskeries, YAM-aunty xxx
The door was open on the curved bit and I just imagined squeezing through the gate and sneaking in to explore without a human in tow. Have a nice evening YAM-aunty xxx Mr T
DeleteMeghana used to buzz in the summer. All those old abandoned hotels and rooms were full of oldies taking the waters and having their annual '20 swims in the sea'. I visited several times in the late 70's with my koumbara whose mama and Baba went there for 2 weeks. They all loved the place, had bands of friends, played cards, drank together. The govt gave them a 'holiday bonus' in June and they used it for summer holidays.
ReplyDeletePoor old Methana sank into depression when the bathes closed and summer bonuses became a far memory.
It's becoming more popular now and is still a close place for Athenian visitors in the summer
It's a real shame the baths closed. We went there for hot springs but that's another story. There is clear evidence of some very expensive built in the countryside in very recent years. I seem to recall you recommending the o regano from Methana but we didn't see anywhere ovvious it was growing unless they jusy harvest it off the wild hills (it would only be very small so we wouldn't have see it amongst the wild flowers.)
DeleteWhat a shame times change and nobody is trying to restore this grand old dame to her former glory.
ReplyDeleteWe went to Napier and did a tour of all the deco buildings. It was lovely and
ReplyDeleteThe stories were very interesting
It was horrifying to hear of the devastation
if it were here some multi millionaire would restore it by getting it recognized as historical. I can see the beauty of it in my mind, from the past and also how it would look restored. love that portico and I am a fan of art deco anything.
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