A heart-shaped island in Coral Sea: Heart Reef, Hardy Reef, Great Barrier Reef off Whitsunday Islands, Cumberland Islands, Queensland, Australia

Heart Reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Whitsunday Island Group in Queensland, Australia. A coral formation with an ideal natural shape of a heart, and part of the protected world heritage site of the Great Barrier Reef.

© Marie-France Guillebot
I SEA WORLD is licensed to use this photo. It is not permitted to use it.

Map of Heart Reef

Galesnjak Island

Galesnjak, also called Lovers’ Island is located in the Adriatic Sea, near the town of Zadar, Croatia, Europe. It has an ideal natural shape of a heart. Private, uninhabited, with few ancient remains on it and encompassed by beaches.

Galesnjak Official Website

Map of Galesnjak Island

Tavarua Island

Tavarua is located in the South Pacific Ocean, near the principal Viti Levu island of Fiji, Melanesia, Oceania. Another one to have an ideal natural shape of a heart. A private resort, and a renowned surfers’ spot with world class waves and beaches.

Tavarua Official Website

Map of Tavarua Island

Netrani Island

Netrani, also called Pigeon Island is located in the Arabian Sea, near the town of Murudeshwara in Karnataka, India, Asia. This one too has an ideal natural shape of a heart. A religious place requiring a special permit to visit, and one of the best sites for professional diving and snorkelling.

Map of Netrani Island

Mogaedo Island

Mogaedo (Hateoseum), also called Hart Island is located in the East China Sea off Talch’on-Do shores, near the town of Yeosu in South Korea, Asia. The next one to have an ideal natural shape of a heart. Uninhabited with a large beach along its eastern coast, and part of the protected area of Suncheon Bay Ecological Park.

Map of Mogaedo Island

Makepeace Island

is located on the Noosa River, Queensland, Australia where it flows into the Pacific Ocean. Formerly a private seat for the billionaire Richard Branson and co., it now offers a heart-shaped hideaway with luxury accomodation for rent, and nature-friendly experience nearby the beaches, lakes and other wonders of the Sunshine Coast.

Makepeace Official Website

Map of Makepeace Island

While Mr David Suchet has used body padding to fulfill the measures of Poirot’s silhouette, he naturally resembles him in his outlook. However, he is at the least perfect for the role for the typical egg-shaped oval of his head. The starring actor has done far harder work to prepare himself as his character’s most welcoming host. He has mastered his accent to “a mixture of French-speaking Belgian and country French” in order “to be very specific but easily understood”. He has trained his voice under the black waxed moustache of perfect symmetry, the great detective’s outstanding mark. He has trained to raise it up into his head where he believes everything Poirot’s comes from. He has also recreated his signature pace. He would limp with little quick steps in Poirot’s extraordinary patent leather shoes, rhythmically leaning on the bird-shaped metal handle of his exotic walking stick.

David Suchet has studied Poirot within all the novels he appears. He has listed all his features to get known with him. He has not just acted him out but impersonated him. He perfected his mannerism and oddities to the last detail until the actor has finally become his character. Moreover, David Suchet has taken steady part in all adapted episodes. He has used this opportunity to present his character gradually and to follow his progress through the stories.

Mr Suchet’s accurate work twinkles in Poirot’s sight and charisma. In result he looks real in everything from his eccentricity to traditionalism. The convincing character is expected to reveal dimensions in personality. They are awaited to experience growing to become our favourites. When their flaws are as attractive as their virtues they are even welcomed. While Agatha Christie has given birth to her child, David Suchet has inspired live within Poirot. He has presented his character’s features so amusingly that we would rather smile at him instead of laugh or get angry. Women will always recognize the gentleman in Poirot before the other made-up in the series. Hence, his ego is deserved because of his unique skills and worldwide fame. Moreover, it is repaid with his love for his closest.

“I do not approve of murder” and “It is the brain, the little gray cells on which one must rely. One must seek the truth within – not without” are among his famous quotes. Poirot’s vocabulary is also outstanding. “Eh bien” and “Mon ami” is how he would call his friends Captain Hastings, Miss Lemon and Inspector Japp. His intolerance to dirt and disorder, obsession for logic, method, symmetry and composition are also well known among his keen admirers. Although rotund, Poirot is always of perfect look. He wears a three-piece wool suit with a wing collar, a bow tie, leather gloves and a hat. Neither is a particle of dust nor a fold seen on his elegant costume. Only the relic pin on the left lapel reveals a romantic tie with his heart. A special gift from a Lady they say whom he has been emotionally bonded. It resembles a miniature amphora with fresh flowers at the top. It also hints at another typical feature of Poirot. Such bunches of herbs were used in medieval times against unpleasant odour and diseases.

Poirot is fond of luxury. He likes the exquisite things of life. Besides he wears the finest of clothing, he is driven in expensive cars. He visits attractive places and stays in comfortable hotel rooms. He is served excellent food and drinks in exclusive restaurants. He has also a refined taste for arts. 1930s atmosphere is a fascinating amalgam of traditional romance and first-class modernism. The background of all events in the series is brilliantly matched with glamorous environments. Poirot’s famous apartment is based in London. A fabulous Art Deco building in the Charterhouse Square hosts his fictional Whitehaven Mansions address. The residence is a work of Guy Morgan and Partners. It is originally called Florin Court. They say it houses a swimming pool in the basement and a roof garden. Unfortunately, we can only see the interior of Poirot’s apartment, the staircase with an iron-net lift and the remarkable curved facade of the building in the TV series.

The external pictures yet reveal more. They capture London streets and old train compartments. We see traditional estates and modernistic houses in neat provincial settlements. We travel to numerous exotic destinations. We also meet with the beautiful seaside where Agatha Christie was born and spent most of her life. She has also created some of her novels there. Most of the episodes take place at sea locations as well. “Triangle at Rhodes”, “Problem at Sea”, “Peril at End House” and “Evil Under the Sun” are among many. We stay on isolated islands. We visit populous summer resorts. We enjoy our vacation with Poirot.

The theme music video of Agatha Christie’s Poirot

Episodes with Seaside Filming Locations

The Kid And The Older

If you are one of those kids of the late years of Socialism, I am sure you also sympathize with Verano Azul. Well, if you have kept your interest in it. It is a fact they used to broadcast it every single summer on the local television with the only two channels. Speaking of myself, I have never got enough of the series. Before, I have enjoyed the meetings with my favourite gang and shared together the long-awaited summer vacation at the sea. And now I experience exactly the same, only that I rediscover it in a different way.

What carries an eternal message hardly diminishes. This enigmatic film strip is initially created for children. But it also provides a real opportunity for a dialogue between generations. Of course, it has happened much later that I have understood the serious half of Verano Azul. And so I have appreciated it, save that I liked it. However, this series has always attracted me for plenty of reasons. I used to recognize myself in the characters and their adventures. Moreover, what Verano Azul presents has been unfamiliar to the customs of our society back then. Actually, this is one of the puzzles I am still unable to solve. How did a propaganda television like ours those days dare to let us touch to serious issues of the Western society? Those often provocative views were all contrary to the socialist ideology. The most probable answer is that even “ideal” systems for manipulation operate with failures.

Nevertheless, it will not surprise me if you are one of Verano Azul numerous fans. Moreover, I shall be exited. The way it happened when I visited Spain almost a decade ago and met Pancho and Javi. Well, not those fabulous Javi and Pancho you would think of, but just two ordinary local guys with the same names. They got greatly surprised to know that not only was I familiar with Verano Azul but I was even keen on the series. It was exactly when I experienced that unique excitement of sharing common joy and fondness together with strangers. It is curious how similar our mentality, models of education, communication and behaviour are. That we have the same family problems and social conflicts. And that at the same time we differ in our ways to settle them.

I am an admirer of the Spanish cinema. And as such I have observations on their ability to handle humor in various ways. They can be ironic, sarcastic, even cynical at times, witty, entertaining, and frivolous. All they aim is a positive result, sending a message or learning a lesson. Or they simply have fun, laughing at themselves before they do it at others. The Spanish are definitely gifted in self-criticism. This is how they try to see themselves objectively, as realistically from aside as possible. Whereas we would take seriously everything about ourselves but our faults. We are courageous to see others in cartoons while we fear doing it personally. Moreover, we can hardly do it indirectly. By looking through the mirror of a film likewise Verano Azul which has become a social phenomenon.

Verano Azul: The Series

Verano Azul has bonded to generations of Spaniards from the first moment the monopoly state television broadcasted it back in 1981. Community was moved to such an extent that the residents of Nerja named town streets on each of the characters. They also arranged a special park-museum dedicated to the series. Moreover, major leading media used to announce events from the episodes, as in example Chanquete’s death and the breakup of the gang at the end of summer. Verano Azul has not been spared of criticism as well. However, this is expected for every quality product, which is different or completely innovative. The reasons for this interest are numerous and similar to those already mentioned. However, Verano Azul owns its long lasting fame mostly to the social topics it has presented in a professional, still familiar way, without extremity and with plenty of humor.

Each of the nineteen episodes of Verano Azul touches problems related to family and society that have used to exist then but are still valid today. Such are global environment, minors’ labour exploitation, social groups and hierarchy, hippies’ lifestyle. Also, lack of common language between generations, communication in families and mutual respect as well as the protest of the young for their right of recognition. Others are teenage love and relationships, maturing, sexual awareness, tendency of idealizing and creating idols. More are parents’ jealousy for their children’s friends, the different families, betrayal, divorce and the lack of a parent, single mothers, strangers and their social alienation. Not to miss the death of a closer, friendship proven in a need, connecting with other people in the world, freedom, paranormal, magic and illusions. Even estates speculations, which have been a particular problem for Spain. And many other concerns of the youth among more general, ethical and moral values.

The Actors: Real Persons Behind The Characters

Julia and Chanquete

Apart from the serious topics I have always been interested in people who have left traces in the world’s history in one shape or another. So, I have been curious about how the actors’ lives have developed after so many years. Here is what I have learnt about the real persons behind Verano Azul characters. Maria Garralon or Julia is still professionally active, while Antonio Ferrandis or Chanquete is no longer among us. Fortunately, he has left a notable legacy in cinema and several awards. Besides the professional actors in the roles of their older friends, only one of kids has succeeded to build a prestigious career of his own.

Javi, Pancho and Quique

Juan Jose Artero or Javi continues acting until today. The charismatic boy with blond hair and blue eyes, whom I have most naturally been in love with then. After the filming of Verano Azul, he formed a musical duo together with Jose Luis Fernandez or Pancho, his “rival” in the series. The duo was popular with the local youth for some time. However unlike Javi, Pancho had no other appearances in cinema. As did only one else from the gang, Gerardo Garrido or Quique, save his participation in few commercials. Another similarity in the paths of both is that they have gone chaotic after the filming. Quique had studied one and another before he finally got successful into photography. While Pancho had first implicated in drugs. He consequently managed to overcome his problem and now they say, deals with some/runs his own business. This is generally about the boys.

Bea and Desi

My favourite from the girls was Pilar Torres or Bea. The reasons are the same relevant. I simply used to recognize with her. I even envied her for Javi’s adoration. That is why it was good to always have Pancho around to cool down my emotions. It was only him from all that I failed to find attractive. Of course, it was just chemistry and nothing personal to do with him. So much with the liking and disliking, typical for the growing-up. Well, and for those a little late who still seek for themselves. Moreover, Bea’s fate after the filming of Verano Azul came to be somehow sad. It was her from all who carried the consequences of fame in a most dramatic extent. What has happened to her does not surprise me. It is inherent in people to both admire beauty and to act against it in attempt to compensate failures of their own.

Bea was harassed by the yellow pages because of her relationship with one of the operators during the filming of Verano Azul, and the consequent childbirth she gave. Therefore, after participating in one more only TV series, she decided to withdraw from show business. Currently, she works as a medical assistant in a hospital in Madrid together with Cristina Torres or Desi, her friend in the series and sister in real life. Desita in her turn withdrew a decade later. She had her career in cinema longer than all of the kids, save Javi. Another interesting fact is that they both were around seventeen during the filming while they played girls just entering into teen ages in Verano Azul. The same as Pancho’s actual age and unlike Bea’s other admirer Javi. He was in fact a few years younger than all, save Quique.

Tito and Pirana

The little ones’ stories are just as emblematic. The whole gang of kids but one are born citizens of Madrid. Only Miguel Joven or Tito comes from Nejha. Born in Germany, he moved there with family when he was three years old. And hence is a celebrity in his hometown. However, I am surprised by another. I still find it hard to believe that the youngest character in Verano Azul is actually older than me! Other curious fact is that he works now as a receptionist in a local hotel. Well, the living treasure of Nerja has not been spared of a show-career as well, despite how brief it was. He acted in several other films together with Miguel Angel Valero or Pirana, his old companion in the series. The two also formed a musical duet likewise their older friends Javi and Pancho. They even released an entire single which turned into a hit.

Now if you expect that a smart know-all in a movie is different in life, then you are in a huge mistake. The well-rounded and taking good care of himself Pirana post-graduated with a doctorate degree and became a lecturer at university. I can hardly imagine something more cheerful than what his students do every day at his presence. They whistle the unforgettable tune of Verano Azul in his honour. They say Chanquete has not seemed always pleased with the constant association with his character. However, I am aware that Pirana enjoys it. The same way I still use to have fun with the whole fabulous gang. After all, what do you need for an unforgettable blue summer? Nothing else than seven kids with bicycles, two older, one sea, a common song between the serious talks and a great deal of humour.

The intro video with the unforgettable music of Verano Azul

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