In a Kingdom by the Sea

Travel Guide

Travel between Karachi and Cornwall with Sara McDonald

Cornwall

The place of childhood and happy memories in the novel. Where the story of her past is revealed:

“Whenever I am sad or unhappy I run to Cornwall in my head. I no longer have a home there but I take myself through the rooms of the house where I grew up as if they will still be exactly the same; as if my parents still inhabit the rooms, still roam the garden and orchard full of ancient apple trees.”

“My first memory of our house is standing on the balcony with my father gazing downhill across a field of wild flowers to the sea. There was a mist hanging over the water like a magical curtain and the sea was eerily still, like glass.”

“Fairyland!’ I whispered.”

Redruth

A lovely small town today and one which draws the chracters in the novel back home:

The Redruth in the novel seems to be close to the sea – there is talk of Priest’s Cove, Nearly Cave, Forbidden Beach and other magical and pirate infused names.

Karachi

A very secretive society. Mike is put in a hotel close to the airport before being vetted and moved to the Shalimar Hotel in the middle of the city. It’s where they post many journalists and other workers who are passing through this vibrant and busy place. ” The entrance is heavily guarded so it’s considered one of the most safe and secure hotels in Karachi.

The airport itself is quite something:

“It is a swirling mass of earthy, colourful humanity.”

The city:

“Fascinated, I peer out of the window at the explosion of vehicles and roar of sound. Intricately painted buses, lopsided with people, sway past like decorated elephants. I catch glimpses of gold-ringed fingers and frangipani bangles on thin wrists. Everywhere there are fleeting flashes of colour like the sun blazing through trees. There are saris and shalwar kameez in red, fold and aquamarine.”