What makes an island an island? It's more than just being surrounded by water. In this new series, Tatianna Mallory investigates how life on Gabriola (our specialty!) compares with that on other islands around the world. Do islands have common characteristics, despite differences in size, language, culture, geography?

In this first episode, Tatianna reports from the city of Alghero on the Italian island of Sardinia. "Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, with an area of 24,000 kilometres," Tatianna tells us. "That's more than 420 times bigger than Gabriola. But I'm still wondering what Sardinia and Gabriola might have in common. Artists' island? Transit woes? Let's find out."

She uses a discussion she had with her teacher, Mariarosa of the Pintadera Italian Language School, about the islands' similarities and differences as a jumping off point to ask more questions. Then she takes us to a coral jewellery shop, to the island's farmers and fishers market, and to a pastries shop for dessert.

Tatianna Mallory is a 12-year old travel and language enthusiast. She speaks French, Italian, Ukrainian, and Russian and is working on her Spanish. She has a strong connection to Gabriola as her grandparents have lived on the island since 1980. You can find her fun and informative French language learning channel, Backyard French, at www.youtube.com/@backyardfrench.

Look for more episodes of "Tatianna's Travels" coming up!

    🏝️ Island Life: The positives and negatives.
    🚗 Transportation: Island isolation leads to significant challenges in public transport, as on Gabriola.
    🔥 Wildfire Woes: Also like Gabriola, Sardinia faces annual risk of wildfires, affecting the environment and wildlife.
    🐠 Coral harvesting and jewellery and🍰 Sardinian desserts: Some of the things that set Sardinia apart!

Life on Gabriola TV is generously sponsored by:
The Gabriola Arts Council
The Haven, Gabriola Island