Malta 2nd Report. Boat Trip

After 2 days, my impressions of Malta are...

Limestone. Everything is built of limestone. The off season is the time to destroy, build or renovate so there is a bit of dust about.  Having said that, EVERYWHERE we have been is immaculately clean. No rubbish and roads seem to be swept within an inch of their lives. Haven't been up late enough to see what happens but there must be night time worker activity.

The old is struggling to stave off the new. In the residential streets renovations appear to be in sympathy with the cultural building heritage, but the commercial sector definitely prefers glitz and glass.  We love the residential streets.

The coastal towns are densely populated.   High-rise apartments must house multiple thousands of holiday makers in summer.  I do not know where they cool down in the heat because there are minimal sandy pockets. I use "pockets" deliberately. Any trees have been planted.  Flat-leaved cactus proliferates.  One needs to remove the rocks before any agriculture can succeed.    The minimal space  in built-up areas is contrasted with the vastness of the surrounding deep sea.  Horizon views no matter which direction you look.

We are amused at the familiar Maltese names.   The Latrobe Valley is a little Malta.   Mizzi, Borg. Attard, Spitteri, Buhagier, Fenech, Xuereb, Galea.   The small islands ( Malta and Gozo) pack an extensive history. We will explore more of that later.

Faith is important. Two cathedrals, over 300 churches, images outside many homes, small shrines and statues on street corners led to this conclusion. Legend has it that Paul ( later St Paul) was shipwrecked for 3 months here on his way to be tried by Julius Caesar in Rome. In that time he converted the inhabitants to Christianity. The Maltese language is Arabic based. English is spoken by everyone. The country has been influenced by many.


Today we joined the tourist trend and took an all day trip, partly by boat. It was beautiful blue-sky day.  The 2nd largest island Gozo, is 1 1/2 hrs from the main island.   I coped well!!!   A bus trip took us through the island to The Blue Grotto.  How many Blue Grottos are there in the world?  It was a fun short trip from a tiny cove created by a break in the soaring limestone cliffs, to the calm ocean outside. Would be a huge boat-jam during the high season.   After lunch and a wander in the main city, Victoria, we rejoined the boat to sail to the tinier Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon!!!!

Return trip to Sliema saw me very glad to get off the slightly rocky boat.

Apparently there was a photo opportunity. 

Emerging from the tiny cove.

After the ride and on the edge of the cove.

Typical terrain...harsh earth, faith and the sea. 

And he chats to a motorcycle cop in every country too. 

Street art Maltese style.   Saw similar art in Ireland. 

View from Comino towards Gozo.

I was THRILLED to stalk this evidence of wild life.

Entering our apt after purchasing more supplies.