Tiny and Powerful Mediterranean Island Nation
During our last few days in France, we decided we needed to make a plan before hitting the continent of Africa. Brett got on Skyskanner and it was a no-brainer. Less than 20 Euro each to get to Malta, a country we have been longing to experience.
Thank you Ryan Air for flying to this amiable island country. Our inspiration was a video posted by a blogger well over 10 years ago, we knew we would meet her fate.
Was it so Special? Yes, indeed our experience was. It captivated us in unusual ways. It really is seriously compact, in most places a cement jungle of sorts. Despite the tight quarters it had an organized, slow and enjoyable feel. You can't help but get lost in the charming, narrow, hilly streets with colorful window boxes.
It isn't a Mediterranean island with sandy beaches and wide open spaces filled with nature. It IS however filled with a sense of kindness, calm, and killer coastlines. The visits to the dramatic rocky shores were an adventure in which we fully immersed ourselves.
What is Malta? That is a good question. It has been stomped on, ruled, taken over, and run by just about everyone. The general feel is a mix of local Maltese-born, Italian, Greek and Middle Eastern. Mediterranean flair abounds along with Kabobs, Rabbit, Tapas, and Slouvaki. You can eat just about anything from across the world prepared by folks from their respective countries.
Brett had his hair cut in a trendy barber shop owned by a very cool kid from Iran. They had great conversations about American pop culture as well as his experience fleeing his country and living in Malta for the past 7 years.
We stayed our first few nights in crazy Saint Julian, just a ferry ride away from the Capitol City of Velletta. Very budget friendly and sweeeeeet accommodations. November is the shoulder season, so definitely bargains to be had, but it is apparent Malta is affordable no matter what the season is.
In the last half of our visit we moved up to Mellieha, in the northern part of the island so we could experience a bit more countryside and quick ferry access to the neighboring island of Gozo.
The Blue Grotto: Several buses and a couple of hours to get less than 13 miles, but we made it and it was worth it. Brett, our transportation director has officially sunk in and has started to enjoy his job figuring out bus schedules. We end up riding A LOT of busses and had to practice patience.They are relatively cheap, very clean with kind drivers and they run often.
The Island of Gozo. Who wouldn't want to explore an island with a cool name like Gozo? It was fun to take the ferry from the tip of Malta over to the neighboring island of Gozo. We heard that the island is not walkable. These Pack Mules are always out to find out otherwise. Well, after a couple of hours of exploring parts of the old city we agreed, we need to catch a bus to get to the west side of the island to allow some time by the water's edge.
The Blue Hole: We walked over super ancient limestone rocks with very very rough surfaces, gaping holes, and serious beauty. The azul water was specular, with huge rock formations jetting out. It was a most curious area and not a lot of people.
We even took a little tour boat that went in and out of the caves. Brett asked the boat captain if he could jump in and snorkel. To the amazement of everyone on the small boat, he did. They were all wondering just how he was going to get back on.
(That is Brett in the water and he did a pretty good job of making his way back in the tiny vessel).
After surveying the situation we really wanted to properly swim which only one local free diver appeared to be doing, so we cautiously ventured down to the waters edge over the sharp rocks.
We met Simon, a Maltese local who was so engaging telling us all about the area. He speared a grouper, an octopus, and a squid. He was making pasta with it for dinner (unfortunately we were not invited). We always travel with masks and snorkel because you just never know. Today we were prepared and had our swimsuits on. The water was a pretty comfortable 22 degrees so we made our way into the most crystal clear water you can ever imagine. A couple of other adventurous eastern Europeans also made their way to the water's edge.
These fossilized remains are embedded in the rock formations. They were once the small black sea urchins which turn into what is also known as sand dollars. When we snorkeled we saw a lot of the urchins tucked in the rocks. These fossils are flippin' old, so very cool.
Malta is an Instagram dream: so I decided to include a quick spatting of some photos we took. Our hearts are full of gratitude to have experienced this curious place that has been on our wish list. You seriously can make it happen, you simply need to do just that.....make it happen.
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