June 2019 - Chris de Blank Photography

shows the type of coloured doors and balconies

Brightly coloured doors and balconies along with waterfront at Marsaxlokk

The Bigger Island of Malta

Thoughts before arrival

The bigger island of Malta is only 80km south of Italy. With it’s population of 475,000 people within an area of 246km², once again a lot of people within a small area when comparing to Western Australian standards. This island is 27km long and 14.5km wide, once again not very big at all. Public transport is not the best so I hear, the roads narrow, old and congested.

This trip needs to be a Slow Travel trip (no promises but I’ll try!) and not expect to be able see everything as I’m sure that would just lead to lots of frustration on my part.

So, Malta has been inhabited since 5900BC so that 900 years earlier than Gozo. A quick glance at the history of the island talks about inhabitants and rule by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantine, Aghlabids and Normans. There are too many more to list here. Perhaps by the end of the trip I’ll know more about these rulers and the battles won and lost.

Blue Grotto a popular swimming place on the coast

Thoughts after arrival

Over the course of our 2 weeks in Malta we’ve managed to see quite a bit of the main island of Malta. Considering the large number of people on such a small island there is quite a lot more land not built on. This is mainly put aside for farming. Lots of vegetable farms and there is livestock somewhere. They are kept indoors in summer so the only living things seen generally are stray cats, lizards and lots of pigeons and a few ducks. On the coast at Dingli I saw a couple of sea birds, possibly terns.

I’ve enjoyed visiting the coastal bays and villages and the capital Valletta. A few of the tourist areas are havens for UK residents on holidays or expats. I guess it’s a bit like us and our relationship with Bali, close and warm climate.

About to board the plane to come home now so will cut this short. May add to this post a little later if time permits as lots more to say.

If you missed my last post on the Little Island of Gozo click this link to take you there now.

Gzira waterfront, the old and the new building right next to each other

showing the size difference of boats using the Grand Harbour of the boats using the Grand Harbour

A large cruise ship and a small boat sharing the Grand Harbour

City of Birgu on Dockyard Creek

close up of the detail on the front of a Luzzu

Front of a traditional Luzzu fishing boat at Marsaxlokk

Traditional Luzzu fishing boats on their moorings at Marlsaxlokk Harbour

Ta Pinu Basilica, Gharb
This modern church was completed in 1931 but retains a sections of the original 19th century chapel.

The Little Island of Gozo

Thoughts before arrival

Located in the Maltese archipelago and in the Mediterranean Sea, Gozo is a part of Malta. I’m writing this part of this blog before leaving on our trip and I’m thinking “gee, we have 4 nights on this small island, is that too long a visit?”. By the way, the island is 14km long and 7.25km wide. I’m used to travelling 14km just to get to work each day. However the population is approx 33,000 people!!!! That’s the same population as the City of Bunbury (where we now reside) but in about 1/4 of the area. This will be interesting. I also know that the little island of Gozo is known to be more rural and less developed than the main island of Malta. Click here for more info on Gozo.

One more thing that’s really intrigues me is the fact that Gozo has been inhabited since 5000BC, yes that’s right 5000 years before Christ. I’m not a history buff and have no idea how they work these things out but that’s a lot of history.

Sunset at Wied il Mielah

Thoughts after arrival

So, the little island of Gozo is really quite big when you try and get around on foot. But between walking, a private tour for my photography and a day on the City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus we have seen quite a bit of the island. It’s been very hot, it is very hilly and rather noisy. Church bells chime at least hourly day and night, I’ve noticed them at 10pm and also 3am. I’m not sure if they go off between those times. There’s lots of farming land on the island, veggie gardens, grape vines, fruit trees and bales of hay all over. We haven’t seen any livestock though. No cows, sheep, not even chickens.

Locals enjoying the evening at the Inland Sea Dwejra

It’s our last day on the island and I have enjoyed it but time to move to another location. What more can I say except stay tuned for my next post from Malta.