A Bountiful Country – Malta Part 2

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Restaurant selection Citadel Victoria Gozo (Malta)It took me a while to narrow down the images of Malta that I wished to share with all of you. I returned from my trip with hundreds of beautiful photos in which I attempted to capture the beauty and richness of this country. Around every corner and in every town, I found visual treasures that I wanted to bring back with me.  Images that would transport me back to those sun-filled, relaxing days when I’m buried under one of our snowy Canadian blankets in the middle of January. And in the end, I had to separate my posts about Malta into two parts so that I could share this incredible country with all of you.

In the previous post, I shared the wonders of Valletta. In this one, I have combined some of images from around Malta and it’s sister island Gozo.

First, my trip to the tranquil island of Gozo, thought to be the mythical home of Calypso, the enchantress from Homer’s Odyssey. A tiny island with an unspoiled landscape surrounded by a crystal blue sea, it is a popular vacation escape for the Maltese and for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.Canada door sign Gozo (Malta)Fish-dinner-Xlendi-Bay, Gozo (Malta)Azure-Window-in-Gozo (Malta)Street in Gozo (Malta)Next up, the noble city of Mdina also known as the Silent City. It’s narrow streets are lined with medieval and baroque architecture and twist within the borders of the ancient fortified walls. But it’s history dates much further back. It’s believed that Apostle St Paul lived here in 60 AD after becoming shipwrecked on the shores of Malta. This was my favourite city on the island, especially after I had the privilege to walk its lantern lit streets at midnight in one of my most surreal experiences of the trip.Climbing-bush-Mdina (Malta)Narrow street in the Silent City, Mdina MaltaStreet-in-Mdina MaltaPiazza-San-Paul-Mdina MaltaPiazza San Paul Mdina MaltaStray cat in the Silent City Mdina MaltaHistoric building in Mdina MaltaThe Mosta Dome is the third largest church dome in Europe and the church’s congregation is the luckiest. During WWII, a bomb dropped by a German bomber pierced the dome and fell among the 300 people gathered for evening mass. By some miracle the explosive never detonated and everyone was able to safely escape. Mosta Dome in Mosta MaltaChurch-in-MostaOnce the capital of Malta, Birgu’s medieval fortified city and Grand Harbour are a stunning place to relive the past and enjoy the present, especially when you’re the lucky owner of a personal yacht!Reenactors-in-Birgu (Vittoriosa) MaltaRe-enactment in Birgu (Vittoriosa) MaltaYacht launch in Birgu (Vittoriosa) MaltaYachts in the harbour Birgu (Vittoriosa) MaltaBlack-yacht-in-Birgu MaltaFor a taste of the traditional village life we headed to the southern fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Dating to the 9th century BC when Phoenicians first landed on the shores of Malta, the area also saw an invasion by Turks during the Great Seige. Now the most popular reason for visitors to come to Marsaxlokk is the Sunday Fish Market where local fishermen sell their freshest catch and the colourful “eye” boats known as luzzu bob in the water.Cobblestones-and-Cappuccinos in Birgu (Vittoriosa) MaltaMarsaxlokk Malta fishing boatsFishing boat in Marsaxlokk MaltaFishing nets Marsaxlokk MaltaFresh fish at Sunday fish market in Marsaxlokk MaltaCatch-of-the-day-in-Marsaxlokk MaltaMarsaxlokk Fish MarketAnd I couldn’t miss the opportunity to check out Popeye’s Village!Popeyes village MaltaCobblestones and Cappuccinos in Popeye's Village MaltaAs beautiful as Malta is and as memorable as the trip had been, it was my two fellow wanderlusters and our escapades that made my Mediterranean vacation truly unforgettable. Thank you!Cobblestones and Cappuccinos in MaltaIf you missed Part 1 of my Malta posts, check it out here.