Twilight ferry to the Isle of Calypso
By on October 19, 2009 8:48 PM
I find that the minute I board the ferry to the Isle of Calypso, Malta's sister island my heart begins to pound in my chest and I suddenly become charged with emotion. This tiny little island that is only 14 km long and 7.25 km wide has dominated my heart and influenced my life's choices since I first set foot on her soil in 1977 as a young and impressionable seven-year-old girl.
Gozo is the island my father was born and raised on, yet it has such an inexplicable and profound hold over me, that I find myself drawn back to her shores year after year. Every time I leave that tiny island I feel like I have left a little piece of my heart there. Maybe that's why I feel the need to return year after year - to find myself 'whole' once again under that golden sun?
My most recent homecoming was strangely different as I was returning to the island unencumbered and I was also accompanied by Gillian, my dear friend. Gillian was born and raised in Malta but now currently resides in Melbourne. On our plane trip over she admitted to having never spent more than a day at a time on Gozo, despite it only being a twenty-minute ferry ride from Malta. Depending on which island your from, that can either be a good or a bad thing.
My plan was simple, I was going to sit
back and relax and allow my ancestral island to captivate her, and
captivate her it did. The moment we arrived, Gozo instantly began to
work both her magic and charm upon Gillian's searching soul. She was
won over in a matter of moments by Calypso's scenic green hills and the
ding-dong of church bells that are rung daily for Matins, Lauds, Terce,
Sext, None and Vespers.
I suspect the stunning beaches and outstanding food also played a pivotal role in Gillian's rapid conversion. Not to underestimate the significant role my wonderful family played in helping Gillian dispel all previous myths about Gozitans and their unique view of life. Thank you familija tieghi for welcoming Gillian into your home, hearts and kitchens and for embracing her as a long lost relative - for this I am grateful.
Gozo is the island my father was born and raised on, yet it has such an inexplicable and profound hold over me, that I find myself drawn back to her shores year after year. Every time I leave that tiny island I feel like I have left a little piece of my heart there. Maybe that's why I feel the need to return year after year - to find myself 'whole' once again under that golden sun?
My most recent homecoming was strangely different as I was returning to the island unencumbered and I was also accompanied by Gillian, my dear friend. Gillian was born and raised in Malta but now currently resides in Melbourne. On our plane trip over she admitted to having never spent more than a day at a time on Gozo, despite it only being a twenty-minute ferry ride from Malta. Depending on which island your from, that can either be a good or a bad thing.
My plan was simple, I was going to sit
back and relax and allow my ancestral island to captivate her, and
captivate her it did. The moment we arrived, Gozo instantly began to
work both her magic and charm upon Gillian's searching soul. She was
won over in a matter of moments by Calypso's scenic green hills and the
ding-dong of church bells that are rung daily for Matins, Lauds, Terce,
Sext, None and Vespers.I suspect the stunning beaches and outstanding food also played a pivotal role in Gillian's rapid conversion. Not to underestimate the significant role my wonderful family played in helping Gillian dispel all previous myths about Gozitans and their unique view of life. Thank you familija tieghi for welcoming Gillian into your home, hearts and kitchens and for embracing her as a long lost relative - for this I am grateful.
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Malta and Gozo are still mysteries to me. I really want to go. I went to Sicily and to all its small islands lots and lots of times but never made it to Malta. Maybe next spring or summer. You'll give me advice on what to see, and where to eat ;)
Ms Gourmet, Gozo and the Gozitans captured my mind and my heart...Gozo is not merely a sister island of my birthplace, Malta, but an island with a culture and an existence of its own that is warm, fascinating and, as I discovered almost immediately, one that is so distinct from that of Malta! The Gozitans jealously guard the gem they possess - and rightly so. It is unique, beautiful and irreplaceable. Priceless like its people...
I've heard Gozitian like goats. I am not sure my source was entirely unbiased.
ahhh... I'm so envious! Last time I was there was 2 years ago. Like you I've been going out there every year. It's where my grandparents retired to in 1980, where I met my love, where I drove from UK to in order to give birth so that my child could have a Gozitan birth certificate! You write so well about the emotions it stirs inside you. It really does feel like you're being born anew, recharged, and yet it's like your soul is sinking its roots into the land and becoming as old as time. I miss it.
I visited Gozo this last visit and fell in love. It is just incredible. My family in Malta told me I must come back and rent a farm house for at least a week in order to get the full effect and that is a plan for the future.
I can't wait to take my husband there and just check out of life for a while. It is the perfect place for it.
Your writing is incredible.
Ciao!
Katie
Katie you need at least a week in Gozo, it may be a tiny island but there is so much to see & eat! Try and go during the Summer and drag your husband from one festa and piazza to the next.
Thank you also for your kind words, I really appreciate it!
Saħħa
Nanette