Recently in Malta Category

If you happen to know the owner of this cute, red, vintage car can you let them know that 1. I *really* love their car and 2. I almost got hit by an oncoming bus whilst taking this photo?

Note to self: Best not to stand in the middle of a major intersection when next in Malta, no matter how cute the car is!

lf you walk from Marsalforn to Qbajjar all the way around to Xwieni Bay you'll eventually stumble across the famous salt pans. Turn around and look towards the cliff and there you'll find the green door.

In Melbourne we're really spoilt for choice when it comes to coffee as we have a plethora of café's that serve outstanding coffee, consequently I have very high caffeine standards. Hence when I'm abroad and in pursuit of my daily hit, I find that my frustration in trying to find a semi decent espresso is often interpreted by those around me as - 'whingeing princess'.

One year, out of sheer desperation I packed the Bialetti and 250g of ground Genovese coffee, so to ensure caffeine consistency whilst on holiday. This year I thought I'd throw caution to the wind so I left my Bialetti and the Genovese coffee at home.

Stupid move!

Within a couple of days of being in Malta I found myself desperately reaching out to the locals on twitter for some caffeine assistance. Thankfully Mona, Andrew and Andrea came to the rescue with the unanimous suggestion that I should pay a visit to Piadina Caffe in Valletta. Whilst being grateful for the 'local knowledge' it didn't solve my caffeine crisis whilst on the island of Gozo, although I did find momentary bliss here. Yet, what it did do was urge me to board the next ferry to Malta in search of this famous café in Santa Lucia Street in Valletta.

If I manage to drag myself out of bed early enough when on holiday in Gozo, I love to walk from Marsalforn to Qbajjar all the way around to Xwieni Bay. There's just something magical about being up just after dawn, before the hustle and bustle of daily life begins to intrude upon the previous nights silence.



I love watching the faithful fishermen set out to sea from Marsalforn Bay in their brightly painted fishing boats. Every Maltese luzzu, which is said to be of Sicilian origin, proudly bears the eye of Osiris on her bow, a symbol that dates back to the time of the Phoenicians. These unique and sturdy boats have been carrying men out to the ever-present Mediterranean Sea, which has 'throughout the ages, made men excellent mariners' as this 'ubiquitous sea has always attracted men to fish'.

Walking into Gesther restaurant in Xaghra is like walking into your favourite aunt's kitchen - it's familiar, welcoming and honest. Hence, if you're looking for an authentic local meal in Gozo then Gesther is the place to go. The two sisters who serve traditional Gozitan dishes such as bragioli, aljotta and fenek run this tiny, retro kitchenette.

I first experienced Gesther in the late 70's as a seven-year-old girl and I'm proud to say that nothing has changed. The food, atmosphere and service are just as I remembered, both warm and inviting. The décor is quite basic in a retro kind of way, but don't let that put you off as you will be missing out on some of the most authentic, home styled cooking the island of Gozo has to offer.

While I was quietly sipping my afternoon espresso at Il-Kartell, I suddenly spotted all these women appear, as it were from out of nowhere. They descended upon this particular street corner in Marsalforn dragging folding chairs behind them. From the depths of their calico shopping bags they pulled out their game boards and proceeded to play Bingo right there and then, oblivious to the world around them.

I have a feeling that this gorgeous old man has been reading his morning paper in that exact same spot for the last fifty years. If only those old stone walls could speak. I wonder what they would say?

One of the first places I dragged Gillian to was Ta'Rikardu in Victoria, which is famous for serving delicious local Gozitan bread and fresh ġbejna. Ta'Rikardu is a rustic little place situated inside the old Cittadella, next to St Mary's Cathedral. They do a fabulous platter for two of sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers, onions, fresh tomatoes and ġbejniet that you then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. The peasant platter is served with a basket of crusty ħobża Maltija - Maltese bread. If you decide to have the platter, then do have a glass (or two) of some of the 'sturdy' local wine.

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.

When I'm in Melbourne living my run off my feet, crazy mama life l find it difficult to stop and find time for 'me'.  Hence, one of the first things I do when I come to Gozo (apart from eating ħobz biz zeit) is to book myself into the Kempinski Hotel Spa Centre for a couple of hours of pure indulgence. As soon as Huxley got wind of my plans he decided to book himself into the Spa centre too. So first thing this morning we headed over to the beautiful village of San Lawrenz for a couple of hours of fulsome bliss!

First up was a 20-minute Dead Sea salt bath that is basically a -  'remineralising and detoxifying underwater massage, from neck to toe with circular movements from the jets'. A lovely beauty therapist called Marisella kindly settled me into my suite and then pointed out where the 'stop' button was and how to pull on the 'help' cord should I need any assistance mid- treatment. I thanked Marisella and ensured her that I would be fine and then shut the door and promptly jumped into my Thalgo bath.

The water temperature in the salt bath was a very warm 32C and after about 15 minutes into the treatment I decided that I had had enough. I pressed the 'stop' button so to turn off the jets, but got no response. I tried again and again but to no avail. There were only a couple of minutes left on the timer so I decided to hop out of the tub and grab my robe to dry off.

That was my first mistake!