The population, approaching half a million, is divided unequally between the two larger islands, Gozo, the smaller, more tranquil, and Malta, the big island, with its capital of Valetta, and, surprisingly, much industry. We spent three nights on Gozo and then five more at St. Julian's, on Malta island.
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| We flew into Malta on Alitalia, took the bus to the ferry port, and then the Gozo Channel Ferry to Mgarr, Gozo's port |
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| Approaching Gozo; only a mile or two separate the two islands; both islands are limestone wonderlands, great sea cliffs and other such features; more on the limestone, which really defines the place, in due course |
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| A sea cave, one of many, on Gozo; in one such cave Calypso captivated Odysseus for seven years |
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| Mgarr harbor, our home for three days; our hotel was the Grand Hotel Gozo, over on the right |
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| View from our suite |
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| Speaking of which, through some confusion, this was the only picture we took of our very nice and ample room; we spent way too much time re-acquainting ourselves with television, especially the Travel Channel |
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| Another view from our room |
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| Dinner that evening at the nearby Country Terrace restaurant; baked brie, asparagus, prosciutto... |
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| Pork and veal dishes |
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| Among the peculiarities of Malta is the night-time architectural illumination provided by some 87 gazillion incandescent bulbs; more anon |
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| The abundant creamy limestone means that nearly all the structures, from 4,000 BC to the present, are of creamy limestone; note particularly the enclosed balconies, another of Malta's interesting features; on residences, they are very nearly universal |
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| We took the bus--Malta has a superb public transportation system--into Victoria, Gozo's capital and principal city; here is the theatre/opera house, where La Traviata was being produced |
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| Gozo is also the cathedral city for the island; note the bishop's reserved parking place here, being sacrilegiously violated |
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| City square |
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| An amazing cafe, where we had breakfast |
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| Decorated in old posters and other items |
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| The most astounding of which was this, a poster announcing the EUR, the Exposition Universale Roma, the world's fair, which was to be held in 1942, in Rome; the exposition never occurred--Mussolini's bungling troops were busy bring rescued by Rommel in North Africa--but the nice southern EUR suburbs are still there, and we see them every time we take the Metro from Laurentina into The City; Malta itself was being bombed to smithereens in 1942, by the Italians and German; more anon |
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| Gozo is noted for its relative tranquility; here's an alley scene in Victoria; you wouldn't see a scene like this in Valetta, on the big island |
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| Another feature of the place is its religiosity, 99% of which is Roman Catholic; lots and lots of shrines and creamy limestone churches |
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| Personally, I think Gozo could help itself touristically by changing its name; Gozo sounds too close to Bozo (of clown fame); I propose it be called Geauzeau |
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| More of the incandescent light bulb thing; and the religiosity thing |
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| Creamy limestone church on the square |
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| Interesting shopping; the cups mirror the saucers |
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| What with the Mediterranean climate and the limestone, Malta has plenty of vineyards and its own brands, one of which has a whole line of "Caravaggio" wines; he did some time here trying to become a Knight of Malta and indeed left a couple paintings behind (no pun intended) |
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| Speaking of which...a plaque from the Knights in our hotel at Mgarr |
