Malta daily photo

Valletta Harbour by sunset..

2010-12-10T07:12:00.000+01:00

I am a sunrise person and love sunrise however I think being in Valletta lower gardens at sunset was pretty magical. The more the sun was setting the more spectacular the scenery was, with lights becoming stronger and the sky going from light blue to pink and finally settling on the night. I tell you I am so glad I was were I was and had my camera. More photos of these magnificent surroundings to come.

Christmas decorations - Valletta

2010-12-07T06:42:00.000+01:00

Here's a short supply of photos taken a couple of weeks ago. The decorations here look a bit scarce however believe me they are not , this year I think they did a pretty neat job with the decorations. I just need to get some more streets to show you. Wish you all a wonderful season.

San Martin / St. Martin

2010-11-12T10:03:00.000+01:00

St. Martin's Day (Jum San Martin in Maltese) is celebrated in Malta on the Sunday nearest to November 11. Children are given a bag full of fruits and sweets associated with the feast, known by the Maltese as Il-Borża ta' San Martin, "St Martin's bag". This bag includes St. Martin's Bread (Ħobża ta' San Martin), walnuts (ġewż), hazel-nuts (qastan), almonds (lewż), chestnuts (ġellewż), figs (tin), oranges (larinġ), tangerines (mandolin), apples (tuffieħ), pomegranates (rummien) amongst other things. There is a traditional rhyme associated with this custom:

Ġewż, Lewż, Qastan, Tin
Kemm inħobbu lil San Martin.

(Walnuts, Almonds, Chestnuts, Figs
I love Saint Martin so much.)

A feast is celebrated in the village of Baħrija on the outskirts of Rabat (Malta), including a procession led by the statue of St. Martin. There is also a fair, and a show for local animals. San Anton School, a private school on the island, organises a walk to and from a cave especially associated with St Martin in remembrance of the day.

Several places in Malta are named after this saint, including San Martin on the outskirts of St. Paul's Bay, and Ġebel San Martin outside of Żejtun.

Public Gardens around our little island.......

2010-10-20T14:09:00.000+02:00

This is one of the five public gardens found in the village of Zejtun. Gnien San Girgor was built in the early 70s. It's the biggest garden found in Zejtun and enjoys one of the most magnificent views of the southeast of Malta. In this garden one finds an open theatre.

Autumn views from the southern village of Birzebbuga

2010-10-18T13:14:00.000+02:00

The first people who inhabited Birzebbuga were the Phoenicians. They chose this part of Malta because the southern part of the island was the first land to be found when coming from the east, and the bay, which is called Marsaxlokk offered substantial sheltered inlets for their ships.

Birzebbugia is a flourishing, but small, seaside resort not far from Marsaxlokk. It has been a popular bathing spot for Maltese holiday-makers for decades. In more recent years, the bay was artificially filled with sand recovered from the sea during dredging works for the nearby Freeport. Pretty Bay is now considered a sandy beach. It lies right in the town centre so there are plenty of shops and restaurants along the coastline. Outside Pretty Bay, towards St George's Bay, you'll find a rocky shore ideal for sun bathing and snorkeling. St George's Bay is a lovely inlet used by local fishermen who moor their boats there. The bay is a good venue for water sports such as windsurfing.

On the look out....

2010-10-17T09:02:00.000+02:00

for the arrival and departure of airplanes. This as you can see is a great look out location. It is found on the opposite side of Malta's International Airport. Click on the above photo and at the far end you can see the main building of the airport and also one of the many Ryanair planes that flies in from all over Europe to Malta on a daily basis.

Malta's annual airshow

2010-10-03T10:46:00.000+02:00

This was the 18th edition of the Malta International Airshow. Participants for this year's airshow were Belgian air components (2 x F16), French Air Force, German Navy, Greece Hellenic Air Force, Italy - Agusta Bell AB212 , Royal Netherlands Air Force, United Kingdom Royal Air Force, US Navy, and last but not least the Maltese Air Force.

If you would like to read more about the whole show and the planes here's the link http://www.maltairshow.com

These shots were taken by my husband while we were on the beach enjoying the last days of swimming :)

Mediterraneo Park

2010-09-23T08:45:00.001+02:00

Mediterraneo Marine Park with its variety of marine species has been one of Malta`s leading entertaining attractions for tourist and locals alike. In a tranquili setting offset by Mediterranean sea and gardens, Mediterraneo has created the right environment to reveal “the secrets of the sea”.

Sea Lions and Dolphins' shows

Besides Dolphins the park today boast a large selection of different species including Sealions, Parrots, Greenwing Amazons, Cockatoo, Snakes, Tortoises, Turtles and Lizards as well as a new collection of insects.

Citta Beland - Zejtun

2010-09-21T08:09:00.000+02:00

Żejtun is a medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother's surname.

Żejtun takes its name from the Sicilian Arabic for “olive”- zaytun (comparable to the Spanish and Portuguese, "aceituna" and "azeitona" respectively), which was one of the main productive industries in Malta. It is also known as Ħal-Bisbut, or Casal Bisbut.

In Medieval times the whole district around Żejtun, that is the southern end of Malta, was known as le Terre di Santa Caterina, ( Italian for 'the lands of Saint Catherine', Italian being the official language in the period). During this period a number of new villages such as Ghaxaq and Marsaxlokk emerged from parts of the Parish of Żejtun. In the medieval years Zurrieq was bordered by Zejtun because Birzebugia was part of Zurrieq and thats why they share the same patron Santa Katarina. most of these are today separate parishes.

The local militia regiment of Żejtun was one of the first to engage the Ottoman forces in the initial stages of the Great Siege of 1565, but the town continued to suffer attacks by Turkish pirates up to 1614, when an attack by the Turks was repulsed without aid from other militias.[citation needed] The town served a minor role in the French Blockade of 1799/1801 as a depot for soldiers. It was one of the first towns in Malta, outside the main fortified areas of Malta, to boast a Public Garden. This garden, the Luqa Briffa Garden, still stands today. It is named after a famous cavalryman during the Great Siege of Malta.

Birzebbugia -

2010-09-10T07:45:00.004+02:00

Located in the Southern part of the Maltese Islands, the seaside resort of Birzebbugia has long been a favourite get-away for the Maltese. Since 1436 Birzebbugia fell under the jurisdiction of the Parish of Gudja and it was only in 1913 that Birzebbugia was recognised as a Parish in its own right. It also incorporates the nearby villages of Hal Far, Binghasa and Kalafrana.In 1913 when it was established as a Parish, the population was around 1,000 people and by 1961 this had grown to 5,239 and current estimates of the population of Birzebbugia stand at C. 8,000.

The name "Birzebbugia" is related to the olive trade since in Maltese, olives are called "zebbug". Since the Middle Ages, olive groves were abundant in this area. Many maintain that 'Birzebbugia' is the result of the transformation of the words "Bur" "Zebbug" - which means land of the olives. Another interpretation is that 'Birzebbugia' meant 'Bir Taz-Zebbug' i.e. a well of olive oil. Whatever the real reason, it is clear that Birzebbugia has always been associated with olives although today the olive trees are noticeable by their absence!

more from inside the silent city

2010-09-06T16:13:00.003+02:00

Views from inside the silent city ....

2010-09-05T09:57:00.002+02:00

Behind those handsome bastions sprawls a graceful and elegant city.

‘Pitrolju’ - Kerosene

2010-08-19T12:40:00.002+02:00

This Kerosene seller has been coming to our street for more than 36 years . Selling Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine also known as paraffin commonly used as a heating fuel. Nowadays he also sells household detergents such as bleach and toilet paper. He comes nearly twice a week and with a hoot and a signature shout calling ‘Pitrolju’ you’ll know he has arrived.

Mdina by night

2010-08-13T15:32:00.002+02:00

I love this medieval walled town, especially at night time.

Mdina was inhabited and possibly first fortified by the Phoenicians around 700 BC. The Phoenicians called it Maleth. The region benefits from its strategic location on one of the island's highest points and at maximum distance from the sea. Under the Roman Empire Malta became a Municipium and the Roman Governor built his palace in Mdina. Tradition holds that the Apostle St. Paul resided in the city after his historical shipwreck on the islands. Much of its present architecture reflects the Fatimid Period which began in 999 AD until the Norman conquest of Malta in 1091 AD. The Normans surrounded the city with thick defensive fortifications and widened the moat. The city was also separated it from its nearest town, Rabat.

Today most of Mdina's palaces serve as private homes. The impressive Cathedral of the Conversion of St Paul is fronted by a large square. Only a limited number of resident and emergency vehicles, wedding cars and hearses are allowed within Mdina.

Festa Fever

2010-08-02T08:48:00.003+02:00

Kalkara - Malta

2010-07-09T06:43:00.000+02:00

Kalkara is situated at the south of the Maltese island adjacent to the three cities,known as Cottonera and part of the Grand Harbour. Kalkara was named after the 12th Earl of Kalkara and British Secretary of War in 1859.

It is believed that the Kalkara area is one of the oldest inhabited zone, due to the fact that accessible creeks have provided the then Sicilian seamen shelter to settle in Malta.

Old maps and documents always referred to Kalkara, (earlier known as Calcara) a suburb of Vittoriosa city. As a matter of fact the Capucchin Convent and St Liberata Church have always been referred to 'Fuori la Mura' outside the bastions surrounding the city. The findings of Egyptian Columns in the area known as 'Ta Bighi' in 1830 and the building of Is-Salvatur Chapel in 1650 indicates the various interest in Kalkara. Among the historical buildings in Kalkara one can find the Wied Ghammieq Cemetery, purposely built during the Cholera epidemy in 1837, Fort Rinella, Fort Ricasoli and Villa Portelli which served as a private residence for the Flag Officer in Malta during the British rule.

Valletta Waterfront

2010-07-05T06:19:00.003+02:00

With its strategic location within Malta’s historical Grand Harbour, the Valletta Waterfront has been brought back to life with the award-winning restoration and development works. With its nineteen historical 250-year-old sumptuous warehouses, built by Grand Master Pinto at the height of the baroque period in Malta … stretching along the water’s edge and the historical Quay Wall where the Knights of St John and European merchants used to unload their wares … the impregnable Old Power Station that serves as a testimony to the eclectic and heroic history of the Grand Harbour … the Forni Stores, dating back to 1626 and constructed by Grand Master de Vilhena.

Ghar Dalam

2010-06-09T18:10:00.003+02:00

Formation.
The Ice Age had a great impact on Malta not only in shaping its topography but also on its flora and fauna. The climate in those days was milder and much wetter, almost tropical. The vast amount of water from heavy rainfalls was responsible for carving up the landscape and forming the valleys, as we know them today. Underground caverns and caves were also hollowed out. One such cave is that of Ghar Dalam, perched on a low cliff-face at the mouth of Wied Dalam at Birzebbuga on the south of Malta. It is good example of the KARST phenomenon erosive process within the Lower Coralline Limestone layer. Today Għar Dalam is considered to be one of the oldest caves in Maltese Islands. Evidence of its remote antiquity are the huge stalagmites and stalactites located in the first quarter of the cave. This cave was formed by the action of rushing waters that eroded the soft limestone forming a long phreatic tube. An overlaying river running down towards the sea gradually ate its way into, through, and well beyond the subterranean tunnel, reaching ultimately the level of the present valley bed. The two ends of the tunnel were thus left perched high on either side of the valley. One end is now Għar Dalam, whilst the opposite end is known simply as 'the Second Cave'.

Cave deposits.
The overflowing river, running at right angles to the tunnel, gradually “ate” its way deeper and deeper into the limestone until it reached the tunnel's roof and breached it. This formation of the cave happened in the early periods of the Pleistocene, but the collapse of the cave’s roof happened at much the same time when herds of hippopotami and elephants roamed the southern European shores. The opening of the tunnel roof acted as a swallow-hole. In this way soil, pebbles, stones, carcasses of dead animals, dismembered skeletal parts and other debris dragged by the river were sucked into the tunnel and deposited within. The pile of soil and bones gradually spread laterally but never reached either end of the tunnel. This explains why most of the organic remains (bones) are limited to the outermost 75 meters.

The lowermost layer inside the cave is made up of dissolved clay and is devoid of any animal remains, but in the second lowermost layer known as the “Hippopotamus layer", thousands of molars (teeth) and other skeletal parts had been discovered. Two species of hippopotamus have been identified as well as two species of elephants, and a variety of micro-mammals including dormice and bats. What made all these animals special was the fact that while some become stunted in stature, others turned into giants.

Travelavenue favorite blog 2010

2010-05-31T16:40:00.004+02:00

The editorial team of travelavenue.com has selected my blog to be a part of a program “Travelavenue favorite blog 2010”

Travelavenue want to reward the work of bloggers who provide the travel community with a different perspective on destinations and they really liked my vision of travel.

Malta Maritime museum - Birgu

2010-05-29T06:43:00.003+02:00

The Malta Maritime Museum is housed within the Old Naval bakery in Vittoriosa, it drafts Malta’s maritime history which is tightly bound to Mediterranean Sea. It also illustrates the global nature of seafaring and its impact on society from July 1992[1].
The museum houses numerous artefacts highlighting different epochs, shaping Maltese seafaring trough paint, charts, evidence and sea technology evolution. So it shows Malta’s maritime history from prehistory to the present day[2]

Presently, the museum covers over 2,000 sq. m., some 30 per cent of the total floor area available. An ongoing building rehabilitation and restoration programme is linked with the opening of the new hall or sections devoted to specific maritime themes or chronological periods. After the museum’s inauguration in 1992 by means of a hall of 600 sq. m, another 800 sp. M. hall was inaugurated in November 2000 dedicated entirely to the Royal Navy in Malta. The former hall was then dedicated to the Order of St. John period. In October 2003, another section was opened spread over two levels of 250 sq. m. each dedicated to marine engineering. Five smaller halls and sections are devoted to ancient shipping, navigation, the merchant navy, Maltese traditional boats, and Maltese customs and water police. These are just token displays of the museum’s collection on the subjects, which will eventually move to larger halls when rehabilitation and restoration works are completed. Other halls would be dedicated to port facilities, maritime-related sports, and the Armed Forces of the Malta Maritime Squadron.

Whales ? where in the Mediterranean sea?? YES!!

2010-05-21T10:16:00.004+02:00

Many may be surprised to learn that sperm whales can be found in Maltese waters, albeit in depths of close to 1,000 metres, and have been sighted within the 25-nautical-mile zone

University lecturer Adriana Vella, who is also the founder of the Biological Conservation Research Foundation, can consider herself lucky enough to have spotted various species of cetaceans, including the 16- to 20-metre-long, toothed sperm whales and the 20- to 27-metre-long fin whales, given that the former, in particular, is a deep-diving creature that can spend up to an hour under the water.

The study of these cetaceans took a lot of time and huge effort, Dr Vella said, adding that the process was facilitated with equipment such as the hydrophone, an instrument that picked up whales' biological sonar system.
We are surrounded by a beautiful sea that still is home to thousands of species, which we need to learn more about and conserve for future generations."

Dr Vella said sperm whales could be spotted alone, or in twos, but rarely in groups. Like dolphins, they surfaced to breathe.

Once they are sighted, normally through the spray from their blow hole and using binoculars, a distance of more than 100 metres should be kept for their safety.

"You need to give whales, dolphins and turtles that come up to the surface to breathe and bask, space and time to behave normally. When turtles are basking, they need time to go back in the water," Dr Vella said, expressing her fear of jet skis and power boats that go far out and at fast speeds, disrupting animal activity and causing injury.

The sperm whales are distinguished from others by their different behaviour, including the time they remain on the surface, she explained.

In 2007, Dr Vella had spotted fin whales, the second largest in the world, in local coastal waters. Located only four kilometres off shore, the proximity was considered a record. Both the fact that the whale was approached by another, presumably in attraction to its mating song, and that they stayed on for a few days were equally unique, Dr Vella recalled.

information and photography taken from the times of Malta.

Birgu - Citta' Vittoriosa

2010-05-19T18:09:00.003+02:00

Birgu, is a very old locality on the south side of the Grand Harbour in Malta with its origins reaching back to prehistoric times. The town occupies a promontory of land with Fort St Angelo at its head and the city of Cospicua at its base.

Birgu is ideally situated for safe anchorage, and over time it has developed a very long history with maritime, mercantile and military activities. Prior to the establishment of Valletta as capital and main city of Malta, military powers that wanted to rule the Maltese islands would need to obtain control of Birgu due to its significant position in the Grand Harbour. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, the Angevines, the Aragonese and the Knights of St. John all contributed to the development of Birgu.[1] But none more so than the Knights. Being driven out of Rhodes by the Turks, the Knights were granted Malta as their new home. When the Knights arrived in 1530, they made Birgu the capital city of Malta, since the former capital, Mdina, was inland and did not suit their naval requirements. Almost as soon as they took up residence, the Knights undertook a series of works designed to improve the fortification at Fort St Angelo and of the whole area of the three cities. These works give Birgu and for that matter the whole Maltese island its distinctive architectural character that can be seen today.

Birgu was never captured during the hostilities between the Knights and the Ottoman Empire. After the Siege of Malta in 1565, support for the previously impoverished knights flooded in from across Europe. As a result, Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette was able to implement a long held goal of the knights: the building of a new fortified city on Mount Sceberras, the peninsula opposing Birgu from which the Turks had bombarded Birgu. The new capital city, bore his name, Valletta. In 1571, they transferred their convent and seat to the new capital and Birgu lost much of its importance. After the Siege, the Knights also gave Birgu the title Città Vittoriosa, Italian for "victorious city".

The parish church is dedicated to St. Lawrence. The saint's day is celebrated on August 10. This church was the conventual church of the Order when the Knights settled at Birgu. The Order settled in Birgu until 1575 when the Knights moved to Valletta. As a matter of fact in Birgu one can still find the old Auberges which were all located (except for the Italian Langue) in the Collachio. The Collachio was a confined place where only the Knights were allowed to enter. All these aspects and more can only be appreciated if one visits this unique city which is surrounded by fortified walls and high towers known as St. John and St. James Cavalier, and which are similar to the same named high towers at Valletta. During the visit one should not miss taking a look at the Inquisitor's Palace and the Guva in St.Angelo where Caravaggio was arrested.

Also in Birgu is the Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation run by the Dominican Order. This church is also known as St. Dominic's Church. The feast of Saint Dominic is held every last Sunday of August. It is organised by the Dominican Friars, the St. Dominic External Feast Committee and the Prince of Wales' Own Band Club of Birgu.

After the taking of Malta by Napoleon in 1798, and his eviction by the Maltese, the British were invited to Malta and the British Navy made Birgu its base in the Mediterranean, and remained there until 1979.

Pope Benedict in Malta

2010-04-19T06:19:00.003+02:00

Pope Benedict's 27-hour visit to Malta came to an end yesterday evening. Here you can see the Pope in the Pope mobile going through the village of Gudja just before he left Malta. I couldn't get a good shot for two reasons : a) baby was sleeping on me b) I only had my point and shoot with me :( but alas it was a nice experience.

Buskett Gardens

2010-04-12T16:02:00.003+02:00

Buskett is the only woodland area in Malta. Located in the fertile valley of 'wied il-luq' and overlooked by the VERDALA PALACE these gardens are at their best in spring, but offer shade from the harsh mid summer sun and are a beautiful place for a walk in the winder months or a picnic on Sunday afternoon.

These gardens were planted by the knights hospitaller as a hunting ground. Buskett has vineyards, oranges, olives and lemon groves and is heavily wooded with native hardy species such as Mediterranean pines.

Zabbar Sanctuary Museum

2010-03-13T10:17:00.003+01:00

Żabbar Sanctuary Museum

The Sanctuary Museum was opened to the public in 1954. Up to this day, it remains the only building in Malta which was purposely built to house a museum.

Throughout the last 51 years, no more artefacts have been lost, indeed the collection has grown by donations from devout and public spirited persons. Along the years more exhibition space was created but still the Museum was too crammed. About 15 years ago, serious faults developed in the top floor ceiling. In spite of several attempts, the damage could not be contained and a decision was taken to replace the roof. The opportunity was taken to modernise and expand the exhibition area and make the place more accessible to people with special needs. The Parish Priest of Zabbar at that time, Father Anton Cassar was the driving force behind the completion of the structural changes. The costly operation took two years to complete and the Museum opened its doors again in September 2003. Although the facade was not touched, the Museum's interior is now entirely different from what it used to be. The main new feature of the Musem is a massive elevated platform (gallerija) erected on the first floor to facilitate better viewing of high hanging paintings. Further furnishing and displays are in progress.

The most important exhibits of the Museum are a large number of votive paintings, the majority connected with the sea and the Knights of St. John. Other exhibits include sedan chairs, portable altar, unique large painting of the Gran Carracca Sant Anna, model ship of the line (1767), former titular paintings, religious paintings, medieval frescoe, complete ceremonial suit of armour, statues, silverware, documents, coins, medals, sculptured wooden fixtures from the ship R.M.S. Alcantara, plague hearse (1813), large Maltese clock mechanism (1753) and an exhibition on the R.A.F. Vulcan Bomber which exploded over Zabbar in 1975.

The paintings include works by Rocco Buhagiar, Gian Nicola Buhagiar, Rafel Bonnici Cali, Michele Busuttil, Tousaint Busuttil, Giuseppe Cali, Giuseppe Maria Caruana, Gian Battista Conti, Giuseppe D'Arena, Stefano Erardi, Rafael Gagliardi, Tommaso Madiona, Mattia Preti, Italo Horatio Serge, Filippo Venuti and Francesco Zahra.

The Museum is Church owned and is run by a commission of eight members and a small group of unpaid volunteers who keep the place open to the public daily seven days a week from 09.00 to 12.00.

Mosta - Malta

2010-02-26T07:04:00.003+01:00

the Mosta church /dome

replica of the bomb

the dome as seen from the inside

the church from the inside

Church of St.Mary, Mosta (northern part of the island). Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and built between 1830's and 1860's the Rotunda was designed by Maltese architect Giorgio de Vasse. The church was built around and over the existing one which then was demolished. The size of it 's dome stands at 40 meters in diameter.

In 1942 during world war 2, the church took a direct hit from a German bomb while more than 300 people were congregated inside for Mass. The bomb pierced the dome and fell to the ground with a bounce but failed to explode. The event has become legendary and is regarded as a miracle. A replica of the 200kg bomb can be seen in the sacristy.

Haz-Zabbar - 'Citta' Hompesch'

2010-02-21T07:35:00.000+01:00

Zabbar is the 4th largest city in Malta, with a population of 15,000(as per 2005). It was originally part of Zejtun but by time it became an independent Parish. In 1798 it got the name of 'Graziosa Citta Hompesch' from the Grandmaster of the order of St.John who at the time was Ferdinand von Hompesch. This is why Zabbar is also known by 'Citta Hompesch'.

"Il-Karnival ta' Malta"

2010-02-13T08:45:00.005+01:00

Carnival (Maltese: il-Karnival ta' Malta) has had an important place on the Maltese cultural calendar for just under five centuries, having been introduced to the Islands by Grand Master Piero de Ponte in 1535. It is held during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, and typically includes masked balls, fancy dress and grotesque mask competitions, lavish late-night parties, a colourful, ticker-tape parade of allegorical floats presided over by King Carnival (Maltese: ir-Re tal-Karnival), marching bands and costumed revellers.
Carnival has been celebrated in Malta since the 15th century, but it received a major boost in 1535, five years after the arrival of the Order of St John. This started taking place officially in Birgu where a number of knights played games and displayed their skills in various pageants and tournaments.

The Parata Dance
True to an age-old tradition, Carnival was ushered in by the Parata which was taken very seriously both by the knights and the people in general as it was of special significance in the history of this festival.

It was customary for some peasants and later companies of young dancers to gather early under the balcony of the Grandmaster's Palace and wait eagerly until they received formal permission from him to told the Carnival. The most recently appointed Knight Grand Cross would obtain the necessary permission and a proclamation giving the go-ahead to Carnival was immediately read from the Palace balcony.

This was the sign for the general merriment to start, and the companies dressed as Christians and Turks performed a mock fight recalling the Great Siege of 1565. Then a girl representing Malta was carried shoulderhigh and taken around the streets of Valletta. Meanwhile a stone would be hung from the Castellania, or Palace of Justice (now the Ministry of Health, in Merchants Street), as a sign that justice was "suspended" for the three days of Carnival.

Today

The largest of the carnival celebrations mainly take place in and around the capital city Valletta and Floriana, however there are several "spontaneous" carnivals in more remote villages of Malta and Gozo. The Nadur Carnival is notable for its darker and more risqué themes including cross-dressing, ghost costumes, political figures and revellers dressed up as scantily clad clergyfolk.
Traditional dances include the parata, which is a lighthearted re-enactment of the 1565 victory of the Knights over the Turks, and an 18th century court dance known as il-Maltija. The parata, in these days is being held by the 1st Hamrun Scout Group.

Food eaten at the carnival includes perlini (multi-coloured, sugar-coated almonds) and the prinjolata, which is a towering assembly of sponge cake, biscuits, almonds and citrus fruits, topped with cream and pine nuts.

hope you all have a good weekend.

Architecture in Malta

2010-01-19T06:40:00.002+01:00

Our capital city Valletta is for me a beautiful piece of architecture. Wherever you turn you are sure to find a beautiful feature. As you walk inside the entrance of the Maltese House of Parliament and look up this is what you see.

Wishing you all a happy season from Malta

2009-12-10T08:30:00.003+01:00

This photo does not do any justice to the beautiful decorations we have this year, especially in Valletta. I will have to go one day with the children and get some shots.

Beautiful Sunset

2009-11-16T17:12:00.004+01:00

Yesterday we were having a picnic in the northern part of our island and I took some sunset photos. It was difficult choosing which ones to post as I took alot!!

San Martin / St.Martin

2009-11-13T05:56:00.004+01:00

St. Martin's Day (Jum San Martin in Maltese) is celebrated in Malta on the Sunday nearest to November 11. Children are given a bag full of fruits and sweets associated with the feast, known by the Maltese as Il-Borża ta' San Martin, "St Martin's bag". This bag includes St. Martin's Bread (Ħobża ta' San Martin), walnuts (ġewż), hazel-nuts (qastan), almonds (lewż), chestnuts (ġellewż), figs (tin), oranges (larinġ), tangerines (mandolin), apples (tuffieħ), pomegranates (rummien) amongst other things. There is a traditional rhyme associated with this custom:

Ġewż, Lewż, Qastan, Tin
Kemm inħobbu lil San Martin.

(Walnuts, Almonds, Chestnuts, Figs
I love Saint Martin so much.)

A feast is celebrated in the village of Baħrija on the outskirts of Rabat (Malta), including a procession led by the statue of St. Martin. There is also a fair, and a show for local animals. San Anton School, a private school on the island, organises a walk to and from a cave especially associated with St Martin in remembrance of the day.

Several places in Malta are named after this saint, including San Martin on the outskirts of St. Paul's Bay, and Ġebel San Martin outside of Żejtun.

Minestra -mixed vegetable soup

2009-11-11T06:15:00.006+01:00

Come winter this vegetable soup is a common aroma inside Maltese homes. There are alot of versions, and everyone adds or discards whatever vegetables they like. This is how I make mine:

potatoes,
onion,
zucchini,
carrots,
cabbage,
cauliflower,
turnip,
pumpkin,
barley

Sweat the onion in some olive oil, then add some tomato paste for colour, salt, pepper and finally all the vegetables (cleaned and chopped) and water to cover. Let it boil on a low heat and once all the vegetables are cooked, either serve it as it is or mash it with the potato masher (this is how I serve it cause of the kids). This will certainly warm you up after a cold day. My husband likes to boil maltese sausage and eat it after with some maltese bread and 'gbejniet' (maltese cheese).

Rememberance Day

2009-11-09T06:01:00.002+01:00

Remembrance Day – also known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day (the event it commemorates) or Veterans Day – is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War. It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.) The day was specifically dedicated by King George V, on 7 November 1919, to the observance of members of the armed forces who were killed during war; this was possibly done upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey to Wellesley Tudor Pole, who established two ceremonial periods of remembrance based on events in 1917.[1]

World War 2 - Malta

2009-10-31T06:26:00.003+01:00

An eleven year old recently found this bomb (butterfly bomb) in one of Malta's valleys. The story interested me and I thought it would be appealing to do a post about Malta and world war 2. This bomb (pictured above) was one of the first cluster bombs to be used, earned its name because of the way it resembled a butterfly when its outer shell opened when released from a plane. This caused the bomb to spin, loosening a bolt and releasing a firing pin that armed the explosive.

Some information I found about Malta during WW II.

During World War II, Malta became the most bombed place on earth – 6,700 tons of bombs fell in just six weeks.

At the outbreak of World War II, Malta was Britain’s most important Mediterranean naval base. As such, it was to protect east-west supply lines while blocking the passage between Italy and North Africa. When Mussolini plunged Italy into the war on June 10, 1940, Malta knew for sure that it was destined to play a frontline role. Europe was nine months into the conflict when, on June 11, Malta suffered its first air attack on the dockyards.

At that point, Malta’s entire anti-aircraft resources totaled forty-two guns, two dozen searchlights and three Gloster Gladiator biplanes which had been discovered in crates and hurriedly assembled. The Gladiators, christened Faith, Hope and Charity, were matched against two hundred Italian aircraft based 60 miles (100km) north in Sicily. On the face of it there was surely no contest, but by forcing the enemy aircraft to bomb from a greater height, the three small Glosters more than earned their keep. The Maltese people no longer felt like a sitting target, and for three long weeks the Gladiators defended Malta’s airspace alone
In December 1940, the German air force moved into Sicily to support the Italians and with two hundred and fifty aircraft the combined Axis forces greatly outnumbered Malta’s aerial strike force. Meanwhile, German and Italian submarines maintained a relentless assault on the supply convoys.

Malta’s worst period of the war was in early 1942, when the air raids never ceased. In April alone, 6700 tons of bombs rained down on the island and on the 15th of that month a special message from the British kind, George VI, informed the people of Malta that they had collectively been awarded the George Cross for their unyielding bravery “…to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.”

The Maltese minimized loss of life during the war by constructing air-raid shelters and relocating large numbers of the population from Valletta and Grand Harbour are to safer parts of the island. The old railway tunnel between Valletta and Floriana provided a sanctuary for many during the bombing raids and, as in medieval times, people sought shelter in Mdina. Some 35,000 buildings throughout the islands suffered damage or were destroyed during the war, 11,000 of them in April 1942, the worst month of bombing.
Ultimate control of the central Mediterranean hinged on supply lines and in the early months of 1942 the Allies suffered heavy shipping loses in the Malta-bound convoys. For much of the year the country’s civil and military population was reduced to near starvation levels, relying on communal feeding service and being forced to eat their diminishing animal stocks.

In the summer of 1942, Malta was in dire need of food and fuel to continue its struggle against the Axis powers. As the Maltese prayed to Santa Maria, who fest day was due on August 15, Britain sent a convoy of 14 merchant ships under armed escort. As the ships neared Malta they came under massive air and sea attack. Nine merchantmen were sunk, the five remaining included the tanker Ohio, with 11,000 ton of fuel critical to Malta’s survival. On August 13, four vessels limped into Grand Harbour. More prayers were offered to Santa Maria and on the morning of the 15th the Ohio reached Malta.

It took the Allied assault on Sicily in 1943 to effectively end Malta’s close involvement in the war. The island acted as a fighter base during the operation to capture Sicily’s airfields and once this had been achieved the Axis powers were unable to continue their harassment of shipping in the central Mediterranean. For Malta, three years of war had been intense. The islands had endured some of the most ruthless bombing of World War II and it was primarily because the buildings were of stone that huge sections of the towns were not destroyed in the air raids. Nearly 1500 Maltese civilians were killed in the air raids.
The clearing up operations lasted for years. Valletta’s bombed seaboard was still in rubble into the 1950’s and the rebuilding of town around Grand Harbour, now collectively known as the Three Cities, took nearly a decade.

Today there are many reminders of World War II in Malta. Among them, one can visit the Lascaris War Rooms in Valletta where the military operations were carried out. An animated commentary vividly evokes Operation Husky (the invasion of Sicily) and other pivotal events planned in these subterranean passages.

The National War Museum in Valletta is a small museum full of World War II items. There are black-painted Italian torpedo boats, “Faith” (the only surviving biplane of the trio that defended Malta, and the George Cross awarded to the Maltese people.

The three most bombed cities in Malta in World War II were Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea. The Malta at War Museum in Vittoriosa shows a great deal of what happened at that time. Under a deluge of bombs dropped on the Three Cities, the residents cowered, sometimes for weeks on end, in a claustrophobic warren of underground tunnels and honeycombed rooms in the bedrock underneath the landward fortifications of Vittoriosa. Today these underground shelters have been furnished with period props and original artifacts-communal dormitories, private cubicles, birth room , warden’s office and an entire exhibition offering a fascinating and grim insight into wartime life in Malta. The museum screens a documentary about the Maltese resistance made in 1942 with the aim of bolstering the nation’s morale at the height of the German campaign to bomb Malta into surrender.

Dun Mikiel Xerri

2009-10-29T06:07:00.001+01:00

Dun Mikiel Xerri (Żebbuġ, 29 September 1737 - 17 January 1799) was a Maltese patriot. Xerri studied at different universities in Europe. He was a Maltese patriot who lived under both the Knights of St. John during their time in Malta and the French when they took over the Maltese Islands. He was involved in an unsuccessful revolt to overthrow French rule under Napoleon Bonaparte for which he, together with other locals, was executed on 17 January 1799 at the age of 61.

Balconies......

2009-10-27T05:58:00.002+01:00

The balconies are amongst the first characteristics of Malta you notice. The elegant wooden balconies of Valletta (the capital city of Malta) were used as a view point for families to catch up on the business of the street below. Today in Valletta you will see baskets lowered from balconies for the baker to pop in a loaf of bread. The finest and longest balcony is that of the Grand Master’s palace in Valletta. It stretches around corners and along the side street walls.

Bibliotecha ,Queen Victoria and Cafe Cordina - Valletta

2009-10-16T06:28:00.003+02:00

I have already posted a photo of this particular location, the post's title was Queen Victoria. The reason I am doing a re-post is because the Bibliotecha's facade has been cleaned and it looks beautiful! Obviously one can enjoy this lovely square whilst sitting here at cafe cordina drinking a nice cup of coffee and eating a cheesecake.

Sunset again........

2009-10-14T06:24:00.002+02:00

Award....

2009-10-12T06:23:00.003+02:00

I was honoured with a blog award from Isabel! Thanks dear. Very much appreciated!

Sunset - Anchor bay /Popeye's village

2009-09-29T06:13:00.001+02:00

Malta - Airshow

2009-09-26T06:50:00.003+02:00

Taking part in this year's 17th edition of the Malta International Airshow, which will be held tomorrow and on Sunday are aircrafts from seven countries, with aircraft ranging from F-16 and Tornado fighters to the Harrier jump jet, a water bomber, and the SH60 helicopter used by the commander of the US Sixth Fleet.

This is US Airforce F-15.

Photo and information taken from www.timesofmalta.com

Popeye's Village and Anchor Bay

2009-09-25T06:24:00.003+02:00

Sweet haven village has been set in the 1980 for the film 'Popeye' starring Robin Williams as Popeye the sailor man. The fun park has a number of activities for children and also for all those young at heart. It is open all year round and it is worth taking the kids and spending a day there.

Ir-Rummiena - 'Pomegranate'

2009-09-21T07:03:00.003+02:00

The pomegranate 'ir-Rummiena' is native to the region of Persia and has been cultivated in Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Mediterranean region for several millennia.

A widespread root for "pomegranate" comes from the Ancient Egyptian rmn, from which derive the Hebrew rimmôn, and Arabic rummân. This root was given by Arabs to other languages, including Portuguese (romã), Kabyle rrumman and Maltese "rummien". The pomegranate ('rimmôn') is mentioned in the Bible as one of the seven fruits/plants that Israel was blessed with, and in Hebrew, 'rimmôn' is also the name of the weapon now called the grenade. According to Webster's New Spanish-English Dictionary, "granada," the Spanish word for "pomegranate," could also mean "grenade.

Culinary use

After opening the pomegranate by scoring it with a knife and breaking it open, the arils (seed casings) are separated from the peel and internal white pulp membranes. Separating the red arils is simplified by performing this task in a bowl of water, wherein arils sink and pulp floats. It is also possible to freeze the whole fruit in the freezer, making the red arils easy to separate from the white pulp membranes. The entire seed is consumed raw, though the watery, tasty aril is the desired part. The taste differs depending on subspecies of pomegranate and its ripeness. The pomegranate juice can be very sweet or sour, but most fruits are moderate in taste, with sour notes from the acidic tannins contained in the aril juice.

Wild pomegranate seeds are sometimes used as a spice known as anardana (which literally means pomegranate (anar) seeds (dana) in Persian), most notably in Indian and Pakistani cuisine but also as a replacement for pomegranate syrup in Middle Eastern cuisine. As a result of this, the dried whole seeds can often be obtained in ethnic Indian Sub-continent markets. The seeds are separated from the flesh, dried for 10–15 days and used as an acidic agent for chutney and curry production. Seeds may also be ground in order to avoid becoming stuck in teeth when eating dishes containing them. Seeds of the wild pomegranate daru from the Himalayas are regarded as quality sources for this spice.

Watch Tower - Mgarr ix-Xini

2009-09-14T07:07:00.004+02:00

Mgarr ix-Xini Watch Tower in Gozo has been opened this July for viewing after extensive restoration.

The tower, built in 1661 at the entrance of Mgarr ix-Xini Bay, was restored by the Wirt Ghawdex society supported by the Ministry for Gozo.

Both photo and information was taken from one of our local online newspapers.

Seventy years ago today !!

2009-09-03T15:50:00.002+02:00

Seventy years ago today, as London's Big Ben struck 11.15 a.m., the Maltese heard on Rediffusion, the cable radio network the British Prime Minister officially declaring war on Nazi Germany.

Adolf Hitler's regime had ignored Britain's ultimatum to withdraw Germany's attack on Poland by 11 a.m. on September 3, 1939 and World War II broke out.

Bombs were a common occurrence during the war as Malta became the world's most bombed country, historian Joseph Pirotta said.

Although civilians did not feel as threatened when the British first declared war in 1939, on an official level the fear was real as Italy's involvement was inevitable, Prof. Pirotta said.

Malta was one of Britain's most important naval bases and, when Mussolini declared war in June 1940, it was clear the island would become a main target. Prof. Pirotta added that Malta was completely unprepared for war as the British did not take precautions.

BOTH PICTURE AND INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM OUR LOCAL ONLINE NEWSPAPER.

'Lampuki'

2009-08-24T07:52:00.004+02:00

Lampuki is the Maltese name for the dorado or mahi-mahi, a kind of fish that migrates past the Maltese islands during the autumn. The fishing season for lampuki is from the end of August through to November.

Fishermen cut and gather the larger, lower fronds from palm trees which they then weave into large flat rafts. The rafts are pulled out to sea, usually with the small traditional fishing boats known as Luzzu. During midday lampuki school underneath the rafts, seeking the shade. The fishermen use large mesh nets to catch the schooling lampuki. This method is known as kannizzati and has not changed significantly since Roman times. The lampuki are used both for local consumption as well as export.

When fishing for lampuki, the sea has to be as calm as possible. Larger vessels stay out longer at sea than smaller ones. When fishermen approach the anchored floats, first they have to be sure of the presence of fish underneath them.

Seeing that it is viable to cast the net, the vessel circles slowly around the floats laying the net as it proceeds. When the two wings of the net meet, these are hauled on board the vessel so that the fish caught inside are concentrated in a small area of the net. The float is slipped between the bottom of the net, which is now closed, but for a narrow slit between the lead line. The bottom ropes of the net are then hauled on to the vessel by means of a hydraulic winch thus confining the fish in the landing bag. The time taken for such an operation is less than 10 minutes when professionals do such fishing. This procedure is repeated every time the fishermen detect the presence of a considerable amount of fish under a float.
It is the custom for fishermen from the fishing village of Marsaxlokk to gather in port at the start of the lampuki season and have their vessels blessed by the parish priest.

Lampuki can be fried and accompanied by different types of sauces, such as green pepper sauce or caper sauce. They can be baked or made into a pie. My favourite is fried Lampuki with green pepper sauce.

Brimba tal-Widien 'Lobed Argiope'

2009-08-12T16:01:00.002+02:00

This spider spins its large orb web to trap its prey. The web is quite strong and can endure the struggling of insects and if the insect is strong and large the spider waits until the prey is exhausted to spin a silken case around its prey. Pray can be large example a cicada orni. The Female is larger than the male. The lobed Argiope can deliver a painful bite and is the largest spider found on Malta.

Thank you

2009-08-07T08:24:00.003+02:00

Thanks Zen (http://anecdotesfrommalta.blogspot.com/) for thinking of me and rewarding me with this award.

It's Festa time in our village......

2009-08-01T10:26:00.003+02:00

With nearly 60 Maltese feasts throughout the year (mostly during the summer months), and nearly 20 on the smaller sister island of Gozo – the Maltese feast, a religious event, is very much part and parcel of the long, hot summer months on the island. and part of culture in Malta. The Maltese feast pretty much follows a long-established pattern, one that has been passed on from generation to generation, from century to century.
Our village's festa is dedicated to St. Peter and it is a custom to take the statue of St.Peter around our shores on a boat and then being brought to shore with a welcoming band and fireworks.

Malta experienced it's hottest July in 21 years!!

2009-07-27T10:00:00.003+02:00

According to our online newspaper, a lethargic lull fell over Malta yesterday as the mercury hit a sizzling 41.6˚C, falling just 1.1 degrees short of the highest recorded July temperature 21 years ago.
The hottest day recorded in Malta was in August 1999 when temperatures soared to 43.8˚C.

Xlendi bay by night .......

2009-07-24T16:15:00.003+02:00

Xlendi is situated on the south east of Gozo and just 3 km south of the capital Victoria. It is a picturesque bay that will give you hours of enjoyment. Xlendi bay is a small fishing port with a small pebble beach.

Ta' Kola Windmill - Gozo

2009-07-23T06:31:00.002+02:00

It was built in 1725. Ta' Kola is one of the windmills built by the Fondazione Manoel in the 18th century during the reign of Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena. It is situated just off Ggantija Temples in Xaghra and houses a folklore museum.
The miller used to be a skilled craftsman who was very often trained in a wide range of skills. Thus, apart from maintaining and operating the windmill, he used to perform many other secondary jobs. When wind conditions were favourable, the miller used to sound a large shell, locally known as bronja. This served as a signal to the locals who would take their wheat to be processed by the miller. This is one of the very few remaining examples of 18th century industrial heritage in the Maltese Islands.

il- Ggantija - Gozo

2009-07-20T08:05:00.002+02:00

Ġgantija is a Neolithic, megalithic temple complex on the island of Gozo. The Ġgantija temples are the earliest of a series of megalithic temples in Malta. Their makers erected the two Ġgantija temples during the Neolithic Age (c. 3600-2500 BC), which makes these temples more than 5500 years old and some of the world's oldest man made religious structures. Together with other similar structures, these have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Megalithic Temples of Malta. They are more than 1000 years older than Stonehenge. Originally the temples had roofs. The precise purpose for which they were built is still a mystery, although they are believed to have been places of worship.

The site consists of two separate temples: the South Temple (3600 BC) and the North Temple (3000 BC). The Temples were excavated in 1826.

Mgarr Harbour Gozo

2009-07-14T08:06:00.002+02:00

Blue Lagoon - Comino

2009-07-10T16:45:00.003+02:00

Comino is a tiny island half way between Malta and Gozo. A delightful, car-free little island just 1 square mile in size, with a jagged coastline and many small creeks, sea caves and a pretty lagoon. Largely infertile but luxuriant in wild thyme. A tranquil haven from busy everyday life. It has two small, sandy bays with excellent swimming and a stunning lagoon of brilliant turquoise blue (overcrowded with day-trippers at weekends).

St. Mary's Tower is the most visible structure on the island. Its background dates back to 1416, Finally, in 1618 the Knights of Malta under Grandmaster Wignacourt erected St. Mary's Tower (Maltese: it-Torri ta' Santa Marija), located roughly in the center of the southern coast of the island.[4] The tower formed part of a chain of defensive towers

Part of an olive pipper

2009-07-08T17:12:00.003+02:00

The five old bells of the Gozo Cathedral

2009-07-06T07:10:00.002+02:00

Gozo - Citadella

2009-07-05T12:27:00.003+02:00

Cittadella is one of the ancient cities in the Maltese Islands. Based in Gozo, Cittadella had the task of monitoring the battles in the Great Siege. Cittadella has similar features as Mdina, in fact it is considered to be another Mdina in the island of Gozo.
In Cittadella you will enjoy the views that it provides. Being a fortification, you will encounter with many historical monuments and other sources of useful information.
One can also view the historical architecture that can be found in Cittadella. You will also love to see the walls of Cittadella and the church based in this fortification.

Gozo...

2009-07-04T09:16:00.003+02:00

Gozo, meaning 'joy' in Castilian, is the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago. Gozo is more rural than Malta and it's inhabitants have their own distinct character , identity, lifestyles, accents and dialects. Like Malta, Gozo too has a wealthy history and I will post some of this in the next few posts. I hope you will enjoy them.

FIGS

2009-06-24T06:44:00.004+02:00

The common Fig is a large shrub or a small tree native to southwest Asia and theeastern Mediterranean region. They can be grown in climates with hot summer like our dear old Malta.
Some interesting information about Figs and health : Figs are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. Dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium and vitamin K, relative to human needs. They have smaller amounts of many other nutrients. The have a laxative effect and contain many antioxidants.

Update......St.George's bay -Birzebbuga

2009-06-23T06:35:00.003+02:00

Hello all, sorry I have not been very consistent with my updates lately, however the heat and being nearly 30 weeks pregnant is not helping me with my hunt for new photos of our beautiful islands. However I do not wish to stop as I love taking pictures and posting them here for you all to see.

This is a photo of a very small bay you will find once you enter Birzebbuga. This is found in front of the restaurant photo I have posted earlier.

Birzebbugia

2009-05-28T17:55:00.003+02:00

This is also part of the Birzebbugia waterfront. Here you can see a very small beach and behind it a nice restaurant where one can come have dinner and enjoy the evening breeze (or not) of a Maltese summer evening .

Reflections of Sunset - St.George's Bay Birzebbuga

2009-05-26T06:36:00.002+02:00

After dinner yesterday we went for an evening stroll. This is a photo I took, it shows the sun which was about to set on these buildings and their reflection on the water.

Tradition and Entertainment in Gozo

2009-05-24T07:43:00.002+02:00

An annual event : 'Lejlet Lapsi' got underway yesterday and will carry on all day today. Entertainment includes cultural activities, Rock and Retro Festival and children musicals. There was also a dance festival.

Photo and information taken from a local online newspaper.

Grand Prix in Valletta

2009-05-19T06:33:00.003+02:00

Around 50 cars dating from the pre-war period to 1970's took part in the Valletta Grand Prix this weekend. The cars were driven around Valletta for three times.

'Hobza biz-zejt'

2009-05-16T08:29:00.003+02:00

Translated this means : 'bread with oil'. Now this may sound a little strange for some of you , however to all the Maltese or to those of you out there who have been to our island and tried this it will bring images and an enjoyable taste of this local item.

So this ''hobz biz-zejt'' consists of thick slices of bread, best being either the maltese bread or the 'ftira' (as shown here) spread with either fresh tomato or tomato paste, topped with olives, tuna, capers, slices of raw onion, lettuce, salt , pepper and a good drizzle of olive oil.

Mdina Cathedral Museum

2009-05-10T10:52:00.003+02:00

The architectural crown of Mdina, the Cathedral Museum was originally a seminary and today serves as a significant religious museum.

A small chapel exhibiting church vestments is situated on the second floor. It also boasts an impressive cross-section of sacred art, famous paintings, a coin collection, Roman antiquities and original documents from the time of the Inquisition. The museum also contains a particularly rich collection of music manuscripts and there is a superb collection of woodcuts by Albrecht Duhrer.

Inside the Cathedral of St.Paul in Mdina no. 3

2009-05-05T06:48:00.002+02:00

Inside the Cathedral of St.Paul in Mdina no. 2

2009-05-03T08:58:00.003+02:00

Inside the Cathedral of St.Paul in Mdina no. 1

2009-05-02T09:01:00.001+02:00

The Cathedral of St.Paul was build from 1697 to 1702 to replace a Norman Cathedral that had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. St. Paul's Cathedral has been designed by architect Lorenzo Gafa. The dome's interior has been decorated by a succession of painters; today's decoration dates from 1950's.

Strawberry Festival at Mgarr

2009-04-27T06:52:00.003+02:00

This was the third edition of the Strawberry Festival held in Mgarr, Malta. Yesterday Mgarr Square was full of activities for 'Festa Frawli' (strawberry feast).

The activity was organised by the local council and the Resources Ministry.

There was brisk business at stalls selling freshly picked strawberries and gourmet dishes such as strawberry risotto and strawberries with novel dressings.

Drinks included a variety of refreshing smoothies, milk shakes as well as strawberry wine.

Taking part were folk dancers and singers and other local talent.

Bir Miftuh Chapel - Gudja

2009-04-25T07:01:00.003+02:00

Gudja (English: Gudia) is a village in Malta with a population of 2,901 (Nov 2005). The village is located on a small hill south of the city of Valletta overlooking Malta International Airport.

Gudja also has a famous 500 year-old chapel of Bir Miftuħ (which means "open well"). Bir Miftuh was already established as a parish prior to 1436 and so it is one of the first twleve parishes of the Maltese Islands. This chapel was built in around 1430 and is one of the best preserved examples of a fifteenth-century parish church in Malta. It has some interesting frescoes, the Chapel is free standing and shows a growing confidence in the handling of stone structures. It has a plain rectangular plan and measures about eleven by fourteen metres.

Mdina Festival weekend

2009-04-19T07:48:00.004+02:00

For this weekend Mdina is taking a Medieval look for a festival of flowers and pageantry. There's Medieval Music, singing, street performers and historic re-enactments. Parts of the city are decorated with flowers. There are also Medieval food, games, trades and traditions at a small market set up in one of the squares. Medieval kinghts battling with swords and also Falconries from around the island displaying their birds.

San Girgor Feast

2009-04-15T18:45:00.003+02:00

Traditionally held on the first Wednesday after Easter, the feast probably started off as a thanksgiving pilgrimage though some differ on its exact origins.

Some maintain the pilgrimage was held to thank the Lord for freeing Malta from the plague of 1519. Others believe it was a vow made after Malta emerged victorious against the Turks in the Great Siege of 1565. Others still insist it was a sign of thanksgiving for the Lord's protection during a heavy storm in 1343. When the religious part of the feast is over people go to Marsaxlokk for the traditional outing with some opting to open the swimming season.

more photos from Good Friday and Easter Sunday.....

2009-04-14T08:06:00.002+02:00

Here are some photos showing this year's resurrection feast in Cospicua and Good Friday procession also in Cospicua. The boy who is on the left hand side wearing the blue outfit is my dear friend Laetitia's son Gedeon who has been taking part in this procession for the last 3 years. Photos taken by Laetitia.

Rough Seas around the Maltese Islands

2009-04-13T07:59:00.003+02:00

This photo showing the crossing of the Gozo Channel Ferries from Gozo to Malta, was taken yesterday by Adrian Camilleri and posted on the timesofmalta.com

Resurrection

2009-04-12T09:00:00.002+02:00

Romans 1:4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Good Friday......

2009-04-11T07:18:00.003+02:00

Yesterday was good Friday and in the morning my kids and I went to see a last supper live display. It was organized by a band club in Lija.

Mary Magdalene narrated her story on how she had met Jesus, then came Martha who told us the story of her, her sister Mary and their brother Lazarus. After this came Mary mother of Jesus and also Pontius Pilate. After that we were taken upstairs into another very well prepared room where there was the last supper's table prepared with food and all. Here we were presented with what happened during the last supper.

Last Supper / Maundy Thursday

2009-04-09T07:32:00.003+02:00

The Last Supper was the last meal Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles and disciples before his death. The Last Supper has been the subject of many paintings, perhaps the most famous by Leonardo da Vinci.

According to what Paul the Apostle recounted in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, in the course of the Last Supper, and with specific reference to eating bread and drinking from a cup, Jesus told his disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me". Other events and dialogue are recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John. Many Christians describe this as the "Institution of the Eucharist" .

Visiting seven churches

The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday is an ancient practice, probably originating in Rome, where early pilgrims visited the seven pilgrim churches as penance. They are Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter, Saint Mary Major, Saint Paul-outside-the-Walls, Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls, Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem, and traditionally Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls. Pope John Paul II replaced St. Sebastian with the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Divine Love for the jubilee year of 2000

Photo taken from the Times of Malta online newspaper.

New President for Malta

2009-04-04T10:28:00.004+02:00

Dr. George Abela will take the oath of Office as President of Malta today at noon in a special sitting of Parliament in the Grand council chamber of the President's Palace. George Abela will be the eighth President of the Republic of Malta.

Xemxija

2009-03-25T07:13:00.004+01:00

Here are some more shots of Xemxija Valley.

Malta - Gozo - Malta

2009-03-22T08:59:00.002+01:00

Gozo Channel provides a roro (roll on roll of ) service between mailand Malta and Gozo all year round. The service provided is for vehicles and passengers and is from the Cirkewwa Harbour in Malta to the Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The pictures here show the Mgarr Harbour of Gozo.

St. Agatha's Tower a.k.a. Red Tower

2009-03-20T06:44:00.002+01:00

St. Agatha's Tower in Malta is similar in style to the Wignacourt towers, though it was completed in 1649 during the Grand Mastership of Juan de Lascaris-Castellar to a design by Antonio Garsin. It is also known as the Red Tower due to the colour it is painted.

St. Agatha's Tower is commonly referred to as the Red Tower. The original structure is a square tower with four square corner towers with cannon ports in the towers giving interlocking fields of fire commanding the base of the walls and the gateway, with large cannon ports in the faces of the main tower. The outer walls are approximately four meters thick at the base and the interior of the tower is enclosed by a barrel vaulted roof. The corner towers are surmounted by very characteristic fish tail crenelations.

The Tower is situated in a commanding position on the crest of Marfa Ridge at the north west end of Malta, overlooking the natural harbour and obvious landing site of Mellieħa Bay with clear views over to Comino and Gozo, and also eastward to the line of watchtowers along the north shore of Malta that linked it with the Knights headquarters in Valletta. It was the Knights' primary stronghold in the west of Malta, and was manned by a garrison of 30 men, with ammunition and supplies to withstand a siege of 40 days.

Like many of the Knights' early defensive structures, during the 18th century it was strengthened by the addition of a much lower profile battery around its flanks. It continued to have a military function throughout the British period, and was manned during both World Wars. From the British period it continued its military function being used as a radar station by the Armed Forces of Malta.

By the close of the 20th century the tower was in poor repair with one turret completely missing and another turret severely damaged. The Tower was the substantially restored by Din l-Art Helwa starting in 1999, with restoration being completed in 2001, assisted by substantial industrial sponsorship. As part of the restoration work the damaged towers were replaced, the walls and were roof rebuilt and eroded stone facing replaced, the interior walls scraped and painted, the original floor uncovered, and the interior staircase to the roof rebuilt. Due to the extreme unevenness of the floor, this was recently covered by a wooden surface with glass apertures through which one can view the original slabs. The Tower is now in the care of Din l-Art Helwa and is open to the public.

Photo taken by my husband whilst I was driving towards the Gozo Ferry.

19th March - St.Joseph's Day

2009-03-19T06:54:00.002+01:00

The feast of St.Joseph the worker is celebrated throughout the Catholic world. In Malta the day's celebrations are most vibrant in the town of Rabat. This date was already dedicated to Saint Joseph in several western calendarts in the tenth century. It was accepted in Rome in 1479, and in 1621 it was inserted into the General Roman Calendar for celebration throughout the Latin Rite. Since it always falls within lent Episcopal Conferences may, if they wish transfer it to a date outside lent. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Joseph on the sunday after Christmas.

'FUL' - Broad Beans

2009-03-18T06:36:00.003+01:00

In continuation with yesterday's photo here is a photo (still have more to post) of the Xemxija Valley area. This particular field had 'Ful' green broad beans.

Broad beans have a long tradition of cultivation in old world agriculture, being among the most ancient plants in cultivation and also among the easiest to grow.

Interesting Health issues about the broad beans

Broad beans are rich in L-dopa, a substance used medically in the treatment of Parkinson' disease. L-dopa is also a nutrient agent which might help in controlling hypertension. Some also use fava beans as a natural alternative to drugs like Viagra, citing a link between L-dopa production and the human libido. It is also said that in parts of the world the elders generally restrict the young children from eating them raw (when unmatured) because they can cause constipation and jaundice like symptoms.

For more interesting information about these beans just google green broad beans and check them out on wikipedia etc...

Xemxija Bay

2009-03-17T06:51:00.002+01:00

Xemxija is a seaside village and is on the northern part of the island just outside St. Paul's bay and also a short distance from the holiday town of Bugibba. Xemxija is also 10 minutes drive away from some of the best beaches on the island. On the west side of this village lies some of the most fertile valleys in Malta, providing a beautiful sight during spring. Photos of these will follow on my next posts so stay tuned :)

Circular objects part 2

2009-03-08T08:08:00.003+01:00

Series of circular objects around my town.......

2009-03-05T07:07:00.004+01:00

As I have mentioned in one of my earlier posts, I have been browsing through some of the lessons on photography from http://www.skyepuppy.blogspot.com . So here I present to you some photos taken from around my town , this time focusing on circular objects and again different angles.

Birzebbugia

2009-02-26T17:13:00.004+01:00

and it's slow destruction............... Once Pretty Bay lived up to it's name.
It leaves much to be desired now with the Malta Freeport dominating the landscape!!

Let's go fishing ...

2009-02-24T11:44:00.002+01:00

Last week I went to meet some of my mummy friends for lunch. We met in Marsaxlokk and was delighted to see these hard-pressed fishermen putting things together for their next fishing trip.

Purrrrrrrr..........fect spot !!

2009-02-23T08:52:00.003+01:00

Now wouldn't you want to be sitting in the sun in such a perfect spot? Photo was taken last week and location is the Valletta waterfront, however the idea to take the photo was of my friend Laetitia.

Straight lines and different angles.

2009-02-22T11:52:00.003+01:00

I have recently discovered this blog http://www.skyepuppy.blogspot.com and have been trying out some of the lessons. Since the other day I was down with my friend Laetitia at the Valletta waterfront, where we also took the photos I have posted yesterday, I also had the opportunity to take some shots showing straight lines however using different angles.

HMS BLYTH & RAMSEY

2009-02-20T12:51:00.003+01:00

HMS Blyth, built by Vosper Thorneycroft (UK) Ltd, was launched by Lady Charlotte Garnett on 4th July 2000. After her final period of fitting out she was formally accepted into the Royal Navy on 28th February 2001. Sea trails were conducted to ensure the ship was capable of operations in the most testing of conditions and then a period of Operational Sea Training provided the ship's company with the training they needed to ensure Blyth can achieve everything expected of her.

HMS Blyth completed her first operational deployment on the 22 May 2003. The deployment began 10 September 2002 and saw the ship deploy through the Mediterranean on NATO Exercises, then through Suez into the Gulf to support Operation Telic. HMS Blyth found and destroyed 5 mines as part of this Operation.

Previous Blyths
The ship is the second to bear the name Blyth, the first being a Bangor class minesweeper launched 2 Sept 1940. She suffered from excessive vibration and was not completed until Jun 1941 when she joined the 13th Mine Sweeping Flotilla (MSF) under the Plymouth Command. In December 1942, she was transferred to the 9th MSF as part of the Portsmouth Command. Due to her continuing problems with excessive vibration she was declared unsuitable for mine sweeping duties and as a result assumed an air-sea rescue role.

Notwithstanding her mechanical problems she was involved in a series of live operations earning her battle honours. She was placed in reserve in 1946 and sold in 1948 and renamed Radbourne. After a short career as a ferry she was broken up in November 1952.

HMS Ramsey is the tenth of the Sandown Class of Single Role Minehunters to enter service and the third Royal Navy ship to bear the name. Constructed by a sophisticated modular process, Ramsey was built from glass-reinforced plastic by Vosper Thorneycroft (UK) Ltd at their Southampton yard.

The ship was launched by Lady Alynne Dunt on 25 November 1999 and was accepted by the Royal Navy on 26 July 2000. HMS Ramsey has a ship's company of 5 Officers, 7 Senior Ratings and 22 Junior Ratings. HMS Ramsey is affiliated to the town of Ramsey on the Isle of Man; The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company; the Ramsey Charitable Trust; the Manx Sailing and Cruising Club, Ramsey Grammar School, the Ramsey Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Sea Cadet Unit TS Whitehaven. In addition to the official affiliations that HMS Ramsey has on the Isle of Man she also has a strong link with Ramsey's Royal Naval Association

Forgot to say that both ships are berthed in Valletta at the moment and my friend and I went there this morning to take some shots.

Beautiful Sunset photo

2009-02-18T09:52:00.002+01:00

Yesterday on one of our local newspapers (online) I found this beautiful photo of a Sunset taken by Mr. Fsadni. The photo was taken from Mellieha. Well done Mr Fsadni, this is an amazing shot!!

600th post Wishing you all a happy Valentine's day

2009-02-14T07:04:00.003+01:00

On Valentine's day we think about the people who are dear,
how much they add to life's delight whenever they are near.....

here's to you all fellow bloggers and friends ..........

Valentine treasures are people who
have often crossed your mind,
family, friends and others, too,
who in your life have shined
the warmth of love or a spark of light
that makes you remember them;
no matter how long since you’ve actually met,
each one is a luminous gem
who gleams and glows in your memory,
bringing special pleasures,
and that’s why this Valentine comes to you:
You’re one of those sparkling treasures!

St. Paul's Shipwreck - Malta

2009-02-08T08:19:00.004+01:00

Today Malta celebrates the shipwreck of St.Paul to our islands.
St.Paul's Bay is found in the northern part of the island (no. 55 showing on the map). Birzebbuga the town where I come from is found in the southern part of the island (no.15). To give you an idea how small Malta is, to drive from my town up to St.Paul's town it will take not more than 45 minutes.

In the year 60 AD an event took place that is comprehensively described in the Bible: the shipwreck of the apostle Paul (Acts of the Apostles 27 and 28) . According to the legend this shipwreck took place at St. Paul's Bay. Saint Paul stayed in Malta for three months and performed a number of miracles, like the healing of the father of Publius, the Roman governor. Publius became the first bishop of Malta. Tradition has it, that St. Paul converted the Maltese to christianity, but there is no historical evidence to prove it. The first signs of the existence of a christian community in Malta date back to not earlier than the fourth century. Nevertheless Saint Paul is regarded as the one who brought christianity to Malta; Saint Paul is the patron saint of Malta and the cathedral of Mdina is dedicated to him.

The shipwreck of St. Paul in 60 AD is recorded in some detail in the Acts of the Apostles, and a Pauline tradition of long standing supported by archeological excavations carried out at San Pawl Milqghi prove beyond doubt that his arrival in Malta is a historical fact and it is also a fact that during his three-month stay on the Island he sowed the first seeds of the Christian Religion to which Maltese people overwhelmingly belong, but inevitably, a number of legends have grown up over the centuries, some verging on the impossible, but others not without a grain of truth.

The Apostle Paul was, at this time, being conducted to Rome under arrest to be judged before Caesar as was his right as a Roman Citizen. Amongst the other prisoners was the physician St. Luke who recorded the account of that eventful journey.

The nearest habitation to the place of shipwreck was the villa of Publius, the Chief Man of the Island. All those who had been shipwrecked spent three days there and after they had regained their strength they moved on to Melita the chief town of rile island. In the city Paul cured Publius' father of a fever after which the Chief Man of the Island was converted to Christianity and later ordained Bishop by St. Paul. St. Publius was the first bishop of Malta. After three months, by which time, the sea was again reckoned to be safe for navigation, and loaded with gifts from his Maltese friends, Saint Paul sailed away to Rome and to his subsequent martyrdom. When the Roman Emperor Constantine embraced Christianity and made it the official religion of the Empire it may be assumed that Christian worship was better organized and that a number of places of assembly were built in various places in the islands. Tradition has it that one such church was built on the site of the palace of Publius, where St. Paul had cured the father of the Chief Man of the Island. Many times rebuilt, the site is now occupied by the Cathedral Church dedicated to Saint Paul at Mdina.

What a nice sunset....

2009-02-08T08:13:00.003+01:00

As a person I love sunrise more than sunset, however there are times when I think sunsets are magical. The setting wasn't ideal but hey you can't postpone such a shot !! I hope you all like it. Good Sunday to you all.

Me to You !!

2009-02-02T13:09:00.003+01:00

Love is in the air ........... After our morning ritual my friend Laetitia and I needed to go to Msida a town 20 minutes drive away from Birzebbuga. Little did we know that we were about to come across this cute 'little big bear'!! We even told him that he looked cute!!

Departure's Lounge

2009-01-31T09:59:00.001+01:00

Here is the departure's lounge at Malta's International airport. I must day it was pretty quiet the day I took the photos.