Category Archives: Malta

The Island of Joy

Island of Gozo, Malta, Ta’ Mena Estate, ,

We are going to miss this place. Very low key.

Today we hired a car to the drive us around the island. The driver, Joe Grech is a native born Gozan and like others we have met very proud of his island. A good man, here are some of the interesting points he shares with us:

  • Gozo means ‘The Island of Joy’ in Aragonese. I have read it means ‘joy’ in spanish.
  • The island was home to Calypso who kept Odysseus as a `prisoner of love’ for seven years. Odysseus was shipwrecked in Ramla Bay on the north shore of the island, also the location of Calypso’s cave.
  • The Italians twice tried to invade the Islands in World War 2. The were strongly repulsed when they tried to take the main island of Malta, when they tried to invade the more poorly fortified island of Gozo  they were so unnerved when they met no resistance they thought it was a trap and withdrew.
  • Gozo has been invaded many times over the centuries. In WW2 the United States launched its invasion of Sicily from Goza, the only time the island helped invade another country.
  • The origin of the Shrine of Our Lady of ta’ Pinu is unknown but it became famous when three farmers nearby heard a female voice ask them to say three Hail Marys. Over the year miracles became associated with the shrine and those whose prayers were answered came to leave their stories and thanks including Pope John-Paul II who prayed to the Lady of ta’ Pinu when his plane was in trouble.
  • There has been several efforts to connect the islands of Malta and Gozo via a bridge an all have failed. Recently Chinese companies have taken interest in the country and bought up part of the power company here. They are pushing for construction of the bridge and although many Gozo natives are against it the effort may succeed this time.

Gozo is a very green island and the natives are rightly proud of this. Joe took us to Ta’ Mena Estate for lunch where we were hosted by Joe and Margaret Spiteri, Joe’s mother Carmela started the estate and was an early proponent of Agri-tourism. The family has continued the tradition and we had some great traditional dishes with them. Thanks Joe and Margaret, we will return!

Dinner was at The Boat House in Xlendi Bay but after Ta’ Mena Estate… Sorry guys!

One of the stone quarries of Gozo.
One of the stone quarries of Gozo.

The Azure Window.
The Azure Window.

Syd at the Azure Window.
Syd at the Azure Window.

Fungus Rock where a plant grew that was thought to help heal wounds & dysentery. Harvesting it with out permission was a good way to end up on a slave boat!
Fungus Rock where a plant grew that was thought to help heal wounds & dysentery. Harvesting it with out permission was a good way to end up on a slave boat!

The Shrine of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu.

The alter in Ta' Pinu.
The alter in Ta’ Pinu.

The old shrine in Ta' Pinu.
The old shrine in Ta’ Pinu.

Some of the thank you letters in Ta' Pinu.
Some of the thank you letters in Ta’ Pinu.

Looking across the island towards Victoria.
Looking across the island towards Victoria.

The Saltpans on the north shore of Gozo.
The Saltpans on the north shore of Gozo.

Too bright for pictures Dad!
Too bright for pictures Dad!

Ramla Bay where we went swimming.
Ramla Bay where we went swimming.

The view from Ta’ Mena Estate, definitely not Napa!
The view from Ta’ Mena Estate, definitely not Napa!

Joe of Ta’ Mena Estate feeding the baby goats.
Joe of Ta’ Mena Estate feeding the baby goats.

Syd with the owners of Ta’ Mena, Joe and Margaret Spiteri.
Syd with the owners of Ta’ Mena, Joe and Margaret Spiteri.

The view from The Boathouse resturant in Xlendi.
The view from The Boathouse resturant in Xlendi.

Għarb

Għarb, Island of Gozo, Malta, San Lawrenz, , ,

We spent most of the day doing something I am very bad at, sitting still. Well not exactly, we did swim but laying around has not been one of my strong points but Kim made me promise to slow down on this trip a little and we did… at least during the day.

Tonight was the highlight of the celebration we have been hearing via explosions, the Feast of The Visitation of Our Lady in nearby Għarb. Pronounced ‘harb’ and means west in Arabic the village was an easy walk from our hotel how could we resist not going. Great to see a local celebration and dined on savory crepes and beer (well, coke for Syd) for under €15 for all three of us. Could not ask for a better day.

The crowd building up in front of the Basilica of the Visitation in Għarb.
The crowd building up in front of the Basilica of the Visitation in Għarb.
Inside the Basilica.
Inside the Basilica.
Source of some great Crepes.
Source of some great Crepes.
The fireworks that have kept us entertained for several days.
The fireworks that have kept us entertained for several days.
One of the bands that warmed up the crowd.
One of the bands that warmed up the crowd.
The precession beginning.
The precession beginning.
As the 'centerpiece' went by...
As the ‘centerpiece’ went by…
... the fireworks went wild! Disney would have been proud.
… the fireworks went wild! Disney would have been proud.
The celebration in front of the The ladies in front of the Basilica of the Visitation in Għarb.
The celebration in front of the The ladies in front of the Basilica of the Visitation in Għarb.
Going home with some spoils...
Going home with some spoils…