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This blog is dedicated to Malta - my island home. My aim is not to bore you with history but to share my thoughts and a few facts together with a photo or two. For a more in -depth background of the island please go here. The purpose of this blog is not to point out the short-comings of the island. There are plenty that do that already. My wish is to show you the beauty of an island at the cross roads of the Mediterranean, a melting pot of history; a place where fact and fiction are sometimes fused to create unique myths and legends; a country that has been conquered so many times that our culture is a mish mesh of the lands that surround us and of lands far away. I confess that my greatest desire is to make you fall in love with this tiny enchanting island.

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Sunday 11 November 2012

Snapshots of … An Island

Snapshots of … is a weekly series where the focus will be on the images. Each week I will choose a different place or theme and you will see it through my lens. Some weeks it will give you a better idea of ‘the big picture’, while on other weeks I might just zoom in on the details. So, without further ado, here is the first installment in this series. It will take you on a small tour of Malta – the must-see places if you are here on a very short visit. Although by no means an exhaustive list, it will give you an idea of what the island has to offer – apart from the sea and sun.

The capital city, Valletta, is a  UNESCO World  Heritage Site and there is plenty to discover.

Valletta & Sliema (25)

Grand Harbour, Valletta’s natural harbour, has been fortified over many centuries. It is a place of unparalleled beauty and the best way to experience it is on one of the many harbour cruises that provide a commentary about the history and main landmarks of the harbour.

Valletta (31)

In the centre of the island, Mdina, the old capital city, sits proudly on its lofty bastions. This little walled city is a maze of winding streets, Baroque palaces, and a medieval core that has withstood the ravages of time.Winter countryside (14)

A few kilometres away from Mdina, the cliffs at Dingli have always provided the island with impenetrable natural fortifications.

Dingli Cliffs 002

In the ancient past, Malta was thought to be the religious centre of a temple-building community. Hagar Qim (Mighty Stones) temple is one of the best places to learn more about Malta’s Neolithic past.

P5050640

In the south of the island, the ancient harbour of Marsaxlokk , studded with traditional Maltese boats, is always a colourful sight.

Marsaxlokk (4)

San Anton Palace is the official residence of the President of Malta. The chapel and the gardens surrounding the Palace are open to the public and are a haven of tranquility.

P9074709

Without hesitation I would say that the most beautiful beach is not found in Malta but on the neighbouring island of Comino, a short boat trip away. The beach, known as Bejn il-Kmiemen and re-named the Blue Lagoon, has the most wonderful crystal clear waters. Unless you love crowds, avoid the Blue Lagoon between the months of June and September. The place comes into its own when it can be enjoyed in relative solitude. Comino itself is worth a visit and a walk around the tiny island offers the visitor the opportunity to explore its many cliffs and secluded coves.

October 2004 035

PS if you enjoy reading about Malta, and feel so inclined, I invite you to click the badge at the top of this page and vote for this blog or follow the link here. Thank you.

6 comments:

  1. Those waters just look unfamiliar to my eyes. I didn't even see water of either that depth or clarity off the shores of Honolulu, Loree.

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  2. Hello Loree:
    What a wonderful introduction to some of the many beauties to be found in and around Malta which is, so very clearly, steeped in history. It is certainly somewhere we should much like to visit one day.

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  3. Just makes me want to go all the more!

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  4. Loree! I am so sorry that I totally forgot about this, your second blog!! I will go back and edit my post that mentions you this afternoon. Sooorrryy!!! But happy to be here now and voted for you too. :)

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  5. Wow..beautiful..stunning sceneries....and always such captivating shots..pure bliss!
    Wonderful Loree!!
    Victoria

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  6. I remember this beautiful skyline from our cruise ship ! When we approached Malta !
    BTW the Yoga is not for the cats but it's for me ! A friend had offered me this book to do Yoga exercises, lol !

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