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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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Thursday 18 February 2010

Ghajn Tuffieha

Situated on the north-west coast of our island is a little gem of a bay known as Ghajn Tuffieha. This bay is rather secluded and access is via around 200 steps that lead down to the beach from a car park situated at the top of the hill. Another option is to hike down the clay footpaths. In this area there is a predominant layer of clay which supports a very unique type of flora and fauna. The clay hills which enclose this bay are protected areas and are patrolled and monitored by the GAIA Foundation ( a non-profit, non-government organization that specializes in environment management). Various projects are underway to propogate  and conserve endemic species and phase out any others that are not part of the local ecosystem. The entrance to this bay is guarded to this day by a tower built in the 17th century. History is never too far away in Malta.

With its stretch of red-gold sand and crystal clear blue water, this little bay is an idyllic spot both during the summer and in winter. Whilst summer-time finds this beach crowded with sunbathers and swimmers, in the winter it is transformed into an oasis of serene beauty: a place where you can sit down and enjoy the silence while listening to the sea whisper its secrets.

 

Ghajn Tuffieha (2)Ghajn Tuffieha (20)  Ghajn Tuffieha (7) Ghajn Tuffieha (8) Ghajn Tuffieha (10) Ghajn Tuffieha (12) Ghajn Tuffieha (13) Ghajn Tuffieha (19)

These photos were taken on a bright and sunny winter’s day last year. They were taken from the footpaths and the only glimpse of the sandy beach is in the very first picture.

6 comments:

  1. The bay does look secluded and peaceful. I love the colors of the water and the vegetation on the hills.

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  2. I would love to take a walk on that footpath, Loree!

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  3. Wow..there is something so serenely captivating about these photos..the energy..the colors.. it is very uplitfing! Fabulous!
    Kiki~

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  4. This looks like a wonderful place to take a walk or sit for a time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells. So lovely!

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  5. What a beautiful tour with your beautiful pictures and information, Loree..Just so peaceful looking.

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  6. Howdy Loree
    Oh my I can hear the Sea calling my name.
    This would be such a fabulous place to visit and paint or sketch,or write ,or simply a place to dream .
    Thank you so much for sharing your photos of this truly wonderful bit of heavenly peace.
    I feel better already just dreaming of walking about the old footpaths that so many others have walked before us.
    Perhaps they are trying to find a soul who can be still long enough to hear their stories from ancient times.
    Blessings of joy to you and yours.
    Big Texas hugs
    Happy Trails

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