2010 June - Malta

Trip from The Popeye Village to The Golden Bay

June was really busy. We had many quests in our flat and we visited many places.

Near Mellieha there is the Popeye Village. We didn’t have got a car so the best way was to get a bus to Mellieha Bay bus no.45 and got off at the first bus stop in Mellieha Bay.

Then we went back to a round abound and climbed a little on the main street. It was a 7 min walk to a road sign informing which way is correct to the village. There is a local road approximately 1 km long. 

 

The Popeye Village is superb especially when you to go there with children. On the right hand side we had the Popeye Village and we went straight on our road where is a ‘wild parking place’ and a spectacular view of the village. 

There is gorge carved into the rock and at the end there is an old breakwater. There is a very good place for snorkelling and an amazing one for diving. Sometimes there are fishing but not in summer time because there are many children in the water of the Popeye’s Village water park. 

We stopped there for a moment and went to Golden Bay. The weather was really good, sun was high and the wind was not too strong, so the trip was very nice. 

We walked near the sea, where we found fossils of shells and many fig-trees. When we pass Snuber Tower we started to climb, it wasn’t easy way. 

The rocks were sharp and sometimes there was clay area. All trip takes us about 3 hour and on sandy beach we have a good rest. 

There are 3 sandy beach, first is Golden Bay, second one is Ghajn Bay and third one called Gnejna Bay, but in my opinion the best one is Ghajn Bay. From here there are buses to St. Paul’s Bay and to Valletta.  

Ta-Qali

Between Mosta and Mdina there is Ta-Qali. An old airport and the National Park, a playground for children, a green zone for weekend barbeques, The Craft Village, The National Soccer stadium and the Aviation Museum. 

The Craft Village consists of old barracks inside which you can find all kind of handcraft from Malta. There are some jewelry shops, craft shops and two glass factory inside which it is possible to see how they make the Maltese glass. There are shops which are very exclusive and normal ones – what is important is that it is possible to have a special price when you buy two or more things in one shop.

The green zone is a very huge place with a greenery and benches – every sunny weekend many Maltese are spending there free time playing, eating or reading books. Near this green zone is the National Soccer Station with a national swimming pool inside. Near the parking place is an entrance to the playground which is new and very colorful. There are special areas for smaller and older children. At the end of the playground there is the Adventure Park for children and adults. 

This is a very simple steel construction, which starts  in the same place where finishes. The lower course is for children and higher one for adults. The park has about 12 different obstacles and is very safe. 

Near the stadium there is the Aviation Museum but I have never been inside.
There is also The National Park which is green and quite big. All trees are planted by man there because this park was created at the old airport. Now this place is quiet on a sunny day. There is a possibility to hide in the shade of trees. 

The ‘Festa’ of Zebbug

In the summer time probably every weekend there is Festa somewhere. This time we decided to go to Zebbug which is between Rabat and Qormi. 

We were there on Sunday to see the fireworks. This is something really typical for this island, and Festa needs to be accompanied by fireworks.  We were there at about 7 pm to see a procession. 

It was like the one on Good Friday Procession, statue of saints were inside the church and then had tour around the city. People were sitting, walking and having good time. 

Firstly we visited the church then we found the procession and walked with them. The main street was full stalls where it was possible to buy something to drink, eat and typical island sweets called nuggats.

We tried some nugatts and enjoyed this amazing evening. At about 10 pm fireworks were started. This city had 2 different fireworks factory, so they competed. We had amazing time and back home very late.