Our day started with a bus ride to Marsaxlokk, a charming little fishing village tucked away in southeastern Malta. This tiny village is known for its picturesque views, seafood, and historical charm.
We had heard about their fabulous Sunday fish market, so of course, we chose Sunday to visit. But no market today! No idea why. No biggie, though; we still strutted around and enjoyed a lovely lunch along the water. We had a salad while many around us ordered massive seafood platters.
It was more enjoyable to sit and watch the waves of tourists go by than to navigate the pedestrian traffic. It is the busiest, most touristy populated stop yet, but it is still lovely to see.
My personal highlight of this village visit was passing a fisherman diligently working on his net in a shop, away from the tourist crowd, while his trusty sidekick took a fishy nap right on the net. I know how much dogs love the smell of dead fish. I can only imagine the happy dreams this dog was having, napping on a stinky fishing net close to his friend.
We hopped on the bus to catch a boat that toured us around Valletta. What a spectacle! Valletta's Grand Harbour is like a bustling traffic jam for boats of all sizes – from colossal cruise ships to itty-bitty rowboats. And the shorelines? A maze of breathtaking historical forts, historical architecture, and a sprinkle of modernity in between. It was like travelling back in time.
As the sun descended, we retraced our steps to the End of Summer Festival in the park for some evening entertainment. Those performers were surprisingly good, dishing out some popular tunes. Afterward, we sauntered along the waterfront and stumbled upon more luxurious yachts. Many of them call Valletta home. We spoke with one charming English couple who live year-round on their yacht and plan to winter here.
Our next day: Gozo.
The boat ride to Gozo was also scenic. Once we reached the island, we hopped onto the Hop on Hop off bus for an island tour.
Gozo is a small island that has a treasure trove of history and intrigue. It's even home to the world's oldest freestanding structures – the Ggantija Temples. These 5,500-year-old marvels have earned themselves a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and they're older than the pyramids of Egypt! Imagine that.
For lunch, we made a pit stop at Munxar, a quaint village by the water with restaurants along the serene bay. Watching the swimmers and scuba divers in the crystal-clear, calm waters was relaxing.
We capped off the day with a tasty meal at a vegan restaurant and a stroll along the picturesque harbour.
