When planning this trip, I’d been advised not to hire a car because the Maltese drive like maniacs. We decided to go against this advice and hire a car anyway and were surprised that it wasn’t as bad as expected.
Sunday the loose plan was to go to the Blue Lagoon on the island of Camino but we hadn’t really looked into it very much, and instead Glen had found the Blue Grotto (different place). It was about 30 minutes drive south of us and was an €8 boat trip to see, bringing us back to dry land in not much time at all. We opted for this.
We roused Donna at 9am and left the apartment by 9:30. Hertz didn’t have any cars available so we walked to the next place, which was a newsagent/convenience store/tour booking operator/car hire place. Looked dodgy but they had a cheap car available.
It took a while to get it sorted as none of our credit cards worked (one was required to ‘hold’ in case of damage). Glen walked back to get one of his but in the meantime the guy got it all working so by the time Glen got back to us we were ready to go.
Donna drove as she was the only one on the forms. Usually I’m the one who does the driving so it was nice to sit in the back and do nothing for a change—nothing except occasionally offer helpful (and incorrect) directions, much to Glen’s annoyance.
Blue Grotto
We arrived at this tourist trap at about 11:30 or 12 and wandered down to buy our tickets. Little boats that fit nine people left every ten minutes; we didn’t have to wait long. Glen came along, despite his fear of drowning or being eaten by something and his propensity to get seasick. He’d enjoy himself, or die trying, dammit!
The boat puttered along the beautiful and rocky coastline, going in and out of bays and caves, with the driver shouting out the names of the caves or pointing out features. The Blue Grotto itself wasn’t very blue, mostly because we weren’t there at the right time of day. It was pitch-black inside.
The water itself was stunning! Such a vibrant blue, and then when you looked down you could see all the way through. I loved it. And for a 20-minute experience it was about all I really needed. It would have been nice to go for a swim but it wasn’t allowed (it was also quite rocky).
We got back to dry land and jumped in the car, heading to Mdina for lunch.
Mdina
Mdina hadn’t been on my radar but as it was the previous capital city and in the vicinity we decided to go. So glad we did. It’s a small walled city and very quiet—I think it’s also called the Silent City. Easy to walk through, I loved it.
While in Mdina it was very easy to keep saying ‘Mmmm dinner’, and then ‘Mmmm lunch’. I’m surely the locals must love that.
We stopped for lunch in a cafe inside a palace. Everywhere was busy because there are tourists and it’s father’s day but we managed to get a table underneath a lemon tree and had a wonderful relaxing lunch.
We completed our walk of the city and exited the city gates, finding the car intact and heading off to visit a beach.
Ghajn Tuffieha
Our Airbnb host had suggested Ghajn Tuffieha as a good beach. It also wasn’t too far from where we were. We found a parking spot and headed down into the wind, the water in the bay looking quite rough. Nevertheless, we hired sunbeds and an umbrella and set ourselves up by the water.
Donna and I dutifully applied sunscreen (You can take the kids out of Australia…), lounged for a bit, then Donna and Glen went into the cold water. Glen didn’t get beyond his shins but Donna continued on then I joined her, forcing myself through the chill. It turned out to be really lovely.
Then Donna got stung by a jellyfish and I turned around to see a nasty purple-tentacled one coming straight for my chest. I might have shouted out something. We decided to go in. Donna went and got her leg sprayed—along with a lot of other people. Most people cleared out at that point.
We stayed on our sunbeds then. The wind picked up. Clouds kept obscuring the sun. We’re spoilt for beaches in WA—shame Glen and I never really use them. We decided to call it a day and then at 4:30 packed up and Donna drove us back to town.
Last Night in Sliema
We had a quiet night at home—washing, cooking leftovers (along with a few other things Glen bought from the supermarket), and watching TV, drinking, and chatting to Paul who came by for a visit. I think we were in bed by 10. Talk about an early night! But with all the sun and the activities, I wasn’t sorry about it.
It’s been a great—if quick—trip to Malta. I wouldn’t mind seeing Gozo and the Blue Lagoon, maybe if we have another few days to kill while we’re somewhere else in the area. Maybe combine it with a longer trip in Turkey (which still has plenty to offer). Malta has been lovely and I’m so glad we got to have this little bit of time here, especially with my sister.
Off to Copenhagen tomorrow.
Travels with Dan 
What do you say, eh?