After wandering around the morning outdoor markets near our apartment, buying fruit and taking photographs, we walked to the bus station to check the schedule to Taormina. We learned that it was the wrong station, but that we were in time to head to Syracuse instead. Upon arrival in Syracuse, we immediately headed to Ortygia. We found more outdoor markets, strolled the seashore, and explored the many tiny alleys that make up this beautiful residential area. The picturesque narrow lanes surround the huge cathedral piazza. Siracusa is famous for both its Greek and Roman history and ruins.
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The clouds were certainly gathering as we approached Gozo by ferry. In a part of the world that boasts year round sunshine, our four night visit happened to correspond with a four day stretch of thunderstorms & rain. Our room had nice views in both directions, though. The village of Xaghra centres around the parish church square. Breakfast #1 at Bambina B&B / D Golden Valley Boutique & Breakfast We walked to Ramla Bay (and back)… twice. The first time was in rather stormy weather and we hiked up above Calypso's Cave on our return. We returned to Ramla Bay Beach a second time in better weather to experience the views from Tal-Mixta cave on the far side of the bay. We decided to make the twenty minute walk to Marsalforn because it wasn't raining, but just as we arrived, the skies opened once more. The beach resort town was virtually deserted, as waves crashed over the seafront promenade, spewing flotsam onto the main road. More breakfasts on Gozo... In Gozo's capital, Victoria, our first stop was St. George's Basilica. The city's highlight is its citadel, featuring the Cathedral of the Assumption, and remarkable views from the rampart walls. We carried on to the seaside village of Xlendi and strolled its promenade. After admiring the hilltop statue of the Risen Christ from our bedroom, the patio, and several buses, we decided to hike up for a closer look. We finally enjoyed clear skies and sunshine outside our bedroom patio. Naturally there was nothing but blue skies and sunshine in the forecast when we left Gozo to make the day's journey to Catania, Sicily, Italy.
Ghadira Beach, Mellieha Bay Golden Bay Beach, Golden Bay, Malta Riviera Beach, Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, Malta I had fun playing in the surf. Exploring the ridge between Għajn Tuffieħa Bay and Ġnejna Bay. Mission accomplished!
This time I used Facebook Messenger to get confirmation that the boats to Comino would be running. We passed by the caves en route. We beat the crowds to Comino's spectacular Blue Lagoon. We hiked past Crystal Lagoon to St. Mary's Tower... Movie buffs may recognize this tower as the prison where the Count of Montecristo was kept in the 2002 version of Alexandre Dumas's novel. ...and then on to St. Mary's Bay. The Comino Hotel dominates San Niklaw Bay. From there, the short walk back to the Blue Lagoon featured beautiful views across to Gozo. The crowds had reached the Blue Lagoon & the boats just kept arriving. I enjoyed a quick swim in the clear waters before taking the boat back.
We flew to Malta via Paris. From the airport we took a local bus to Mellieha Bay. Our apartment (for four nights) affords a view of the parish church atop the hill from the front patio, and a peek-a-boo glimpse of the ocean from the two bedrooms (the neighbours' Canada flag was a pleasant surprise). On our first evening, we took a quick look around and bought some basic groceries, including pasta, bread, pesto, yoghurt, and beer. It was 28 degrees when we arrived, so we appreciated the winds coming from the ocean. Our gratitude diminished after taking a morning bus to the ferry terminal only to discover that the ferry to Comino was cancelled for the entire day because of high winds. We hiked up to the Red Tower. Ghadira Beach, Mellieha Bay, Malta We walked to Anchor Bay to see the set of the 1980 musical "Popeye", starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall. After another grocery run (chicken kiev, ice-cream, eggs, bananas, etc.), we walked along the shoreline and I took a quick dip at Ghadira Beach. Another evening stroll up the hill into town.
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