We left the port of Valletta, Malta in the Maltese Islands at 5:15 AM this morning and docked at the neighboring Island of Gozo, also in the Maltese Islands at 8:00 AM. Locals just use the ferry, which takes some 25 minutes.
This much smaller island of some 30,000 inhabitants boasts the same architecture with the same honey colored limestone construction and winding narrow streets within the city but much more rural. We meet our same guide, Paula this morning and coach through some lovely villages, though appearing devoid of much humanity. The port area of Mgarro was busy, as it was morning rush hour, but outside of the city, relatively quiet and less traffic.
We traveled first to the city of Xaghra and visited the Gantija (Gigantic) Temples. This UNESCO site dates from 3,600 BC. It is reminiscent of other prehistoric sites, such as Stonehenge where huge stone structures are erected around seemingly sacred sites. These also are oriented to line up with solar equinox and are accurate for setting times. These temples are more complete with alters and separate rooms. They are striking and the adjoining museum displays found artifacts which reveal that the temples were honouring fertility figures and the probably deities were women.
We moved onward then to stop at the eastern seaside salt pans; areas next to the sea that were carved into shallow pans that would fill with sea water, and then, as the season passed, would evaporate the water and leave behind sea salt to be scraped up and sacked for use in trade. This tradition persists to this day.
We next travel to the capital city of Victoria (Rabat) and tour the Citadel at the high point of the city. The Citadel was constructed by the Knights of the order of St. John and is the only walled city on Gozo. This city is no longer occupied, but is now a hunch area to explore the history of this area from the last 1,000 years. Beautifully restored in most areas, but also left in ruins from the 1693 earthquake. Wonderful views from the top of the entire island and stretching to the island of Malta.
We stopped for a quick rest break in the village of Xlendi, a seaside resort tucked into a small bay. Lovely small restaurants lining the shore with apartments and homes rising up the cliffs. Very relaxing.
We jumped back on the tends boats in port and motored out to our waiting ship at 2:30 in preparation for sailing onward. Gozo was a wonderful stop and many thought they might return for a more leisurely and restful stay in the future.
This evening seven of our party dined in the more secluded and quiet Pinnacle Restaurant for a late dinner. This separate dining area on the ship boasts a smaller and more attentive staff and a separate menu. Good food, good service but a late night. Into our rooms around 10:15.
