Island of Gozo

...would not give up this island which translated means "haven" This is why the Maltese Island and its people were awarded the george cross. During one particular raid the church was packed with people when this bomb went directly through the centre of the dome roof. It did not explode!!! So, today all visitors can see this incredible man made lump of explosive designed to elliminate life standing upright in a church of god! If your into history ...
...first person stepped on the Island right through to the modern today.

The Grand Master Palace. This is in Valletta, Malta's capital city. Bustling with people and many a tourist place...Just watch out for those tourist restaurants... You can avoid this by going to a lovely little place called "Eddies" lots of seats outside and for a cafe restaurant the waiters are VERY good. But please give a tip because they work for 40 ... more

OK believe it or not this review is about 1/30th of my university thesis!!! this is going to be a long review so make sure you have some time spare! BUT holds valuable impartial information. Perhaps I should have completed seperate reviews to clock up the ratings but I want to share with you all the glorious places that make a trip to Malta worthwhile and leave you going home saying...it was beautiful...I loved it.

Where do I start... Lets start with one of the most famous cathederals in the history of humankind...the 5th larget unsuported dome in the world that houses a WWII unexploded german bomb thats HUGE in size. Quite simply put, walking into this cathederal is humbling, makes you feel insignificant. It is in Mosta's centre and really...you cant miss it. When you walk in you will be greeted by magnificant architecture, stained windows that beg to be stared at and statues galore. Inside it is huge, you literally have to tilt your head vertical and back some more to look directly up to its roof centre. The german unexploded bomb is housed for all to see.

The true story is:- During WWII Malta had the most bombs dropped on it than any other country in the war...truth. The Maltese just would not give up this island which translated means "haven" This is why the Maltese Island and its people were awarded the george cross. During one particular raid the church was packed with people when this bomb went directly through the centre of the dome roof. It did not explode!!! So, today all visitors can see this incredible man made lump of explosive designed to elliminate life standing upright in a church of god! If your into history or WWII or lived through it your mind will flash. It really is a humbling experience.

The Blue Lagoon. Every time I take a pleasure boat or speed boat to the Blue Lagoon my heart thumps. Below the surface ot the water you can see bright coral over 150 feet down. The water is so clean. Ian Flemmings James Bond made underwater scenes here. As you come to the natural stone arches which tower above you there is one particular arch you must see. It is an arch with a naturally occurring face of a man. The maltese believe this to be the presence of Jesus Christ. To see it...well, you have to see it. You will ask the skipper to stop the boat just to view it (which they usually do) and when you move on you will be left in awe whether your a believer or not at all.

Mdina... Previously mentioned in my other review on Malta, General under the same title as this titles review. However, as a short recap. It houses an enormous amount of history, a maze of little alleys, a lovers dream, previously royalty and the knights of Malta lived there and to this day only direct pure decendents can own property there. Its called the silent city because at night it is very quiet, even during the day with many people it is still quiet. Do go to see the "Malta Experience" when in Mdina. It a picture show that goes through all of maltas history from the time the first person stepped on the Island right through to the modern today.

The Grand Master Palace. This is in Valletta, Malta's capital city. Bustling with people and many a tourist place...Just watch out for those tourist restaurants... You can avoid this by going to a lovely little place called "Eddies" lots of seats outside and for a cafe restaurant the waiters are VERY good. But please give a tip because they work for 40 lira a week, thats about £90 sterling. There are many other restaurants...Malta is full of them but I will do a seperate review on those another time. Back to the Grand Master Palace. When your inside its simply breath taking even just to see how the master of Malta used to live in such lavish luxury. Again it is full of history that yields such culture and wealth. As the name suggests it is a palace and a sight to see.

Anywhere in Rabat :-) Have you guessed this is my favourite place on the Island... As mentioned it houses Mdina. It also has Howard Gardens which is very peaceful even though busy! Here you can see reall catacumbs many thousands of years old. Saint Pauls Catacombs in the centre of Rabat is the best to see. There is also Saint Agatha's Catacombs which is good to see as a comparisson. Rabat is very small. Right now its best not to eat at the "point de view" it used to be great food but now the only food thats good is their pizza and thats starting to go downhill. I feel you should know this even though I used to go there every week to eat! Rabat is greatly becoming the centre for tourists. Take a ride in the horse drawn carts...its an experience!...a good one at that but can cost up to 15 lira....just haggle haggle haggle!!!!!! DONT TAKE A TAXI WITHOUT AGREEING A PRICE FIRST........ that goes for anywhere on the island. The bus terminal is in the centre of Rabat and will cost you a maximum of 50 cents per one way trip, though taxi is comfortable and air conditioned....and smooth! some roads are terrible :-)

Dingli cliffs offers beautiful views and such peace. Go there for a picknick and soon you will feel very relaxed. There is an incredible canyon there and steps to go down right to the sea... The ex prime minister "Mintoff" had the steps done because he had a little hide away by the waters edge! Be very carefull though the water can sweep you away and it has happened to the unsuspecting before...and there is NO chance of rescue!

Churches.....Churches churches churches...there are 364 on the island....how many do you want to see just take your pick! I may do a seperate review but depends on how many want to read it. If you would like to see a review please let me know when you write a comment. The more that are interested the more I will write as it will take at some hours to write such a review!

Valletta. Not wanting to bypass Valletta but this really needs a seperate review on whats good otherwise you will still be reading for hours...literally! I will post a review soon but it will take some time to write up.

Sliema. The place where people walk to be seen! can be rather expensive...think Kensigton in the UK and Holywood in USA...this is Malta's answer, albiet though not nearly as glamourous. Sliema is a large cosmopolitan town that is simply packed with cafes, shops, bars, restaurants and the odd Burger King! Some very exclusive designer clothes here. Please DO NOT take a car here to visit...it will take hours to find parking...if your very lucky.

Tarxien (pronounced: tarr sheen) Close to Paloa (pronounced: powla) Tarxien holds archaeological sites, neolithic temples, alot of very complex burial chambers which are underground dating back some 3000 years or so and also a dark cave (known as Ghar Dalam, pronounced: arr dalam) The dark cave holds many remains of very exotic and extinct species of birds and animals. Have you ever seen a dwarf hippo or dwarf elephant? you can see them here!

Lastly Gozo and Comino (Malta's sister Islands) Comino is very rarley touched upon. Both places holds a magnitude of its own. It really is simply breathtaking. After 6pm it is so quiet you will think your this tiny little island is yours. If your after a remarkably tranquil time this place is it. Time stands still...dont take your phone! Be sure to visit the red beach. The sand is litterally redish in colour. Gharb (pronounced: Arb) is a lovely little place. I used to work there. The people are so friendly and close is quite possibly on of the most wonderful and beautiful churches in Malta. It is fantastic and so very beautiful. The church itself is also an official place of pilgramage to the Vatican!

Comino is between Gozo and Malta...when you fly over Malta and turn around to land its the tiny tiny little island that you will see for about 7 seconds outside your airplane window :-) Comino is so incredibly quiet. There are a handful of farmers living there...yes a handful. They have the island all to themselves so this really is the place to "get away from absolutely "everything". Comino is abound with wild growing herbs...the smell of cumin in some areas is very strong! Obviously this is what the farmers grow :-) Actually, this is where the Blue Lagoon is.

In another review I will give impartial advice of where its best not to go and the title will be headed as so... I feel this is only fair and I despise visitors and tourists being ripped off because I have been in the past. All my future reviews for Malta will come under the same title to make them easier to find... Insider secrets (to Malta) from a Maltese man :-) Hope you enjoyed reading my review. 

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