Big Waves - Beautiful Cliffs

It was another blustery day along Malta's south coast, where we hiked along the Dingli Cliffs and watched the waves crash near the Blue Grotto. 

The cove pictured above is a spot where we were able to swim and snorkel back in September. Today, we had to dodge spray to even get close to the water's edge. 

We also made a stop at the Hager Qim neolithic temple complex and saw a lot of sheep near the 17th century St. Mary Magdalene Chapel. Click here for photos.

Mediterranean Christmas

The kids arrived in Malta on December 14 to celebrate the holiday season with us.  Click here and click here for photos from our adventures so far.  We have visited ancient ruins, including the Hypogeum and Tarxien Temples; hiked Malta's coasts, including Golden Bay and the Marfu Peninsula; explored historic Valletta, Rabat, and Mdina all dressed-up for Christmas; and today, we got up close and personal with some lovely owls, eagles, and peregrines at the Malta Falconry Center.   

Thanksgiving Weekend

It was a beautiful weekend for exploring. Click here for photos from our hikes around Malta and Gozo. The photo above was taken along our route from the Dingli Cliffs to Ghar Lapsi on Malta's southern coast. Along the way we discovered a winery where wine is buried and aged in qvevris - egg shaped earthenware vessels - instead of barrels. 

We also stopped by Hagar Qim, a very well preserved megalithic temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage site. The remains date back to 3200 BC. 

The photo below was taken in Gozo as we awaited the ferry back to Malta. In Gozo, we hiked along part of the Xlendi trail which passes through saltpans and alongside Gozo's southern cliffs, with views of Comino Island.

It was an interesting week in Malta politics.  A series of new developments related to the 2017 assassination of journalist Daphne Galizia led to several high profile arrests and resignations. Click here to read more. 

And finally, in honor of Thanksgiving, click here for a few throw-back photos from Thanksgivings past (2008-2010). We missed being with the kids for the holiday but are grateful they were well fed and loved by friends in Portland. 

Happy holidays all. 

Hiking the Cliffs of Marfa Ridge and Golden Bay

We explored the northeastern-most portion of Malta today by hiking the Marfa Ridge, then crossed over to the northwestern side of the island for more hiking along Golden Bay. Click here for photos. The weather was windy but mild and the views stunning. 

Along the way, we met a couple who races homing pigeons as a hobby. They had their birds out for some heavy-wind practice. 

We also stopped by the Red Tower, built in 1649 to guard the straits between Malta and Gozo, the island you see in the distance in many of the photos we took. The tower played a role in both world wars and is currently undergoing some restoration.

San Anton Gardens by Day - Valletta by Night

Yesterday we took a stroll through the gardens of San Anton Palace in Attard. The palace is the official residence of the president of Malta and was built in the early 17th century. 

The adjacent gardens are open to the public and include some lovely fountains, century-old trees, cobblestone walkways, and wildlife. Click here for photos.

And click here to see photos from Valletta, which has decorated itself for the holidays with some lovely light displays.

Since everyone else in Malta is busy preparing for Christmas... here is a sneak peek at our 2019 holiday card:  

Holiday Wishes

Medieval Mdina

Pictured above is the medieval Maltese city of Mdina. Mdina's history dates back more than 4,000 years. In recent years, it has served as a filming location for Game of Thrones. It's also a former capital city. Click here for photos from our walk to and through Mdina and it's many narrow, maze-like streets. People still live within the city's walls. 

We also celebrated the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corp this weekend by attending the Marine Ball, an annual November event that takes place at every U.S. Embassy around the world. It was a nice way to get to know members of our new community. 

A few things we have learned about Malta so far: 

• Stray cats are everywhere around the island and are well cared for by locals who put food, water and even small cat houses in public areas for their use.
• You can walk from one side of the island to the other in just a few hours - it's about 19 miles. 
• It occasionally gets as cold as 50 degrees during the winter months, but 70 degree weather is more the norm.
• There are structures on Malta that predate the pyramids and even Stonehenge.
• Malta is one of just four European countries where people drive on the left. 
• It ranks as the 8th most densely populated country in the world, so traffic problems are very real.
• Malta was a British colony until 1964 and joined the EU in 2004. 
• For a relatively tiny island, there is an unusual abundance of churches - 365 in all and almost all of the Catholic variety. 

New Views

Pat and I are getting settled at a new post, on the Mediterranean island of Malta.  The Embassy is in the city of Attard, but he'll also have an office at the University of Malta in Valletta.  Click here for some photos taken in and around both cities. 

The weather here is cool compared to Sri Lanka - mid-to-high 60s during the Fall.  The landscape is more beige than green, but it's beautiful.  Locals are already preparing for Christmas, which we understand is a big deal here.  


We'll be moving into an apartment in Sliema later this month, where our door will be open for visitors, starting with the kids who will be coming for a December visit. 



Speaking of the kids... click here for some photos from my recent trip to Oregon to see Drew, Jake and Emily. The fall colors were lovely, as was spending time with them.