Malta. My little gem in the Med
Approaching from the air, the Maltese Islands, little sun-drenched dots nestled in the Mediterranean's heart, appeared arid and austere, but when I landed I found a unique and beautiful landscape, a fascinating history and culture, and 400,000 of the most friendly, good-natured people in the world.
Maltese landscape is a feast to the eye. Pastel coloured rocks, dry stone walls enclosing little farms, large ship-laden harbours, cute little inlets with multicoloured 'luzzu' fishing boats, delightful baroque architecture, magnificent church domes, all bordered by a purple blue Mediterranean Sea.
It has become my colour postcard, but now I must share it with a million other visitors who come each year, lucky like me to have discovered this little 'Heaven.'
In Malta I live in St. Paul's Bay, a quaint little inlet of peace and slumber, sacred as the spot where St. Paul set foot as he struggled ashore after being shipwrecked just off the coast in 60 AD. The tiny church of St. Paul's Shipwreck, where I attend mass, stands on the venerated spot, and I never fail to sense its biblical significance. Paul stayed three months on the island, bringing Christ's message to the people, curing their ailments, before leaving revived and impressed with the generosity of the Maltese. He is now their patron saint, honoured for bringing christianity to the islands and worshipped for continuing to protect and enrich this devout catholic community.
Malta is not a sandy beach holiday destination. That explains why most of its annual visitors are, like me, peace-loving, pleasure-seeking, mature wanderers, happy in the comfort of a perfect climate, enjoying the treasure trove of historical fascinations and a pampering from friendly and caring hosts.
But there is more to the Maltese than hospitality and religious fervour. They are a justifiably proud race with a strong sense of identity. Now full members of the European Union and Eurozone, their prosperity is steadily growing, fuelled by healthy trade and tourism and the honest endeavour of industrious workers.
Some famous geologists have speculated that the Maltese Islands, being just little 'rockscapes' peeping above the waves of the Mediterranean Sea, may be susceptible to a future giant Tsunami, and could be submerged into oblivion in minutes. I can't see that happening. If courage, piety, honesty and sincere generosity are virtues recorded as bonus points on high, Malta will prevail into the distant future in peace and prosperity, illuminating the Mediterranean as a beacon of light for the world.
Maltese landscape is a feast to the eye. Pastel coloured rocks, dry stone walls enclosing little farms, large ship-laden harbours, cute little inlets with multicoloured 'luzzu' fishing boats, delightful baroque architecture, magnificent church domes, all bordered by a purple blue Mediterranean Sea.
It has become my colour postcard, but now I must share it with a million other visitors who come each year, lucky like me to have discovered this little 'Heaven.'
In Malta I live in St. Paul's Bay, a quaint little inlet of peace and slumber, sacred as the spot where St. Paul set foot as he struggled ashore after being shipwrecked just off the coast in 60 AD. The tiny church of St. Paul's Shipwreck, where I attend mass, stands on the venerated spot, and I never fail to sense its biblical significance. Paul stayed three months on the island, bringing Christ's message to the people, curing their ailments, before leaving revived and impressed with the generosity of the Maltese. He is now their patron saint, honoured for bringing christianity to the islands and worshipped for continuing to protect and enrich this devout catholic community.
Malta is not a sandy beach holiday destination. That explains why most of its annual visitors are, like me, peace-loving, pleasure-seeking, mature wanderers, happy in the comfort of a perfect climate, enjoying the treasure trove of historical fascinations and a pampering from friendly and caring hosts.
But there is more to the Maltese than hospitality and religious fervour. They are a justifiably proud race with a strong sense of identity. Now full members of the European Union and Eurozone, their prosperity is steadily growing, fuelled by healthy trade and tourism and the honest endeavour of industrious workers.
Some famous geologists have speculated that the Maltese Islands, being just little 'rockscapes' peeping above the waves of the Mediterranean Sea, may be susceptible to a future giant Tsunami, and could be submerged into oblivion in minutes. I can't see that happening. If courage, piety, honesty and sincere generosity are virtues recorded as bonus points on high, Malta will prevail into the distant future in peace and prosperity, illuminating the Mediterranean as a beacon of light for the world.
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