My day off in Malta

When you ever have a day off in Malta and would ask locals were to go, and where to go early for the most amazing beach on the islands, I bet the majority would say Comino. Note this day off was ages ago given how far behind I am on the blog.

Erin was finally able to visit me and we took a morning off from the crazy work schedule and on the Saturday morning we got up and had the usual nice breakfast at the Hilton Malta before taking the 45 minute bus to Cirkewwaa and then a 15 minute ferry on United Comino Ferries (no reservation needed) at the port for €10 return. The first ferry out is at 9am and they go until 6pm. We were some of the first people dropped off at the beach and while you think you are in peaceful bliss in the beautiful waters, come noon the place is crawling with day-trippers on organised tours from Villetta.

We have been to some of the best beaches in the mediterranean that include Cala Goloritze in Sardinia, Scopello in Sicily, the beaches of Sifnos and Folegandros, the lava rock beaches of Santorini and even those in Cannes and Cassis. I think only Goloritze near Cala Gonone on the East Coast of Sicily compares in terms of amazing blue azur waters.

We got some great lounge chairs on the rocks at the edge of the water and lounged in the warm, pristine waters that have amazing white sands for about 2.5 hours until the crowds began to offset the beautiful scenery and we decided to walk around the island.

While we were walking around the island away from the crowds, we found some kids cliff jumping so of course I had to have a go at it!! This actually looks at lot like a photo Erin took of me at Cala Goloritze, see link above.

Following Comino we got a local boat driver to take us to Gozo for a look at the island before heading back to St. Julians. I definitely DO NOT advise to try and do both of these sites in one day and I think the Maltese would think you were crazy too. However, being total power tourists, we went for it, taking the boat to the Gozo ferry port and a bus to Victoria, the capital a ways inland for a nice lunch in the main square.

Following lunch we had a little tour of the citadel and around its walls. It is perched on the highest part of the island and has a commanding view with 360 degree walls that have seen many many years.

After the citadel we jumped on another bus to the famous beach in Gozo only to be stumped by the San Lorenzo village festa, which prohibited the bus from heading any further to Dwerja Bay. The bus had to make a percarious U turn at the foot of the village that took about 12 minutes to inch forward and back like the golf cart in the hallway in Austin Powers.

We regretably turned around and grabbed the Ferry back to Malta, catching some last cool water at the Beach in front of the Hilton before having a nice dinner at Zeri's, my go-to restaurant in my time in Malta. For the record, I have now spent 50 nights in Malta since the second week of May.....too many.

Theo takes London

Theo recently paid his aunt and uncle a visit in London town to experience first hand who and what were behind all those gmail video chats and if they lived in the virtual world or a real world. While many things about the last 4 years have been unbelievable, we are indeed real, and little Theo was in for a real treat!

Theo was joined by Alissa and Jeremy and also Ma Dukes, making her first visit to see us in London and second overall. We were a little nervous at first as it was going to be the whole crew plus Erin and I in our little 500 ft flat, but thankfully Sam and Jess were kind enough to let us crash down the street while they were back in the US.

As usual, Theo was a perfect gentlemen and little charmer, being a great trooper while hitting the pavement and taking in everything with a curious enthusiasm. We went to Notting Hill, Holland Park, along the river and around town.

During the week I had to skip out to Malta and Erin to Malmesbury so the fam went to Paris for three nights and had a great time there as well. Theo got his first passport stamp about 19 years before I got mine.

One of the best moments captured was Theo in the red phone booth that most visitors take advantage of when visiting us in Holland Park.

Of the weekend, the best moments were at our flat, watching him run around and explore. The most interesting thing for him was without question the washing machine. In London they are front loading with a plexi-glass cover so he was able to witness the magic of clothes washing and was truely impressed.

It was really great to have everyone visit and to show them the other side of the rabbit hole!