cruising around Malta – Anne Visits Malta

A Break from Sailing

photo by Anne Pflug — A quick refreshing dip in the Mediterranean

Halfway through our cruise around Malta, the Fernandes dropped anchor for our sumptuous lunch as well as for a quick cooling dip into the sea. We relaxed here and prepared to board the smaller boats that would take us into the caves of the Blue Lagoon. Also, once anchored in the secluded bay, many spent time swimming, snorkeling , sunbathing and otherwise enjoying relaxing on the spacious decks. It was a continuation of a lovely day.

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances my book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos. The book is available through Amazon and other book stores.

Be sure to visit my other blog: annepflugcom.wordpress.com

Ready for the cruise around Malta

It was a beautiful day, just right for a cruise around the island of Malta. We boarded a Turkish gullet, The Fernandes, and were very excited to spend this gorgeous day at sea. We picked up the schooner in Sliema and were soon on our way, northward towards Gozo. It was a perfect day.

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances my book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos. The book is available through Amazon and other book stores.

Be sure to visit my other blog: annepflugcom.wordpress.com

An American cruise ship entering Valletta

It’s always so exciting to see the nautical Maltese flag on a cruise I’m taking, even ones not to Malta. Although the official Maltese flag is white and red with the George Cross insignia, seafaring vessels sport a different version. This flag, red with a white border and the Maltese cross in the center, is one you’d find on any seafaring vessel registered in Malta.

Not sure about others but I do know that Celebrity Cruises registers its cruise ships in Malta and I always look for that beautiful flag. It’s usually flying on the same deck where we breakfast. To me, it’s a beautiful sight!!

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances my book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos. The book is available through Amazon and other book stores.

Be sure to visit my other blog: annepflugcom.wordpress.com

The West Coast of Malta

You can see that the west coast of Malta is less populous and less built up that the east coast, where important cities and towns with marinas and beaches dot the area. Here, on the other side, you see a view of Malta that is not so crowded. Because of this, tourists who are looking to get away from it all tend to head in this direction. This swimming hole can be reached after long driving and many ups and downs in the hilly terrain. If I had taken the photo further back, you would see the many steps one has to take to reach this sweet spot. Beautiful, cool Mediterranean Sea especially enjoyable on a hot day. Put yourself here and relax!!

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances the book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos. The book is available through Amazon.

Scuba Divers at the Blue Grotto

Still on the rocky west coast of Malta, divers congregate to explore the underwater beauty of The Blue Grotto. As I am not a diver, I am unable to describe the underwater scenery but I did speak to some divers, just returning from their dive, and they were very impressed with the beauty of the surroundings.

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances the book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos. The book is available through Amazon.

A Rocky Coast

Traveling on the west coast of Malta is a complete change of vistas. First of all, it is not well populated. Second, it is extremely rocky; possibly why it is not too crowded.

Driving on the few roads on this side of the island takes one to exotic views of ancient rock formations. This side of the island is also where the Blue Grotto is located. The few roads here are also very hilly and one needs a good map to find specific places as there are not too many signs.

However, it is definitely worth visiting here. It is truly beautiful!

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances the book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos.

Returning ….

After cruising past the eastern coast of Malta, seeing coves, cliffs and a variety of inlets, we again reach the populated area of St. Julian’s, Sliema and then Valletta and arrive back ‘home’. It was a beautiful cruise. Well worth spending the day on the Mediterranean.

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances the book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos.

The Blue Lagoon

Have you ever seen a more beautiful blue? You should see it in person; it took my breath away! The well named area is a popular tourist attraction although, it seems to me, that more divers seem to favor the Blue Grotto, on the other side of Malta for underwater beauty. As I’m not a diver, I can’t compare.

All I can say is that moving through the caves with these fluorescent waters is an experience unlike no other. There seems to be another source of light that we are not familiar with. Forgive me for being so excited but this is one of the places that I would visit again and again if I had the opportunity. It impressed me that much!

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances the book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos.

We arrive near Comino

We’re halfway through our cruise and stop for a while between Malta and Gozo. In the middle of the bay is the island of Comino, seen here in the background, the third in the Maltese Archipelago. There at several schooners here and the tourists are enjoying swimming, diving and otherwise having fun. Later we will take a smaller boat to go into the Blue Lagoon. Our schooner is very similar to the one seen on the left.

In this bay, we also see the ferry that travels back and forth between Malta and Gozo, a trip we will take later in the week. It’s not in this area but in a more commercial section of the bay.

This blog annevisitsmalta.com enhances the book Return to Malta by visiting most of the places mentioned in the book with color photos.

A Cruise around Malta

A beautiful day, a beautiful ship and lots of friendly people. We started the cruise at the Sliema Marina and as we rounded the coast we could see the sea view of the Hilton and the Radisson Hotels. We had smooth sailing and passed by various harbors including St. Julian’s, St. Paul’s Bay and Mellieha Bay. In between these bays, we saw panoramic cliffs, inlets and coves. It was a perfect day to be on the sea.

If you enjoyed this, much more information is available in my published book: Return to Malta which can be purchased from Amazon.com