Travel – 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

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

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.

More Parade Photos

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.

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.

Finally, my book!

I would like to announce the recent publication of my book, Return to Melita, a travelogue and a memoir.

This book is a compilation of several trips I have made to Malta, the land of my birth. I usually went there with friends and/or relatives and visited many tourist attractions and places of interest. I tried to include comments made by new visitors as well as my recollections from the past, when I lived there.

Return to Melita is available in the Kindle version as well as hard book copy and can be purchased at most book stores as well as at Amazon.com.

You will note that I changed the title to Return to Malta. I did this to make access to the book easier on Amazon. Melita was the original name of the islands, given by the Romans, many years ago.

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

Hope you enjoy both!

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

Harbor Cruise 2

I was surprised to see such a busy dry dock in Malta. I guess I never realized that there are various commercial endeavors that I had never connected with Malta. They seemed to be very busy and, according to the various ships’ nationalities here, Malta does a thriving business involving many countries in the Mediterranean.

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

Valletta Harbor Cruise

In Malta, on a beautiful, sunny day, a Harbor Cruise fits the bill. The sea breezes kept us cool while we explored Valletta and the Three Cities from the water. On the left, you can see a cruise ship, dropping off tourists for a day exploring Malta. On the upper right is a good view of Upper Baracca. As always, the strong walls protecting the city are in full view.

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