February
23rd, 2004
Today
we wanted to make a trip to the neighbouring island of Malta -Gozo-.
The sun was shining brightly and thus we took the bus No. 48 at
9:30 a.m. (0,40 Lm per person) to Cirkewwa, where the ferry
to Gozo leaves from.
As we arrived, we just missed the leaving ferry and thus we had to
wait 45 minutes until we could finally get onto the ferry. The crossing
took 25 minutes and cost 1,75 Lm round-trip. We bought the ticket
right away at the quay, but it was checked on the way back.
Having arrived at the harbour of Mgarr at Gozo, a bunch
of taxi drivers rushed at us. They wanted to drive us around the
island.
One of them was especially cheeky. He tried to persuade us that
going by taxi is much cheaper than renting a car. The trick is that
tourists are baited with prices for just a ride to the capital
Victoria. When you have arrived there, the costs for trips to
other sights rise quickly. From the beginning we had decided to
rent a car. We had also found something in the internet,
but we could not find the rental station of Swansea. Thus we went
to Avis, which is situated directly at the harbour. We hired
a brand-new Peugeot for 10 Lm insurance and unlimited milage
included. Just to remind you: The taxi driver wanted only for
the ride to Victoria 5 Lm. If you visit the whole island it quickly
sums up to 15-20 Lm. Since the island is quite small (you
need not much petrol - we payed 2 Lm for it) and there´s not
much traffic (they drive on the left side), a rental car
is in our opinion the best alternative for a trip across
the island, in case you´ve got an at least 25 year old driver with
you.
It
was once again exciting to drive on the left side of the road. In
Thailand we had been able to already try it and it was also no problem
on Gozo.
First we went to the picturesque Xlendi, situated at a small
fjord-like bay at the southcoast of Gozo. In the north of
the bay steps lead up to the Caroline Cave where in former times
the Dominican nons were taking their bath. We did not want to take
a bath but visit and the view from there was fantastic. It was not
later than noon and thus
we took advantage of the current position of the sun in order
to drive to the probably best-known place on Gozo, the Azure
Window. It is a arch of globerine sandstone standing
in the sea and definitely worth a picture. We creeping across the
rocks in order to get closer to the roaring surf that splashed
against the walls of rock and then gathered in water pools.
Here we got really seduced by the fascinating nature.
Later
we visited the basilica of Ta´Pinu, which, as a church
of pilgrimage, was raised to a national sacred. Being built
in 1931, it is rather simple inside, but from the outside it
is a splendid building. We went on to the highlight of our tour,
through Zebbug to the Xwieni
Bay. You wonder what there´s to see? Something for those
who are interested in nature. Here the globerine limestone
projects directly into the sea, and is being sanded by the
breakers, so that the result looks like a huge petrified wave.
We were lucky to see how the afternoon sun illuminated the stone
perfectly. You
don´t want to leave. Here the sunset is certainly an enjoyment.
We still wanted to go to the capital Victoria and visit the
Citadel with its magnificent cathedral. From the fortress
we had a marvelous view of Gozo. Since it was already late
in the afternoon, we strolled for a while trough the small streets
of Victoria and
decided to end our Gozo-Tour at this point. If we had had more time,
we also would have visited the Ramla Bay (largest sand beach
of the island) with the Calypso Cave and to Xaghra with
the well-known Ggantija Temple. But the ferry to Malta was waiting.
Thus we parked the rental car and ferried over at 6 p.m. Having
arrived on Malta, it was already dark and we noticed, that not all
busses were going from the quay at that time. Finally we took the
bus No. 45 to the edge of the outskirts of Bugibba and walked
the rest of the way to our hotel.