November 7 Qawra Malta

Today I caught the bus to Golden Bay. Apparently one of the best beaches on the island. it is only a 20 minute bus ride and then a 10 minute walk down the hill. The beach is very nice, reddish coloured sand. i did not go down but instead waled along the road to The tower of Ghajn Tuffieha built in 1637. It was build to defend against the Ottomans. I then continued up the hill more. At the top there was amazing views of 2 beaches, Golden Bay on right and Ghajn Tuffieha bay to the left.

At the top of the hill there was an old WWII watch point, apparently built to look like a farm house. I walked further along the crest and decided I wanted to get to the top of the peninsula that has a flat top. But had to go down first, and then up. I could not find a way to the top so walked around instead. At the start there was a fairly good 'goat' like track but that disappeared and I ended up scrambling over, around and under some huge boulders. I did make it around, that is after a few up and downs. I then decided, once I was close to the top that I wanted to go down to Gnejna Bay beach.

This was a mud bank all the way down. There was a bit of a track, but that soon disappeared. If it had been any wetter after last nights heavy rain I could have had a mud slide all the way down.

I did make it and started to walk around to a lime stone point. This took a bit but did make it. So interesting to be standing on this point that is very close to the water. To continue on, I had to climb up the bank to the top of the bank. I really wanted to go along the beach but there was no way to do.

So 15 minutes later I was at the top! Amazing views again. I just followed the track to Ta'Lippija Tower. Easy walking as flat. Interesting as there are several pieces of farm land. I ended up on a road. Instead of continuing along on this walk. I should take 4 or 5 hours, but I took a detour and it took me that long to do only half. I found a bus stop but it was out of service for the winter. More walking. I walked by what looked like a church as there was a cross on top but it had the style of a fortress. It was a castle, that is now used as a wedding hall. I ended up in the town of Mgarr.

A nice little place. I had to ask where the bus stop was but got told by the church. Hard to miss as the church is huge with a very large dome at the top. I caught the bus back to Golden Bay and jumped right on the bus back to the hotel. Very nice. The bus system is really good and every stop tells you where the bus goes. Buses and I usually don't get along, I always get lost! At least here I probably will get lost but on ta small island, it really does not matter. And I did make it back, without getting lost.
I will have to finish the walk another day.





November 6 Qawra Malta

The forecast was for thunderstorms today so I just wandered around the area. I did not want to go too far. As it turned out, it was cloudy and then about 2 pm it cleared right off and was very nice. I spent some time just sitting on the rocks/beach. Very nice. Even though cloudy the temperature is very comfortable, there is no wind.

I did find a bookstore and I bought a book on walking trails for the island. I will see how much I can do. The island itself is only 155 km around. It looks like I have done about 12 or 13 km already and the book does not even include the Roman road I did yesterday.