An unlikely commute

The Netherlands is one of the smallest countries in the world. Yet the Dutch have managed to pick up the largest average commuting time in the word. Whilst normally one can travel from one side of the small country in about three and a half hours, the average Dutch commute is one hour, mostly spent breathing the fumes associated with traffic jams. Commuters... This  post is for you.

Dawn broke on the SaltyPaws. It was a morning like any other mornings, the sound of small waves lapping on the side of the SaltyPaws, and the sun charging up the solar Panels. We went, rushing for the cappuccinos, orange juice and breakfast cereal. And make sure the cats were in their apartment with fresh water and food, and the SaltyPaws was secure. We loaded up the bicycles into the dinghy, and made our way to the closest beach. We found a makeshift jetty to unload bicycles, and Elizabeth, and I proceeded to beach the Dinghy. After carrying up the dinghy, and locking it up, we assembled our bicycles and cycled from the Paradise beach on Malta, to the Ferry Terminal. The Ferry took us and our bicycles swiftly across to the harbor of Mgarr, on Gozo, while providing a view on the blue lagoon, situated between the two ferry terminals. From Mgarr we cycled uphill to the charming town of Xaghra, where we visited the ancient Ġgantija temples, one of the oldest man made religious structures in the world, significantly predating even the pyramids and the lighthouse of Alexandria. Elizabeth suspiciously described the temples as "a pile of old looking rocks". The temples were nice enough, and it was good to see Elizabeth's ancestors being such industrious people. The temples have been declared a World Heritage Site, and this has lead to some uglification of the site, by installing rusty, plate iron monstrosities, undoubtedly installed by an overpaid "Artist".

After visiting the temples, we made our way to the grain mill, which played such an important role during the second world war, keeping the flour supply running. Upstairs we could admire the residential quarters, and see how the people lived in the days before the wooden CPU chips.

We managed to find a local deli & fruit & veg shop, and we stocked up on melon, fresh &dried figs, pepper and local cheese. After the windmill and the shop, we managed to find the city square, where local lunch was being served. Walnuts are in plentiful supply here, and very good. Also, the feta cheese does not quite taste like the Greek Feta cheese, but the taste was wonderful.

Onwards to the Citadel in Victoria. We had seen the citadel the day before from the sea, standing high and proud over the cliffs, but now we got to admire it in the stone. After the citadel, we managed to make our way back to Mgarr, and catch the ferry back to Malta. Now it was only  short bicycle ride back to the dinghy. After a day well spent, finally back in the safety and comfort of the SaltyPaws. We will not repeat the commute anytime soon!

Elizabeth enjoying the ferry ride from Malta to Gozo

Ferry and defensive tower on Comino

The cliffs on Comino

Cathedral in Mgarr

Welcome to Xaghra, home of the most ancient temples. Note the Maltese spelling of "H".

Take away the funny hat and the rashguard, and this is how Liefje would have looked 5500 years ago.

Elizabeth admiring the temples of Xaghra

"Old looking stones" framing slightly less old stones

World's oldest shelves. This is what people did before the invention of IKEA.

Shrubbery leading authenticity to the old looking stones 

Its a Porthole!

Yes, people on Malta drive on the WRONG (=left hand) side, drink their PG tips (=tea for non commonwealthers) with sugar and milk and there are red telephone booths!

Welcome SPITERI clan

Cycling to the citadel

The Citadel in Victoria