This last weekend was an incredible experience! We’ve settled into a (not very exciting) routine at home in Kalkara, so we really look forward to the weekend adventures. And, although Malta is not very big (if there was a non stop highway the length of the island – is that north/south? I don’t know, I’m directionally challenged – it would be about 22 miles) we like to treat these weekend excursions as mini vacations. We stayed at a resort in Buggiba, which was great fun. The town itself isn’t much to speak of – it pretty much exists for tourism – and I’m certain under normal circumstances it would have been packed with people! Once again we had the ability to enjoy ourselves without the hordes. The reason we stayed here was that it was a excellent base for our two events.
First of all, we stayed at the Dolmen Hotel. Any hotel that has it’s own prehistoric temple gets my vote!
We also might have found a gelateria (gelato shop) that surpasses Fior di Latte in Mdina. Sottozero was absolutely delicious and creamy. Good thing we’re going back to Mdina so we can verify the data…
We arrived in Buggiba Saturday morning as we had a boat to catch. Yep, boat. Ugh. The trip was scheduled for last week but bad weather had us reschedule (the boat company cancelled the excursion anyway). After calm winds all week the weather gods decided it should be windy again! Double ugh. Like 23 MPH winds. Take a dramamine you say. Negative. Can’t take anything like that. It’s a good thing I really really wanted to go on this trip! We were going to the Blue Lagoon. Bucket list item #1 this weekend.
Then we arrived at the first stop – the Crystal Lagoon. Unfortunately the waves were pretty bad. It made it hard to enjoy being in the water🙁
We won’t talk about the time on the boat with it sitting there, rocking back and forth…
Around the end of Comino and we were in the Blue Lagoon. Oh Lordy. It’s breathtaking.
The trip back on the boat was rough. Really rough. I was very very happy to be back on solid ground again!
Sunday brought us to Bucket List item #2. Right near Buggiba is the Mediterraneo Marine Park. I was going going to swim with dolphins🦈🦈🦈🦈
There were several of us from an assortment of countries. We all donned wet suits (it’s been a really long time since I’ve worn one of those!), received our instructions and headed over to the dolphin pool!
It was an incredible, humbling experience. Melita allowed us to touch her many times, threw water at me, and really showed her personality. These dolphins are not made to do things like let humans stand on them, they are allowed to do dolphin things. All of them were born in captivity – which is sad, but they also would not likely survive in the wild. The staff at the park also use this time to educate the participants on marine life and the state of our oceans and other waters. It was an outstanding reminder that we are not being good stewards of our planet. I am incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity! Thank you to the Husband for my Christmas present, Mother’s Day present and birthday present 💞
It was most assuredly a weekend to remember. Malta is such an amazing combination of rugged beauty, serene beauty, history and lively culture of today. Incredible place❤🤍❤🤍