By Abdullah Usman Morai

The Next Morning’s Journey

Early the next morning, I woke up and opened the window of my room to look outside. I felt the fresh sea breeze in the air. Quickly, I got ready and started preparing breakfast so that my companions would wake up to its aroma. Soon, breakfast was ready, and so were my companions. That day, we had a lot of sightseeing planned, and it was also our last day there. Our car was parked a couple of streets away in another parking lot. After gathering the necessary items for the journey, we got into the car and set off.

Our first destination of the day was the Marsaxlokk area, famous for its fishermen selling freshly caught fish right at the shore. In fact, a fish market is held there every Sunday, but we had arrived on a Monday. We parked the car by the roadside and set out on foot to explore. The air carried the combined scent of fish and the sea. Some fishermen were busy repairing their nets, others were making minor repairs to their boats, while some were carefully removing fish caught in their nets. The boats were beautifully decorated, and for a moment, I felt as if I were on the shores of Manchar Lake in Sindh, even though we were actually thousands of kilometers away.

There were boat tours available, allowing visitors to explore the surroundings by sea. Along the shore, there were hotels, restaurants, and cafeterias. The calm, greenish-blue waters of the sea reflected the soft sunlight filtering through light clouds, creating a breathtaking view with the blue sky and small hills in the background. That day, the area was mostly filled with locals, but we learned that Sundays were much busier, with a lively market atmosphere.

Nearby, we sat at a restaurant table where a local had set up a small stall with traditional items. He noticed us and asked where we were from. Upon hearing our response, he told us that he, too, was Pakistani—a Pashtun from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He mentioned that had we visited the previous day, we would have seen a much larger crowd and more activity. Nonetheless, we spent some time exploring the market, observing the fishermen, and even holding freshly caught fish, some of which were still wriggling. Eventually, we left them to their fate and continued on our journey.

A Taste of Malta

Our next stop was to enjoy Malta’s famous oranges. We headed toward the Buskett Garden, reaching there in about half an hour. After parking the car, we continued on foot. This garden, or rather a forest, was filled with various types of trees, making it one of the greenest places in Malta. There were orange trees, cacti, Mediterranean pines, and cypress trees in abundance. It was also a sanctuary for various species of birds.

As we walked, we entered an orange grove, which was completely silent except for the soft hum of our conversation in Sindhi. We could see drip irrigation system was in use at the spot. At that moment, I recalled my dear friend and classmate from Agricultural University, Umar Karim Arain, who is now an irrigation engineering expert. I thought that if Umar were here, we would have had a deep discussion about Sindh’s irrigation system. The orange trees were planted in neat rows, with many oranges fallen on the ground. A small stone wall separated the pathway from the trees.

While we were admiring the scenery, a man with long hair, wearing a shirt and pants with long boots, emerged from a nearby cabin. He smiled upon seeing us—perhaps a modern-day farmer. Back home, I wished, farmers also wear such boots while working in the fields to protect themselves from snake bites. We greeted him and asked if we could pick and eat some oranges, to which he happily agreed. Enjoying Malta’s famous oranges in the heart of an orange grove was an unforgettable experience. The man continued to smile throughout our stay.

The garden also had some natural water streams, making it a popular picnic spot. From this dense forest, we could see the summer residence of the President of Malta, known as Verdala Palace, perched atop a hill in the distance. After a while, more people started arriving, and the birds welcomed us with their chirping. We wandered through the garden for quite some time, enjoying its natural beauty before finally leaving.

From there, we set off toward our next destination—the fortified city of Mdina and the nearby town of Rabat.

During my first trip to Malta, I also visited the fort and ribat (monastery) in the ancient city of Mdina, accompanied by my friend Shuiab Parvez. The fort still houses a significant number of residents. We were fortunate to find a parking spot near the fort. Some tourists were leaving after exploring the area, while others, like us, were entering.

As we stepped into the stony fortress, we found narrow alleys in some places, ordinary paths in others, and wider streets elsewhere. Mdina is also known as the “Silent City.” In its broader streets, horse-drawn carriages transported tourists. Inside the fort, all roads, houses, and outer walls were made of stone. The presence of plants and flowers in the narrow alleys reflected the passion of the residents for greenery.

We briefly visited St. Paul’s Cathedral and observed the National Museum of Natural History, several palazzos (palaces or large houses), including Palazzo Falson, Gatto Murina, Santa Sofia, and Costanzo, along with a few other churches and the City Hall buildings. Many tourists from different countries were strolling through the fort. We also explored some souvenir shops and bought a couple of items.

To take a break, we sat at a crowded restaurant for tea and cake. Fortunately, we found a seat, and our quick stop extended a bit, which was much needed.

Feeling refreshed, we climbed onto a stone ledge near the restaurant and enjoyed a breathtaking view from the hilltop. We could see lush green fields, houses, roads, and villages stretching far into the horizon, with the sea in the background.

On our way back, near a fountain, my friend Vickey revealed an interesting fact: a scene from the Hollywood series Game of Thrones was filmed at this very location. Excited, we took several memorable photos. Further research revealed that other famous movies, including Gladiator, Captain Phillips, and World War Z, were also shot in Malta. The entire country—its coastline, cliffs, and natural landscapes—is a favorite among big-budget filmmakers.

After leaving Mdina, we drove to Rabat and parked near the Roman Villa Center, a marketplace in the town. The shop doors were painted in various vibrant colors, making the streets visually appealing. Most house walls in Rabat were in earthy tones, while the balconies were painted in different colors, enhancing their beauty. The streets were impeccably clean, and the houses, though simple, were adorned with lush greenery and flowers. Rabat had a well-organized traffic system, with one-way roads clearly marked for the convenience of drivers and pedestrians. The streets were paved with stone tiles. A small café named Chalk caught our attention—it was beautifully decorated. Outside, there were just two chairs and a small table for seating, and the balcony above the main entrance had the same setup. We didn’t go inside, but perhaps it had more seating space. However, what intrigued me the most was an old bicycle hanging above the balcony—perhaps it was part of the café’s decor, or maybe it had some cultural significance. Only God knows!

We continued to explore Rabat, eventually stopping outside St. Paul’s Church and visiting a few town squares. As we left, we set off for a village called Salina. On our way, we caught a distant view of Mdina’s fort atop a hill—it almost seemed as if it was bidding us farewell, whispering, “Thank you for visiting. See you again!”

In Salina, our main attraction was the Salina Nature Park and the large salt evaporation ponds, where seawater is processed to extract salt. We parked our car and walked a few hundred meters to the site. The massive ponds were evidently filled with seawater. The salt-making process starts in March or April and lasts until June or July, during which seawater is evaporated in these ponds, and salt is harvested through a special process. This is not an industrial-scale production but a traditional practice preserved as part of cultural heritage.

With the support of the European Union, the site has also been rehabilitated as a sanctuary for birds, especially flamingos. Wooden birdwatching huts with small windows were built to allow visitors to observe the birds without disturbing them. Many flamingos stood in the water on one leg, while others rested.

Interestingly, while Malta takes great care of bird conservation, it is also the only European Union country where spring hunting of certain birds is still legally permitted.

The surrounding scenery was magnificent, especially where a narrow channel of seawater extended inland, with small boats floating nearby. Walking along this serene landscape was a truly refreshing experience.

After saying goodbye to Salina, we headed toward Ħaġar Qim, one of the world’s oldest religious temple sites. However, upon reaching the site, we discovered that closing time was near, so we only managed to see it from a distance. After briefly exploring the area, we watched the sun setting over the sea from the rocky cliffs before continuing our journey.

Our final destination for the day was Blue Grotto, where we planned to watch the sunset over the sea from the cliffs.

We first descended from the hill to the parking area where we had left our car. Then, we began our climb back up the hill. With each step, our breaths grew heavier, but we finally reached our destination. The sight before us instantly brought a sense of peace and joy, washing away all our fatigue. What a breathtaking view it was! Many other tourists had also gathered there, a significant number of them being French.

At that one spot, the sky, clouds, sun, sea, rocky cliffs, and caves embedded in the mountains all unfolded before us like an open book, inviting us to “read and explore.” The natural arch formations within the caves were particularly mesmerizing. The changing light—shifting due to the movement of the sun and clouds—constantly altered the scenery, presenting us with a new view every moment. Some tourists were even taking small boats to explore the caves from within.

We spent a long time there, capturing numerous photos, yet it felt like we could never get enough of the view. Reluctantly, we made our way back to the parking area and then sat under the shadow of the Żurrieq Watch Tower, overlooking the sea. This ancient tower was likely built to keep watch for enemy invaders approaching from the sea. Unlike the crowded viewpoints, this area was relatively quiet, allowing us to fully absorb the serene surroundings.

Eventually, we left the tower and, within half an hour, returned to our flat. Of course, no day was complete without tea, so we enjoyed a round of tea and biscuits. We reminisced about the day’s travels, shared our experiences, and unanimously agreed that Malta is truly a beautiful and charming island—a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

But our journey wasn’t over just yet! After freshening up, we set out once more for a final stroll through the city.

A Relaxed Evening in Valletta

With no rush, we leisurely roamed around, taking in the sights. We wandered towards the City Gate, known as the main entrance to Valletta, and eventually reached the Tritons’ Fountain. The vibrant lights surrounding the fountain made the water appear colorful, creating a stunning visual display. Nearby was Valletta’s main bus terminal, bustling with people coming and going.

From the fountain, we walked further and visited Independence Square, which featured several statues of Malta’s historical figures. The area was designed for pedestrians, with plenty of benches for resting. On our way back, we stopped by the site of the Royal Opera House, which had been completely destroyed during World War II. However, it has since been restored and is now used for artistic performances—possibly as an open-air venue.

Nearby, we also explored the Malta Parliament building, the statue of Gorg Borg Olivier, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens, which offered panoramic views of the Grand Harbour. We browsed through souvenir shops, each of us buying something as a keepsake from our trip.

A Perfect Final Dinner in Malta

For dinner, we headed to Sotto Pizza, where we had made a reservation the previous day. This time, we were lucky enough to get a table. As we descended the stairs into the restaurant, we noticed that it was quite crowded. We spent a long time there, enjoying the cozy atmosphere.

Their pizza was unlike any ordinary pizza—it was smaller in size and was served not on a plate but on a wooden slab. The restaurant’s walls were made of stone, giving it a rustic and traditional look, rather than the usual cement-plastered walls. A large clock, different from a typical one, sat on a table near the bar area. The chairs and tables weren’t modern either; they resembled the simple round tables found in small-town restaurants.

But the pizza itself was incredible—different from the usual fast-food-style pizzas. The quality of the ingredients was excellent, making it a truly unique dining experience.

Packing Up and Farewell to Malta

Back at the flat, we gathered once more over a cup of tea, chatting about the unforgettable moments of our trip. We packed our bags that night itself, as we had to leave early the next morning for Stockholm.

Thus, our journey came to an end—safe, joyful, and filled with wonderful memories. (Concludes)

Click here for Part-1

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.

The post Travelogue: Enchanting Malta Unveiled – 2 first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Abdullah Usman Morai

Welcome to Malta! Inspired by the vivid descriptions of Malta in the preface of my first travel book, Musafaton by Altaf Shaikh, my friends—Sunil Lohano, Jibran Baladi, Vickey Wadhwani—and I decided to visit this fascinating country. Malta is a place you could visit time and again. Jibran had even booked the flight tickets, but due to some family commitments, he had to postpone his plan. Such is life!

On February 11, 2023, we boarded a Ryanair flight from Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport and landed at Malta’s Luqa Airport. From the plane, the view of Malta’s islands was captivating. In Sweden, children are often taught practical skills in school. Sunil’s young daughter, Neha, had made a cake in school, which he brought along for us to enjoy during our flight with tea.

The contrast between Stockholm and Malta was striking. We had left behind a snow-covered city and arrived in Malta’s pleasant, spring-like weather. Our plan was to rent a car from the airport to explore as much as possible during our stay and return it before our flight back. While Sunil and Vickey headed to the Hertz car rental office, I gathered maps and tourist information from the airport’s tourist office—a resource that proved invaluable later.

Driving in Malta was a challenge in itself. While Sweden follows right-hand driving, Malta, like Pakistan, has left-hand driving. Sunil bravely took on the responsibility of driving, and we opted for full insurance coverage for added security.

Our first task was to reach our accommodation and find parking. Our apartment was in Valletta, where the narrow and hilly streets made navigation tricky. After some trial and error, we found our building and, luckily, a parking spot right outside. Most parking in Malta is free, which was a pleasant surprise.

The apartment was spacious—a living area with a TV and sofas, a kitchen, a hallway leading to two bedrooms, each with an attached bathroom. Another comfort was the availability of potable tap water, a relief for any traveler.

After settling in, we set out to explore the city on foot. Being the weekend, Valletta was bustling with life. The sun was still high, allowing us to wander through the city’s famous Old Mint Street. This street slopes down and then ascends again, offering a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea at its end. Cars lined one side of the road, with traffic moving in a single direction.

We eventually reached Republic Street, a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare buzzing with locals and tourists. Malta attracts nearly 1.5 to 2 million visitors annually, with a significant portion coming from the United Kingdom. Tourism is a major industry here, providing substantial revenue when tourists are offered good facilities and hospitality.

As the sun cast golden hues on the city’s buildings, we sensed that something special was happening. We stopped for a quick bite at McDonald’s, intending to enjoy dinner later at a local pizzeria named ‘Sotto Pizzeria’ near our apartment. Continuing our walk, we reached Fort Saint Elmo and the adjacent War Museum, eventually descending to Boat Street along the seafront. The sea shimmered in a mesmerizing shade of green. However, our path was blocked by security personnel due to ongoing excavation work, possibly involving explosives.

As night fell, the city’s vibrancy only increased. Our hunch about a special event was confirmed when we encountered a grand procession on Merchant Street. Upon inquiring, a local informed us that it was a celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day, which had been postponed due to bad weather.

The procession was a spectacle, featuring large effigies of Saint Patrick and flag bearers. Malta’s national television was broadcasting the event live. We followed the parade through the winding streets, occasionally crossing paths with it. Some people, exhausted, rested on open-air chairs and tables, while children played enthusiastically with colorful confetti used in the celebration.

The sky turned a deeper shade of blue as the sea sparkled under the fading sunlight—a perfect end to our first day in enchanting Malta.

On our return, we also picked up some supplies from a grocery store. After leaving the groceries at our flat, we headed to a pizza place. It was quite crowded there. They asked us if we had a table reservation, to which we replied no. They informed us that we would need to book a table in advance. Unfortunately, that day, pizza was not in our destiny.

We were curious about why this pizza place, which wasn’t even on Valletta’s main street, was so crowded that we needed to reserve a table in advance. A quick Wikipedia search revealed that their pizza was famous because they didn’t use regular yeast in their dough. Instead, they let the kneaded dough rest for 24 hours or even longer, allowing it to naturally become suitable for making pizza. This made us all eager to try it, determined to taste it at least once.

That night, we returned to our flat disappointed. But then, we thought of going somewhere else to eat. Nearby, we found a kebab grill place. The owner seemed to be a Pashtun, and a couple of other Pashtuns were also working there. The setup was quite decent. Although the pizza restaurant was just next door, seeing the rush there confirmed what research had suggested—that the people of Malta love food. This was evident from the fact that Malta ranks among the top five countries in the world with the highest percentage of overweight people.

Back at the flat, we turned on the TV, had a couple of rounds of tea, and chatted for a long time with Jibran and Riaz Kango in Sweden via video call. We laughed a lot over jokes and humorous conversations. Eventually, fatigue took over, and we prepared to sleep. Late at night, I felt as if tractors were running inside the flat, snoring, but I soon fell back asleep.

The Next Day

The next morning, I put water on the stove to boil for tea and stepped outside to peek through the main entrance of our building to check if our car was still there. The car was indeed parked where we had left it. At that moment, I was transported back to my childhood. I remembered how, every Friday morning in my home town Moro, Sindh province of Pakistan, I would peek outside our home’s main door to check if a Suzuki jeep was parked there. If it was, it meant that our beloved uncle, Muhammad Khan, had arrived from Nawabshah or Tando Adam for his weekly visit to our village. His arrival brought double joy—one, the excitement of seeing him, and two, the fun of taking a jeep ride in the evening. Especially when we drove over the Dadu-Moro Bridge, it felt like a grand adventure to us back then.

The lounge and kitchen in our flat were in the same space, so while preparing breakfast, we could also watch TV. As we had our morning meal, we rewatched the previous night’s events on television.

The sun was shining brightly, and the atmosphere carried the fresh scent of the sea. We packed our car with necessary items for the road and set off. That day, our plan was to visit Gozo, Malta’s second-largest island.

Our journey towards Gozo began. It took a while to get out of the city’s narrow streets, but soon, we were on Highway 1. Sunil was driving carefully. Despite being a small European Union country, Malta has an overwhelming number of vehicles. It seemed as if almost everyone owned a car. I believe that nowadays, having a personal vehicle is not a luxury but a necessity, especially in places where the government does not provide adequate public transport. Maybe in Malta, it was indeed a necessity, or perhaps it was simply a personal preference for people to own cars.

There were scattered clouds in the sky. We enjoyed the scenery, listened to Sindhi music, and relished the drive. The landscape varied between flat plains and small hilly terrains. Having our own car gave us the freedom to stop wherever we liked to take a closer look at the surroundings. Along the way, we paused at several beautiful spots, admired the views, and took memorable photos.

In the distance, we saw large cargo ships transporting goods across the sea, and occasionally, passenger ferries sailing through the waters. A striking limestone cliff also came into view—it looked like a sheer vertical wall extending all the way down into the sea, a magnificent sight showcasing nature’s beauty.

Our journey continued until we reached the Cirkewwa Terminal, from where we needed to take a ferry, along with our car, to reach Gozo Island. As the ferry’s departure time approached, more and more people started gathering. There were tourists arriving in buses and others driving their own cars. People and vehicles boarded the ferry one after another. We parked our car and went to the upper deck of the ferry.

The surrounding sea was a deep blue color. The ferry was packed with people. As we sailed towards Gozo, we also passed by Comino Island, where we saw rocky cliffs, small caves, and natural formations. Some smaller boats, filled with tourists, were navigating around, letting people enjoy the breathtaking views up close.

On the way to Gozo, my thoughts drifted toward Sindh. Just like Malta, Sindh also has a place called Gozo in the Kachho region of Dadu District. I had visited that area a long time ago with my dear friends Pir Hammadullah Khayravi, the late Prof. Abdul Aziz Magsi, Prof. Mumtaz Soomro, and Prof. Rafiq Soomro.

During that trip, along with exploring Nai Gaaj, we also visited the shrines of Mian Nasir Kalhoro, Mast Kehar Shah, and Shah Godrio.

We took many memorable photos on the ferry and arrived at the Mgarr Terminal in Gozo. Now, we were in Victoria, the main city of Gozo, also known as Rabat, which is situated on a hill. Our first plan was to visit the fortress there. Passing through narrow streets and roads, we reached the fortress’s parking area.

The fortress is built with golden-colored stones and, being on a hill, is visible from a distance. From the top of the fortress, one can see the surrounding villages, valleys, and the sea. The entire fortress is made of stone bricks. Looking around from the top, lush greenery is visible in every direction. Inside the fortress, the narrow stone alleyways were remarkably clean and impressive. While exploring, we saw a church and an old prison from the outside.

Outside the fortress walls, old cannons from ancient times were still in place, which were once used for defense against sea attacks. There were also many tourists with backpacks, including some Indian girls who might have been studying in Malta or working in the IT sector.

There was a beautifully decorated souvenir shop with many items displayed inside and outside, enticing visitors to buy something. We, too, picked up a few items before leaving.

From there, we continued northwest of Gozo Island and parked near the seaside. We first walked to Dwejra Bay, where we also saw the Dwejra Watchtower, which still stands intact. Climbing a hill called Tilt Rock, we were met with breathtaking views of the sea. From there, we spotted Fungus Rock, which stood distinctively in the water, separate from the other cliffs and mountains.

Seeing these rocky formations and cliffs reminded me of the Twelve Apostles in Melbourne, Australia, which I had visited with my cousin Altaf on the Great Ocean Road tour. We were blessed with perfect weather at Dwejra Bay, with the sky, sun, and the sea’s blue waters creating a mesmerizing scene. There, a young man with a dog offered us to take our photos. Thanks to him.

After spending a wonderful time there, we moved toward the famous tourist attraction, the Azure Window. It was a natural rock arch formed between two cliffs but had collapsed due to a storm. Despite that, there was still much to explore, so we made our way there.

We planned to take a boat ride in the nearby sea, but the boat operator insisted on cash payments in Euros. Since we didn’t have Euros, after some negotiation, he accepted Swedish Krona, and we boarded the boat. Before setting off, everyone was given life jackets.

We were actually in a body of water that had flowed in from the sea through a cave within a rocky hill. This area wasn’t very deep, and the sea flowing through the hill was known as the Inland Sea. As we entered the triangular entrance of the cave in our boat, the boatman carefully navigated to avoid hitting the narrow rock walls. The scene was truly magical.

Soon, we emerged on the other side into the open sea, where we found ourselves floating on deep blue waters. The boat rocked with the waves, and other boats were around us. Some tourists were even kayaking on their own, adding to the adventurous atmosphere.

We were taken around here and there for quite some time. We were also taken to another cave called the “Blue Hole.” The sea’s color there is not actually blue, but due to the natural reflection of sunlight on the sea bed, a unique kind of light is produced, making the sea appear blue or green. The Blue Hole is quite famous among tourists for deep-sea diving.

From there, we once again saw Fungus Rock, Dwejra Tower, Tilt Rock, and a newly discovered spot called Crocodile Rock, which actually resembled a crocodile. The boat driver showed us the remaining rocks of the Azure Window, on top of which a natural arch had once stood before being destroyed by a storm. We thoroughly enjoyed this half-hour tour and found the natural scenery very refreshing.

We then returned to the Cirkewwa Terminal. After parking our car, we approached an agent from the Blue Lagoon tour company and asked how much it would cost for the three of us. After some bargaining, he offered us a reasonable price and issued our tickets. Since the boat was yet to depart, we wandered around the surroundings of Cirkewwa. Many tourists were sitting on the stair-like seating areas, probably waiting for the ferry to the main island of Malta. Several private boats were also anchored nearby.

After a short while, a speedboat arrived, piloted by a father and son. Like other passengers, we also boarded it. The speedboat, packed with tourists, took off at high speed, splashing water onto our faces. First, we were taken to Comino Island’s Blue Lagoon, where the boat slowed down to allow tourists to admire the natural beauty and take pictures. We took many memorable photos there. Small hills, cliffs, and rocks surrounded the area, some of which had caves. Some tourists were even hiking on top of these cliffs.

At one stop, likely on the main island, almost all the tourists disembarked. The boat drivers (father and son) then asked us if we weren’t getting off. We replied that our car was parked in Cirkewwa and that our ticket covered a round trip from and back to Cirkewwa. They agreed but mentioned that they would first make another stop at a different island to pick up more tourists before returning to Cirkewwa. In the meantime, we enjoyed a free extra ride around the area before being dropped back at Cirkewwa.

Upon returning, there was still some time before sunset, so we decided to go to Selmun Bay to witness the romantic view of the sun setting over the sea. When we arrived, the sun was already descending. We crossed a wooden bridge and quickly reached a spot near the Selmun Tower to watch the sunset. The sea and sky appeared almost identical in color, with only a faint golden hue from the setting sun separating them. The sun seemed to disappear into the horizon but was surely rising somewhere else. We took many memorable pictures before preparing to return.

On the way back, we stopped outside the Mnajdra Parish Church, which we had wanted to visit from inside, but it was closed at that time. We retraced our route, returning to Cirkewwa, then taking the ferry with our car back to the main island, and finally reaching our apartment in Valletta.

That evening, we all felt like having some desi food. A quick Google search led us to an Afghan restaurant called “Afghan Natural Food” on St. George’s Road in Hamrun. We reached there soon. As we entered, we saw an elderly Afghan man instructing his Nepali staff on how to prepare and serve the dishes. One of the Nepali workers seemed startled upon seeing me.

We asked the restaurant owner about the available dishes while looking through the menu. After placing our order, the Afghan owner advised us that the food we had ordered was too much for just three people and suggested reducing a few items. We appreciated his honesty, and indeed, his suggestion was correct – we were satisfied with the amount he had recommended. Moreover, he kindly offered us honeyed green tea from his own as gesture of hospitality.

Once again, I was reminded that there are more good people in the world than bad ones. The Nepali worker later told me that he had been startled because I resembled his Nepali friend back home. For a moment, he had thought his friend had somehow appeared here in a foreign land. Perhaps those two Nepali friends often remembered each other, and that’s why he had seen a reflection of his friend in me.

After spending some time there, we returned to the apartment, enjoyed a chat over tea, watched some TV, and gradually, one by one, everyone went to sleep. (Continues)

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.

The post Travelogue: Enchanting Malta Unveiled – 1 first appeared on Sindh Courier.