A Journey of Wonders through Island Drives & Golden Skies
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.
