DAY 145: Rabat and Mdina

I fully expected Gozo and Valetta to be my favourite places in Malta when we were researching places to go and as wonderful and lovely as they were, I can happily say that the surprise winners of my favourite place to explore were Rabat and Medina!  The history of Mdina dates back more than 4000 years which in itself is awesome and the neighbouring town Rabat had the most stunning looking church and some quite unbelievable catacombs which I can honestly say I've never seen anything like before. Here are a few photos... I got very camera happy so I'm sure I'll have another post of these two places 

I really didn't expect to love Malta as much as I did - I thought I'd enjoy it but we kind of planned it originally as a once in a lifetime visit - but now we've been, I just want to go back again and again.

Camera: Canon EOS 750
Film: Agfa Vista 200
Location: Rabat and Mdina, Malta

DAY 143: XEMXIJA HERITAGE TRAIL PART II

I mentioned in my previous post that the heritage trail has around 20 archaeological sites on it and pictured below are even more of these - the roman apiaries, a megalithic temple ruin (5000ish years old approx - whaaa?) and a cave dwelling! 

We were mostly walking around in awe of the age of things and also that they were still there after all this time. Remarkably we were the only people around too - the trail wasn't well signposted and most tourists don't seem to know its there, which considering the sites was quite incredible to us. 

Admittedly there was quite a steep climb to the roman road and the trail wasn't well marked (we missed the roman baths because we couldn't find them and after a couple of hours in the sun we were too hot and hungry to keep searching) however, I still think they were totally worth the visit even if like us, you don't see all the sights.

Camera: Canon EOS 750
Film: Kodak Portra 160 NC
Location: Xemxija, Malta

Day 143: Xemxija Heritage Trail Part I

One of our favourite things about Malta was that there was SO much to see - so many amazing things. Valetta was, of course, wonderful (I have more photos but figured we could take a break for a bit) and so full of history but the quite astounding thing is that the second world war and even the Knights of Valetta, is young history for the island.  And one area this was most obvious was the Xemxija (pronounced shem-she-ya) Heritage Trail which luckily wasn't too far from where we stayed in Bugibba.

With around 20(!) sites of archaeological importance the trail starts with the roman road - a mere 2000ish years old, leading up to a cave and the roman apiaries.

I think I shared the last carob tree photo before but I must admit that it was one of my favourite things on the trail - I love trees anyway - but to see and touch one knowing that its been through most of Malta's recent history and quite amazing turns of events, was really something.

Camera: Canon EOS 750
Films: Agfa Vista 200 and Kodak Portra 160 NC
Location: Xemxija, Malta