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

Porto: Forte de São Francisco Xavier

I couldn't find much out about this fortification after we'd visited other than its also known as Queijo Castle (which translates as Cheese Castle - which I wish I'd known whilst we were there) as well as Forte de São Francisco Xavier.

Camera: Refurb LC-A
Film: Kodak Portra NC 160
Location: Porto, Portugal

Porto: The Beach

Hello, I'm back! Again. Ha. Life is busyyy at the moment. But thats ok, I'm enjoying it. It's always nice to come back here too.

I've finally started uploading the last of the Porto photos onto Flickr - its only taken me nearly a year - but here we are. So the next few weeks will be Porto photos, starting with the beach, hurray!

Camera: Refurb LC-A
Film: Kodak Portra NC 160 and Kodak Ektar
Location: Porto, Portugal