Malta November 1st 2007
Mtarfa, Dingli Cliffs, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, Blue Grotto & Mosta.
Today we had decided to head over to the Dingli area as we had not ventured to that side of the Island much. Also my parents have often spoken of picnicing trips to Dingli CLiffs when we lived there back in the late 50's.
So off we jolly well went.
We stopped off in Mtarfa for a little walk around, mainly as it was raining when we came in June, but today was lovely and sunny.
We parked near the Clock Tower, pictured right, which I assume is the town center, though the whole place appeared a bit deserted?
After a short walk we found the Sir Temi Zammit School again..
Ok, got some sunny pictures now and so off to Dingli Cliffs.
The Clock Tower, Mtarfa.
I can see what the attraction of the Dingli Cliffs are. The views are fantastic and there are infinate little areas where you could settle for an afternoon with a picnic or whatever. We stopped in several places just to take in the views and clamber over rocky outcrops to reach more outlying places. You really need to have a car to explore this area properly and even though we did, I suspect that there was much we missed.
I have put in a few pictures below which make the weather look a bit overcast and I suppose it was. Never the less it was still very warm albeit a bit breezy.
Dingli Cliffs.
Dingli Cliffs.
Dingli Cliffs.
Dingli Cliffs.
Hagar Qim, Neolithic Temple.
Next it was off to the Neolithic Temple at Hagar Qim and Megalithic Temple at Mnajdra. the two sites are adjacent to one another for your convenience, though I doubt that was thought of at the time of construction ? There is actually a dead straight downhill path between the two that will take you about ten minutes, (going down).
Hagar Qim, Neolithic Temple.
Next to the carpark there is the Hagar Qim Restaurant which we invaded for lunch. There was a good select of meals here at very reasonable prices.
Be warned though, there were quite a few cats which appeared to see the outdoor area of the restaurant as their home, but they were very friendly and well looked after. However, they don't take any prisoners when chasing the local fly population which seemed to be in high season, so use your elbows to keep the table cloth in place.
Mnajdra, Megalithic Temple.
I don't know much about history especially the Neolithic period, though some have suggested that I should, but this is well worth a visit.
Now, it is about this time that the flies started to pee me off. They seemed to think that my shoulders were some sort of ancient gathering sites, like a mini rock festival or something. Thirty or forty to a group, so you could not swat them without leaving a rather large dead fly patch on you shirt, then everyone would know that you had, without any mercy, killed them.
Mnajdra, Megalithic Temple.
So, with a constant buzzing in my ears off we went down the long straight path to the Mnajdra Megalithic Temple.
It's about half way down this path that it occurred to me that we have to walk back up it later.
Not to worry, I had stereo buzzing to take my mind off the climb back up the path. The strange thing is there was no apparent reason fro all the flies. I mean like a pig farm or hundreds of dog walkers. No offence !
I have to say though, that the local historians or archeologists are doing an excellent job of restoring and preserving these temples and while it is not really a 'Day Out' on it's own , it is well worth the effort to go and see.
Blue Grotto, from on high.
The Blue Grotto is just just along the road and remembering that there were a few nice souvenier shops there as well as a really very nice little cafe, that is where we headed next.
After that the carpark attendant suggested that we would get a good view of the Blue Grotto by going down the road a few hundred yards where we would find a great viewpoint, hence the phot on the left.
It were a nice spot too !
It was decided that it was time to start heading back to the hotel, but to stop at Mosta to visit the 'Mosta Dome', full name apparently 'The Rotunda of St Marija Assunta'. Unfortunately my photographer and daughter, typical, were not acceptably attired and so we aquired some pictures of the exterior, below and took a stroll around the shops there.
The Rotunda of St Marija Assunta, Mosta.
The Rotunda of St Marija Assunta, Mosta.
And so it was that we headed back to the hotel, having vowed to return, women properly dressed, so that we could view the interior.
We spent another pleasant evening having a few drinks in the hotel, well at least I did. My photogrpher dissapeared for her internet fix, while the kiddies went off to the games room.
Click here to read about Friday 2nd November.
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