Tag: Malta

Marsaxlokk – Part 1

Published on by Anita22 Comments

Last Sunday we visited the small and picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk which is the largest fishing harbour of Malta and has been so since antiquity. Here, among many other things, you’ll find the colorful and traditional luzzu’z.

The luzzu is a sturdy carvel-built boat with a double-ended hull brightly painted in shades of yellow, red, green and blue. The bow is often pointed with a pair of eyes, “Eye of Osiris”, said to protect the fishermen while at sea.

There’s much more than just the colorful boats to discover in this village, especially on Sundays.
More to come…

Hello World!

Published on by Anita32 Comments

Hello from Malta!
I’m one of six siblings born September 27, 2020, the one above who rests on me is my brother.

Mom thinks I’m cute, she thinks we’re all cute.

Now we are almost four weeks old and we can walk on our slightly unstable legs. We also tried to eat mashed chicken for the first time and it tasted good. What an exciting world, there seems to be a lot to discover…

It takes effort to be this small in a big world.

Goodnight!

Wild White Beauty

Published on by Anita29 Comments

This is one of all the wild flowers found here on the island right now.

Soon the summer heat will come and most plants will dry out while the Mediterranean will be warmer and maybe, wishful thinking, our everyday life will return to being the way it once was, and we’re back to normal. Non-essential shops have opened again this week and cafes and restaurants may open at the end of May. Perhaps…Wishing you a great weekend from sunny Malta!!

Susan’s Flower on Fridays
Cee’s Photo Challenge Flower of The Day

Life is good…

Published on by Anita15 Comments

Life goes on as usual, I can still go out while my husband since three weeks now has to stay indoors. I go to the supermarket when needed and I take long walks with Fanny twice a day, otherwise I stay home as advised. I’m grateful to have my beloved dog as a companion when walking in nature.

Now in the spring you will find different flowers everywhere and thus a variety of colors while bees are looking for nectar. This flower is as small as my thumb nail.Despite prevailing circumstances, life is good…

A trip to Għajn Tuffieħa

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Għajn Tuffieħa / Riviera Bay is located on the north-west coast of Malta. Here you’ll find clay slopes and high cliffs on either side of the bay, red sand, crystal clear water and lots of narrow footpaths to hike on.Here I go with Fanny as it’s one of the few places where she can run freely. Ta Qali Park which is closer and where we normally go is completely closed and on the rocks along the sea at home dogs must be leashed.This man has chosen a clever way to keep the social distance imposed by the authorities.The scenery here is barren but offers several beautiful views. Singita Miracle Beach – Mgarr Għajn Tuffieħa – Malta / April 2020

 

Black & White Photography – 8

Published on by Anita21 Comments

I just realized that my Swedish driving license needs to be renewed. Since I live in Malta I have applied for a Maltese driver’s license. While I wait for it to be ready, I wonder what it’s like to ride a motorcycle. Lol.. Haha…

This is just for fun, don’t think I’m riding a Harley-Davidson here in Malta in a couple of weeks.
And for the sake of unusualness, there are only two pictures this time. Happily!

Susan’s Black and White on Wednesdays

More from Majjistral National Park…

Published on by Anita30 Comments

 

Colorful
A banana plant!
Some birds have eaten from a pomegranate
Evening twilight around 5pm.

These pictures are all from last Friday’s trip to Majjistral National Park. The paths are narrow along the steep slopes of dried clay down to the sea. Not a place to walk after heavy rain.But the scenery changes and Fanny is surrounded by greenery…

Very commmon throughout the year.
Not so common, a new plant for me, it’s acually a flower!

…while I photographing plants.

I was happy to find so many colorful flowers growing here on the island in late December.
Malta is a lovely little island to live on all year round, unless you long for snow and a white Christmas.

Comfort

Published on by Anita28 Comments

It may not look so comfortable but when I saw this man I felt that he had fun. Seeing the fun in an uncomfortable situation shows that the man has an open mind who enjoys his comfort.

Some may feel the comfort of a cold beer after a hard day’s work while others choose a light lunch.

Lonesome on the rocks by the sea with a book.
Friendship and games between adults.
Friendship between young people.

There are so many types of comfort, that can be friendship or being alone.
And most important, to be grateful for having the feeling of comfort, which we can’t take for granted.

Post inspiration:  Dutch Goes the Photo – Comfort

Clouds in the sky…

Published on by Anita43 Comments

A barefoot man looks at the wakes on the sea after the stormy weather.
Sailing in the Mediterranean Sea when the weather is clear in October.
The vision of the little man shows the simplicity of humanity on earth.

We have variable weather now here in Malta with sun and blue sky and gray days with rain, while the first stormy weather has passed. (Please click on a circle to enlarge, each image has a short text.)…and when it’s gray and rainy, there are always colors to find that can brighten our days.Autumn is here to stay but we have varannandagsväder as we call it in Swedish. Yesterday I had to bring my umbrella while walking with Fanny, today it’s clear sky and 27 degrees. Wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Genuine Joy!

Published on by Anita44 Comments

Can you see her? For me this is pure joy. To see when Fanny with great delight runs freely on the rocks. She loves to run and she loves to run fast. This is a huge area along the Mediterranean, near Marsalforn in Gozo.

Here you also find the Salt pans. The production of sea salt has a long tradition in Gozo and the Salt pans found near Marsalforn are still used today. Click on the link and read more if you are interested.The salt is stored in caves carved into the coastal rock and I see a happy face!It’s amazing how nature has been shaped through the years! Some rocks looks more like soft sand dunes.

Here someone has created a cute snail in the soft stone.
Like sand dunes.
Fanny resting in the shade
The only plant I found.

Obviously, this is not the place to visit in search of plant or insects…

…but you can run, you can bike and if you’re brave, take a dip in the sea from the high cliffs.
Notice the ladder and don’t forget to click on an image to enlarge.With love from Anita & Fanny, my beloved Basenji! 💕

Away for a while…

Published on by Anita51 Comments

I’ve been away for a while, away from it all, again. This time we went to Gozo, Malta’s sister island which is completely different from the main island. Gozo is known as a tranquil haven for a tempo and scene change.

This little island has its own special charm. It’s greener, more rural and with life’s rhythms dictated by the seasons, fishing and agriculture. I love this little island in the middle of the Mediterranean. These images may represent tranquility and life’s rhythm, at the sunset of Dwejra.

I’d like to thank Ben Humberman at WordPress.com who once again highlighted my blog in the Reader under Discover. Thank You so much Ben and thanks to all of my new and old followers!!
You are my inspiration. ❤

Summer shades…

Published on by Anita25 Comments

It’s very dry now here on the island.These are seen on many dry plants right now, I’ve no idea why.A glimpse of Selmun church is seen in the background.Fortunately, there are some plants that survive the heat.On a Sunday in mid July, most people here in Malta choose to have fun on the beach, 30 degrees or swim in the sea, 26 degrees. I think I’ll do the same. Wish You a great Sunday, wherever You are on this planet. Splash!!! 

Winged & Colorful

Published on by Anita34 Comments

Winged and colorful but so hard to capture with my camera.Pride…Tough and stubborn.Looks like this one wants to say something, I’m colorful and I can fly.

Weekly Photo Challenge by Frank / Dutch Goes the Photo’s

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge – Liquid

Published on by Anita41 Comments

This week’s photo challenge is about keeping things fluid.

Let the imagination flow…Barefoot in soft sand and crystal clear blue water.Reflections in the sea from the sky and a boat.WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge / Liquid

Happy Macro Friday!

Published on by Anita45 Comments

If all insects on Earth disappeared, within 50 years all life on Earth would end.If all human beings disappeared from the Earth, within 50 years all forms of life would flourish. Quote by Jonas Salk

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge – Prolific

Published on by Anita47 Comments

This week, Krista asks us what “Prolific” makes us think about. The most prolific must be the earth itself as home of all known life. Water, microorganisms, oxygen, mammals, dinosaurs, flowers, insects, humans…
A never ending process, of which these images are just a tiny fraction from my little corner of the earth.The nature, not always easy for humans to explore, but we are attracted and we are curious about it. …and we are part of an amazing landscape and scenery. In search for life and color.We all know that behind the clouds the sky is always blue but rarely think of the valuable air we breathe. And when the sun sets, another day is gone and life on earth continues in an eternal circle, constantly prolific. With or without homo sapiens…

All images are from Majjistral National Park here in Malta April 2018.

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge / Prolific

Soft Sunday…

Published on by Anita45 Comments

Instead of Silent Sunday. But the pictures may speak for themselves anyway.
Today we spent another day at Majjistral National Park in search for the way around, more to come…

Future

Published on by Anita21 Comments

This week, Frank invites us to share one or more photos that makes us think about the future.Yesterday, we were hiking for three hours in the Majjistral National Park where nature is stunning. The sea, the huge rocks in different shapes, all wild flowers and the swirling footpaths gives a feeling of being truly in the middle of nature. That we totally went lost is another story…Nature is both delicate and strong. As long as we let nature take care of itself, it will also survive…

One of many threats to the future of our nature is plastic. In the deep oceans, as well as on land.What every generation teaches to the next……will be the result of our future. And I strongly believe in the future.Photo Challenge by Frank / Dutch Goes the Photo’s / Theme: Future

Macro time

Published on by Anita37 Comments

I think this is a Vinbärssnäcka. That´s what it called in Swedish but I´m not sure about the English name.

Here I let the pictures speak for themselves.This is the first butterfly I managed to capture so far this year. It flew among the flowers in Majjistral National Park. This one was not easy to catch with the camera, but I’m very happy that I found it.

Beautiful view

Majjistral Nature Park – Malta

Published on by Anita54 Comments

Yesterday we went to Majjistral Nature/History Park, the only natural park in Malta that includes coastal cliffs and a rich ecological and rural heritage. Thanks to Fanny, we discover new amazing places here on the island.Mimosa blossoms.It was a lovely day with blue sky and a temperature of 20 degrees. My dear husband and my lovely dog, always by my side, waiting patiently while I’m constantly taking new pictures.

Maltese Pyramical Orchid
Maltese Pyramical Orchid.

There are around 430 different species of plants in the park and during spring, the best time to visit the park. I saw hundreds of flower and different plants. These, I believe, are Maltese Pyramical Orchids. Guess if I was a bit sad that my macro lens is broken. But not too bad, now I have a reason to buy a new one!!

Happy Monday’s mix!

Published on by Anita17 Comments

A kite flying in the air is a kind of freedom for both the child on the ground and for the viewer.

This road sign is so cute! I have never seen a hedgehog here in Malta but these signs are quite common. Hopefully there are many hidden living in the bushes, although they are not visible.A typical Maltese boat with its special eye, not the first one I show, I know and there will be many more.

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Jag vill också vara med viskar Fanny och det är klart att hon får fast egentligen är det nog mest jag som vill…

WPC – Tour Guide

Published on by Anita40 Comments

This week, Krista asks us to share images of where we live. What do we love about where we live?
Malta is an island in the Mediterranean Sea located south of Italy. It´s one of the smallest countries in the world with an estimated population of 422,000. It´s a popular tourist destination with its warm climate and architectural and historical monuments. Malta has some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world and the capital Valletta is designated as the Capital of Culture 2018!
Love the wonderful nature, especially in spring with all wildflowers and a stunning greenery all over the island. Not to be found during the hot summer months.Who doesn’t love the typical Maltese balconies, painted in different colors…

… and where in Europe can you buy fresh sweet strawberries even in winter.
The local wine is very tasteful as well as many other local produces.Then we have the colorful fishing boats known as Maltese luzzu. There are much much more I would like to share, but I think I have to stop here and consider a part two…

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge  / Tour Guide

Beautiful black Swans

Published on by Anita46 Comments

 

Last Sunday we went to St. Anton Gardens in Attard where the annual Citrus Festival took place. But Fanny didn’t enjoy it that much, too many people, so much noise and I was too busy managing my camera. So we just walked around the park where there weren’t so many people for about an hour before we left. But we were lucky, instead of citrus in quantities and lots of different varieties we found these two beautiful black Swans swimming around so peacefully. I’ve never seen black Swans before!

So graceful and with a distinctive beauty in its movement, style and shape. I’ll visit them again soon.

WPC – Transformation

Published on by Anita29 Comments

This week, we share images that embodies transformation.
There are so much. Like a bud above that turns into a beautiful flower! Or the slow and natural transformation of something once shiny.Nature, an old church and all details look completely different when reflected and in water.

Click on the link below and you’ll find lots of transformations from other participants.
WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge  / Transformation by Jen.H

CFFC – Letter N

Published on by Anita24 Comments

Nature lovers, on hiking in Malta in November.Natural look. Neat and so lovely, but nearly too close.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Needs to start with the letter N

Historical buildings are seen almost everywhere on this island.
Almost dried out but with some greenery kept on top and around..
Lovely color!
Not alive but still nice as nature’s own decoration.
Greenary, November is not a bad month :-)
Fanny exploring the environment.
Like sunshine, there is always a little sun in my heart. Tralala … !!
Looks soft but are they..?
Beautiful autumn flowers!

Why Malta – This is my Malta part 2

Published on by Anita39 Comments

Yesterday we went to Saint Agatha’s Tower in Mellieħa, also known as the Red Tower, located half an hour’s drive from home. Not because of the tower itself but for the surroundings, the nature and the view.Fanny really enjoys to explore new areas and there’s a lot left for her to discover on this island.On  Saturday when we visited a park close to Floriana nearby Valletta. Fanny is kept on a lead all the time while I try to teach her to walk without pulling all the time, not as easy as it sounds. A stone is a stone, but some stones can even smile. Or did we meet a magical being 😉

Click on an image in the gallery to enlarge. To each image there is a short text.

Sunday pics from Malta…

Published on by Anita37 Comments

Yesterday we took the car out to the countryside here in Malta…

…in search for signs of the autumn and this is what we found.
Click on an images to enlarge.We went to Blue Grotto located on the southern coast of Malta. A popular spot for tourists during high season. In November, a popular spot for locals to relax by the Mediterranean Sea.Fanny really enjoy to be in the nature. And for the first time she`s close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Around five it’s getting dark and time to go home. To the left you see the small desert island of Filfla. To the right some youths after a dip in the 22 degrees water, same temperature as in the air. We really had a great day!!

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge

Published on by Anita38 Comments

This is a great fun and for me a completely new challenge. To convert from color and use only black and white.An indoor garage here in Kuching with the shadow of a man walking from the entrance.

This is a spiral staircase inside a very old mill completely made of stone in a small town in Malta. This image was taken inside a train in Singapore. This photo is not exactly the same as the one above. Just a small difference in light and contrast but I know that even a small difference can mean a lot and that’s
what I’ll try to learn in Cee’s weekly Black & White Photo Challenge.

CB&W: Indoor Walkways, Hallways, Elevators etc..

Everyday life in Malta

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Turister och försäljare på The Strand i Sliema.
Att ha hund är väldigt vanlig och snart är det min tur 🙂
Motionärer som springer mitt på dagen trots över 30 grader!

Några bilder från vardagen här på Malta. Klicka gärna på en bild för att förstora.
Utmed den breda havspromenaden vid Tower Road finns det många sätt att ta sig fram. Nere vid The Strand i Sliema är turisterna många liksom de som vill sälja utfärder.Tower Road sträcker sig flera kilometer från Spinola Bay i San Giljan till Tigne och Qui si sana i Sliema. Perfekt för den som vill promenera, motionera eller bara flanera. 🙂