Hey! It's been a minute, but I'm back in this thing! Still working on the balancing work, the blog and being PRESENT. We gonna get it though!
Let's get into #magicalMalta! I flew out to the country of Malta on June 30th, 2018.
Malta is located about 20miles from Sicily, Italy, 221 miles from Libya and 527 miles to Greece.
I spent 5 days in Malta for business and pleasure, before I migrated over to London.
The country is rich in history and beautiful architecture.
You should add it to your #Europe travel bucket list. #doitforthestory
This week on the blog I will share the brief history of Malta and 8 things you should #doforthestory when you visit!
The history of Malta is a long and colorful one dating back
to the beginning of civilization.
Here are the spark notes if you're interested. I love culture and history so i find it fascinating! lol
....if you aren't interested to keep scrolling lol.
- The Maltese Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which are the mysterious temples dedicated to the goddess of fertility. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines, all left their traces on the Islands.
- In 60 A.D. St. Paul was shipwrecked on the island while on his way to Rome and brought Christianity to Malta. The Arabs conquered the islands in 870 A.D. and left an important mark on the language of the Maltese. Until 1530 Malta was an extension of Sicily: The Normans, the Aragonese and other conquerors who ruled over Sicily also governed the Maltese Islands.
- It was Charles V who bequeathed Malta to the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem who ruled over Malta from 1530 to 1798. In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte took over Malta from the Knights on his way to Egypt. The French presence on the islands was short lived, as the English, who were requested by the Maltese to help them against the French, blockaded the islands in 1800
- British rule in Malta lasted until 1964 when Malta became independent. The Maltese adapted the British system of administration, education and legislation. Modern Malta became a Republic in 1974 and joined the European Union in May 2004.
8 things to #doforthestory in magical Malta!
#1 Take a cruise to the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a small bay with shallow, azure-colored water that’s located on the West coast of Comino, between the main island and Cominotto (a rock-sized island).
The Blue Lagoon is a little slice of paradise. It’s a great place to spend a day to relax, swim and snorkel in the BLUE water.
My friend Emilia and I scheduled an eight-hour boat cruise to The Blue Lagoon. It was a full bar and lunch was provided. The cruise took about an hour to get to the bay. It was a beautiful ride up.
Upon arrival, we set up shop on the rocks, with our beach towels,secured the sunblock enjoyed the refreshing taste of pineapple mojitos.
Go there! Get a pineapple! Drink it in then sunshine then, jump in the water!
*Be careful swimming in the rocks, I banged up my legs and knees a bit lol #doitforthestory
The water was FREEZING, but NICE in the melting Malta heat!
#2 Migrate to Mdina
The history of Mdina traces back more than 4000 years. According to tradition, it was here that in 60 A.D. that the Apostle St. Paul is said to have lived after being shipwrecked on the Islands.
Mdina is a charming town with a timeless atmosphere, architecture and its filled with cultural and religious treasures. I love art, architecture and spiriuality so this was right up my alley.
FUN FACT: Game of Thrones filmed a lot of episodes in the beautiful Mdina, Malta
Wandering around the quaint town of Mdina was so calming and aesthetically pleasing. I felt at peace there. It was a beautiful town filled with flowers and luxury doors and buildings.
Malta has STUNNING doors! All unique in color and shape. I was so intrigued by the doors in Mdina.
I am drawn to doors, literally and figuratively.
Doors are powerful. A lot can happen when you close one door and open another one.
(my mom passed that infatuation and metaphor over to me)
I touched every building and thing lol. I knew that this place was filled with stories of the past.
I wondered what the walls would say if they could talk to me. I thought about who walked these streets, who lived here, who cried here and who kissed or fell in love here.
I captured a lot of photos in Mdina, then put the camera/ phone away to be present.
#3 Take a boat to go through the Blue Gratto caves
The Blue Grotto sea caves are located on the coastline right opposite to the small uninhabited islet of Filfla. The location of the caves, combined with the rays of sunlight, lead to the seawater mirroring and showing numerous shades of blue on the cave walls and ceilings.
It was BEAUTIFUL! The pictures do it no justice. The caves were sparkling, I wanted to take a piece of it home and put it in my apartment lol.
Grab a taxi and head over to the Blue Grotto! Get a beer at the local truck near the water, secure your ticket and hop on the boat!
# 4 Drink a Cisk beer!
"The original Cisk Lager Beer is a golden-coloured, bottom-fermented lager with a distinctive and well-balanced character. Its rich hop aroma and pleasant bitterness has made it the natural choice and thirst quencher for beer drinkers who want to savour the original brew which has remained faithful to its recipe of 1929." - Cisk
Have a local Maltese brew! It is refreshing and well-balanced beer.
When I travel to new places I try to immerse myself in there food, wine, and beer. Sometimes it's a bust and sometimes it's a WIN. This beer was a WIN! Grab this beer before your boat ride!
Cisk, Holla at me. This is bomb for your marketing if i say so myself! lol
#5 Visit Valletta
More history shit... lol - Valletta was founded in 1565 by the Order of St John as a refuge for soldiers returning from the Crusades, Valletta. Valletta is now the capital of Malta and a magical piece of history. It has an unsurpassed collection of original Baroque architecture, fortified city walls overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and the spectacular Co-Cathedral of St John, which features carved stone vaults and a famous painting by Caravaggio.
The city of Valetta is so charming. The people are friendly and the architecture is unbelievable.
Emilia and i had no game plan, we just wander the streets and let the universe lead the way.
#6 Go to St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta
St John’s Co-Cathedral is a gem of Baroque art and architecture. It was built as the conventual church for the Knights of St John. The Grand Masters and several knights donated gifts of high artistic value and made enormous contributions to enrich it with only the best works of art.
This church is still this very day an important shrine and a sacred place of worship.
The church was filled with love, light and God. I wandered and admired almost every little detail.
I stopped into a small prayer area, where cameras weren't allowed and prayed for my folks.
It was peaceful. I kept thanking God for my life, for the lessons and for my many blessings. I am grateful for the favor and to be living in His purpose. I was thankful to experience this church and country.
I cried. I prayed. I thanked Him.
Keep going. Your life can change in one year.
#7 Take a trip to the Ħaġar Qim Temples
The temple of Ħaġar Qim stands on a hilltop overlooking the sea and the islet of Fifla.
First excavated in 1839, the remains suggest a date between 3600 – 3200 BC, a period known as the Ġgantija phase in Maltese prehistory. Ħaġar Qim was in fact never completely buried as the tallest stones, remained exposed and featured in 18th and 19th century paintings.
The site consists of a central building and the remains of at least two more structures. The large forecourt and the monumental facade of the central structure follow the pattern typical of Maltese Prehistoric Temples.
My favorite part of this was that one of the prehistoric chambers at Ħaġar Qim holds an elliptical hole which is hewn out in alignment with the Summer Solstice sunrise. At sunrise, on the first day of summer, the sun’s rays pass through this hole. I just celebrated Summer Solstice with my gypsy/ hippie sisters! To share the experience with them, i grabbed some loose rocks to bring back for our next new Moon/ Full moon party! lol #hippieassjazz
On some other hippie shit, i took off my shoes and walked around the temples to get all the acient good energy that has been present there sense 3600 – 3200 BC!
I bought my mom and I a keepsake of The Venus of Malta. The Venus was discovered in the Hagar Qim temples (3300 BCE). A consensus is that these Venus figurines represent fertility.
I am not trying to be fertile or have a baby right now lol, but I appreciate the significance of the artifact and women in history. #justsaying #3to5yearsababy #myhusbandiscoming #wegottatravel #jazzylovesthekids
# 8 Eat and Drink all the Maltease goodness!
Chef Charles at La Maltija in St. Julian's, Malta
Maltese cuisine reflects Maltese history; it shows strong Sicilian and English influences as well as Spanish, French, Maghrebin, Provençal, and other Mediterranean cuisines.
The traditional Maltese stewed rabbit (fenek) is often identified as the national dish. I was able to experience it at a cute little restaurant in St. Julian called La Maltija. If you go there ask for Chef Charles he is amazing! He will whip you up FRESH clams, mussels, and lobsters for your dishes. I watch him!
Of course, I had to have pizza, because pizza is always a good idea! #pizzaenthusiast My little Italian heart and belly were filled with joy! I definitely gained a couple pounds, but ran a lot while i was out there to try to balance it out.
How you stay faithful in a room fully carbs?
THAT PIZZA WAS THE BEST PIZZA I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE.
THE PASTA WAS LIT.
THE WINE WAS PHENOMENAL.
Go eat and be merry in Malta! #thankmelater
In conclusion, Malta is magical! It is a quaint little country rich in history, beautiful doors, hidden alleys, blue water and friendly people. Add Malta to your Europe travel list.
Wander the streets, be present and go through these 8 things! #magicalMalta
I'm falling in love with London right now. I'll be back in Seattle for more #jazzyintheSEA adventures soon! I also have a few more trips planned for the rest of 2018! #staytuned
Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Jasmine Rashae
"Ain't no feeling like being free, when your minds made up and your heart's in the right place..."