Malta

Our original interest in Malta was based on its diving reputation. Then once we learned of an appropriate conference being held there (Mobile Learning) , a paper was submitted and accepted and the trip seemed inevitable. In researching sites in Malta for use as examples in the paper, we found this small country in the middle of the Mediterranean had much to offer. So despite the fact that we were unable to make the conference itself in June- due to an arthritic neck, excessive costs, poor travel arrangements, and inadequate planning - we took the trip two months later anyway. (Arrangements were made to have the paper presented as a poster; and it will be published in the proceedings anyway.)

For details and highlights of our trip, click on the links below:

• Archeological sites: The most impressive feature of Malta are the many prehistoric, stone structures - dating back almost 6,000 years - older than the pyramids and stonehenge. Here are some of our favorites:
  • Ggantija Temple
  • Hagar Qim Temple
  • Mnajdra Temple
  • The Hypogeum
  • "Cart Ruts"
• After these stone age structures, one can find remnants of Bronze Age Villages. These were then followed by historic sites including those of Phoenician, Punic, and Roman order.
• The Knights of St. John ran the country from about 1500 until Napolean, building many forts, towers and palaces, including
  • The Red Tower
  • The Citadel on Gozo
• Mathematical Designs:
  • The Apses. What exactly is their shape? How did it evolve? How heavy of a roof would they support?
  • Spirals. Are the ones in the temples the oldest on earth? How did they evolve? Did they become smoother or more standardized with time. They also occur in more modern structures, e.g. on grillwork in windows and as buttresses on churches.
  • The Maltese Cross. How did it evolve? With eight points it looks Islamic. I noticed that some of the knights wore a Swiss cross instead.
• Diving: We did go diving. There were many good snorkeling sites - many of which were quite secluded, some with tremendous drop-offs. Sharol took her first scuba lesson and liked it well enough to consider more. The main scuba attraction in Malta are the many cave dives on Gozo. Richard said he wouldn't do no [sic] cave dives. The first thing he did was a cave dive - Cathedral Cave, also known as the Blue Dome. We did it from a boat. The dive gradually descends to 17 meters (a "shallow dive"), it traverses about 200 meters, then it surfaces into a spectacular dome which seems to be about 4 meters high and 10 meters in circumference. There's a fissure in the dome allowing in enough light so you can see. Similarly there is enough light to be able to see your way in and out - though most divers used "torches" to be able to examine nooks and crannies, esp. for seahorses. Round trip it took less than 40 minutes and a tank of air. Visibility was very good - about 20 meters. Temperature was about 24 deg C, so a 5mm wetsuit was comfortable.
  Cathedral Cave from above
  Cathedral Cave - the way out

  We made our arrangements thru Atlantis Diving, who were very patient and accommodating.

• Driving:A combination of Italy and Great Britain, i.e. grazy drivers on the wrong side of the road!
• Lodgings:We stayed at:
  • Rafael Spinola Hotel in St. Julians
  • Xaghra Lodge, Xaghra, Gozo
  • Selmun Palace
  • Etvan Hotel, Marsascala
• Food and drink: There was a wide variety of restaurants including traditional Maltese, Italian, Greek, Chinese and even Tex-Mex. Some of the traditioanal Maltese cuisine we tried and liked included rabbit and bigilla (a spicy bean dip.) We found the pizza to be better than what we had in Italy and priced less than at home. We drank the local beers (fairly light lagers), wines (good reds), and soft drinks, esp. Kinnie (and diet Kinnie). We got so fond of Kinnie that Sharol was searching for some in cans to bring home but couldn't find any. Then on the flight home, she sat next to a woman who had acquired several six-packs at the airport. She generously gave Sharol a six-pack, which she has carefully hidden away.
• References:
  • Trump, D.H., Malta, An Archeological Guide Faber, 1972, which we took along. It was very useful, esp. for locating and describing off-the-beaten-path sites.
  • Goodwin, S., Malta, Mediterranean Bridge, B&G, 2002. A good, up-to-date sociological view.
  • Evans, J.D., Malta Praeger, 1959. Good for the ancient history.
• Costs $$$