Visiting Malta for the first time reminds me that firsts act as markers for new beginnings. They create long-lasting memories and offer the opportunity to experience something new.
The Maltese Islands
I must have been a nomad in a prior life. Making our way from country to country, city to city, exploring the sites, sounds and smells of each is a living aphrodisiac for me. Not wanting this journey to end, and torn between my love of exploration and jux opposed homing pigeon desire to return to the farm and animals, I fully embraced my final stop on this adventure.
Malta would be my last country visited of what turned out to be seven (7) countries in 23 days with my friend Robert who is doing an around the world trip in his Malibu Mirage; and it proved to be a country filled with surprises starting with it’s unusual language (a mixture of English, Italian and Arabic). Having just left Elba Island (Italy) where I had fun mastering “Arrivederci” I was introduced to the common Malta goodbye of “Ciao ciao!” by Keith Abela who was our Handler at MLA, Malta International Airport. In general aviation (rather than commercial), handlers are the people who greet you at the plane and assist with everything from moving your luggage, helping to acquire fuel, transition through customs if needed and finding a reputable taxi to our hotel. Malta’s airport is very busy and getting a fuel truck with Avgas (rather than Jet Fuel) can be challenging. After waiting for an hour in the sweltering sun with heat pouring off the tarmac, I’ll never forget seeing Keith’s little white car trailing behind a fuel truck, herding them to us.
The taxi cab driver to our accommodations had been raised in Malta, but sported a Canadian accent and replied to my questions with an”Ay!”. Turns out his father had moved the family from the cold winters of Canada to Malta when he was a boy. With an Arabic sounding language I inquired about the primary religion of Malta as we passed one church after another, and he surprisingly answered: ‘Christian. Only one mosque is on the island.’ This was just the beginning of many revelations this island would hold.
Our accommodations for each stop were made by General Aviation Support Egypt – G.A.S.E. and were always superb. In Malta, we had a two bedroom apartment with a spectacular view of Valletta. If I had not been ready to explore, I could have sat in that living room gazing at the view in front of me all day!
