Week 5 is going to be short and sweet, just like my Mum, haha 😉

I worked at a festival called Earth Garden for 4 days, so my exploring was put on hold temporarily…

 

Monday (Day 29):

On Monday morning the Dutchie left super-early (like 5.30am) so I saw him off in his taxi and then went back to bed. After my shift, I was still knackered so I took a nap and then had a bit of a lazy day – still managed to do 22k steps though, so not *that* lazy. 

Bono being his usual cheeky self 😉

 

Tuesday (Day 30):

After work I decided to go to Mdina and Rabat. I’ve been to Mdina before, but I missed the famous Insta-door so that required a return visit, and seeing as Rabat is right next door it would be silly not to 🙂

The Insta-famous door in Mdina

If you haven’t been to Mdina, I recommend a visit, combined with Rabat (as it’s really not a whole day thing). You can probably spend 2-3 hours in Mdina and you’re done. 

Make sure you visit Fontanella Tea Gardens the views are spectacular! 😀

Onto Rabat… it’s pretty, but I didn’t really stay very long. I just had a wander around and took lots of pictures of #maltadoors! 

 

Wednesday (Day 31):

Due to my lack of exploring the previous week, I really wanted to visit some new destinations, so I headed to Mgarr.

If you ever find yourself in Mgarr, there’s a cute cafe/restaurant right opposite the church called Il-Barri – the drinks are so cheap! I guess because it’s off the tourist track…

My original plan was to walk from Mgarr to Gnejna Bay and then along the coast to Għajn Tuffieħa Bay and Golden Bay. 

The walk to Gnejna Bay was all downhill, thankfully, and I remember smugly thinking to myself “thank god I don’t have to walk back up this hill” – especially as I’d seen a couple of girls coming the opposite way sweating their lady-balls off! 

Well guess what… I couldn’t get around the coast because it was all boggy and I couldn’t find a (safe) way through… so I did have to walk back up that fucking hill!! 

That’ll teach me. 

Luckily, Gnejna Bay was worth the trip!! Bloody gorgeous! 😀

Gnejna bay, Mgarr

 

Thursday – Sunday (Days 32 – 35):

Over the weekend I worked at Earth Garden – it’s a really cool, alternative festival… I’d actually really like to go next year if I can… but then not work obviously 😉

They have a strict environmental policy, which I love, and the vibe is really laid back. 

 

Week 5 stats: 

Photos taken: 83

Distance covered on foot: 81 km

Steps: 127k

NEW Destinations visited: Rabat, Mgarr, Gnejna, Ta Qali (where Earth Garden is held) 

Lowlights: an 11 hour shift at Earth Garden following my normal 3 hour Workaway shift 😱 

Things I have learned about Malta this week:  

• Taking a wild guess here, but I reckon ‘mela’ is the most commonly used word in the Maltese language. It’s like a filler word and can mean a variety of things: so, so then, well then, of course, sure… and much more. People use it allllllllllll the time! Almost like a tick…
• Personal space isn’t really a thing here. I mean I’m used to it a bit because I live in Holland. Small country syndrome perhaps? The person in the checkout queue behind you is likely to brush up against you – multiple times – and not apologise or think anything of it… and no this isn’t just men being pervy. I’ve had women do it to me too. Argh… as an English person, invading our personal space is about one of the worst things you can do!

Things I have learned about life this week:

• You don’t have to pick red OR blue when ordering a Slush Puppie!! You can ask them to layer it!! *Mind blown*

Shit, I can’t believe I’m already more than halfway through my trip already! Crazy!

Have I persuaded you to visit Malta yet??

Hayley x