distances

During my month stay in Malta, never did I tire of wandering along its tall, fortress walls and of pausing to look out, to look at nothing in particular, but to look quietly out then look away or close my eyes then see again. I did not want to be watching what was out there. I wanted myself to see.

Blues and many hues and yellows and many hues and clear sun light and the objects they formed became  familiar as grays and rain in my home state.

I took any opportunity where I could climb above the ramparts to a perch above all else. Equally, a boat ride on the smooth blue Mediterranean Sea meant opportunities to gaze out, to see there without a barricade what was around me.

Two light houses greet ships entering the Grand Harbor, the largest of two natural harbors in Malta. Several tour companies offer harbor cruises that take tourists into the various “creeks” and along the coast line. One opportunity is the sight of the light houses. (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)

The highest point on Malta is the Dingli Radar Station overlooking the Dingli Cliffs which are around 253 meters above sea-level. They are easily accessible, one kilometer, an easy walking distance, from the town of Dingli. (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)

The islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino make up the country of Malt. I took a boat to Mġarr and its harbor, Mgarr Harbour. On the hill that overlooks the harbor is Our Lady of Lourdes, a gothic church that was finished in 1888. (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)

Mdina, the former capital of Malta, is surrounded by farm land. It is a walled city founded in the 8th century BC by the Phoenicians. From many vantage points on the walls one can see another aspect of life on Malta. (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)

From the water as well the views can be wonderful. The air is clear, the sun shines vividly, the colors are pure, and from the blue blue water the cool yellow explodes from the water. (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)

Valletta, the capital of Malta, is a fortified city. Huge walls built in the 16th century surround it. A cavernous ditch at one end keeps out invaders coming from inland.

The protective perimeter is  terraced occasionally. In other words, the fortress walls do not simply rise up, as we would imagine for a moated castle. They rise, flatten, then angle up again. Those high walls and terraces provide lovely points for looking out to the horizon. You can always see who is out there.