Domus Romana

Domus Romana is located at Rabat, which is another town but it is only 230 meters away from Mdina (imagine how small Malta is). Domus Romana is an excavated site of a large Roman townhouse from the 1^st century BC. The mosaic floor has a geometric boarder around an image of two birds perched on a water bowl, known as ‘Drinking Doves of Sosos’. This site is very small and ordinary compared to those in Italy, but because this is found in Malta and thus a common Roman townhouse as such shines…

Mosta Dome

28-10-2007

Mosta is located at the level plateau atop the Victoria Line escarpment. There is a renowned parish church in the town square of Mosta, claiming to be the third largest church dome in the world, after St. Peter's in the Vatican and St. Paul's in London. The Parish Church is called Santa Maria or rather more commonly known as Mosta Dome. The church’s circular design is closely based on the Pantheon in Rome.

Mdina City of Silent

28-10-2007
Today we took a northern route bus and spent some time in Mdina (The Silent City), first seen from the bus . It is a medieval walled city in the center of Malta and on the hill top Mdina is pronounced as “Im Di Na”, as the M has different pronunciation.

Despite of the small size, it was once an important capital for Malta, but the Knights of St. John who preferred the coast line around didn’t put enough attention to this town and it eventually becomes a noble city, where most of the noble families resided.

The main gate is built in 1724 and bearing the arms of Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena.

Mdina is a very picturesque town, as I walking through the small alleys; I am like tele-ported to another ancient time.

Most building's walls are made of limestone and shown in the original lime colors. Most doors are in bright green, red colors and thus nicely contrasted the color of the wall.

There is also a city wall that surrounds Mdina and making it exclusive and the entrance is by accessing the gate. View from the city walls is impressive; we could see Mosta Dome clearly from the distance.

There is also a St Paul’s church here in Mdina, the architecture is predominately baroque façade.

We paused for snack and mid afternoon at a café called Fontanella Tea Garden, which overlooks the fields beyond with Mosta Dome standing far and away.

Although Mdina is small in size, but it has a lot to offer and this small town has definitely captured my heart and left a lasting impressions.

Mellieha Bay

View of Mellieha Bay from the Lunch Kiosk
View of Mellieha Town from my sun-bed
View of Church of Our lady of Victory at the hill top

27-10-2007 Weather Hot, Humid, Occasionally Cloudy

In the afternoon, we hopped on to a classical yellow Maltese bus embarking our journey to Mellieha Bay. The journey from St. Paul’s bay area to Mellieha Bay was a roller coaster journey, the landscape is hilly, as if the one in San Francisco. The roads are narrow and I can feel my adrenaline rush when two buses cross the same road side by side. The journey is all the way up, as Mellieha is situated on top of the hill, the bay is another down hill journey.

Finally we arrived at a sandy beach; this apparently is the Malta’s largest sandy beach. The wind starts developing when we eat our quick lunch at one of the store. There are still a lot of people at the beach. We rented a sun bed and start our beach day. The water temperature was surprisingly mild and not cold at all. In fact, I warm up further with the sea water splashed my body. There were a bit of mild wave and that made the more interesting. The water is shallow and there are no rocks or stones at all. All I can feel beneath my feet are the soft comfortable sand. One can still see the Church of Our lady of Victory standing mightily on the hill top, as if she is watching and protecting this bay over the century. According to Maltese history (or legend), the apostles Paul and Luke preached in this church during their brief stay in Malta.

A morning stroll along Qawra Promenade

27-10-2007 Weather Hot, Humid, Occasionally Cloudly

We set off for a mid morning walk along the Qawra promenade again but with the goal to reach Buggiba. The beach along Qawra is very rocky and no sand. Some patches of the water is relatively crystal clear that one can still learn how to scuba diving along the rocky coast. There are still many people in the water and that mean the sea water temperature is still body welcoming in the month of October.

Breakfast at Balcony

27-10-2007 Weahter 25C Hot, Clear sky

I really count it a blessing to be able to eat my breakfast at the Balcony overlooking the pool. Our apartment is on the 3^rd floor, also the top floor, and it is great to enjoy breakfast outdoor at the moderate temperature before it sore again in the later hour. It is indeed a blessing to slow down my pace and not to rush my breakfast but enjoy it.

Qawra Waterfront

26-10-2007

Tonight, we decided to check out the town. The weather is very damp and that you can feel your whole body is coated with a layer of moist. Humidity is very high, the mist is getting thicker and the visibilities are low. Qawra waterfront is predominately occupied by high rise holiday complexes and private lidos. A stroll at night give us a good orientation to this town. Compare to others holiday complexes, our Club Salina Wharf is pretty petite and private. Although we haven’t got the sea view room, but the pool view is equally enchanting and seafront is just about 3~4 min walk away.