Postcards from Malta

March brought with it an excursion to the island of Malta with the London gals. Situated in a highly strategic location between Libya and Sicily, Malta is actually made up of 7 islands, which have experienced a long and colorful history.

With a stunningly beautiful coastline,

and the impressive harbors of the city,

Malta has seen a succession of powers ruling from prehistoric times until their declaration of independence from the British in 1964.

The Maltese people are a reflection of this mix of cultures.

Some of the most fascinating sightseeing we did revolved around the mysterious remains of the temples of the Megalithic period.

Malta was evidently a sacred island and a center of worship and mystic practices.

One of our visits was to the Hypogeum, an outstanding underground feat of engineering from prehistoric times with the only underground temple and burial place of its kind in the world.

The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, or Knights of Malta, as they are often called,  occupied the island from 1530-1798, and after fighting off the Turks, they left their mark on the island

by building huge fortifications, harbors, 

and baroque palaces and churches.

One afternoon, we made out way to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk

where we selected our fish for lunch and had it prepared for us while we waited. Couldn't have been any fresher.

And what's a girls' trip without treats, and here we are enjoying  some pastizii, 

a local delicacy which is a pastry filled with ricotta cheese or peas.

Hmmm.....cheese for me please!

More slices of life from our Malta adventure coming up....