The small city of Mount Gambier, located in the picturesque South Eastern region of South Australia boasts some of the state's most amazing natural wonders. Of these, the most famous is the breathtaking Blue Lake; the only of its kind in the world.
The Geology of the Site
The land surrounding Mount Gambier is densely rich in limestone, due to the remnant of a shallow sea which lay over the region millions of years ago. The limestone, made up from fossils of fish and coral, forms a crust under the earth which extends for over two hundred kilometres and reaches a maximum depth at three hundred metres at Port MacDonnell, a small fishing town nearby. Over the years, this abundance of limestone has gradually been worn away by the ever flowing water table and has created an immense system of caves and underground caverns, providing a beautiful sight for divers.
The History of the Blue Lake
Mount Gambier's Blue Lake is actually situated in a dormant volcano crater and lies over fifty metres below ground level. Here, the crystal clear water found in the numerous underground caves is exposed, as it flows slowly through the layers of limestone under the city. The lake is made found by the remarkable colour changes it undergoes throughout the year. The summer months are the most spectacular, with the lake turning almost a fluorescent aquamarine. Following this, it starts to change back and maintains a steely grey colour during the winter.
Why The Lake Changes Colous
Many crazy theories abound as to why the Blue is the colour it is; the most common being that certain molecules in the water reflect the sunshine differently at certain times of the year. However, according to the information provided by Mount Gambier Tourism Centre, the natural colour of the water is blue. By why then, does the colour change in the winter? The simplest explanation is the increase in rainfall causes a disturbance in the delicate balance between the layers which create such a blue colour. Hence in winter, the position of the top layer of algae, largest responsible for the aquamarine colour, becomes altered and the clarity of the water becomes decreased.
The Blue Lake: A Tourist Attraction
The Blue Lake is the single biggest tourist attraction in the city, with thousands of people travelling from all over the world during the summer months to catch a glimpse of the azure colour. There is a road which wind its way around the lake, with several look outs positioned along the way to allow you to stop and take in the view. However, if time is on your side there is also a footpath which surrounds the perimeter and is favourite walk for locals and tourists alike. The circumference of the lake is just over three kilometres and provides a leisurely one hour walk where the lake can be viewed from all perspectives. There is a variety of accommodation available for tourists metres from the lake and a quaint coffee ship which also offers guided tours right down to the surface of the lake.
So I continue to plough on through the ridiculous amount of blog entries I still have to do about the beautiful Land of the Long White Cloud and thought starting at the top and working my way down would make sense. Cape Reinga is recognised as the northern-most tip of New Zealand and is so much more than just a rocky and windy outcrop that protrudes out into the Pacific Ocean (although of course it is also that).
Cape Reinga is the top of the region referred to as "Northland" which encompasses pretty much anything north of Auckland. It has extreme cultural significance to the Maori people of New Zealand, making it more than just another piece of rock to stare at.
Getting There
As with every spot on the New Zealand "places to see" map, Cape Reinga is a little hard to get to. The roads in New Zealand are so unbelievably windy they have been said to have even set seasoned sailors stomachs on edge. Cape Reinga is also very isolated so it is important to come prepared; if you get stuck in a situation it will be a good few hours until assistance can arrive. However, being such a popular tourist destination, the roads are well maintained, albeit very windy. We headed up from Mangonui and from there you can follow the clearly marked signs all the way to the top. Allow at least two and a half hours to reach the Cape (more if you are in a caravan or camper) and if you are in this latter category be prepared to cop some flack from impatient car drivers as there are little places to overtake with such tight corners and cliff like precipices.
Along The Way
Despite there being a lack of amenities along the way, there is no shortage of incredible natural scenery. Of course there are the quintessential rolling green hills dotted with sheep aplenty, but there are some special spots along the way that are worth pulling over. Along the main highway there are several points where you can turn off west to the nearby coast and spot New Zealand's famous 90 mile beach. Be careful swimming as none of the strip is monitored by lifeguards and be careful taking your car onto the sand if you don't want it to become bogged and up to its mirrors in sea water by high tide. About 45 minutes from the Cape is Te Paki sand dunes, the most immense sand dunes I have ever seen. They are located very close to the main highway but again be careful taking your caravan or camper as the road is unsealed and quite steep. Sandboards are available for hire and dragging it up and down the enormous hills are sure to keep those extra kgs from the NZ fish and chips at bay.
The Cape
Once arriving at Cape Reinga, the area is set up well for tourists. Avoid the main lower carpark as it is usually chock full of tourist buses. Head instead to the smaller one up the hill, it is a little further to walk, but again those fish and chips won't work themselves off. There are a couple of rules the Maori people of this land ask you to abide by including no eating on the site and no littering. It is important to not insult the cultural importance of such a place - culture is part of the strong identity of New Zealanders and is something that must be carefully observed if you are a visitor to their lands. Starting the walk to Cape, you follow a well constructed path down the cliff and then up again to the very last peninsula. Along the way are plaques and memorials to acknowledge and inform visitors about the traditions and legends of these lands. At the very end of the Cape sits the famous Cape Reinga lighthouse, a sturdy structure that has battled the gale force sea winds for many a decade. It is now of course automatically operated but is a nod to the Pakeha, (or "white" people of New Zealand" and how they have made their contribution to this historical place.
Did the cultural significance of the area really sink in for me?
DEFINITELY
Did I think I was going to be blown off into the ocean and end up in Tonga?
MAYBE
Will I forget standing out and seeing the Tasman and Pacific Oceans crashing into each other as far as the eye can see?
PROBABLY NOT!
Ever wanted to throw yourself off a bridge with a rubber band tied around your ankles? To the old untravelled Sarah that would have been a worse fate than poking my own eye out with a red hot needle or listening to back to back Bieber for 24 hours straight. But the new "the world is my oyster" Sarah decided bungy jumping in New Zealand would be the best way to start 2013 and leap off into the unknown of what was to come (pun 100% intended)
So are you on the" to bungy" or "to-not bungy" precipice? It is a common resting place for those deciding whether to sign up for it, as well as those standing on the edge deciding whether to risk their lives by hurling themselves into nothing but air. To try and help you make an informed decision, here is a look at the pros and cons of bungy.
CONS
1. It is expensive.
Unfortunately I thought it would only be in some odd alternate universe where YOU had to pay $200.00 for the privilege of being able to leap from great heights with only a cord to ensure your safety, but sadly not; it is reality. Yes, I understand that a lot of the money goes towards the maintenance of the equipment (which you definitely want) and the training of the bungy staff (which again you definitely want) but it is indeed a hefty price tag. It is important to remember that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and that also contributes to the price. Alongside the cost of the jump, there may be additional costs for photos or video footage, so keep this in mind. Also - most bungy operators do not offer refunds for "sorry I changed my mind and am peeing my pants I'm so terrified". However, this does serve as a good incentive to make the leap.
2. It hurts. A little.
Ok so some people may disagree with me on this but I think it is important to point out the possible (albeit slight) injuries that can be sustained. Most people who are hesitant about bungy are worried about the jolt and the bottom. In my experience, this was not actually as bad as I expected - the cord starts to pull you gradually so the shock to your body, and your mind, is not incredibly sudden. However, as your body has completely inverted in a matter of half a second, that is a lot of blood to rush to your head. My head was pounding for the rest of the afternoon after the jump and I'm not sure whether to attribute to this the action of the jump itself or the adrenaline doing mental things to my body. Either way it is not overly pleasant but you feel so stoked that you did it that you almost don't really care.
PROS
1. The operation is very well run
My experience with AJ Hackett Bungy was exemplary. Their staff have to undergone a hugely rigorous training regime before they are allowed to start letting people fly free and they have the best in safety equipment. The process is streamlined and safe and there are plenty of staff to help you every step of the way. Apart from the logistics of the jump itself, their videography and photography team is excellent. They capture your bungy on film and in motion and although it is a tad expensive to purchase at the end, the quality is (almost) worth the price. It is made very people friendly and easy to use, which is good - leaving you to concentrate on the main reason you are there; to jump into oblivion!
2. The feeling afterwards
Ok so this is going to sound lame, but I cannot describe how you feel after bungying for the first time. I went tandem with my boyfriend and although I clung to him like a limpet and burst a lung screaming so much, I couldn't have been more proud of myself when I finished. It is an amazing feat and not something that everyone can say they have done. Yes the bragging rights are worth it alone, but more importantly it is the feeling of accomplishment that you get from conquering your brain who was telling you the whole time that you were mental.
So there you have it - bungy is not for everyone but it was for me. Would I do it again? I'm not sure. Not just because it is expensive, and there are only a few places in the world that you can do it safely. But perhaps because I'd like to keep it sacred and have it as the one and only time in my life that I felt what it was like to fly.
Would I recommend the Kawarau Bridge bungy in Queenstown, New Zealand?
Definitely
Would I be brave enough to work up the courage to do it again?
Maybe
Will I ever get over my AWFUL facial expressions pulled in the midst of complete terror, captured for all eternity on film?
Probably Not!
When you travel the 36km tourist ride around the Whangarei Heads, they neglect to tell you the real impact of the gasp-affecting veiws that you will experience along the way. But there are also a few other things they don't tell you....
Firstly, the roads are windy and hilly and promise to make you feeel like you wanna chuck if you are that way inclined when it comes to long car rides. The roads often double back right on themselves or you reach the crests of hills without getting any view of what might be on the other side. They are often perched precariously on the hillsides and the spectactular views are often accompanied with the possibility of death by falling from the steep cliffs.
Secondly, each tiny bay of the Whangarei Heads is littered with little (and some not little) holiday houses that are probably worth millions of dollars but have been passed through their family's generations for years. Northland is a very popular spot for holidaying New Zealanders in the summer months and the quaint beach houses (or bach's as they are known to the Kiwis) dot each bay, each boasting a better view the further you drive around.
The best way to the tackle the Whangarei Heads is to make the journey through Paura Bay, Macleods Bay, Urqhuarts Bay and then down to Ocean Beach. The beach is beautiful and with reasonably surf conditions, it makes a great practicing ground for surfers of any skill. Please note though: don't lose your car keys in the sand like one poor guy did.... there is not a lot mechanic facilities around that way and an awful lot of sand to sift through!!! There are toilet facilities at the beach which is handy and a large carpark with room for caravan and bigger vans. Before you decide to camp there, check first - you do not want a large Maori police officer shining a torch into your window in the middle of the night!
This part of the Heads in shadowed under the great Mt Manaia, a steep cliff with a funny jagged top that looms over everything in the area. Apparently you can climb it, but after learning of a family friend who had tragically fallen to his death from there, and that it is a uphill climb for an hour and a half, we decided against it. To be honest, it was probably more because of the workout... I mean c'mon I am on holidays!
In terms of places to grab a drink or a nibble I would defintely recommend The Deck Cafe in Macleods Bay. The small cafe has a perfect view over the turquoise bay and offers indoor and deck dining, accommodating for all needs. The homemade pies are huge with loads of flaky pastry and come in a variety of flavours. They also offer the best in New Zealand ice cream, which I think is some of the best in world, and even though you know the extra cream in it will go straight to your hips, you really couldn't give a crap and eat it anyway.
If you are heading to the Whangarei Heads I would allow a good couple of hours to get to all of the little bays and beaches and have something to eat along the way.
Does the Whangarei Heads offer some of the best views in the North Island?
Definitely
Will I say this until I see some of the other amazing sites in the North Island?
Maybe
Will I remember that picturesque afternoon slowly gliding our way around the bays?
Probably Not!
So just before I leave this dusty red landmass of mine, I thought I'd write a little something about the outback and its many sides. There is the happy "I saw a Kangaroo" side and then the not so happy "I think I just saw the guy from Wolf Creek" side. Despite their differences, all of the sides of the outback should be appreciated and the best way to do that is get out there!
The Australian outback is one of the world's most desolate yet beautiful wonder's and has become the traditional backdrop to life in Australia through the eyes of the rest of the world. Taking time to travel through the outback when visiting Australia is a must, but its magnificent views and landmarks hide a treacherous world that can be fraught with danger for the unknowing and unprepared traveller. So here I've listed the top 5 things to keep in mind the next time you pack your car and tackle the Australian outback.
Photo courtesy of outpoll.com
1. It is big. And I mean REALLY big.
A large portion of Australia's landmass is classed as rural outback and whilst a lot of the land is used for farming and mining, there is also a whole lot of nothing. There are many ways a traveller can tackle the outback but perhaps the two most popular are the Adelaide to Darwin and Adelaide to Perth route. The first is a vertical route straight through the dusty heart of the country and in its entirety stretches for over 3000km. The second is across the completely barren Nullabor plain and is slightly shorter at 2,550km. Both routes have their own scenic advantages but their immense distance cannot be underestimated, even by Australian standards, a road trip through the outback is a big endeavour.
2. Allow enough time
Due to the distance, many tourists are unaware of exactly how long it can take to do either of the main outback routes. Having taken two weeks return to do that Adelaide to Darwin route myself, I can vouch for how much of a feat it is. Even if you are stretched for time try not to commit yourself to more than 5 or 6 hours of driving each day. Any more and you will get tired which could impend on your driving skills and you will end up missing most of the scenery that you drove into the outback to see in the first place. If you are wanting to stop at the tourist sites along the way (and you will need at least a full day at Ayres Rock) allow for at least 4 days to get to Darwin. Keep in mind that a lot of the top tourist spots are also quite a bit off the main highway, and these apparent "short" detours can eat into your travelling time and put you behind if you find yourself on a deadline. Moral is: try to have a flexible schedule if possible.
3. Watch out for wildlife
Because 90% of the outback is so sparsely populated, a large amount of native wildlife roam around after being pushed out of the more heavily populated coastal regions. It is not uncommon to come across a gathering of kangaroos, camels, emus or dingoes on the side of the road - or in fact on the road itself. Luckily, due to the lack of roadside trees or buildings it is fairly easy to spot one coming along the flat horizon. If you come across an animal, or animals, blocking the road don't panic. The best thing to do is wait for them to move, or try to go off the road a little to avoid them (be careful if you are not in a 4WD enabled car as this could cause some bogging issues!). If you must, a short beep of the horn will normally be enough to move them on, but you will see how nonchalant they are about being in the way; remember you are invading on their territory.
4. Pack spare everything
If you forget something on your outback road trip there is no supermarket that you can just pop down to so it is very important to pack smart. There will be a petrol station in every major (and minor) town along the way but if you take a little detour off the main highway you may find that when you get back on it again, you will run out of petrol before you reach the next town. So always carry a spare petrol tank and keep it full. Same goes for water and oil and anything else you might need for your vehicle. It is also a good idea to pack a cooler bag to keep any food items cool, as even in the winter it can reach mid 30's during the day, which could very quickly spoil your milk and your trip if you are not careful. Despite the often hot temperatures during the day, the nights in the desert are freezing so pack a range of clothes and be prepared to be constantly changing!
5. Appreciate the outback for what it is
The outback is not supposed to be a luxury road trip. There is nowhere you can stop to have a mud spa or your nails done, in fact there are barely any places to stop to buy bread and water. There is not a lot of phone or television reception but it is the perfect chance to escape the rat race and just be one with the landscape. You could go a whole day without meeting a single soul and hours and hours without passing any other cars. But it is the isolation of the outback that has thousands of international tourists spellbound every single year. The scenery is so untouched and with the native flora and fauna right outside your tent, there is no need to go hunting for the best outback experience: it will come to you.
For more information on planning your next Australian outback adventure visit http://www.outbacknow.com.au/
Was my Outback Roadtrip an eye opener to the isolation of Central Australia?
Definitely
Should we maybe have packed more essentials and less boxes of shapes (1 for every day)
Maybe
Will I ever forget when we had to sleep in the car in a creek bed or have a huge dingo sit a metre away from our camp fire licking his lips?
Probably Not!
I've entered the 2012 Expedia Travel Blogger Search and would love for you to vote for me? Enjoyed what you have read so far? Vote! You can also head to my profile and watch the crazy video I made (but keep in mind my skill is writing not multimedia!)
It is just over a month until I am set to leave this glorious country for another that lies most dearly in my heart. It is the home of the Hobbits, a lot of sheep and plenty of place names that are unpronounceable by 99% of tourists. The Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand.
Tagging along with me, for his very first trip overseas is my boyfriend who, despite being excused for his lack of travel experience, has been learning a few lessons about travelling overseas with Sarah.
In case any of you ever plan to voyage around the world with me in search of its many wonders, here is a list of things NOT to do before we go (almost all of which my boyfriend has done)
Book all accommodation, car rental and flights the night before.
Although it pains me to say so, I am not the world's best spontaneous traveller. I don't like saying it because I feel that as soon as the words are uttered from my lips the "travellers secret society" will cast me from their circle for being the person who wants to have a roof over their head and isn't really ok about sleeping at the airport to wait for an available flight. A lot of travellers I know are incredibly spontaneous and have amazing stories of where their unorganised-ness has led them. But they also have spent good portions of their trips sleeping in public toilets and wandering the streets at night amongst local mafia and petty burglars. I say that makes us pretty even. I'm not super fussy about what flight I take, what car we get or where we stay but I like to know that we have SOMETHING booked so I feel calmer about being in a foreign place and can begin to enjoy the experience more.
2. Go to the airport "when we feel like it"
In my eyes, this is the most cardinal of travelling sins. The departures terminal of any airport is my most favourite place. It is full of people with their bags packed off to visit family, their school mate or an oranguatan sanctuary but they all have something in common because they are HAPPY. People that are stuck back at the check-in desks crying because they were late for their flight and it has now closed, NOT SO HAPPY. Because I have travelled from a very young age, my mother has drilled into me that you must be at the airport 3 hours before your flight and, to the best of my ability, that is a rule I have tried to adhere to. I don't mind the waiting. I like being surrounded by the collective excitement at the Departure Gates and because of this, can't bring myself to feel sorry for those poor sods who get their names called out over the intercom.
"Paging David Smith on Flight LK89 to Bangaldesh, your aircraft is now ready for departure and all passengers are waiting on you".
I mean nobody wants to be THAT guy.
3. "Figure" it out when we get there
Lonely Planet was invented for travellers just like me. Yes there are those who like to go off the beaten track in search of the world's unknown but in this day and age of travelling there aren't many of those places left, and half of them have 200 page travel guides, already written by the lovely people at Lonely Planet. The key to a great trip is the amount of research you are willing to put in. Have you talked with your colleague at work who recommends that great pizza place in Queenstown? Or that boutique clothes store in a laneway off from the Pantheon in Rome that your neighbour told you about? With the wealth of information available to us, thanks to the Internet, there is no excuse to not take the experiences of others and use them wisely to create your own incredible journey. Now if only those little blue books didn't weigh so much, I'd have one for every town and city...
So in a nutshell that is the three NOT's to do when planning a trip with Sarah. Yes it can be a little hectic before you have even left, and yes I am anal about being organised but I am yet to have a complete travel disaster (fingers and toes crossed) and hope that my habits will ensure I never have one.
Will I be at that airport exactly 3 hours early when we head to NZ?
Definitely
Should I consider buying shares in Lonely Planet to at least get some financial benefit from my guidebook obsession?
And so we meet again. I've decided the travel inspiration in my head needs to be let loose again and as such am officially reviving this blog from the dead. Yes I'm not on my student exchange any more and yes I don't like to be reminded of those better times. But although my life goes on somewhat more boring than before, and I edge into "grown up life" where the most sought after thing is a stable job and a family dog, I still have the travel bug burrowing inside of me.
To keep you updated, since I've returned from England I've been to visit family in New Zealand and spent two weeks in Bali with a girlfriend celebrating our graduation from University and our inevitable entry in the aforementioned "grown up life". Both trips were enough to satiate my appetite, and Bali especially opened my eyes to a whole new corner of the world I hope to explore more of later on.
But with the Bali trip finishing over a year ago, the monotony of life has seeped into my body and the adventurous and passionate spirit in me has been a little squished.
So this post is to announce the blog is back on! I am looking to actively pursue my travel writing and hope to get my foot in the door with a few publications - nothing good in life is achieved by sitting on your ass. Yes I am proud of finishing my degree and getting my first job as a fresh graduate and yes it is good to have money (well the modest amount that graduates get paid anyway), but sometimes all of that seems less important in the face of a life lived without as much travelling as possible crammed into it.
So with an impending trip to New Zealand approaching with my family and my boyfriend, this is the new start of Definitely, Maybe, Probably Not, and the reignition of my drive and passion to write about the world and all its gloriousness.
Am I now more motivated than ever to make a life out of my most treasured love?
DEFINITELY
Will the journey be fraught with obstacles against the pushing tide of everyday life?
MAYBE
Will I let this discourage me as it has discouraged others before me?
PROBABLY NOT
I dont know whether you are technically allowed to write an entry in a travel blog when you cease to be travelling but I guess I write this blog so I make the rules. Unfortunately, writing this from sunny Australia does mean that my time in Europe is over, and this is the last entry from a girl saddened by her inevitable return.
Of course there were other places I visited that don't get a look in through the blog, specifically those at the very end of the trip where my life was in a suitcase and the possibilities of discoveries appeared endless. But having returned to Adelaide and back to the glaringly obvious 'real world', it gets harder and harder to reform those amazing memories onto the page. Or rather the screen.
But in case you were kept completely out of the loop here is a small recap of my time in my last few destinations: Italy, Spain and France.
1) Despite thinking I was going to spend my Italy trip a lonesome loner (and that is the worst kind of loner), I met Kat and Soph, two true blue Aussie girls out there in the Italianness doing what we Australians all do best; exploring things we are yet to see. Between the three of us we had so many crazy adventures, amazing pictures and unforgettable memories. There is nothing like a couple of aussie accents alongside of you to make it all seem so much easier.
2) Italian Diet for all 15 days I was there. Crossiant and Coffee. Coffee. Pizza. Gelati. Pasta. Rinse and Repeat.
3) Spending time in Spain with Andrea whom I had not seen in five years. But had not changed a single iota. Laughing at her being the only English speaker amongst her Spanish friends and the only Spanish speaker amongst her English friends. Now she truly knows what it means to be a human translating machine. I think I did actually see her head spin...
4) Tasting the best of Barcelona after a authentic, live Flamenco show with Myf and Cait Doughty. Dancing, Paella, Tapas, Crema Catalan and jugs and jugs of Sangria... there is no better combination.
5) Nearly dying in the plane ride from hell from Barcelona to Leeds. Thanks goes out to Bec Riggs for attempting to keep my calm. Sorry about your hand, hopefully it will heal soon and you will regain full use of your fingers.
6) Paris with my very very dear friend Lou Victorsen. Who constantly ceases to amaze me with her ability to be an amazing friend and yet STILL have no idea when it comes to directions. What are you going to do now that I am gone? Special note has to be eating Nutella crepes on the TOP of Eiffel Tower, and devouring strawberries and taking toooooo many self portraits UNDER the Eiffel Tower. Perfect Day.
7) Spending the last days in Leeds with all the people that made my trip so great - Jo, Fran and Tom, Tori, Bec and Alice, Anita, Ria and of course Louise. Burgers will never be the same again unless I can have one from the Library. And I don't mean the place with all the books people.
So that's it. A very quick look at the last couple of weeks of a 6 month trip that went by in the blink of an eye. Thank you to everyone who read the blog and supported this new endevour of mine. As the blog nears towards 2,000 hits, I have to share my appreciation for everyone who has helped that become possible.
And to anyone out there in cyber land who wants to do a overseas trip.
Do it.
Not tomorrow.
Not next Tuesday.
Not next year.
Now.
That's all the advice I can give.
Was this a trip of a lifetime?
DEFINITELY
Do I still wanna up and leave now and go back?
MAYBE
Is this the end of my global wanderings?
DEFINITELY NOT!
We are all familiar with the biblical tale of Moses. He climbs to the top of Mount Sinai and receives the Holy Ten Commandments from God, which are intended to help his people lead pure and fulfilling lives. We all know them: Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery, Thou Shalt Obey Mother and Father, Thou Shalt Always Eat The Crusts of Sandwiches Lest They Get Curly Hair.
But the Maltese must have all been in their siesta when Moses trotted to the top of that famous mountain and God came out of the clouds in all his puffy Holiness.
Because Malta has a very different set of Commandments…(featuring in descending order of course)
#10 Thou Shalt Have Plentiful Amounts of Stray Cats
I have never such a feline phenomenon as there was in Malta. It was like a water balloon of Cats exploded over the country and they all fell around the island. Ok that is not a great example because Cats HATE water but you get the general idea. The first few times I saw them, it was a little strange but I soon learnt that the only person staring incredulously was me, and that perhaps I was missing something. On the boardwalk along St Julian’s Bay lives dozens, all strolling around or lying in the sun with no worries in the world except where their next mouse will come from. Being a cat woman myself (pun intended) I loved it, so many pretty kitties to swoon over. Many of whom sat with me for hours and hours as I read, patted them and considered whether being an old spinster cat lady would really be SUCH a bad thing… At least they don’t hog the remote and leave the toilet seat up…
#9 Thou Shalt All Have Some (if only miniscule) Relationship to Australia
From what I discovered, the Maltese love Australia. They don’t know a WHOLE lot about it
(OLD MAN: ‘Where are you from?’
ME: Australia
OLD MAN: Ah! Australia! Sydney or Melbourne?
ME: Um well neither…. )
But their enthusiasm towards our great country is nonetheless impressive. Everyone I talked to had a mother, brother, auntie’s uncle’s yellow canary that immigrated to Australia and ‘very much likes it there’ (unsure how the canary would have communicated this). Triple points goes to the little Maltese man who tried to show his deepest condolences for my country with its ‘very bad water problems…’
#8 Thou Shalt Celebrate Cocktail Hour At Any Time
Along with the amazing Maltese sun, cocktails (along with gelati) were the other thing which ensured my position in a bliss induced coma the whole trip. There is no good time for cocktails in Malta.
Day One I had a cocktail with my afternoon brunch at 3:00pm.
The next day with my lunch at 12:30pm.
And then finally the last day as an accompaniment to my morning reading session at 11:00am.
Was there a judgemental or even remotely surprised face in the building? No siree.
NB: and on that note, nobody thought it was strange to have tiramisu gelati at 9:30am either.
Bless these people.
#7 Thou Shalt Provide An Efficient and Helpful Sightseeing Service
The Malta Sightseeing Tour was amazing. The ticket was valid for the whole day, and unlike other sightseeing tours which just take you around the city, this tour took you around THE ENTIRE ISLAND. I know that Malta is probably half the size of one side of Adelaide but that is completely beside the point. The tour guides and bus drivers were really friendly and all spoke Maltese, English and Italian. Which I would have appreciated more if I spoke either Maltese or Italian.
(Although, one time the tour guide asked this Italian couple to see their tickets and I had to physically restrain myself from jumping up and screaming ‘Hey I understood that!!!’ Miss Pomari would have been proud). The bus driver even drove me to meet Carla, in a different TOWN, just because he had dropped everyone else at their hotels and so why shouldn’t he drop me somewhere?
#6 Thou Shalt Make Terribly Translated Tour Commentary
The only downfall of the tour was the commentary. Unfortunately, the content must have been written in Maltese first and then when it was translated into English a little something got lost along the way…
Regarding the Italian population in Malta:
‘There are many Italians that live on the island and many people speak fluent Italian. A lot of Maltese families take part in Italian culture and often eat pasta more than once a week’
LOL!
#5 Thou Shalt Not Speak Normally But Constantly Shout
If there is such a thing as an official indoor voice (and not something your parents just make up to keep you quite at important family functions) then Malta have not been informed. They don’t mean it an angry way (although you wouldn’t want to make one of them angry to check) they are just very enthusiastic. With almost absolutely everything they say. It was not uncommon to see two men shouting at each other over the road, not about anything, probably just whose turn it was for the weekly poker game or the neighbourhood gossip (obviously I’m just guessing because I don’t understand Maltese – could have been complex Mafia plans for all I know). I’m guessing there was never a successful timid Maltese businessman, he would have been outshouted in no time.
#4 Thou Shalt Drive The Most Craziest Humanely Possible
The Maltese drive on the left side of the road. They give way to the right on roundabouts and they stop at red lights and go at green. Aside from that, I couldn’t find ANY international road rules they did adhere to – they all drive with the intention to get somewhere NOW or die trying. People pull out everywhere and there are constant traffic blockages with people refusing to let other people in, people who are trying their damndest to make them do so. A lot of streets in Malta are only one way one which creates a whole new basket of bees worth of problems. Unfortunately (or fortunately, I haven’t decided yet…) I witnessed a poor man who stalled his car and couldn’t restart it, thus holding up the HUGE line of traffic behind him on a busy one way road. But of course in true Maltese fashion, people all stopped their cars, got out and helped him push it to the curb.
Malta: stopping the traffic chaos for one minute to help a brother in need.
#3 Thou Shalt Make Constant, Plentiful and Very Unnecessary Overuse of A Car Horn
By the end of five days I wanted to curse the man who invented the car horn.
Or bus horn.
Or bike bell.
If there is any obstacle between a Maltese driver (in any form) and where they want to go, they will honk. A lot. So much in fact that when asked what the ambience of Malta sounds like (ok well nobody asked me that but hypothetically) I would say, swishing waves, smiling babies and honking. The Maltese Buses are the worst, they will honk at anything (half the time I swear it was just at thin air) and paired with the crazy driving and buses which are like a million years old – it all makes for an interesting ride!
#2 Thou Shalt Have The Most Amazing Scenery in Europe
Ok so this is a biggie. But I don’t believe in doing things half assed and if you’re going to make the big calls you got to get behind them. I believe Malta is the most beautiful place I have EVER scene.
When I caught a taxi from the airport, we drove through Balluta Bay to get to my hostel and as soon as we turned the corner into the bay I gasped. OUT LOUD. Like someone drowning. Even in the dark I had never seen anything so amazing in my entire life. Over the next five days it only got better, and with each new place I was more and more amazed. I think I took 40 photos of the same views just because I thought the more I took, the better the camera could capture what I was actually seeing in front of me.
And after I put the photos on FB, judging by the 41 notifications I got just on THAT album of 70 photos, other people were amazed too.
#1 Thou Shalt Have The Friendliest People You Will Ever Meet
Anyone who says there is such a thing as a mean spirited native Maltese person is deluded, deranged or lying to make their own country feel better. This small population of people are the kindest people I have ever come across and (as I found out) will do ALMOST anything to help you in times of need. Of course, travelling by myself an unable to consult with travelling partners about any possible trip difficulties, I was doing a lot of asking.
Firstly, there was the taxi man who took me to my hostel. He didn’t really know where to go but got help from the other taxi drivers and soon we were on our way. We arrived and realised that we were indeed quite lost. He stops the car, gets out and talks to this cute little old Maltese man walking past, asking him for directions. Still, we cannot find it. So we call the hostel and he talks to the girl on the phone and figures out where to go. He drives me there, carries my suitcase inside and makes sure that I have everything I need .And then, when I try to tip him he refuses, ‘all part of the job lovely’.
Most taxi drivers would disagree my lovely.
Secondly, when going back to the airport (maybe I just have airport issues), the reception to the hostel was closed and I had no way of calling a taxi and no credit with which to do so. So I go to the little corner shop across the road and ask if they can call one for me. Next thing I know the husband says he will take me – we’re in his car and driving to the airport! I’m sitting with his little daughter in the backseat staring at me constantly (‘What’s your name?????????? she says) and then suddenly we are there. He does accept money but only because I would have forced it on him if he had refused.
Thirdly, there was Carla, Pete’s cousin who took time out of her busy studying-for-exams schedule to come into town and hang with me. Of course she is related to Pete, but for all she know I could have been a psychopath on the lookout for Maltese blood.Well that came out more morbidly than I wanted...
And that friends, is the Ten Commandments of Malta
Was Malta one of the best places I have ever been?
DEFINITELY
Did I already consider putting in a deposit for a nice sea view apartment?
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