Got to GoGo to Gozo
No trip to Malta would be complete without a trip to Gozo, or so the story goes. We trek out for the local bus once again and head off to the smaller island of Gozo. Shouldn’t take more than 2hrs or so to get there but then again, we’re retired!!!!!! Gozo is located on the northern end of Malta and is about 26 sq. mi., close to the same size as Manhattan Island, and has a population of about 37,000. The island also has several ruins and churches so plenty to see once we’re there.
The bus ride costs 1.5EU to get from Sliema to Cirkewwa. There we catch the ferry and cross over to Gozo. The ferry costs 4.65EU for a round trip, didn’t see a single way offered but then again, we needed to get back.
On the island the local bus service (wow what a ride!) didn’t accept tickets from Malta so we bought another 2hr trip to Ġgantija Temples. The bus driver was definitely in training for F1 so good thing we had a seat on this one! Back to the temples, Ġgantija means “Giants tower” in Maltese and it was believed that giants had actually constructed these temples in 3600BC making them the oldest free-standing structures on Earth. (Pyramids are around 2600BC and Stonehenge around 2400-2200BC so don’t ask) This site also is known to have one of the largest cut stones ever used in an ancient building, 50 tons!
In addition to the numerous fat-lady figurines found at this site, there was also a collection of “stick people” carved from stone with unusual “owl” like faces. Necklaces and tools were also found within this ruin. Unfortunately, like most ruins, this site was not recognized for its historical importance until in the early 1900’s. By that time much of the dirt and debris that had filled the site had been removed and with it any artifacts or records of the site.
And no archeological site would be complete without graffiti! Yep, back in the 1800’s it was in vogue to carve your name in one of the rarest of sites on Earth. Go figure.
One of the cool things, the stones used for building these temples were cut and placed around 3600BC, but within the stones themselves are seashells that were fossilized millions of years earlier.
Oh yeah we decided to eat once again so we selected a seaside restaurant. The restaurant, Ta Nuna had a pretty good selection and wasn’t crowded so why not. Well, here’s why not. They only take cash!!! They actually tell you this after you eat and want the bill. Oh yeah, there is no bill, just their word!!! Do what you want but this would be the last place I will ever eat at again! Sounds like the owner wants little traceability to revenue.