Tuesday was our big boat tour, the one we’d had planned for over a week and was really our only solidified plan for the week.  We had arranged it with the company the night we had dinner in Xlendi, and they agreed to pick us up a grocery store near Sarah’s grandmother’s house.  We had to be up bright and early to meet them by 9:30 to make the boat by 10 a.m. The car picked us up as scheduled […]

Categories: Travel Tales, Traveling

The next two days of the trip were a much slower affair.  To sum up (though I will be a tad more thorough): we ate and we slept. Sunday morning was spent closing up the apartment and prepping for our move to Sarah’s grandmother’s house.  Her parents were leaving the next day and for the duration of the trip we would be staying at her grandmother’s house. We stripped the beds, cleaned out the fridge, cleaned the bathroom and packed […]

Categories: Travel Tales, Traveling

The morning of the wedding offered us the opportunity to sleep in.  It was very quiet.  Sarah and her parents needed to go to Victoria to check on the jewelry that they were waiting for, but I opted out of the excursion so I could get some writing done.  And though I had been having a blast so far on the trip, I knew that a few hours on my own would do me good, since my introverted self needs […]

Categories: Travel Tales, Traveling

Before we left for the trip, we knew that one of the things we were going to be doing was a spa day.  It’s tradition for Sarah and her mom, as well as her aunt Joan, and I was tagging along for the tradition this time.  The trip to the Kempinski Spa was the fifth day of the trip, and there is not a single picture to speak of for this day.  We decided to make it a true relaxing […]

Categories: Travel Tales, Traveling

The fourth full day of the trip basically affirmed (or reaffirmed, since I’m pretty certain I’ve had this thought before in my lifetime), that eating near water makes everything taste better. We actually slowed down quite a bit today, and did not have as action packed a schedule as we had the previous three days.  However, to make up for that we had one of the most unique experiences of the entire trip – and that includes the Italy portion. […]

Categories: Travel Tales, Traveling

Today we began our adventures with a trip to the shrine at Ta’Pinu.  It was situated in the perfect spot where you could see it as you approach, and it had clear views of the island from its vantage point.  It’s an impressive building as you approach it and as you’re standing in front of it.  The longer name of Ta’Pinu is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’Pinu so you can understand the shortened […]

Categories: Travel Tales, Traveling

The day began with missing keys. We slept in a little bit and had some breakfast, taking our time to get out of the house as we had no major plans on the horizon. As we were getting ready to leave the house, Sarah’s mom realized that her keys to the apartment were missing. As we had a second set, and she knew that she had them earlier in the morning and no one had gone out, this was not […]

Categories: Travel Tales, Traveling

On the morning of our first full day on Gozo, I woke well rested and ready to begin experiencing everything that Malta had to offer. Sarah’s mom had a full schedule planned for us for the week, and I was excited about every moment of it. Much of what was on the schedule was something we had talked about for weeks beforehand, and it was amazing that it was finally time to see it all. Before going on this trip, […]

Categories: Travel Tales, Traveling

“The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” – Sir Richard Burton Anticipation and excitement were high as I woke up on the morning of June 30th.  The long-awaited departure day for Malta had arrived.  Anxiety was also lingering in the background, as it always does on days when I’ll be going on long airplane rides, but I have come to accept it as a necessary companion if I want to actually continue to […]

Categories: Travel Tales, Traveling