Gozo is basically the sister island to Malta. Even though they are part of Malta they do not want to be known as Maltese. They are Gozonites. We took a 20 minute ferry ride to get to Gozo from Malta. Apparently the government of Malta wants to built a tunnel under the Mediterranean Sea to connect Gozo to Malta. Maltese are all for it because many of them live in Gozo but work in Malta. Gozonites say no way, we don’t want a tunnel. They want their island to be pristine and green and not subject to commercialization.

The ride on the ferry was very pleasant. Although it was also a car ferry our driver dropped us off on one side and another driver picked us up on the Gozo side. After we got off the ferry we did the normal tourist things. We went to see the Ggantija Neolithic Temples that date to 4000 BC, making them older than the Egyptian pyramids. I have seen lots of archeological sites all over the world and was a bit disappointed on the little amount of excavation that had been done and wondered why more hasn’t occurred.

After leaving the Temples we stopped at a bakery that sells traditional twice baked Maltese sourdough bread. Our guide bought one of the “Hobz” that was cheeseits and Maltese sausage. Apparently he forgot that I don’t eat meat or dairy so I was out of luck for a mid morning snack.

After leaving the bakery we all stopped in a park to eat the stuffed bread (other than me). You might remember that yesterday I posted pictures of the Blue Lagoon from the cliffs above with these boats going in and out of the grottos. Today, because of calm seas, we had the pleasure of taking a ride in a speed boat in and out of the Blue Lagoon. Our guide told us that his last 2 trips were unable to do this excursion because of the high seas. So far, this has been the highlight of the trip so far. As always, pictures do not do the color of the water and rocks justice.

Next was lunch at a local restaurant. The meal started with a wonderful vegetable soup. Apparently our guide still does not understand that I do not eat dairy, meat or seafood. Lunch was a mushroom omelette. NOT! The chef made me pasta with vegetables that was very good.

After lunch we went to a place that my husband would have referred to as “the joint.” Men sitting around playing cards for money but this place at bocce courts where men were playing for money. Of course, twenty men had to stop playing and watch us make fools of ourselves. The man who coached us was born in Gozo but lived in Manhattan for 30 years before he returned to retire. We tied, 3 to 3.

Of course we have to have a church every day. This one was a Basilica. You can tell what kind of church it is from the cross on the steeple. The normal cross is a church. A cross with 2 cross bars is a cathedral. A cross with 3 cross bars is a basilica.

Finally a return to Malta via ferry and a drive in rush hour traffic to the hotel. A little rest and an Uber to the waterfront of Valletta for dinner. Vegan pizza to die for. Half of it is in my refrigerator for a midnight snack.

Tomorrow is our last day in Malta. Desperately hoping for shopping!