Malta SCUBA Trip
In the beginning of November 1999 I took a vacation to Malta. Malta is an island located just south of Sicily.
My main reason to visit Malta was to qualify as a PADI Open Water Diver. The intensive course took 4 days to complete. I didn’t realise the amount of studying expected to pass the course until I turned up at the dive school! It was essential to learn all safety procedures and diving techniques and a final written exam had to be taken to prove everything was understood.
Suzie with Jon my instructor...
The dive school was Dive Deep Blue. The training was excellent and my instructor was extremely patient! The underwater experience was amazing. It opened up a totally new world for me.
After qualifying I went out on a wreck dive opposite Valletta harbour. There are many more wrecks for me to explore in May or June. I plan to return to develop my skills and maybe take the advanced PADI course.
I especially like Malta as it is very historical. Most Maltese speak English, which makes it very easy to communicate! Despite it being a small island there is much to do and see. There are many coves to explore by boat, and a blue lagoon where you can snorkel.
Malcom (fellow Diving student), Jill, Jon , Jon & Me... celebrating after our open water assesment. By the way... never wear white jeans on a dive!!!
Visiting the island of Gozo is like going back in time and certainly worth a visit. Quite a lot of the coast is rocky, yet there are several beautiful, sandy beaches. For those who like to sit and watch the world go by, there are numerous cafés and patisseries! Yummy! I especially like (the silent city of) Mdina & Valletta. For a good day out, take a Captain Morgan boat trip around the island. If you really want to ‘push the boat out’ (no pun intended!) they have all-inclusive tall boat cruises! I’ve never been on one yet… but for a special day it looks wonderful.
Gozo...
If you remember the film Popeye, you can still visit the film location. The Blue Grotto is unbelievable! I’ve never seen water like it! The sea is an awesome electric blue colour! You can take a boat trip and swim in the grotto if you fancy. To see the city of Valletta in style you should take a ride on a Karozzin. This is a Maltese horse and carriage. I remember going to Malta one time in June, and taking a ride on a karozzin just to get shade from the sun! Car Hire is not very expensive, but the buses are cheaper! Maltese buses are an experience in themselves!!! Well worth a trip just to say you’ve survived going on a Maltese bus! I took a trip to Sicily by catamaran from Malta, a few years ago. There are many day trips available to Sicily where you can visit Mount Etna, Taormina and a few other towns on a coach trip. The day is hectic, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a very good way to get a taste of Sicily. Infact, I love Sicilians! They are so warm, but then, so are the Maltese!
All in all I think Malta is a great place to visit and very inexpensive. My week cost me £200 for the package (flight (from London) & hotel on a half board basis) and the dive course just over £225.
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