Victoria

A tour of Gozo today. We were picked up from the hotel by coach and a guide this morning at 8.15 am. After collecting a few more people en route, we continued on to the Malta to Gozo ferry terminal in the north of the island.
A lot of tedious hanging around outside the terminal while we waited for others to join us but eventually we boarded the ferry for a 25 min crossing to Gozo.
Another scorching hot day - 28° with no breeze so feels much hotter.
First stop on the itinerary was the UNESCO world heritage site of the Neolothic Ġgantija Temples at Xagħra, built between c.3600 and c.3200 BC. They were built from mega boulders weighing several tonnes each and believed to have been part of a ceremonial site associated with fertility rites. The stones of the outer wall are huge, within there are altars and excavation has shown evidence of animal sacrifices.
Inside the museum are wonderful artefacts recovered from the site including jewellery made of shells and skilful carvings of rather large ladies!
Next stop, a rather unforgettable lunch at a restaurant reserved for us, but it did have nice views.
The coach took us through countryside of stone walls, olive trees and prickly pears. It is greener and quieter here than Malta although still very arid.
We passed through Xlendi, a very pretty fishing village, and stopped at Dwerja where you can take a little boat trip into one of the caves.
Final stop was the Citidel at Victoria, the tiny capital of Gozo. It was a steep walk up to the Citidel, pretty exhausting on such a hot day but we made it.
We then made the return journey back via the ferry and coach. It was a long, hot day - worth it for an overview of Gozo and to see if we want to go back there again.
We enjoyed dinner in the hotel lobby as both too tired to venture out.Meer informatie