MALTA TRAVELOGUE
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This is the Sptar San Luqa Hospital in Pietà, Malta. The view from up there was absolutely breathtaking! See the sleek marina boats bobbing gently in the sparkling blue water, with the vibrant city skyline peeking through the soft clouds. It’s a view to behold.
Bronze statue of Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette
This imposing bronze statue of Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette was unveiled in November 2012 at the inauguration of Pjazza Jean de Valette, a new square in Valletta, to properly honour the city’s founder after centuries without a fitting monument. Cast in silicon bronze by local sculptor Joseph Chetcuti, the 2.5-metre-high statue shows Valette clad in armour, holding the city’s foundation plans in one hand and a sword in the other—symbols of both his visionary city-planning and military During the unveiling, historian Giovanni Bonello clarified that Valette never officially used the “La” in his surname, sparking a familiar naming debate with descendants and locals that continues even now Erected in November 2012 in the newly inaugurated Pjazza Jean de Valette, this 2.5-metre-tall bronze statue by local artist Joseph Chetcuti pays tribute to Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette—the heroic leader of the Great Siege and founder of Valletta—depicting him in armour clutching both the city’s masterplan and a sword and igniting a spirited debate over whether “La” should be part of his surname ever since.
At the Thomas Maitland Memorial in Valletta! The cannons lined up against the backdrop created a calm historical atmosphere. Overall, it was a perfect blend of history and breathtaking scenery — a true gem of Valletta!
Saint Paul’s Bay, Malta
A scene of Saint Paul’s Bay in Malta! The drive there was absolutely stunning, and I could see the shimmering blue of the Mediterranean in the distance, and I couldn’t help but feel excited about what was ahead.
With the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Rights, of Malta, His Excellency Mr. Anton Refalo
A beef farm in Gozo. A Limousin bull
A purebred Limousin and a cross of Belgian Blue X HF
Another view
Limousin breed: a solid coat ranging from light to dark red, with lighter shades around the muzzle and eyes, and a well-muscled, stocky build. Limousins originate from the Limousin region of France and are renowned worldwide for their lean meat, excellent feed efficiency, and adaptability. They are also widely used in crossbreeding programs due to their strong muscling and ability to enhance carcass yield.
Dairy on beef refers to the practice of breeding dairy cows, such as Holstein, Friesian, or Jersey, with beef bulls like Limousin, Angus, or Charolais to produce crossbred calves that are more valuable for meat production than pure dairy calves, which tend to be lean and of low value. Farmers typically use sexed dairy semen on their best cows to produce replacement heifers, while the rest of the herd is bred with beef semen, ensuring efficient use of resources. The resulting calves grow faster, yield better carcasses, and fetch higher prices in the market, making this approach both profitable and sustainable. However, it requires careful management of genetics and calving ease. That’s what we do at Aamro Dairies—producing the best breeds of dairy cows.
The beef farmer’s office, this is the mug he proudly displays, a gift from his daughter.
Me with the farmer and his daughter
The bomb shelter of World War-II era in Mellieħa
The Mellieħa Air Raid Shelters, carved deep into the limestone rock beneath the town during World War II, are among the largest public underground shelters in Malta and served as a crucial refuge for civilians during the relentless Axis bombing campaigns between 1940 and 1943. Stretching hundreds of metres, these hand-dug tunnels protected families, with small chambers used as makeshift bedrooms, kitchens, and even clinics, giving a stark insight into the hardships endured by the Maltese population during the war. Today, the shelters are preserved as a historical site and museum, allowing visitors to step back into the wartime atmosphere and witness firsthand how the island’s inhabitants survived one of the most intense aerial bombardments in history.
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Mellieha Parish Church
The Mellieħa Parish Church, dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, is one of Malta’s most iconic hilltop churches and dominates the skyline of Mellieħa. Its construction began in 1883 under the guidance of local parish priest Father Don Francesco Magri, with much of the building work carried out by the townspeople themselves, using limestone quarried from the surrounding area. Completed and consecrated in 1898, the church replaced an earlier, smaller chapel to serve the growing population of Mellieħa. Its twin bell towers and Baroque-style façade reflect the traditional Maltese ecclesiastical architecture of the period. Inside, it houses fine paintings, including works by the renowned artist Giuseppe Calì, and today it remains both a spiritual centre for locals and a prominent landmark admired by visitors overlooking the picturesque bay below. I will be uploading the videos of the church and the surrounding areas shortly. Watch the space.
A view of a cove. Malta
A wheat field ready for harvest
A view of the chickens on display for the competition
With Mr. Parnis, who has the world’s most extensive collection of chickens of different breeds.
