Il-Karnival

Malta will always hold a special place in my heart. Having grown up on the island I will forever cherish the memories of that incredible country. One of these great memories is Il-Karnival. I remember how we used to take the bus from Hal Safi, where we lived at the time, to La Valletta.

Traffic lights were a novelty back then, in fact I think there was just 1 on the entire island, however the friendliness of the people on the roads was astounding. Even with traffic and the occasional congestion, road rage or in fact any aggressive behavior on the roads was simply unheard of. The willingness to always let both pedestrians and other cars pass is an excellent illustration of the kindness and generosity of the Maltese people.

The bus trip was always a sensory feast. The smell of the salty Mediterranean Sea was never far away and occasionally punctuated by blooming Jazmine trees. The aromas of pastizzi, hobz biz zejt and imqaret infused the air, coming from all the cafes situated along the promenades.

As you arrived at the capital city of La Valletta, you would cross the wide bridge by foot and enter through the main gates. It is after all a fortified city with a rich history, stretching back many centuries. Food vendors at the entrance would sell the famous Prinjolata, a delicious carnival cake. In fact I remember making Prinjolata at the San Anton school and bringing it home for my family.

The carnival was an absolute delight, with beautiful gigantic floats, colorful costumes, dancers and lots of music bandas (bands in Maltese). The crowds would fill the city to the brim and watch the carnival processions into the evening. The majestic limestone buildings would act as a backdrop to the kaleidoscope of carnival shapes and colors that mesmerized the crowds.

The island was first inhabited 5900 BC, going all the way back to the Neolithic Age, and is saturated with caves, temples and archaeological sites. It is a truly spectacular place to visit, whether you want to immerse yourself in its incredible history, sample their culinary delights or just soak up the sun on the beach with a cocktail in your hand.