Malta

Malta An independent island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and Tunisia. A member of the European Union; the currency is the euro. The official language is English; the locals speak Maltese—a mixture of Arabic, Italian and English. The capital is the fortified city of Valletta. In the second decade of the 16th century, the oldest order of chivalry, the Order of Hospitallers, established itself in Malta. Its full name is the Order of Malta — the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. Malta has special (simplified) entry formalities for those arriving by yacht. A Schengen visa may not even be required (we weren’t asked for one). Here you will find articles about our life and adventures on the island of Malta: Rolex Middle Sea Race 2014—A Stormy Regatta Just over half a month remains until the Rolex Middle Sea Race—one of the most prestigious offshore races in the Mediterranean. The race has been held since 1968 and is organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club. The Price of 12 Years. Malta Malta simply refuses to let us go. First there were storms, and we didn’t go anywhere. Then we waited a long time for our new sails while they were made and remade. Now the Gods are exacting their price. Christmas, Malta and Fire Safety Notes from the First Mate This year we had our first proper Catholic Christmas. For real and... with a bit of a spark (we nearly started a fire)! Our floating home is decorated with a Christmas tree made from a piece of cardboard and dark-green tinsel with whitish tips. Malta on Christmas Eve. People, Prices and All That I used to think that life on a yacht was one endless adventure. Exotic places were a must, with constant action and discoveries every day. In reality, most of life aboard is taken up by the same everyday routine Malta. On the Way Back from the Regatta Our Lady Mary in a marina in Malta. Photographed from the tender (also known as the dinghy, the inflatable boat, or the boat). The whole family is rowing the tender back from the regatta start. Naval Exercises of the Order of Malta We are still in Malta. A week ago, our Navtex (a fax machine, to put it simply) began buzzing out long receipts. Several times, a message came through saying: “Achtung! Achtung! On Saturday, 29 November, Malta’s valiant navy will begin exercises. The Montenegro–Malta Passage and the Bowsprit Torn Off Montenegro–Malta 3 a.m. Malta is only about 20–30 miles away. The wind is freshening, and 23 knots are blowing almost straight in our faces, kicking up a shelf sea swell (though perhaps that isn’t actually what it’s called From Gibraltar to Montenegro. Key Points From Gibraltar to Malta So, we have covered more than 1,600 miles from Gibraltar to Malta. And another 500 to Montenegro. A great deal happened. We went through the unexpected experience of loneliness—something I had never known about before Competitors in the Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta