GLOBETROTTERS MONTHLY CHALLENGE

When Colorful Blossoms are Decorating the Mediterranean Coastline

Springtime in Malta

The flowers were gently moving as the corn was rustling in the wind. The sun was kissing my cheeks and a smile appeared across my entire face. The ocean was just down there. I heard the waves crashing onto the shore.

The trip was spontaneous but such a great adventure. While the rest of Europe got soaked in rain and was covered under an overcast sky, we escaped the weather and landed on Malta.

In spring.

We only had a few hours between booking the flights until we landed on the island. No time for research or expectations by any means. Light in luggage and worries, we walked smilingly through the historic streets of Valetta, the capital of Malta.

While I did not know how rich in history and full of fortified buildings the island was, I was taken away by its charm. Flowers were blooming on small patches of grass in between ancient churches and forts.

While I had been complaining a lot back in Germany about the cold start we had gotten since arriving from Africa, I was now thrown forward into a beautiful blooming day in spring.

Even the cacti showed some blossoms despite the pain they endured when heartless humans cut into their skin. I don’t get this desire of people needing to leave a mark everywhere they go.

Why?

Tell me why?

Every other being on this planet tries to walk unnoticed, to leave no trace behind. Just we have to write our names into the landscape. On walls, trees, cacti and whatever else we find. I don’t get it.

However, not getting distracted by those negative thoughts, we walked toward St. Peter’s Pool on our second full day in Malta. Wandering through the countryside, we marveled at beautiful flower fields and the Mediterranean Sea below us.

After jumping into the cold water, we were refreshed and filled with new energy, heading on along the coastline. One bay after the other. Turquoise blue water below us and no people around.

Just a sailing boat was docked in this little paradise adding to the charm.

We were hiking with our backpacks as we had left the accommodation in Valetta behind and moved now to a new place on the eastern side of the island.

A field filled with shining yellow flowers was leading us down rocky stairs. A handful of red poppy flowers were standing out in the sea of yellow.

Every town we encountered so far in Malta was unique. Buildings, the harbor, its historic fortifications and different shops one can explore.

But one thing they all had in common.

Blooming flowers.

And so we decided the following day to head to the cliffs of Dingli and do some more hiking along the coast.

From the highest point on the island (250m), steep cliffs are leading straight into the deep blue. A strong coastal wind was blowing ruining the hairstyle I never had.

Pink bindweed flowers, also known under the name of morning glory, were decorating the fields on the coastline. We descended from the highest point and walked between small fields where farmers were growing grapes, olive trees and spring onions. A random mixture of vegetation but whatever can grow in this rocky terrain will be planted.

A cacophony of birds was sounding down the cliffs. Swallows were nesting in the rocks with the best views of the island.

The views across this rural landscape were breathtaking. Fields of yellow flowers were creating an incredible contrast to the deep blue of the ocean and the sky. Snapdragon flowers were blooming right next to the road we were walking on.

On our last day in Malta, we planned one more hike along the coastline exploring several bays, going again for a quick swim and marveling at the views.

The flowers had stolen my attention from the rest. I no longer paid attention to the people around, the clouds or the biting wind but had all eyes on the blooming landscape.

Spring was in full display and full force in Malta, there is no doubt about that. Now, the rest of Europe can follow and warm up too for the blossoms to sprout.

This was a writing prompt for Globetrotter’s April challenge. This month, we’re looking for spring stories from around the world. Michele Maize has created the introduction post for you to get inspired:

And I invite you to check out other submissions to the prompt such as Erika Burkhalter's essay on flowers in the Himalayas.

Kerri Duncan takes on a different approach to the topic, giving advice on how to frame your pictures and up your travel photography. With flowers, of course.

Join my email list here if you would like to read more travel essays or sign up for the Medium membership to receive unlimited access to my and other writers’ stories out here (I will receive a commission fee in return).

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