On this very special occasion we had several local guests invited to join us, and an interesting talk was given by Professor Maurice Cauchi. It was a good introduction to the history of Malta. From the deck he pointed out the most important buildings and castles as we sailed.
Our trip was short and by late evening we dropped anchor off Gozo, the second largest island in the Republic of Malta.
Our first day for exploration started with Zodiacs taking us ashore. Before lunch we explored the island of Gozo. Here you find one of the oldest man-made structures in the world, megaliths called the Gigantija Temple, probably built around 4000 BC. We continued to Victoria to visit the Baroque Cathedral. In the square at Victoria we also had a chance to look around the local market.
For lunch we were invited to the house of Mrs. Sonja Lindblad, Sven-Olof Lindblad's mother. Several local guests attended the lunch and gave us a chance to ask questions about the Republic of Malta. We were able see some of the local handicrafts and learn how they are made, especially the well-known Maltese lace.
Mrs. Lindblad's beautiful house is a museum with masterpieces from all around the world. For some of our guests who have traveled with Lindblad Expeditions before or even with Lars-Eric Lindblad, the original logbooks from the M.S. Lindblad Explorer era in the 1970s and 1980s were something to peruse. That was the beginning of the great exploration to these fabulous places, which now continues with the Caledonian Star.
Sonja Lindblad "hosted" us well and we were served local dishes made in Malta. By mid-afternoon, it was unfortunately time to leave and the Caledonian Star sailed toward Sicily. In the evening we enjoyed the Captain's "Welcome Aboard" cocktail party, where the officers and crew were introduced. This of course was followed by the Captain's welcome dinner.
