your gozo guide - issue 2

The Coast Road WalkSeher il-Punent

What’s CookingGozo VisitorInformation

Property in Gozo

your

guide

Issue 2 | 18 Mar ’10

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Editorial

Spring is here. You can enjoy a greener side of Gozo this time of the year. After consistent rain showers last weekend, we hope the weather will hold up this time around so we can enjoy a pleasant long weekend.

Within this issue Marion Zammit is suggesting a nice afternoon walk on the Northern coast road starting from Marsalforn to the Ghasri Valley. While Claire Borg has put together some practical yet intriguing recipes for your weekend-break cooking.

When going out consider visiting Gharb as the local council is organising their annual event ‘Seher il-Punent’. And as Easter is around the corner, there are a few Easter-related events going on in Victoria and Fontana.

At Arkadia we are busy as usual to provide the quality, choice, and value essential for our customers. We have just introduced a baby section in our home department and will soon introduce two kids brands to our fashion department – Tape À L’Oeil and Chicco.

At Arkadia Foodstore we have just recently published our second issue of ‘the foodie’. Get your FREE copy when visiting us in Victoria.

And at Circle-A we will be hosting Eddie Fenech Adami this Saturday morning to sign copies of his auto-biography ‘INSERVI’.

Enough for now. A relaxing and entertaining weekend to you all.

Welcome to Gozo

kids fashion from newborn to 14

OPENING SOONArkadia, GOZO | Naxxar Road, BIRKIRKARA | Main Street, PAOLA

Advertising:Tel: 2210 3207 | Mob: 9942 1594E-mail: [email protected]

Produced by:Arkadia Marketing Ltd.Fortunato Mizzi Street, Victoria, GozoTel: 2210 3000 | Fax: 2155 8331E-mail: [email protected]: www.arkadia.com.mt

Feature: These lanes are made for walking 8

Article by Marion Zammit | Photos by George Saguna

What’s On 14

Seher il-Punent | Cultural Events | Nightlife

What’s Cooking 20Recipes and photos by Claire Borg

Gozo Visitor Information

Eating Out 26Gozo Mass Times 28Gozo Channel Timetable 29Useful Contact Numbers 29Pharmacy Open on Sunday 29

Property in Gozo 30

Table of Contents

your

guide

These lanes are made for walking

Article by Marion Zammit

Photos by George Saguna

Walking shoes, pocket camera, fresh spring air and a desire to explore... they are mainly the ingredients to get to know another side of Gozo, starting from here...

As much as we may love to think of Gozo as a cosmopolitan and urban island, reality has been kinder than many buried desires would have it. Thankfully enough, ‘da rock’ as many like to call it, has been blessed through the bounty of nature, and although a smooth rhythmic pace of modern life has at times caught up with it, the strong and heavy arm of progress has often found it less easy to cross the channel towards Gozo.

Spring brings with it what is probably the most pleasant climate on these islands, not that we have had a winter this year! But these few weeks that lead the way before the temperatures start soaring, are practically ideal to put on those walking shoes and explore the off-beat lanes and tracks that wind from hills to valleys where traces of modern life are often lost and dispersed.

In this first in a series, we’ll seek to explore one of the most kaleidoscopic coastal areas of tiny Gozo. Marsalforn is known to all those treading on the island as ‘the tourist area’, the densely populated summer resort sought after by tourists and locals alike. Yet, in these still dreamy months,

the once fishing village breathes an altogether different aura.

Public transport, bus number 21 from the Victoria Bus Terminus, takes you immediately to the heart of Marsalforn. If you opt to go by car, you can easily park along the streets or in the main car park that’s virtually empty these times of year. Stretch your legs and make it to the waterline.

My suggestion is to go towards Qbajjar, up from the main shoreline at Marsalforn bay, along the coast towards the Northeast. Qbajjar Promenade, though now in a good need of a redo, still offers an enjoyable space to stroll through, very close to the sea. The tiny beach along which the road twists is probably unpopulated at this time of year, although the thick seaweed that cushions it is regularly home to little family barbecues throughout summer.

The recently asphalted road takes a slightly uphill turn. You can walk along the road or opt to move astray a few metres, still walking along the shoreline, and meet a few homey characters playing ‘bocci’ at the ‘bocci’ pitch. This is yet another slice of Gozitan life

your Gozo guide - 9

Feature

that immediately catapults you to a sort of village life hardly existing any more in Malta or elsewhere.

Either way, you’re bound to be back on the new dark tarmac, where the road leads towards Xwejni bay, a spectacle in its own right as the sun turns a denser red. The pebbly beach beneath the Qolla l-Bajda is a cozy setting for a sunset swim. Yet, scuba divers often use it, by day and night, as a springboard to launch their favourite sport as in this part of the island lie some of the most interesting natural rock formations underwater.

A stroll along what was initially thought of ‘the coast road’ that thankfully never made it, will have you meet Leli Cini, the saltpan harvester, who – whenever the weather permits – is right there, pulling up sea water to fill his hundreds of saltpans, cleaning them or literally harvesting the

salt, by sweeping the rocky holes clean into bucketfuls of pure white crystallised ‘snow’. If you’re lucky enough and find Leli or his wife having a short break from their back-breaking daily routine, or

packing salt in their rock-cut room across the lane, a short chat with them will make you go home thinking you got to know another side to Gozo than you ever knew!

your Gozo guide - 11

Back onto the cement-formed road and along the winding route, you will see the soft-looking honey-coloured rock formations beneath you giving way to more saltpans and the vertiginous heights to the open blue sea. Even this natural backdrop has not escaped the veil of legends Gozo is well known for, for the saltpans are linked to a centuries-old tale of a once watchmaker ... but more of that some other day.

From here, on very clear days, the Sicilian coast is very visible to the naked eye. And your mobile phone network, for a few seconds, will probably give way to an Italian network or keep on searching for one. Don’t worry you haven’t arrived in Italy yet, but that’s how far we are to ‘Europe’ from this side of the island!

But besides the saltpans and the silky-seeming rock, a few more minutes on foot will lead you away from the coast towards typical Gozitan countryside. We are slowly approaching the picturesque village of Ghasri. Half-way between the coast and the first signs of human habitation is the secretly treasured Wied l-Ghasri, an alcove fjord hidden to the undiscerning eye that reveals

a silent tiny world where the only sounds are those of birds and the caressing waves lapping up the white pebbles on shore. The steep stone stairs leading down, and then back up, from road to the beach are well worth the try!

If you’ve exercised enough for one day you may opt to go back to your car or the bus by taking the same route, but a few hundred metres of paces along the lane towards Ghasri will take you to a lovely little chapel, dedicated to ‘Il-Madonna tal-Patrocinju’. This tiny house of prayer was built in 1739, on what are understood

to be ruins of an earlier chapel. Although not intricately decorated as the Baroque churches we are used to, if open, the church is worth a tiny stop … your legs will probably thank you ahead of your walk back.

Feature


SeheR Il-PunenTGharb Main SquareOrganised by the Gharb local Council

Friday, 19th March 2010

6:30PM: Re-enactment of In Guardia

7:00PM: Tal-Qiegha folk Group presents a traditional meal of four dishes including glass of wine or other drinks. Includes Maltese folk music and entertainment by Tal-Qiegha Folk Group and Cini Band Admission: €12

Tickets available from Gharb Local Council. Call on 21560556 24hrs service or send email on [email protected] number of seats.

Saturday, 20th March 2010

7:00PM: Defilee’ by Ghaqda Dilettanti tal-Karnival

Gibda tal-Habel (Tug of War) Competition

Tilwima Talenti Competition* Animators – Stilt Walkers & Fire Jugglers

Finalists of the Malta Song Festival Performance by Popular Maltese Band – Airport Impressions

*Whoever wants to participate to the competition Tilwima Talenti is kindly requested to contact the Council on 21560556.

Sunday, 21st March 2010

9AM onwards• Exhibition and tasting of typical products including Sicilian and local cheese, • Fruit and wine tables• Performance by Aurora Folk Group • Performance by Tal-Qiegha Folk Group• Live creation and exhibition of the Largest Gbejna ever done in the Maltese Islands• Motorcycles Exhibition

12PM onwards• Show by various dancing companies • Performance by the

What’s On

14 - your Gozo guide

Greenfields

7PM onwards• Family Evening program presented by Claudette Pace and J. Anvil with the participation of Olivia Lewis, Georgina, Jade Vella and Dominic Galea and Band• Competitions Final – Gbid ta’ Habel (Tug of War) and ‘Tilwima Talenti’• Performance by Malta Song Festival Winner – Thea Garrett

Children’s Corner with animators available during all days of the festival

Art & Crafts Exhibitions throughout the weekend• Exhibition by Hurbert Culture Studio• Aquarium Exhibition Cultural Walking Tours

CulTuRAl ACTIVITIeS

Drama – “Il-Klassi”Comedy in Maltese written by Peter Paul

Grech, produced by Kercem Drama Group

and directed by George Mizzi.

Cittadella Centre for Culture & Arts (Gozo

Citadel)

Friday 19th and Saturday 20th March

2010 at 7:30PM

Admission: FREE

What’s On


and opening soon at Arkadia, Gozo

More Quality, More Choice, More Value

OPENING HOURS: Foodstore - MON-SAT: 8AM-7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PMDepartment Store - MON-SAT: 9AM -7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PM, 4PM -7PM Circle-A - MON-FRI: 7:30AM -7PM - SAT: 8AM-7PM, SUN: 9AM-1PM, 4PM -7PM

OPENING HOURSFoodstore - MON-SAT: 8AM-7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PM | Department Store - MON-SAT: 9AM -7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PM, 4PM -7PM | Circle-A - MON-FRI: 7:30AM -7PM - SAT: 8AM-7PM, SUN: 9AM-1PM, 4PM -7PM

and opening soon at Arkadia, Gozo

More Quality, More Choice, More Value

OPENING HOURS: Foodstore - MON-SAT: 8AM-7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PMDepartment Store - MON-SAT: 9AM -7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PM, 4PM -7PM Circle-A - MON-FRI: 7:30AM -7PM - SAT: 8AM-7PM, SUN: 9AM-1PM, 4PM -7PM

OPENING HOURSFoodstore - MON-SAT: 8AM-7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PM | Department Store - MON-SAT: 9AM -7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PM, 4PM -7PM | Circle-A - MON-FRI: 7:30AM -7PM - SAT: 8AM-7PM, SUN: 9AM-1PM, 4PM -7PM

What’s OnBook Signing byeddie Fenech Adami

Former Prime Minister and President

Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami will be

signing his auto-biography ‘INSERVI’.

Circle-A, Arkadia Commercial Centre,

Victoria

Saturday, 20th March 2010 at 10:30AM

“hora Gloriae”

Sacred Music Concert & Lenten

Meditations by the Schola Cantorum

Jubilate.

Fontana Parish Church

Saturday 20th March 2010 at 7:00PM

Admission: FREE

l-Imsallab Fi Triqatna

Re-enactment of the passion of Christ in

the streets of Victoria.

Starting from Saint Augustine Square.

Saturday 20th March 2010 at 7.30PM

For Opera lovers - “Sweet Music”

Screening of Puccini’s opera “Gianni

Schicchi” preceeded by a short

introduction and synopsis. Tea, coffee &

biscuits will be served.

Cittadella Centre for Culture & Arts (Gozo

Citadel)

Sunday 21st March 2010 at 4:00PM

Admission: €2.50


nIGhTlIFe

Friday, 19th March

Birthday BashZUMA Bar (Paradiso), Xlendi

10pm onwards

Victor Chetcuti - liveD-Venue, Xaghra

10pm onward

Saturday, 20th March

80’s-90’s nightKU Club, Victoria

10pm onwards

Sunday, 21st March

live Jam Session by Keith and Christoph

Live Room 2nd Floor, Zeppi’s Pub, Qala

6pm onwards

Arkadia, GOZONaxxar Road, BIRKIRKARA

Some easy cooking suggestions while staying over on Gozo.

WIDOW SOuP

What’s Cooking

Recipes & photos by

Claire Borg

Ingredients from

Widow SoupServes 6

1 Large Cauliflower• 2 Medium Onions• 2 Carrots• 7 medium Potatoes• 1 Cup of fresh shelled peas• 1 Gidra ‘Kolrabi’• 6 Gbejniet ‘ Local Fresh • Sheep Cheeslets’3.5 Ltrs of Water• 2 Tbsp • Kunserva ‘Tomato Paste’Oil for cooking / Sea Salt / • Black Pepper6 Eggs - Optional• 175 Grams of Ditali Corti • (short pasta tubes)

Cook the onion gently in oil until its soft. Add the carrots, kolrabi and 1 of the potatoes, all diced small. Cook together on a gentle flame for about 5 min. Split the cauliflower in half. Chop one of the halves finely and add to the cooking vegetables. Cook for another 5 min, then add the Kunserva, season and continue cooking for another 5 min. Bring the water to a boil and add to the vegetables and simmer partially covered for about 30 min. Cut in halves the 6

remaining potatoes, and the cauliflower into florets and add to the soup. Add also the Gbejniet.

Check the cauliflower and when done, remove from soup, placing in a large serving plate on the side. When the potatoes are done, also remove them from the soup, then remove the gbejniet. Break the eggs into the soup, like when poaching them, being careful and not stirring, and cook them for about 5/6 min. Remove from soup and set aside with the other vegetables. Add the pasta, and cook according to pack instructions 8/10 min.

Serve the soup, followed by a selection of the cooked vegetables and a poached egg. The Gbejniet can be served with the soup or with the vegetables, as one prefers. As a must, the vegetables should be drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with freshly ground pepper and flakes of sea salt. Salted tuna or canned tuna, olives and fresh crusty bread spread with ‘Kunserva’ (tomato paste) are often served accompanying this second plate.


What’s Cooking

Chicken Noodle Satay

200 Grams Rice Noodles• 200 Grams Chicken Breast• 5 Tbsp Crunchy Peanut • Butter5 tbsp dark soya sauce• 1 can Coconut Milk• 1 Tbsp fresh Mint – roughly • chopped2 Tbsp fresh Coriander – • roughly chopped1 Tbsp fresh Parsley – finely • chopped1 small red pepper – • washed, seeds removed and finely chopped

1 tbsp sesame seed oil• 3 Tbsp Sweet Chilli sauce• ½ a small cucumber – • peeled, deseeded and finely sliced3 Spring onions – peeled • and finely sliced1 small can bean sprouts – • drainedsea salt to taste• 2 tsp Chilly flakes - Optional•

In a pot, bring to the boil the coconut milk and 300 ml of water. Add the chicken breast and boil until cooked (about 15 minutes). Drain and cool. If you have leftover roast chicken you can use that instead. Slice thinly.

In a large pot bring to the boil about 2.5 liters of salted water and cook the rice noodles according to the pack instructions. Rinse with cold water, drain and set aside.

Mix the soya sauce, sesame seed oil, sweet chilly and peanut butter together until evenly combined. Mix into the well drained noodles. Add the chopped vegetables and the fresh herbs and mix evenly. Add the chicken, season and serve.

ChICKen nOODle SATAy

What’s Cooking


exOTIC FRuIT SAlAD

Exotic Fruit Salad

1 Papaya – Peeled and • seeds removed½ a Pineapple – Peeled and • centre piece removedTinned Lychees – drained• 1 Mango – Peeled and stone • removed1 Banana – Peeled• small bunch Black Grapes – • WashedI punnet Physalis - Washed• 1 Pink Grapefruit – • Segmented4 Passion Fruits – Cut open • and fruit scooped out

Wash, peel, chop and arrange fruit accordingly. Mix together in a large bowl and serve chilled.

ISSUE NO:2 MAR - APR 2010

Get your copy from

FRee

Arkadia, GOZO | Republic Street, VALLETTAThe Plaza, SLIEMA | Main Street, PAOLA

Dress

Cardigan€19.50

€29Dress

PORTO VeCChIO ReSTAuRAnTMartin Garces Street, Yacht Marina, T: 2156 3317 | M: 9944 4999 E: [email protected] W: www.portovecchiorestaurant.com

Our restaurant specializes in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. One can admire the stunning views of the Mgarr Harbour and the Yacht Marina, whilst our chef and his team make sure that you enjoy their unique creations.

Open Daily for lunch and Dinner. Closed on Wednesdays.

Eating OutMgarr Gozitan cuisine with great care. Our

menu offers a wide selection of antipasti, soups, pasta, meat dishes, fresh fish, also lobsters, oysters, cozze, and vongole fresh from our aquarium, all at reasonable price. Our extensive wine list includes Ta’ Mena Wines produced in Gozo using our grape varieties grown exclusively on the island. Il-Kartell is beautifully placed on the picturesque left corner of Marsalforn Bay on the water’s edge, with an indoor option making it an ideal winter retreat.

Open Daily for lunch and Dinner.

MarsalfornIl-KARTell ReSTAuRAnTMarina Street, Marsalforn Bay,T: 2755 6918 | M: 7900 1965E: [email protected]: www.il-kartellrestaurant.com

Since 1973 Il-Kartell restaurant, locaed on the isle of Goz, has become the venue where friends meet to enjoy fine food and wine in an ambience of well being. The chefs treat our Mediterranean and

VictoriaMAlDOnADO BISTRO17 Mons Luigi Vella Street,T: 2701 9270 M: 9901 9270E: [email protected]

Our bistro is the sort of place only locals know about but with the food and ambiance to charm all. Our menu is a satisfying mix of the best local delicacies, pizza, pasta, and grills. Traditional ‘Fenkata’ and ‘Majjalata’ nights served on request. Our bistro is situated in the street which links you from Kercem up to Sabina Square which leads you to the centre of Victoria.

Open for Dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. Open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.


Eating OutxlendiChuRChIll BAR, PIZZeRIA & ReSTAuRAnTTriq ix-Xatt,T: 2155 6614 | M: 9944 1880E: [email protected]

Our establishment is conveniently situated at the water edge of Xlendi Bay. Situated on the left side of the bay, we serve a wide range of delicacies from traditional Maltese food, to pizza, to fresh fish. We specialise in serving traditional Maltese food such as rabbit and beef olives (bragjoli). We are reasonably priced as we cater for groups of friends and families. Enjoy Xlendi Bay while eating out at Churchill.

Open Daily for lunch and Dinner.

useful Contact numbers

Police:

2156 2040

emergency line: 112

Gozo General hospital:

2156 1600

Tourist Office: 2155 0254

Gozo Channel Co. ltd:

2210 9000

Pharmacies open this Sunday:

Palm Pharmacy

Palm Street, VictoriaTel: 2156 6170

Tony’s Pharmacy Qbajjar Road, Marsalforn

Tel: 2156 3617


your gozo guide - issue 2

Documents

victoria gozo naxxar

gozo mass times

gozo channel timetable

arkadia commercial centre

arkadia marketing

arkadia foodstore

sliemanew shop opening

marion zammit photos