Category: Traveller’s Refection

Discovering Malta through the eyes of Philippe

 

I’ve spent the last six weeks in Europe, soaking in the sights, taking countless photos, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing my experiences through blog posts, not just to share with my readers but also to ensure I have a lasting record of what this journey has meant to me. You can find them here

I had the privilege of traveling in small groups in Spain and Italy with a guide, while in Sicily and Malta, I enjoyed private tours. When you spend up to 14 days with the same guide, for me, the experience becomes less about the sites (as impressive as they are) and more about the guides themselves—what drives them, their stories, and their passion for the places they call home.

After spending five days touring Malta with Philippe, a true local, I had the chance to see the country through his insightful and passionate lens. His journey into tourism reflects his love for languages and his desire to connect with people from different cultures.

Philippe’s story starts with a dream to work in tourism, but life had other plans. At 16, he was too young to start the tourist guide course, so he pursued marketing instead. After finishing his master’s degree in Ireland—a chance for him to live abroad and meet new people—he returned to Malta, only to find that marketing wasn’t where his heart lay. When the pandemic hit, he saw it as a chance to reignite his original passion, completing the tourist guide course in 2022. Since then, he has been guiding visitors through Malta, sharing his love for the country’s rich history and stunning architecture.

From guiding in English and Spanish to sharing stories of the medieval city of Mdina, Philippe’s knowledge and enthusiasm bring Malta’s history to life. His favourite place to guide? Mdina, where Malta’s history stretches from the Bronze Age to the 16th century.

Mdina is often called “The Silent City,” a stunningly preserved medieval town that offers a rare glimpse into the island’s layered history. With its winding streets, ancient fortifications, and grand palaces, Mdina stands as a testament to Malta’s past, showcasing influences from the Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs, right up to the Knights of St. John. The history of Mdina stretches beyond the 16th century; during the 17th and 18th centuries, the Cathedral and parts of Mdina were rebuilt following the earthquake of 1693. The British also left a mark during the 19th and 20th centuries, adding to its historical richness. The city’s quiet charm and architectural integrity make it a favourite for those who appreciate history, like Philippe, as it captures Malta’s heritage in every stone.

Spending time with Philippe made me appreciate the depth of knowledge that locals like him bring to the table. Every tour, every anecdote was a window into the heart of Malta. His light-hearted banter and incredible knowledge made my time in Malta an unforgettable experience.

#EuropeanAdventure #MaltaMemories #GuidedTours #CulturalTravel #TravelWithLocals #MaltaHistory #TourGuideLife #ExploringEurope #MaltaExperience

 

Finding Meaning in Malta’s Statues of Family and Survival

Going through my photos from Malta, I keep coming back to two statues. They couldn’t be more different, yet both strike a chord deep within me.

One is Les Gavroches in Valletta, a haunting piece by Antonio Sciortino, capturing three street kids, barefoot and ragged, inspired by Hugo’s Les Misérables. These are children left to fend for themselves, lost in a world that barely sees them. They look as if they’re ready to take on whatever life throws at them, together, yet on their own.

Then there’s the fisherman in Marsaxlokk. He’s coming home with the day’s catch, his kids and even the family cat is there, waiting for him like a part of the ritual. Marsaxlokk, with its fishing boats and cat shelters, honours family and tradition.

This statue is rooted in that sense of place, showing us what it means to belong—to know that someone will always be waiting for you.

These two pieces of art are worlds apart, yet both resonate in ways I can’t quite explain. One is about survival and grit; the other, about connection and care. Maybe that’s what keeps pulling me back: the reminder that family can mean different things, but the need for belonging, for resilience, is universal.

#MaltaMoments #LesGavroches #MarsaxlokkMemories #FamilyConnections #ArtThatSpeaks

Sixty-Eight Seasons Later and Why Exploring the World Matters More Than Ever

Flying back to Australia this year after two seasons away, I felt as if I’d missed a chapter in nature’s book—one I thought I’d read dozens of times. After nearly seven decades of watching winters turn into springs and springs into summers, it was humbling to see how much I still missed by being away. This shift from one season to the next was more than a change in scenery; it was a reminder that the world moves on, whether we’re present or not.

For most of my life, the rhythms of nature have been a constant. I’ve watched Japanese maples bud, daffodils bloom, and wisteria unfurl in countless spring displays. But this absence made me realise how easy it is to take these transitions for granted. Seasons come and go as predictably as the sun rises, yet the details change, and those changes are only visible if we stop and truly look. With every year, I’ve come to understand more deeply how essential it is to stay curious, to investigate the world with fresh eyes, and to never assume that just because you’ve seen something once, you’ve seen it all.

As I reflect on 68 years of life, I’m struck by how much the world itself has changed. Landscapes, communities, climates—each season, each place, has a story to tell if we’re willing to listen. Investigating the world isn’t only about seeing new things; it’s about allowing new perspectives to influence who we are and how we understand our place in the world. Whether that investigation takes the form of travel, reading, or simply watching the familiar with curiosity, it brings fresh layers to our knowledge and resilience.

Curiosity fuels every step forward. It’s what keeps us asking questions, pushing boundaries, and opening doors to unexpected paths. No matter our age, curiosity encourages us to keep learning, and learning keeps us vibrant. This recent journey of ‘missing’ a season has been a reminder that there is always more to see, more to learn, and more to appreciate in the world around us.

So, let’s make investigating the world a priority—whether it’s by visiting new places, nurturing relationships, or simply staying open to change. Seasons may come and go, but with each passing year, there are still new stories waiting to unfold, and it’s up to us to bear witness.

#Curiosity #SeasonsOfLife #InvestigateTheWorld #NeverStopLearning #NatureAndPerspective #TravelAndGrowth #StayCurious #PerspectiveMatters #LifeLessons #EmbraceChange

 

Finding My Way Back After a Journey Abroad

 

After a year of anticipation, planning, and countless daydreams, my holiday has finally come and gone. Twelve months of looking forward to new places, new faces, and a break from the everyday rhythm. And now that I’m back, everything feels a little… untethered. I’ve returned with memories, photos, and stories, but also with a sense of restlessness. There’s a question that keeps surfacing in the quieter moments: What do I do next?

Travelling isn’t just about ticking landmarks off a list. It’s about immersing yourself in the histories and cultures you’ve only read about, meeting people from all walks of life, and realising there are so many ways to experience the world. This trip took me through places I’d never seen and opened doors to perspectives I hadn’t yet considered. Every conversation, every shared meal, every twist of history, offered a piece of wisdom or a reminder of life’s simple joys.

One of the most meaningful parts of my journey was the time I spent with two remarkable guides who shared their countries with me in ways I could never have experienced on my own. In Spain, there was Alex, and in Malta, Philippe. Each brought their passion, knowledge, and unique perspective to my travels, making each country feel alive and deeply understood.

Alex’s story was unexpected. He isn’t native to Spain—he moved there to be with his Spanish partner—but you’d never know it. His knowledge of the country’s history, its nuances, and his way of navigating Spanish culture made it feel like he’d lived there all his life. With Alex, every site was a story, every conversation a deeper dive into Spain’s layered past and present. He showed me Spain in a way that only someone who’s taken the time to truly embrace it can.

Alex brings a lively energy to every corner of the journey, effortlessly blending laughter with local knowledge, as if he’s lived in Spain all his life. He has an extraordinary talent for making history feel like it’s happening in the moment, adding layers of fun to every story.

In Malta, Philippe’s enthusiasm was infectious. With a genuine love for his home, he turned every corner into a story, every ruin into a piece of living history. His tales of ancient temples, Malta’s wartime resilience, and its modern-day evolution were a reminder of the strength that comes from preserving heritage. Philippe showed me the pride of small places, the beauty of tradition mixed with progress, and made me appreciate that even the smallest corner of the world holds its own richness, waiting to be explored.

Philippe, exudes a quiet passion that’s rooted deeply in both his work and his family. Living with his father and close to his brother and sister, he finds purpose in sharing Malta’s history with others. His depth and dedication as a guide leave you feeling that his love for Malta is as much a part of him as his own family.

Now that I’m home, I’m reflecting on the lessons these journeys and people have given me. I went on holiday to learn about other places, but somehow, I’ve returned with questions about my own. How can I use what I’ve learned to make a difference here? How can I bring that same curiosity, that same respect for history and culture, to my own backyard? And how do I hold onto the sense of purpose and discovery I felt while I was away?

Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be sharing stories from my travels, introducing you to the people I met, and reflecting on what this journey has meant to me. Starting with Alex and Philippe, the guides who opened my eyes to so much more than I expected. This isn’t just a recap of a holiday; it’s an exploration of what travel teaches us and how it changes us. So here’s to looking back, and to figuring out what comes next.

#PostTravelReflections #TravelLessons #FindingMyWayBack #WanderlustReflection #ComingHome #PersonalGrowth #MindfulTravel #CulturalConnections #RediscoveringSelf

How Travel Shapes Our Connection to Community,

I’m sitting here, about to board a flight back to Australia, and two sunrises are stuck in my head. The first, from my last hotel room in  St. Julian’s in Malta, where the morning light hits the water just so, and everything feels like it’s waking up. The second, over the verandah at my farm, where the colours are softer, but no less stunning—rolling hills, grazing cows, and that familiar feeling of home.
Six weeks away. I’ve seen things—old buildings, temples, war scars etched into stone—that tell stories of centuries gone by. I’ve met people who call this history their own. But the truth is, I wasn’t really part of it. I was an observer. Yes, my guides were fountains of knowledge, and my fellow travellers awesome, but it’s not the same as being part of a place, is it?
Back home, I’m embedded in my community. I know its rhythms, the faces, the stories. And now I’m thinking: how do I bring what I’ve learned back with me? How do I take these observations—this perspective on other cultures, other ways of living—and use it to nourish the place I call home?
We talk about travel broadening the mind. But what I’m interested in is how it can deepen my connection to the people and places that really matter to me. I’ve seen the world, and now it’s time to bring that lens back to my own patch of land. Let’s see what I can do with it.
#TravelAcrossEurope #CulturalDiscovery #MediterraneanExploration #HistoryAndCulture #FromSpainToMalta #SicilianCharm #IslandAdventures #EuropeanExperience

How to be a mindful tourist in living historical cities

 

For the last 5 weeks I have been a tourist in Europe: specifically Spain, Sicily, the Aeolian Islands, Italy and Malta.

There is no denying tourism is an incredible force for good. It opens up the world, brings cultures together, and can boost local economies in ways that few other industries can. However, there’s a significant difference between visiting ancient ruins or sprawling temples in isolated areas and flooding narrow, residential streets with groups of 60 tourists at a time.

In some of the most picturesque and historic cities, particularly in Malta, the streets are living history themselves. These are not theme parks—they are people’s homes. It’s one thing when a tourist bus drops you off at a grand temple or a famous site in the middle of nowhere, where the only disruption is to the peace of an ancient setting. But it’s quite another when that group of 60, followed by countless others from cruise ships, pours into small residential streets.

As I walked through one such street in Malta, I came across something that stopped me in my tracks. An open doorway into someone’s home had attracted a queue of tourists, peering inside as though it were part of the tour. It wasn’t—this was someone’s actual home, and for a brief moment, it was treated like just another exhibit. Imagine trying to live your daily life with strangers crowding around, peeking in, and snapping photos of your personal space.

It’s a reality many residents face in popular tourist destinations, where their homes are often in areas of cultural or historical significance. And while tourism is crucial for many economies, it’s important to remember the fine balance that needs to be maintained between welcoming visitors and preserving the dignity and privacy of those who live in these beautiful places.

The sign I saw on a door summed it up perfectly, asking tour guides to keep their voices down, refrain from using loudspeakers, and maintain respect for residents. It was a gentle reminder that, while tourism is a wonderful thing, there’s a responsibility that comes with being a visitor—especially in places that are as much living spaces as they are attractions.

And let’s face it, while seeing temples in the middle of nowhere is awe-inspiring, there’s something different, even magical, about stepping into a town or city where people are still living their day-to-day lives in and around the history you’ve come to see. That balance is part of what makes these places so special. We need to make sure we’re mindful of it, preserving the peace for those who call these streets home.

This guide was so loud no-one else needed one and she only had 20 people in her group. I was almost 100 metres away when I grabbed this audio

#RespectLocalLife #MindfulTourism #CulturalRespect
#TourismEthics #ResponsibleTravel #MaltaLivingHistory
#SustainableTourism #TravelWithCare #HistoricalDestinations
#BalanceTourism #TourismAwareness #LivingInHistory