Il-Belvedere, Ghajnsielem
Hello, I am Mary. If you have ever been a guest at the Kempinski in Gozo, then there is a good chance that we’ve talked on the phone, as I am working as a Reservations Agent at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz. My colleagues have coaxed me into participating in this great blog adventure, and being a genuine Gozitan, I am more than happy to oblige!
When I find the time for it, I go for an early morning walk. My favourite route is towards the outskirts of my home village Ghajnsielem, right to where Qala begins. Being a secondary road connecting the two villages, you encounter very little traffic. It is a lovely walk, and I especially like the spots where Mgarr Harbour and the beautiful boats at the Yacht Marina come into view. I love the sight of the ferries moving back and forth between Gozo and Malta, and in calm weather you can often observe fishing boats leaving the harbour.
Right at the end of this country road, there is a pretty place with benches, a belvedere, inviting you to have a little rest and take in the gorgeous scenery. The view from above is beautiful indeed, offering a stunning 180° panorama of Comino with its Blue Lagoon, Malta in the background, and even Mgarr Harbour to the far right. The islands seem so peaceful and welcoming…
On many summer mornings, the sea is so calm it seems like you could actually walk on it. By contrast, the waves hit the coast with such force in winter… very strong and scary!
The reason why I am so fond of this place is the extremely calming effect it has on me, and especially so at daybreak. The colours are bright, the sun is just coming up, and all is so quiet. The feeling of peace is everywhere, as is the aroma of fennel, particularly at that time of the day, with the morning dew carrying the scent all over the place. I just love that smell!
All too soon that magical hour of dawn is over. The sun begins to warm the earth and the dew slowly disappears. The wonders of nature! Nature is just so beautiful and all too often we take it for granted. But if you pause and look around you, it helps you remember the important, simple things in life.
