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your Issue 2 | 18 Mar ’10

guide

The Coast
Road Walk
Seher il-Punent

What’s
Cooking
Gozo Visitor
Information

Property
in Gozo
AT
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ARKADIA Commercial Centre, Victoria - GOZO | Naxxar Road, BIRKIRKARA | The Point, SLIEMA
Editorial
Welcome to Gozo
Spring is here. You can enjoy a greener At Arkadia we are busy as usual to
side of Gozo this time of the year. After provide the quality, choice, and value
consistent rain showers last weekend, essential for our customers. We have
we hope the weather will hold up this just introduced a baby section in
time around so we can enjoy a pleasant our home department and will soon kids fashion from newborn to 14
long weekend. introduce two kids brands to our
fashion department – Tape À L’Oeil and
Within this issue Marion Zammit is Chicco.
suggesting a nice afternoon walk on
the Northern coast road starting from At Arkadia Foodstore we have just
Marsalforn to the Ghasri Valley. While recently published our second issue of
Claire Borg has put together some ‘the foodie’. Get your FREE copy when
practical yet intriguing recipes for your visiting us in Victoria.
weekend-break cooking.
And at Circle-A we will be hosting Eddie
When going out consider visiting Gharb Fenech Adami this Saturday morning
as the local council is organising their to sign copies of his auto-biography
annual event ‘Seher il-Punent’. And as ‘INSERVI’.
Easter is around the corner, there are
a few Easter-related events going on in Enough for now. A relaxing and
Victoria and Fontana. entertaining weekend to you all.

OPENING SOON
Arkadia, GOZO | Naxxar Road, BIRKIRKARA | Main Street, PAOLA
Table of Contents

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 20
Recipes and photos by Claire Borg

Gozo Visitor Information


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

Property in Gozo 30

your

Produced by:
Arkadia Marketing Ltd. guide
Fortunato Mizzi Street,
Victoria, Gozo
Tel: 2210 3000 | Fax: 2155 8331 Advertising:
E-mail: info@arkadia.com.mt Tel: 2210 3207 | Mob: 9942 1594
Website: www.arkadia.com.mt E-mail: gzammit@arkadia.com.mt
Feature
As much as we may love to think the once fishing village breathes
of Gozo as a cosmopolitan and an altogether different aura.
urban island, reality has been

These lanes
kinder than many buried desires Public transport, bus number 21
would have it. Thankfully enough, from the Victoria Bus Terminus,
‘da rock’ as many like to call it, has takes you immediately to the heart

are made for


been blessed through the bounty of Marsalforn. If you opt to go by
of nature, and although a smooth car, you can easily park along the
rhythmic pace of modern life has streets or in the main car park

walking
at times caught up with it, the that’s virtually empty these times
strong and heavy arm of progress of year. Stretch your legs and
has often found it less easy to make it to the waterline.
cross the channel towards Gozo.
My suggestion is to go towards
Spring brings with it what is Qbajjar, up from the main
probably the most pleasant shoreline at Marsalforn bay, along
climate on these islands, not that the coast towards the Northeast.
we have had a winter this year! Qbajjar Promenade, though now
But these few weeks that lead in a good need of a redo, still
Walking shoes, pocket the way before the temperatures offers an enjoyable space to stroll
start soaring, are practically ideal through, very close to the sea. The
camera, fresh spring air to put on those walking shoes tiny beach along which the road
and a desire to explore... and explore the off-beat lanes twists is probably unpopulated
and tracks that wind from hills to at this time of year, although the
they are mainly the valleys where traces of modern thick seaweed that cushions it
ingredients to get to life are often lost and dispersed. is regularly home to little family
barbecues throughout summer.
know another side of In this first in a series, we’ll
Gozo, starting from seek to explore one of the most The recently asphalted road takes
here... kaleidoscopic coastal areas of a slightly uphill turn. You can walk
tiny Gozo. Marsalforn is known along the road or opt to move
to all those treading on the island astray a few metres, still walking
as ‘the tourist area’, the densely along the shoreline, and meet a
populated summer resort sought few homey characters playing
Article by
after by tourists and locals alike. ‘bocci’ at the ‘bocci’ pitch. This is
Marion Zammit
Yet, in these still dreamy months, yet another slice of Gozitan life
Photos by
George Saguna
your Gozo guide - 9
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 salt, by sweeping the rocky holes packing salt in their rock-cut room
you meet Leli Cini, the saltpan clean into bucketfuls of pure white across the lane, a short chat with
harvester, who – whenever the crystallised ‘snow’. If you’re lucky them will make you go home
weather permits – is right there, enough and find Leli or his wife thinking you got to know another
pulling up sea water to fill his having a short break from their side to Gozo than you ever knew!
hundreds of saltpans, cleaning back-breaking daily routine, or
them or literally harvesting the
your Gozo guide - 11
Feature
Back onto the cement-formed road a silent tiny world where the only to be ruins of an earlier chapel.
and along the winding route, you sounds are those of birds and Although not intricately decorated
will see the soft-looking honey- the caressing waves lapping up as the Baroque churches we are
coloured rock formations beneath the white pebbles on shore. The used to, if open, the church is
you giving way to more saltpans steep stone stairs leading down, worth a tiny stop … your legs will
and the vertiginous heights to the and then back up, from road to the probably thank you ahead of your
open blue sea. Even this natural beach are well worth the try! walk back.
backdrop has not escaped the veil
of legends Gozo is well known If you’ve exercised enough for
for, for the saltpans are linked one day you may opt to go back
to a centuries-old tale of a once to your car or the bus by taking
watchmaker ... but more of that the same route, but a few hundred
some other day. metres of paces along the lane
towards Ghasri will take you to a
From here, on very clear days, lovely little chapel, dedicated to
the Sicilian coast is very visible to ‘Il-Madonna tal-Patrocinju’. This
the naked eye. And your mobile tiny house of prayer was built in
XPDF
phone network, for a few seconds, 1739, on what are understood
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 9

the silky-seeming rock, a few


more minutes on foot will lead #-

you away from the coast towards -9

typical Gozitan countryside.


We are slowly approaching the #9

picturesque village of Ghasri. #-9

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

your Gozo guide - 13


What’s On What’s On
Seher il-Punent Finalists of the Malta Song Greenfields Art & Crafts Exhibitions
Gharb Main Square Festival throughout the weekend
Organised by the Gharb Local Council Performance by Popular 7PM onwards • Exhibition by Hurbert Culture
Maltese Band – Airport • Family Evening program Studio
Friday, 19th March 2010 Impressions presented by Claudette • Aquarium Exhibition
Pace and J. Anvil with the Cultural Walking Tours
*Whoever wants to participate to the
6:30PM: Re-enactment of In participation of Olivia Lewis,
competition Tilwima Talenti
Guardia is kindly requested to contact the Council Georgina, Jade Vella and CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
on 21560556. Dominic Galea and Band
7:00PM: Tal-Qiegha folk Group • Competitions Final – Gbid Drama – “Il-Klassi”
presents a traditional meal of
Sunday, 21st March 2010 ta’ Habel (Tug of War) and Comedy in Maltese written by Peter Paul
four dishes including glass of ‘Tilwima Talenti’ Grech, produced by Kercem Drama Group

wine or other drinks. Includes • Performance by Malta Song and directed by George Mizzi.
Festival Winner – Thea Garrett Cittadella Centre for Culture & Arts (Gozo
Maltese folk music and
Citadel)
entertainment by Tal-Qiegha Friday 19th and Saturday 20th March
Folk Group and Cini Band Children’s Corner with
2010 at 7:30PM
Admission: €12 animators available during all Admission: FREE
days of the festival
Tickets available from
9AM onwards
Gharb Local Council. Call on
• Exhibition and tasting of
21560556 24hrs service or
typical products including
send email on gharb.lc@gov.mt.
Sicilian and local cheese,
Limited number of seats.
• Fruit and wine tables
• Performance by Aurora Folk
Saturday, 20th March 2010
Group
• Performance by Tal-Qiegha
7:00PM: Defilee’ by Ghaqda
Folk Group
Dilettanti tal-Karnival
• Live creation and exhibition
of the Largest Gbejna ever
Gibda tal-Habel (Tug of War)
done in the Maltese Islands
Competition
• Motorcycles Exhibition
Tilwima Talenti Competition*
12PM onwards
Animators – Stilt Walkers &
• Show by various dancing
Fire Jugglers
companies
• Performance by the

14 - your Gozo guide your Gozo guide - 15


and opening soon at Arkadia, Gozo

More Quality, More Choice, More Value

OPENING HOURS:
OPENING HOURS Foodstore - MON-SAT: 8AM-7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PM
Circle-A - MON-FRI: 7:30AM -7PM - SAT: 8AM-7PM, SUN: 9AM-1PM, 4PM -7PM
Department
Foodstore Store - 8AM-7PM
- MON-SAT: MON-SAT:- SUN:
9AM10AM
-7PM-1PM
- SUN: 10AM -1PM, Store
| Department 4PM -7PM
- 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 On
Book Signing by L-Imsallab Fi Triqatna Night Life
Eddie Fenech Adami
Friday, 19th March

Birthday Bash
ZUMA Bar (Paradiso), Xlendi
10pm onwards

Saturday, 20th March

Live - Victor Chetcuti


Re-enactment of the passion of Christ in D-Venue, Xaghra
the streets of Victoria. 10pm onward
Former Prime Minister and President
Starting from Saint Augustine Square.
Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami will be
signing his auto-biography ‘INSERVI’. Saturday 20th March 2010 at 7.30PM 80’s-90’s Night
Circle-A, Arkadia Commercial Centre, KU Club, Victoria
Victoria For Opera Lovers - 10pm onwards
Saturday, 20th March 2010 at 10:30AM “Sweet Music”
Sunday, 21st March
“Hora Gloriae”
Live Jam Session by
Keith and Christoph

Screening of Puccini’s opera “Gianni


Schicchi” preceeded by a short
Sacred Music Concert & Lenten introduction and synopsis. Tea, coffee &
Meditations by the Schola Cantorum biscuits will be served. Live Room 2nd Floor, Zeppi’s Pub, Qala
Jubilate. Cittadella Centre for Culture & Arts (Gozo 6pm onwards
Fontana Parish Church Citadel)
Saturday 20th March 2010 at 7:00PM Sunday 21st March 2010 at 4:00PM
Admission: FREE Admission: €2.50

18 - your Gozo guide Arkadia, GOZO


Naxxar Road, BIRKIRKARA
What’s Cooking

What’s Widow Soup remaining potatoes, and the


cauliflower into florets and
Serves 6 add to the soup. Add also the
Gbejniet.

Cooking •



1 Large Cauliflower
2 Medium Onions
2 Carrots
7 medium Potatoes
Check the cauliflower and
when done, remove from soup,
placing in a large serving plate
• 1 Cup of fresh shelled peas on the side. When the potatoes
• 1 Gidra ‘Kolrabi’ are done, also remove them
• 6 Gbejniet ‘ Local Fresh from the soup, then remove the
Sheep Cheeslets’ gbejniet. Break the eggs into
• 3.5 Ltrs of Water the soup, like when poaching
• 2 Tbsp Kunserva ‘Tomato them, being careful and not
Paste’ stirring, and cook them for
• Oil for cooking / Sea Salt / about 5/6 min. Remove from
Black Pepper soup and set aside with the
Some easy cooking • 6 Eggs - Optional other vegetables. Add the
pasta, and cook according to
suggestions while • 175 Grams of Ditali Corti
pack instructions 8/10 min.
(short pasta tubes)
staying over on Gozo.
Cook the onion gently in oil Serve the soup, followed by
until its soft. Add the carrots, a selection of the cooked
kolrabi and 1 of the potatoes, vegetables and a poached egg.
all diced small. Cook together The Gbejniet can be served
on a gentle flame for about 5 with the soup or with the
min. Split the cauliflower in vegetables, as one prefers. As
half. Chop one of the halves a must, the vegetables should
finely and add to the cooking be drizzled with olive oil and
vegetables. Cook for another seasoned with freshly ground
5 min, then add the Kunserva, pepper and flakes of sea
Recipes & photos by salt. Salted tuna or canned
season and continue cooking
Claire Borg for another 5 min. Bring the tuna, olives and fresh crusty
water to a boil and add to bread spread with ‘Kunserva’
Ingredients from the vegetables and simmer (tomato paste) are often
partially covered for about served accompanying this
30 min. Cut in halves the 6 second plate.
Widow Soup your Gozo guide - 21
What’s Cooking
• 1 tbsp sesame seed oil
• 3 Tbsp Sweet Chilli sauce
• ½ a small cucumber –
Exotic Fruit Salad
peeled, deseeded and finely
sliced • 1 Papaya – Peeled and
• 3 Spring onions – peeled seeds removed
and finely sliced • ½ a Pineapple – Peeled and
• 1 small can bean sprouts – centre piece removed
drained • Tinned Lychees – drained
• sea salt to taste • 1 Mango – Peeled and stone
• 2 tsp Chilly flakes - Optional removed
• 1 Banana – Peeled
In a pot, bring to the boil the • small bunch Black Grapes –
coconut milk and 300 ml of Washed
water. Add the chicken breast • I punnet Physalis - Washed
and boil until cooked (about • 1 Pink Grapefruit –
15 minutes). Drain and cool. If Segmented
Chicken Noodle Satay
you have leftover roast chicken • 4 Passion Fruits – Cut open
and fruit scooped out
Chicken Noodle you can use that instead. Slice
thinly.
Satay Wash, peel, chop and arrange
fruit accordingly. Mix together
In a large pot bring to the
• 200 Grams Rice Noodles boil about 2.5 liters of salted in a large bowl and serve
• 200 Grams Chicken Breast water and cook the rice chilled.
• 5 Tbsp Crunchy Peanut noodles according to the pack
Butter instructions. Rinse with cold
• 5 tbsp dark soya sauce water, drain and set aside.
• 1 can Coconut Milk

FREE
• 1 Tbsp fresh Mint – roughly Mix the soya sauce, sesame
chopped seed oil, sweet chilly and
• 2 Tbsp fresh Coriander – peanut butter together until
roughly chopped evenly combined. Mix into the Get your copy from
• 1 Tbsp fresh Parsley – finely well drained noodles. Add the WKHIRRGLH
chopped chopped vegetables and the ISSUE NO:2 MAR - APR 2010

• 1 small red pepper – fresh herbs and mix evenly.


washed, seeds removed and Add the chicken, season and
finely chopped serve.
Exotic Fruit Salad
22 - your Gozo guide
34/2%&!3#)!,/'/

Dress

€29
Dress
€ 19.50
Cardigan

Arkadia, GOZO | Republic Street, VALLETTA


The Plaza, SLIEMA | Main Street, PAOLA
ABOTTLEOFWINE7HETHERITSANEARLY TOCHARMALL3ETINAMEDIEVALCELLARWITHTYPICALARCHITECTURALFEATURES
Eating Out
BREAKFAST ABUSINESSLUNCH AROMANTICDINNERORANOCCASIONFOR OURMENUISASATISFYINGMIXOFTHEBESTLOCALDELICACIES PIZZA PASTA
FAMILYORFRIENDS WEINVITEYOUTOCOMEOVERFROMEARLYMORNING GRILLSANDSALADS/PENFORDINNERFROM4UESDAYTO3UNDAYFROM
Mgarr Xlendi
Gozitan cuisine with great care. Our
TILLLATEINTHEEVENING EVERYDAY%ARLYBOOKINGRECOMMENDED PMONWARDS2ESERVATIONSRECOMMENDEDON3ATURDAY
menu offers a wide selection of antipasti,
soups, pasta, meat dishes, fresh fish, also
PORTO VECCHIO RESTAURANT Churchill Bar, Pizzeria &
'/:/
Martin Garces Street, Yacht Marina, /LEANDER2ESTAURANT
lobsters, oysters, cozze, and vongole fresh
from our aquarium, all at reasonable
Restaurant
T: 2156 3317 | M: 9944 4999 Triq ix-Xatt,
price. Our extensive wine  6ICTORY3QUARE 8AGHRA
list includes Ta’
$VENUE"AR2ESTAURANT
E: portovecchiogozo@gmail.com
W: www.portovecchiorestaurant.com
Mena Wines produced in 4EL
Gozo using our
T: 2155 6614 | M: 9944 1880
E: rosiegrech@yahoo.com
 6ICTORY3QUARE 8AGHRA grape varieties grown exclusively on the
/LEANDER2ESTAURANTISSITUATED
island. Il-Kartell is beautifully placed on
4EL-OB IN8AGHRASMAINSQUARE ONE
the picturesque left corner of Marsalforn
E MAILDVENUE ONVOLNET Bay on the water’s edge, with an indoor OFTHELIVELIESTVILLAGECENTRES
3ETINTHEHEARTOF8AGHRAISTHE
option making it an ideal winter retreat. &AMILYRUNANDWITHAYOUNG
NEW$VENUE"AR2ESTAURANT FRIENDLYSTAFF THERESTAURANTIS
Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner.
WITHITSUNIQUEDININGAMBIENCE HOUSEDINATYPICAL YEAR
#HOOSETODINEINDOORSORAL OLD'OZITANSTONEBUILDING
Our restaurant specializes in Italian and Our establishment is conveniently situated
FRESCOONTHEBEAUTIFULTERRACES
Mediterranean cuisine. One can admire Victoria
OVERLOOKINGTHEVILLAGESQUARE/R
the stunning views of the Mgarr Harbour
/LEANDERSPECIALISESINLOCAL
at the water edge of Xlendi Bay. Situated
AND-EDITERRANEANDISHESLIKElSHSOUPALJOTA HOMEMADE
on the left side of the bay, we serve a wide
ELSEJUSTENJOYARELAXINGDRINKINTHEBARAREAWITHANIMPRESSIVE
and the Yacht Marina, whilst our chef and Maldonado Bistro range of delicacies from traditional Maltese
RAVIOLI SPAGHETTIWITHRABBITSAUCE FRIEDRABBIT LOCALROASTEDLAMB
WINELIST ORCHILLOUTWITHACOCKTAIL7HATEVERYOUCHOOSE YOU
his team make sure that you enjoy their 17 Mons Luigi Vella Street, food, to pizza, to fresh fish. We specialise
BONELESSQUAILSANDLOTSMORE!LONGWITHGREATFOODONECAN
unique creations. T: 2701 9270 M: 9901 9270 in serving traditional Maltese food such as
WILLSURELYHAVEANUNFORGETTABLEEXPERIENCEINTHEFANTASTIC CHOOSEABOTTLEOFWINEFROMTHETEMPERATURE CONTROLLEDWINECELLAR
E: info@maldonado.com.mt rabbit and beef olives (bragjoli). We are
ATMOSPHEREOFTHE$VENUE"AR2ESTAURANTWHICHISUNDER
Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner. /LEANDERISAPOPULARVENUEWITH'OZITANS -ALTESEANDTOURISTS
reasonably priced as we cater for groups of
THESAMEMANAGEMENTAS/LEANDER2ESTAURANTIN8AGHRA
Closed on Wednesdays. friends and families. Enjoy Xlendi Bay while
WHOAREVISITINGTHEHISTORICVILLAGEOF8AGHRA%VERYONERECEIVES
eating out at Churchill.
AWARMWELCOMEATTHE/LEANDER/PENFORLUNCHANDDINNER
)L +ARTELL2ESTAURANT
Marsalforn
/PENING(OURS4UESDAYTO3UNDAY   
Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner.
-ARINA3TREET -ARSALFORN"AY -ARSALFORN
IL-KARTELL RESTAURANT
4EL-OB 4A&RENC2ESTAURANT
Marina Street, Marsalforn Bay,
E MAILILKARTELLRESTAURANT ONVOLNETOR Our bistro is the sort of place /FF-ARSALFORN2OADBETWEEN6ICTORIAAND-ARSALFORN
T: 2755 6918 | M: 7900 1965 only locals
CONNECTION MELITACOM know about but with the food 4EL&AX
and ambiance
E: il-kartellrestaurant@onvol.net
WWWIL KARTELLRESTAURANTCOM
W: www.il-kartellrestaurant.com to charm all. Our menu is aWWWTAFRENCRESTAURANTCOM
satisfying mix of
the best local delicacies, pizza, pasta, and
3INCE)L +ARTELLRESTAURANT !CKNOWLEDGEDASSUCHBYITS
grills. Traditional ‘Fenkata’ and ‘Majjalata’
LOCATEDONTHEISLEOF'OZO HAS
nights served on request. Our bistro is FAITHFULCLIENTELEANDBYTHE
BECOMETHEVENUEWHEREFRIENDS
situated in the street which links you from INTERNATIONALPRESS 4A&RENC
Kercem up to Sabina Square which leads
MEETTOENJOYlNEFOODANDWINE 2ESTAURANTHASBEENTHE
you to the centre of Victoria.
INANAMBIENCEOFWELLBEING4HE SETTINGFORTHElNESTDINING
CHEFSTREATOUR-EDITERRANEAN
Open for Dinner from Tuesday to EXPERIENCEINTHE-ALTESE
Since 1973 Il-Kartell restaurant, locaed
AND'OZITANCUISINEWITHGREATCARE/URMENUOFFERSAWIDE
Sunday. Open for Lunch on Saturday ISLANDSFOROVERYEARS!N
on the isle of Goz, has become the venue
where friends meet to enjoy fine food and Sunday.
SELECTIONOFANTIPASTI SOUPS PASTA MEATDISHES FRESHlSH ALSO APPRECIATIONOFLOCALCULINARYTRADITIONSASWELLASTHECONTEMPORARY
LOBSTERS OYSTERS COZZE ANDVONGOLEFRESHFROMOURAQUARIUM ALL
and wine in an ambience of well being. KITCHENENABLESAWARD WINNINGCHEF-ARIO3CHEMBRITOPRODUCEFOOD
The chefs treat our Mediterranean and
ATAREASONABLEPRICE/UREXTENSIVEWINELISTINCLUDES4A-ENA WHICHSATISlESTHEMOSTDISCERNINGDINER4HEËLACARTEMENUAND
7INESPRODUCEDIN'OZOUSINGGRAPEVARIETIESGROWNEXCLUSIVELY CHEFSTASTINGMENUISSUPPLEMENTEDBYADAILYMARKETMENU FEATURING
26 - your Gozo guide
ONTHEISLAND)L +ARTELLISBEAUTIFULLYPLACEDONTHEPICTURESQUE SEASONALPRODUCEFROM'OZOFARMERSANDlSHERMEN4A&RENCCANALSO
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, Victoria
Tel: 2156 6170

Tony’s Pharmacy
Qbajjar Road, Marsalforn
Tel: 2156 3617

28 - your Gozo guide


your Gozo guide - 29

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