MALTA Featured in JACK Magazine

Last November Italian travel and lifestyle Magazine JACK contacted me to write an article for them about Malta. The parameters were to write for a young, trendy and predominantly male readership. It also had to be written as a personal recount of events and my experiences in Malta. Nothing easier than that, right?! Especially if you can write about what you love and for me that's about the best place on earth ;-)
Ahhh, and after the work is done, it feels so good to see your stuff published in a magazine like JACK!
Scroll all the way down to the English version. Have fun! And by the way, HELLO and Welcome to my BLOG to ALL JACK Readers.

Here is the English Version:

Over the last few decades Malta has been going through some drastic changes and has basically transformed itself from a tranquil Mediterreanean island into a fast paced society. Today, the island buzzes with life, action and movement!
I am on my way to Valletta. The common proverb might say "all roads lead to Rome" but here in Malta, all roads literally lead to the capital city. I am looking through the thick, stale glass of the archaic bus and let the impressions flow through me. Malta's changes are evident everywhere. The towns, that once had their own specific traditions and identities, are now growing into one big urban mesh, changing as rapidly as Malta's young generation. Old and new seem to co-exist in Malta side by side, a juxtoposition of traditional values and modern 21th century lifestyle. My thoughts take me back to last nights events. Paceville must be one of the hottest spots for nightlife entertainment in Europe. Yesterday we headed to the islands party town after a summer of absence. Having spent all hot season at oudoor events, such as rave, boat and beach parties that are organised all over the island, we were excited to reconquer Paceville's clubbing scene. Our night usually starts with a few drinks at Coconut Grove. This place is in fact nothing out of the ordinary but liquor is cheap, six shooters for LM 4 (10 Euro). A huge crowd of people is accumalting right opposite us in front of the new "old" Alley. This bar was once famous for its grungy looks and live rock acts but after an refurbishment it had lost its special appeal to its most loyal followers. Now everyone was excited to witness the return of The Alley to its original roots, as it was heavily advertised by its owners. There was no way though, we would make it in there tonight with half of Malta queeing right in front of its door. We needn't worry though, Paceville is crammed up with bars and clubs: You basically fall from one venue into the next one, and thanks to an entrence free door policy you can explore and roam the town as you desire. We walked a few meters and looked up to the balconies of Sabor. The atmosphere was right on and people were dancing to the house's sound. We'd stay there until our mood would carry us on to an endlist list of other clubs with different music styles. One night, we'd go to Places for it's progressive house, trance, and techno, then we'd chill a bit at 7 Rooms until we feel like Salsa and continue our night at Fuego's. Whatever your appetize, Paceville will satisfy your cravings.
By now, it's 1.30 at night. The clubbing scene usually starts to heat up around 2 am and carries on until the earlier hours of the next morning. We have some time for another drink from PLUSH before we descend into their underground club. This would be the night's last stop. We dig their cool lounge style and dance until my legs and feet won't let me go on, no more.

I find myself back on the bus that has just arrived in Valletta. As I get up, the morning crowd pulls me right through the city's gate into its beating heart. As much as it is swarmed by thousands of shoppers, office workers and tourists in the mornings, as deserted and silent it will get at nighttime. Current efforts by the local government to revitalize Valletta's nightlife seem frutile. Special events, such as the annual wine festival at the Upper Barragka Gardens and this years Notte Bianca give stage to Malta's diversivly rich music scene. Screaming Daisy, Beangrowers, Etnika, Ira Losco – from Malta's commercial export star to rock bands, folklore groups and Jazz musicians, the Maltese are huge fans of free open air concerts. Just recently we've gone to an awesome performance of TriBali, that were rocking the house at the ruins of the old theatre. The band has a unique style, a mixture of tribal musical instruments stemming from Indian, Aboriginal and African roots with a high energy rythum that makes your body move in sync with the drum beats until you get lost in their tunes.
Valletta holds another secret highlight. In one of the sidestreets is a small well-hidden wine bar called Trabaxu that combines all the elements for success: authentic atmosphere, traditional Maltese wine and food, and good jazzie music. If you are into Mediterranean food you will devour their meat and cheese platters. They go down well with some local red wine by Delicata and Marsovin.
Todays journey, though, takes me on another 20 minutes bus ride to Sliema, which is Malta's more mondain and hipper shopping area. I meet my friend at one of the many coffee shops that are lined up parallel to the Strand promenade. From here, we not only have a great view of Valletta's impressive bastions and Sliema's harbour but we are also perfectly seated to observe what's going on at Malta's catwalk.
We plan our short trip to Gozo, Malta's sister island. In winter, the farmhouses will be a chunk cheaper to rent than in peak season, making it a viable reason to travel over to relax a bit by the pool and basking in Gozo's tranquility. The islands most poshiest and exquisite restaurant has recently launched their new champagne and we are eager to live up to its luxury. An evening at Ta Frenc Restaurant will round up a perfect weekend on the Maltese Islands, before we all have to return to our hectic lifestyles on a busy Monday morning.

By Jessica C. Moritz

Thanks to Stefano Priolo and Diego Barbera.

Celebrating Wine

One thing you have to know about MALTA is that the people here love entertainment and they love food & wine (although I really don't know in what order). In all these years that I have been coming to my beloved island, I learned to appreciate those social events that include exactly these three elements. I can assure you though, I was never a very avid drinker. OK, I admit in my teen years I was a bit on the wild side and I remember my first time booze but that is actually quite nothing compared to how alcoholic beverages are consumed over here. You have to understand it as a part of a Mediterranean Iifestyle and the Maltese way of socialising. In fact, I don't know any good Maltese household that doesn't have a nice and shiny wooden cabinet to store alcoholic delicacies in. As a guest, you will certainly be offered a liquor, rum, schanps, or whatever your heart/ taste buds desire. I remember that I was always wondering why they were continously offering me drinks although I was always reluctant to accept the offer. Looking back, it kind of dawned on me that this is their way of showing hospitality. Was I rude for refusing? No, but I guess they thought I was a bit strange ;-)
Fast forward 8 years and as stated above, I have come to love Malta's yearly festivals. During summer and until fall, Malta will celebrate its annual Farsons Bear Festival, the Delicata Wine Festival, the Marsovin Wine Festival, the October Fest (yeps, they even incorporated some Bavarian tradition... as long as it has to do with partying, it's ok) and I could go on and on. Normally, these events are hosted on the weekend at special landmarks, come with live entertainment by Malta's leading singers and have loads of drinks and food stalls. My favorite one of course is the Delicata Wine festival at the Upper Barraka Gardens at Valletta. The setting is amazing, a small garden/park on top of the bastions overlooking the harbor and The Three Cities. Good music, as much wine "tasting" as you like and the chance to observe the Who is Who of Malta, doesn't that sound interesting?! Well, I was very sorry that this year I have actually missed all those events... uuuhhh I hear you crying. Well, yeah I was still caught up in Berlin with things to do. But late August, as soon I made it to Malta I read about a small hosting of MonteKristo wine tasting at the five star Dragonara Resort. So, off we went to experience something new and as it turned out it was qite an enjoyable evening. The wine didn't stand up to Delicata's or Marsovin's and they weren't any fancy shows. But the event was held in a quiet olive garden, with fountains, lots of cushions on the floor to rest on and music to just chill out. I have to say, I utterly enjoyed the atmosphere.



The best part was still to come when we decided to try the set menu, consisting of 2 fresh oysters, fresh salmon bruscetta, and a glass of champagne. Ok, salmon and champagne are fine by me but fresh... alive oysters??? That scared me a litlle but how I am, I always like to try everything at least once in life. At the food stand while observing the preparation of the oysters I got a bit nervous.





I glanced over to the gentleman next to me who swallowed 2 of them with one quick and very determined swoop. My stomach turned and twisted in apprehension, and my only thought was "I hope tomorrow, I'm still alive". I guess, the service personel were reading my mind and assured me that these oysters are very fresh (and still alive!!!) and they smell (like drainage) if they are bad (and like sea water when they are fresh). Then it was my turn, I put the shell to my lips...



...and as soon as IT had slipped into my mouth, The Artist suddenly tells me "chew them!". With all that excitement and confusion, I did actually chew them. Shame on me! But at this time I was only thinking "Oh my God, I'm killing IT!". In hindsight, I should have known to just leave the oyster on my toungue, enjoying its flavor (thanks Lino for the tip!) and then swallowing it in one piece. And how about the taste? ..you might wonder... Well, it was actually a huge chunk of wobbly mass, with a sea water flavor combined with garlic and herb taste... and by the way, I survived it! After that I needed to relax on those comfy pillows and I think I was slowely getting carried away with the nights events.