Booze, Views, and Lounge Chairs on the Water’s Edge: Malta Beaches

It’s been two months since I left the United States to move to Malta, and I have finally stopped hearing the question “Where the heck is Malta?” and having to point out that tiny dot next to Sicily on a map to inquisitive friends and family.

Malta is 121 square miles, which is pretty tiny—the city of San Diego is only 372 square miles. My first couple months here have proven, though, that sometimes the best things—and experiences!—really do come in small packages. Simply put, I love it here.

After a long week of class, a tropical getaway to Comino and the Blue Lagoon sounded perfect. An hour's ride on an Arriva bus followed by a Comino commuter ferry, though, were not quite as appealing (there are cruise boats that run to Comino for tourists, but I was advised to avoid those). After a little convincing from my roommate, I decided that we both needed to discover uncharted territory (as well as break from school and the crowded streets of Sliema). I am so happy we decided to take the trip, because going to Comino was like entering another world—a world where everyone is tan, lives in swimsuits, and floats in the clear turquoise water all day.

Even the bus and boat rides I complained about as our trip began early Saturday morning turned out to beautiful, with plenty of photo opportunities. Once you arrive, you can truly feel the stresses of class and work leaving you. You really have no choice but to relax when you see the beauty that encompass Comino—all you can see are rolling hills, sun decks carved into rocky cliffs with lounge chairs for rent (€5), and yachts and party boats docked in the harbor. Both water and sand were crowded, but my roommate and I managed to find two chairs right on the edge of the water.

Some sunscreen, a towel, maybe an iPod, and an ice-cold Cisk (Malta’s local beer) are the only things you need for a calming experience at Comino. What more could you ask for?