From Davao to Malta: The Story So Far

Did it sink.

Gozo (or Ghawdex) is a far nicer place to live than Malta even though it too is stuffed to the rafters with "groccles" for much of the year; though not so many in the capital, Victoria. The cost of living seems to be slightly lower - bus and ferry fares are cheaper (but only for residents of Gozo), and most of Malta's fresh meat, fish, vegetables and fruit is grown on Gozo and exported to Malta.

In your day, Rob, you could take a ferry from Mgarr on Gozo to Sicily but not any more, the only ferry runs from Valletta. The Gozo-Malta ferry link is operated by three almost identical 85 metre Ro-Ro ships

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capable of carrying 900 passengers and up to 72 cars (or a mix of commercial and private vehicles). It takes about 25 minutes to do the crossing with a turn-around time of about 20 minutes between trips. There is talk, however, of getting the EU to pay the cost of digging a road tunnel between the two islands which, politicians say is necessary to ensure Gozo's produce is delivered cheaply and quickly to consumers on Malta. Some (notably wine and preserves) are exported to the rest of Europe via Sicily. They argue that the existing sea bridge is subject to the forces of nature, could break-down and therefore inherently unreliable.

We applied for our Tallinja cards yesterday and I was rather pleasantly surprised. I had assumed that only Maltese OAPs would be given 'Concession' cards just as the Philippine authorities won't issue Pensioner ID cards to foreigners to enable them to claim discounts in taxis, air and ferry fares (even though they should do so by virtue of bi-lateral agreements with the UK). Apparently, resident foreigners from EU countries are treated exactly the same as if they were Maltese citizens and that includes concessionary fares.

Mae gets a special Tallinja Card for Gozo Residents and pays €0.75 per journey of up to 2 hours, subject to a maximum of €10.00 a month (Gozo trips only), whilst I am charged just €0.25 with a daily maximum of €0.50 and a weekly maximum of €2.00 countrywide. Our son currently travels free but when he reaches 4, his fare will be identical to mine and that applies until he's 10. On the other hand, tickets bought on the bus cost €2.00.

Malta is popular with British-Filipino couples planning on 'doing a Surrider Singh' and we've met quite a few since arriving on Gozo. This island seems to be more popular with us Brits than its big sister. At the bus station yesterday, we met Alan, a young Yorkshire man from Sheffield, and his Pangasinan wife of six months. They arrived here three months ago and both now have jobs here. Although they will be applying for a Family Permit early next year, Alan tells me he's not actually worried if it is denied. If it is granted, he will take his wife for a visit midwinter to see if she likes it. They both love it here and I think may ultimately decide to stay permanently.