Summer evenings on the island of Gozo in Malta are exquisitely beautiful. While the days are so piping hot you want to find a shady nook and not budge, as the sun goes down the air cools and lovely breezes blow in off the water. On such nights there is nothing better than sharing a bottle of chilled rosé with dear friends and watching the sunset over the ocean.
On one fine evening in August I did just that with three of my favorite cronies: Barbara, Janet and Colin. While Colin reserved a table for us on the balcony of the local football club, we girls took a drive around part of this exquisite little island.
We drove through small villages bustling with activity as local citizens hung banners and strung lights for a festival honoring their patron saint.
We puttered along the coast, stopping to admire towering stone formations along the rocky beach.
We rolled down our windows and laughed with delight as we tore along, the wind whipping our hair and whisking away any steamy remnants of the sweltering afternoon.
Stopping atop a cliff we gazed out over the sun-burnt landscape, delighting in the brilliant oleander bushes blossoming beside the road, peering down at the glistening salt pans filled with water.
The roadsides were lined with teenage boys as we trundled up the last hill back into town. They stood and sat in clusters gazing up into the sky as the fireworks chaps tested round after round before the official festivities began.
With the sun not quite set, Barbara, Janet and I found a parking spot and tracked down Colin who had found the perfect table.
We ordered a round of pizzas and a frosty bottle of rosé, visiting happily as we watched the sun sink lower and lower, casting its soft golden glow on faces and buildings alike.
I leaned back in my chair sipping my wine, eyes closed as the last rays of the sun warmed my cheeks. There was no place I’d rather be than in this tiny Gozitan football club devouring scrumptious pizza and laughing heartily with dear friends.
What is one of your most memorable sunsets?
Sound like the perfect way to spend a day Krista. There have been so many memorable sunsets in my life, but I dod remember sitting on the island of Santorini with my daughter enjoying a cocktail and a light meal of meze overlooking the Agean sea as the sun went down.
Val, I absolutely LOVE your stories about your adventures in Greece. 🙂 Every one of them is like something out of a wonderful movie. 🙂
Oh, how you make me want to go on holiday now!! Reminds me of our trip to Corfu last year (although the Gozo rock formations are more impressive!). A few years ago I rented a tine apartment with friends in Granada and to our delight we had a tiny rooftop terrace from where we could see the Alhambra. Sitting on our little deck watching the Alhambra in the sunset and sipping wine remain some of my happiest memories.
Ohhh, I loved Corfu as well, Jeanne!! I know what you mean about it being similar to Gozo. Something about the light and the water, I think. 🙂 What a gorgeous place to stay in Granada. I’ve wanted to see the Alhambra for a long time and your tiny little deck sounds perfect. 🙂
lovely images….my favorite sunset – at a beach in india
Ohhh, a dear friend of mine loves those too. 🙂
Anytime the sunsets over the ocean, its going to be pretty magnificent. And there really is nothing better than pizza and wine with friends. I’m assuming being in Malta made it extra tasty.
You’d be assuming correctly, Deanna, though it really was divine pizza. 🙂 Perfect thin crust, unusual toppings, and a view of the ocean made it pretty darn fantastic. 🙂
Sounds like so much fun. I never would have thought to get a drink at a local football club. I honestly can’t remember all my sunsets, but one that comes to mind was in Puerto Vallerta. I went over spring break my senior year of high school, so the outing had all the excitement of your first trip abroad without parents, plus I was old enough to appreciate things like sunsets.
To tell you the truth, Bess, I’d never been to a football club in my life until I went to Malta. Didn’t even know what they were! 🙂 Your trip sounds so beautiful. 🙂 You brought back all those feelings of my first trip “by myself”. 🙂
Oh goodness that last shot took my breath away!!!!!!!!! What an AMAZING day!
Isn’t it glorious, dear Andi? I was stunned into silence. 🙂
This place is on my list!
~Kris
http://www.beholdthemetatron.com
Oh good, Kris!! 🙂 I enjoyed it so very much. (And it’s SO great to see you again. :-))
My sunsets are stupid.
They ARE, Jamie??!! I would’ve thought your southern views would be quite fabulous. I have just been proven wrong. 🙁
Stunning sunset, K! It looks like the weather was incredible while you were there. On my bucket list: visit the site where the pivotal Siege of Malta went down.
Thank you so much, T! 🙂 The weather really was magnificent. Rather TOO hot at times, but beautiful nonetheless. 🙂 There are so many incredible historical sites in Malta that I KNOW you would love it. 🙂
Amazing sunset photos! Sometimes I think the more beautiful the sunset the harder it is to capture in a picture. I have a couple of amazing sunset photos from Maui and I love them!
I think you are right, Katie!! You want to capture every last bit of color AND the feel of it, but it never seems to quite work. 🙂 Ah well – I’m happy we have our photos anyway. 🙂
It seems like heaven, I would have loved to have joined you there.
That would’ve been even better, Hila! 🙂 I know we would’ve talked for hours out there on the balcony. 🙂
I love how sun-kissed and carefree this entire post is! I can feel the happiness.
Big hug to you, luv! It was such a sunny, happy, love-filled day. 🙂
What colors! How vibrant! Makes me want something spicy.
Ooooh, spicy is a splendid idea too, Duchess. 🙂 Methinks something Mexican would be another perfect cuisine for such a night. 🙂
Oh my goodness how beautiful!
Isn’t it a lovely spot, Brenna? 🙂
A perfect end to a perfect day. Most memorable sunset in recent years would be this one.
http://lindyloumacsworldinphotos.blogspot.com/2012/02/wonderful-window.html
Oh how gorgeous, Linda! You’ve seen some amazingly beautiful places. 🙂
Sounds like it was a wonderful evening in a fantastic setting.
It really was, Spencer. 🙂 Such a great memory. 🙂
Gorgeous! The sun seems so brilliant there. I’d like to visit Malta now that I’ve seen your day. I can’t think of a particularly memorable sunset though I’d say in general the best and most memorable are when they’re shared with someone you love.