It was a blindingly sunny morning when I joined my dear friends, Janet and Barbara, for a jaunt to see the Azure Window on the tiny island of Gozo in Malta.
We piled into Janet’s open-topped jeep and roared off down bumpy roads, luxuriating in the cool breezes whipping our hair and fanning our faces. After a bit we jounced off the mottled side roads and onto smooth asphalt, curving our way over craggy hills and down to Dwejra Bay.
Dwejra Bay is a beautiful spot, and the Azure Window its crowning glory. A natural rock formation, the Azure Window is a favorite spot of photographers, rock-scramblers and scuba divers.
I was happy to stand on the rocky shoreline and gaze at it, easily imagining pirate ships lurking along the base of the cliffs.
The rough shoreline fascinates me. At first glance you think the pock-marked with amoeba shaped holes are encrusted with ice or filled with snow. But upon inspection you discover they are thickly frosted with salt that crunches underfoot.
Since we arrived early there was hardly anyone about, so we happily posed in the sunshine for squinty-eyed pictures before clambering over the barren rocks while the wind tore at our hair and sent our skirts whipping wildly.
We gazed in awe at towering cliffs plunging down to the sea, and peered into tide pools for glimpses of tiny creatures.
Soon the blistering Maltese heat was upon us, and we were ready for a cool drink and some shade, so we took one last look at the beautiful Azure Window and headed back.
We ambled past a pretty little church perched on a hill, and headed down to the Inland Sea in search of a cuppa. I’ll take you there another day. 🙂
What is the prettiest natural formation you’ve ever seen?
Krista…I think I’m looking at heaven..I’m almost positive that’s what it looks like! Â Your photos are mind-blowing..I feel like I can walk right into them and start touring and sunning immediately! Â Gozo is now on m bucket list. Â By the way, the slow cooker chicken recipe below is bookmarked – it looks so good! Â Oh, and you look so beautiful and happy, my dear!
dear Lisa, you always know just what to say to make me smile and feel stronger. 🙂 Thank you! 🙂 I’m so glad you love this place. It is so special to me and every time I see these pictures I relive the peace, freedom and absolute joy of my time there. 🙂
Wow Krista, what a gorgeous place.  The rough shoreline is fascinating.  Such beautiful photos – what a sweet little church.  Can’t wait for the post where you show us where you went for a cuppa 🙂
Isn’t it so pretty and wild at the same time, Cathy? 🙂 I really love it. You will see the “cuppa place” on Thursday. 🙂
Yeah, can’t wait for Thursday 🙂
🙂
what an amazing place to visit. Thanks for a sneak peak at malta. Maybe I will get there one day but for now I am transported there through your photos. Thanks again krista.
I’m so glad you like it too, Neil. 🙂 I hope you get to explore it one day soon. I know you’d love the rugged beauty and amazing history. 🙂 And the food is fantastic!!
What gorgeous pictures! And I’m just amazed by the salt in all the holes; it truly looks like ice. Thanks for sharing about such an interesting experience.
 Isn’t that salt fantastic, Jan?! I was so delighted by it. 🙂
Wow this is breathtaking! I’m not sure if it reminds me of Australia or the Middle East or Greece or France, where I’ve seen similar formations.
 It does have that wild, untouched feel to it, doesn’t it, Andrea?
I probably would have tried to harvest the salt. Good grief am I weird. I love anything in Yosemite. Half Dome is always staggering to see.Â
 I think that’s a fantastic idea, Deanna, and wonder why on earth I didn’t think of it. 🙂
Wow! What a gorgeous place! We just came back from a “destination wedding” to Death Valley California. So I’m feeling the delight of travel and the pleasurable sensation of returning home right now. I wonder if you get like that? Death Valley has an off-putting name but it is stunning. The valley floor was 119F the afternoon we were there but the wedding, held on a peak called Dante’s View was a balmy 86F. The event happened at sunset and most of the guests teared up for the service (including the grooms!) so it was wonderful.Â
 Oh, that sounds like a beautiful day, Stevie! 🙂 So glad you could celebrate such a fantastic event in such a gorgeous spot. 🙂
GOZO is just marvelous and your pics are just stunning. For a minute I was transported back to the great ocean road in Australia! You live in such beauty – enough to make my heart ache and be super joyous for you 🙂
chow 🙂 Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
 Thank you so much, Devaki! Your comments made my day! 🙂
The photos give such a sense of enormity to the landscape, I can only imagine how impressive it was in person.
 It was fantastic, Ayngelina. I wanted to explore and sit and stare all at the same time. 🙂
Looks like a magical place to visit! I would love to spend a few hours hanging out round there.
 Oh it was, Spencer! I can’t wait to go back one day and explore some more. 🙂
stunning landscape ! azure makes me everything look gorgeous 🙂
 I agree completely, Shruti. 🙂
It’s amazing to think that those structures just happened by chance. I love how happy you all look!
 Thank you, dear Joanne. 🙂 I was SO happy there with such dear friends. 🙂
Oh this is amazing! Your photos are just beautiful!!
 Thank you so much, Alicia. 🙂
I want to go there now! I can feel the heat of the sun from your pictures! Good job and thanks for introducing me to this place!
 I hope you get to go VERY soon, Mary!! 🙂