Story: A harbour cruise at sunset

We left Sliema strand at 5pm as was scheduled. The crew were on board ready to help my 18 clients on board their chartered boat for a sunset cruise round the harbour. The Swiss guide, Angela, was accompanying the group throughout their stay on the Island. On the way round the inlets of Malta’s magnificent Grand Harbour, she would explain its intricate and long history.

I went along with my camera as I usually do. I don’t usually have to turn up since the crew and the guide are very experienced but the fresh sea air and the great shots one can take of the walled cities from the sea are just too good to miss.

It was a cold winter evening with a breeze blowing in from the sea. The forecast hadn’t been good but as always bad weather often misses this tiny island by a few miles, so we were spared. A few white clouds dotted the brilliant blue sky, further enhancing some shots. Having done this cruise quite a few times I knew which were the best sides to be on as the boat sailed gently outside the first harbour, that of Sliema. As we entered the breakwater and into Grand Harbour, the spectacular sight of all the harbour cities at sunset made me look on proudly. Hundreds of years of history, conquerors, battles and sieges surround you in awe.

The boat sailed past the Siege Bell Memorial, a structure erected to commemorate the fallen in the Siege of Malta of 19430-1943 during World War II. It was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992. When the bell is run daily at midday, high up on the bastions, it sends an eerie tolling sound over the sea. You can’t help but respect all those who fought to keep this little Island free from the various armies who tries to conquer it, the most famous being the Ottomans in the Great Siege of 1565 then in recent history the Germans and Italians during the World War. The whole city of Valletta, so rich in history, architecture and art, has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During this cruise you also get to see the industrial part of this working harbour. The various dock yards, the power station and silo plant, mostly situated at the back of the harbour.

My favourite inlets are the ones of Senglea and Vittoriosa, with the ‘Gardiola’ watch tower guarding the entrance and my favourit fort is that of Fort St. Angelo. As we reached this part of the harbour the sun was setting and the lights under the bastions and on the streets circling the harbour started to come on slowly like fairy lights, giving the walls a surreal look and atmosphere. The Island of Malta has over 25 Km of walled cities, which all come to life in a golden glow of light after dark. The harbour is also the venue for the yearly rowing boat regatta every 8 September which sees the harbour cites competing for the famous shield. You can see the rowers of these long elegant boats practise at this time of the evening most of the year round.

By the time we reached the breakwater again to exit the harbour, it was dark. We slowly approached the berthing place of the Hera II, opposite the Nazarene Church at the Strand in Sliema. The group would now head to a nice dinner at a fish restaurant in the South of the Island. After greeting all the crew and thanking them for their good service, I headed home feeling very relaxed and refreshed after this great cruise.