Sailing trip

For several years,Greek born American Vasilis Riginos has been writing a personal description of his Mediterranean sailing trips with the S/Y Thetis. His weblog is illustrated with photographs and historical and geographical descriptions of the places visited as well as several links to related web sites. He went to Malta in September 1996 and again in 2001. This sailing link came courtesy of Mark Vella in Luxembourg who blogs at Xifer:

About 1 M from the harbor, I reported on the VHF, as we were directed. We were told to go directly to the customs in Marsamxett. We need not anchor off but we were to dock next to the "black schooner." We entered the harbor and following both my memory from my last trip in 1996 as well as the plan in the 2001 edition of the Mediterranean Almanac, we headed for the S side of Manoel Island in the Lazzareto Creek. Tired as were, we could not locate a docking space by a black schooner. We were hailed in the VHF and after a somewhat confusing conversation it dawned on me that they wanted us to go to the Msida Creek [35° 53.8 N 14° 30 E] instead. Sure enough, as soon as we entered the creek there was a uniformed gentleman waiving at as and indicating us to come side-to. We waved back that we had understood and made a wide turn to allow us to put up the fenders and docking lines. Then we made our approach. Two customs officials were waiting for us and caught our lines. With their help the maneuver was executed without any trouble despite the rather brisk wind. Imagine Greek officials ever condescending to be so helpful! We had definitely arrived in a different country..

Malta Diary september 1996 with photos

Malta and Gozo Diary May 2001 with photos