Your Gozo Guide 03

your

Issue 3 | 30 Mar ‘10

guide

Walking Through The North West Easter in Gozo What’s Cooking Gozo Visitor Information Property in Gozo

3ÊoffersÊforÊyouÊ thisÊEaster OffersÊvalidÊÊfromÊ Monday,Ê29thÊMarchÊtoÊ Sunday,Ê4thÊApril

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TermsÊ&ÊConditions OfferÊ1ÊisÊvalidÊwhenÊpurchasingÊfromÊanyÊorÊallÊcounters.ÊPre-packsÊfromÊourÊcountersÊareÊnotÊpartÊofÊthisÊoffer.Ê OtherÊconditionsÊmayÊapply.

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FREE BottleÊof ÊWine withÊaÊtotalÊpurchase of ÊÛ70ÊorÊmore.Ê

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ChooseÊfrom aÊselectionÊof Ê2ÊdifferentÊ importedÊwines.

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FREEÊHamletÊChocolates +ÊFREEÊBottleÊof ÊWineÊ withÊaÊpurchaseÊof ÊÛ100ÊorÊmore.

OfferÊ2Ê&Ê3:ÊValidÊuntilÊstocksÊlast.

Editorial Welcome to Gozo Easter is upon us. The week ahead will provide is with the quality time we all crave for. With a public holiday on Wednesday and Good Friday both in one week, who wouldn’t take the opportunity to go for a break?

Easter is beautiful time to visit Gozo.

The weather can only get better. The valleys and meadows are bright green.

And our parishes are in full swing to remember the Passion of Christ, as well as celebrating His rising.

Marion Zammit provides our readers with a country walk near the Ta’ Pinu Shrine and Ta’ Ghammar Hill. Claire Borg has prepared some new recipes using a basic shopping purchase from our foodstore.

This Easter our foodstore has prepared three interesting offers. Customers can get direct discounts when purchasing from our fresh counters. And depending

on your purchase you can get a FREE bottle of wine as well as a FREE box of chocolates.

Within our fashion department we have made some new additions to improve our selection for kids clothing.

We have brought in two new brands – Tape À L’Oeil and Chicco. To get more gaga for kids, our home department has also introduced a dedicated baby department.

Please note that Arkadia Commercial Centre will not be open on Good Friday. But we will maintain our regular opening hours throughout the week, including Easter Sunday.

That’s it for now. We hope you have an enjoyable Easter in Gozo.

Prospera Pascha sit (Happy Easter in Latin)

TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS A quick note to visitors coming to Gozo by car. Part of the Mgarr Road to Victoria is temporarily closed due to maintenance. Therefore if you are going to the western part of the island, we recommend that you use the Qala Road.

Part of the road to Ta’ Pinu is also under construction. Therefore you will have to pass through the small village of Ghasri to get there instead of the commonly used Gharb-San Lawrenz road.

4 - your Gozo guide

HAPPY EASTER

OPENING HOURS

Fashion & Home

Foodstore

MON

29 Mar

9AM-7PM

8AM-7PM

TUE

30 Mar

9AM-7PM

8AM-7PM

WED

31 Mar

9AM-7PM

8AM-7PM

THU

1 Apr

9AM-7PM

8AM-7PM

FRI

2 Apr

CLOSED

CLOSED

SAT

3 Apr

9AM-7PM

8AM-7PM

SUN

4 Apr

10AM-1PM

10AM-1PM

4PM-7PM

www.arkadia.com.mt

at Arkadia Commercial Centre

Table of Contents Feature:

8

The Warmer Shades of the North West

Article by Marion Zammit | Photos by George Saguna

What’s On

14

Easter Activities | Cultural Events | Nightlife

What’s Cooking This Weekend

20

Recipes and photos by Claire Borg

Gozo Visitor Information

Gozo Channel Timetable Useful Contact Numbers Pharmacy Open on Sunday

26 28 29 29 29

30

Eating Out Gozo Mass Times

Property in Gozo

your Produced by:

Arkadia Marketing Ltd. Fortunato Mizzi Street, Victoria, Gozo Tel: 2210 3000 | Fax: 2155 8331 E-mail: info@arkadia.com.mt Website: www.arkadia.com.mt

guide Advertising: Tel: 2210 3207 | Mob: 9942 1594 E-mail: gzammit@arkadia.com.mt

The warmer shades of the North West

Article by

Marion Zammit Photos by

Ghasri Parish Church

George Saguna

Feature At this time of the year, the rolling hills are still covered in a dense green, water still running in the valleys, the sky is all clear, and the blue sea cannot go a denser hue.

Valleys run all over the island, linking in a serpentine way, one hill to another. A walk on the western side of the island reveals a warmer tone to the tranquil countryside, unearthing interesting discoveries along the way.

Our walk in this issue will take us from Ghasri to Gharb, two quite close rural villages on the North Western tip of the island but with varied characteristics. The main square in Ghasri is an ideal spot to leave your car, starting off your paces along the main road that twists itself from the church to the more popular Ta’ Pinu Shrine.

The road offers quite a pleasant walk, with views of cultivated fields and the sea beyond that expose the charming rustic character of this lesser dense village in Gozo.

Centuries-old farmhouses sit alongside newer versions built in recent years, many of which are now home to ex-pats who have chosen Gozo as their abode, away from their colder countries of origin.

After a number of turns along the semi-circular road, as it widens, an offshoot of it leads the way to Ta’ Gordan Lighthouse, the only extant lighthouse on the island built in 1851 to offer a guiding light to maritime traffic floating on the Sicilian channel. The view from up the steep hill is breathtaking and well worth the cardiac stress that is self-imposed to get there. If you’re lucky enough and the lighthouse attendant is there, a peek from the British-period building’s roof offers an even more perched overwhelming vista.

Back on the main road, the route continues towards the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary, built between 1920 and 1931 alongside a chapel where young Karmni Grima is said to have been invoked by the Virgin Lady back in 1883. The church itself is unique in its architectural design, intricate lace-like stone sculptures and ex-voto collection.

It was also the main site of prayer for Pope John Paul II during the only Pontificate visit to Gozo, in May 1990.

The road beyond the Sanctuary is currently closed off as it is being rebuilt. Beware of any heavy vehicles approaching the area, although Sundays and public your Gozo guide - 9

holidays are relatively a fullday siesta for the construction industry.

Opposite the Sanctuary is Ta’ Ghammar hill, an incredibly steep and rough walk along the Via Crucis, especially popular on Good Friday morning for the devout, where the very young and the rustier joints battle it out to reach the very top.

Although the Sanctuary and the Ta’ Ghammar hill can be an attraction for the eye and soul, your legs might be wanting to explore more.

The winding downhill lane you will come across before actually arriving at Ta’ Pinu, leads the way directly towards the heart of Gharb, another charming tiny village on this side of the island.

Traditional stone balconies adorning otherwise plane façades would have incredibly long tales to tell if only they could speak! As 10 - your Gozo guide

soon as you weather the upper end of Ta’ Sdieri lane you will find yourself in one of the cozy but often still ‘squares’ of tranquil Gharb. A turn around to the right and you will find yourself walking down a less even surface to what is known as Wied il-Mielah.

The route down is not exactly the latest in road technology but at the very end, past kilometres of rubble walls and the occasional farmer tilling the rectangular tiered fields, is a relatively unknown natural wonder carved out of the hard rock. The Azure Window in Dwejra is probably one of the most photographed landmarks of the island, making the window in Wied il-Mielah seem like its less

favoured cousin, but the feeling of exploring something so amazingly raw and real, yet so unknown, gives a particular thrill to walking down the uneven path.

Back up to the Gharb village core, the circular road connecting Ta’ Sdieri lane with the valley road down to Wied il-Mielah, leads –

turning either right or left (shorter route) – to the main square in Gharb. The baroque façade with its trompe d’oeil, the stone cross dominating the stillness, and the traditional British-era red telephone box will probably end in your memorised frames, if not of your pocket camera, in that of your third eye. your Gozo guide - 11

If you’re not tired yet and feel like exploring some more, it would be best to take the narrow street on the left hand side of the church, if you’re facing it. Walk down and up a few hundred metres and then proceed through a narrow patch and beyond another row of houses. The buildings give way to more rubble walls, uneven paths and even more countryside. The winding lane eventually comes to an end, leading you onto the proportionately small parvis of one of the most distinct wayside chapels on the island – the chapel of St Dimitri, where legend has become interwoven with local faith.

If by now your spirits have anything but dampened and you feel like trying an adventurous route, the narrow lane leading from beneath the chapel, seemingly into the fields, will actually take you back to the heart of Gharb. If you however feel like taking a more familiar route, retracing your steps to your car or to Gharb square and hitching for a drive back, is probably a more comfortable option.

Ta’ Gordan Lighthouse

What’s On

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Ghasri

your Gozo guide - 13

What’s On EASTER EVENTS IN GOZO HOLY WEEK EXHIBITIONS Exhibited between Sunday 28th March and Sunday 4th April Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 5.30pm - 8.00pm Saturday, Sunday & Good Friday - 9.00am - noon, 5.30pm - 8.00pm

Last Supper Exhibition (Original Jewish Style) by Frank Cassar Banca Giuratale, Independence Square, Victoria

Good Friday statuettes by Joe Cutajar Zahra & Last Supper Exhibition Lehen il-Belt Victoria, St. George’s Square, Victoria

Scene of Calvary Hill (Golgotha) including Good Friday statuettes Annexe of St. Francis Church, St. Francis Square, Victoria

Good Friday statuettes by Alfred Camilleri Cauchi & Last Supper Exhibition Don Bosco Oratory, St. Augustine Square, Victoria

Good Friday Memorabilia Sacristy Vaults, St. Mary’s Parish Church, Zebbug

Last Supper Exhibition with re-enactment Vocations Centre (behind Xaghra Parish Church) Thursday 1st April (8.00pm - 11.00pm) Friday 2nd April (9.00am - noon / 8.00 - 11.00pm) Saturday 3rd April (5.00pm - 8.00pm) Sunday 4th April (6.30pm - 8.00pm)

Last Supper Exhibition Boys M.U.S.E.U.M., Dun Gorg Preca Street, Nadur

Last Supper Exhibition St. John the Baptist Parish Church, Xewkija Thursday 1st April and Friday 2nd April 2010

14 - your Gozo guide

Maundy Thursday, 1 April 2010 After liturgical functions, all churches in Gozo are open all evening for adoration of the Holy Sacrament. If you are planning to do the traditional visit of 7 churches, you can either do the following: -By Walk: In Victoria you can find various churches and chapels throughout the city centre.

-By Car: This could be your opportunity to visit all of Gozo’s main parish churches in one night.

What’s On HOLY WEEK PROCESSIONS Penitential Pilgrimage with the statue of Christ the Redeemer Main square and streets of San Lawrenz Wednesday 31st March - 7:30 onwards

Open Air “Way of the Cross” Procession Main streets of Xlendi Bay Friday 2nd April 10:00am onwards

Good Friday Procession with statues, pageantry & band Tuesday 30th March - 7.00pm onwards: Qala Wednesday 31st March - 7.00pm onwards: Munxar Friday 2nd April - 5.30pm onwards: Victoria (St.George’s Basilica) Xaghra, Nadur, Zebbug

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What’s On Easter Sunday Processions with the statue of the Risen Christ Sunday, 4th April 8.00am onwards: Victoria (Cathedral & St. George) Xaghra Nadur Kercem Xewkija 5.00pm onwards: Qala Zebbug

OTHER ACTIVITIES Concert: Sacred Music Concert by the Leone Band

Wine Tasting Session Caravaggio Wines - Marsovin

Arkadia Foodstore, Victoria, Gozo Thursday, 1 April, 10am-2pm, 5pm-7pm Saturday, 3 April, 10am-2pm Cathedral Church, Victoria Tuesday, 30th March - 8.00pm

Freedom Day Commemoration Independence Square, Victoria Wednesday, 31st March - 11.00am Commemoration ceremony with the participation of the Malta Police Band

18 - your Gozo guide

NightLife Saturday, 3rd April 2010 Stereo Love, La Grotta, Xlendi

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ARKADIA Commercial Centre, Victoria - GOZO | Naxxar Road, BIRKIRKARA | The Point, SLIEMA

What’s Cooking This Weekend Be it for dinner, lunch, or a late breakfast, here we prepare for you some easy cooking suggestion while staying over in Gozo Recipes & Photography by Claire Borg

Shopping List Frozen Forest Fruits  Pancakes  Mascarpone  Orange  German Muesli Rye  Bread  Smoked Salmon  Garlic Granules  Ricotta  Spring Onions

Other Staples  Mixed Salad Greens  Tomatoes  Bamboo skewers  Chicken Breast  Basmati Rice  Asian Home Gourmet Indonesian Satay Marinade  Green Beans  Fresh Coriander (optional)  Ground Cinnamon (optional)

    

Cooking Oil Salt and Pepper Olive Oil Sugar Red Wine All ingredients in this shopping list can be purchased from:

Dinner

Indonesian Chicken Skewers with Steamed Basmati Rice and Green Beans

Method Cut the chicken breast into strips and thread onto the bamboo skewers.

Marinade in the Satay sauce and 3 tbsp cooking oil. Cover and leave in fridge for at least an hour.

Put the rice and water in a pot and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer on a medium flame until all water evaporates.

Switch off and leave covered until the skewers are being cooked.

Ingredients (serves 2) 1pkt Asian Home Gourmet Satay Marinade 1 whole chicken breast (about 450grams) 6 long bamboo skewers cooking oil 250 grams basmati rice 500 ml water 200 grams fresh green beans 1 spring onion and fresh coriander leaves to garnish

Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a pan and cook the chicken, turning often, until done ( about 10 minutes ).

Meanwhile bring some salted water to the boil and cook the trimmed beans for 4 minutes so they remain crunchy. Drain when done.

Serve the chicken skewers together with the rice and beans and garnish with coriander leaves and finely chopped spring onions.

Lunch

Smoked Salmon with Garlic Scented Ricotta on German Muesli Bread

Ingredients (Serves 2) 1 pkt German rye bread with muesli 250 grams ricotta 1 tsp garlic granules 2 tbsp olive oil sea salt and black pepper 250 grams smoked salmon 1 spring onion and fresh parsley to garnish cherry tomatoes and mixed salad leaves Method Mash the ricotta and beat with a fork until soft. Add the garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil and mix well until all well amalgamated.

Scoop spoonfuls of ricotta on muesli bread squares, topped with smoked salmon, spring onion and parsley and serve alongside a crunchy salad and cherry tomatoes drizzled with some good olive oil.

Breakfast

Pancakes with

Mascarpone and Forest Fruit Compote

Ingredients (Serves 2) For the Compote 500 grams frozen Mixed Berries 150 grams sugar 150 ml red wine 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest 6 ready made Pancakes Mascarpone Cheese Method In a large pot, place the berries, zest, ginger, wine and sugar. Over a low flame, heat and stir until sugar dissolves, then bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat, and leave to simmer for about 10 min or until mixture thickens.

Leave to cool slightly, then spoon into the pancakes and serve with a dollop of mascarpone.

Accompany with a cup of strong black coffee and a glass of Champagne if you are up for a treat!

Gozo Distributor: Cosma and Simon Supplies Co. Ltd. Maison D’Amour, Dun Gorg Preca Street, Nadur NDR 1183, Gozo Tel: (+356) 2155 6055 | Fax: (+356) 2155 0005

E MAIL DVENUE ONVOL NET

Eating Out

3ET IN THE HEART OF 8AGHRA IS NEW $VENUE "AR 2ESTAUR Mgarr WITH ITS UNIQUE DINING AMBIE PORTO VECCHIO RESTAURANT Martin Garces Street, Yacht Marina #HOOSE TO DINE INDOORS OR A T: 2156 3317 | M: 9944 4999 E: portovecchiogozo@gmail.com FRESCO ON THE BEAUTIFUL TERRA W: www.portovecchiorestaurant.com OVERLOOKING THE VILLAGE SQUA ELSE JUST ENJOY A RELAXING DRINK IN THE BAR AREA WITH AN IMPRES WINE LIST OR CHILL OUT WITH A COCKTAIL 7HATEVER YOU CHOOSE YO WILL SURELY HAVE AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE IN THE FANTASTIC Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner.

Our restaurant specializes in Italian and ATMOSPHERE OF THE $VENUE "AR 2ESTAURANT WHICH IS UNDER Mediterranean cuisine. One can admire Victoria the stunning views of the Mgarr Harbour THE SAME MANAGEMENT AS /LEANDER 2ESTAURANT IN 8AGHRA The chefs treat our Mediterranean and Gozitan cuisine with great care. Our menu offers a wide selection of antipasti, soups, pasta, meat dishes, fresh fish, also lobsters, oysters, cozze, and vongole fresh from our aquarium, all at reasonable price. Our extensive wine list includes Ta’ Mena Wines produced in Gozo using our grape varieties grown exclusively on the island. Il-Kartell is beautifully placed on the picturesque left corner of Marsalforn Bay on the water’s edge, with an indoor option making it an ideal winter retreat.

and the Yacht Marina, whilst our chef and his team make sure that you enjoy their unique creations.

Maldonado Bistro

17 Mons Luigi Vella Street T: 2701 9270 M: 9901 9270 E: info@maldonado.com.mt

)L +ARTELL 2ESTAURANT Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner.

Closed on Wednesdays.

-ARINA 3TREET -ARSALFORN "AY -ARSALFORN 4EL -OB Marsalforn E MAIL ILKARTELLRESTAURANT ONVOL NET OR IL-KARTELL RESTAURANT Marina Street, Marsalforn Bay CONNECTION MELITA COM Our bistro is the sort of place only locals T: 2755 6918 | M: 7900 1965 know about but with the food and ambiance E: il-kartellrestaurant@onvol.net WWW IL KARTELLRESTAURANT COM to charm all. Our menu is a satisfying mix of W: www.il-kartellrestaurant.com the best local delicacies, pizza, pasta, and 3INCE )L +ARTELL RESTAUR grills. Traditional ‘Fenkata’ and ‘Majjalata’ nights served on request. Our bistro is LOCATED ON THE ISLE OF 'OZO H situated in the street which links you from Kercem up to Sabina Square which leads BECOME THE VENUE WHERE FRI you to the centre of Victoria.

MEET TO ENJOY lNE FOOD AND Open for Dinner from Tuesday to Sunday.

Open for Lunch on Saturdays IN AN AMBIENCE OF WELLBEING Since 1973 Il-Kartell restaurant, locaed and Sunday. on the isle of Goz, has become the venue CHEFS TREAT OUR -EDITERRANEA where friends meet to enjoy fine food and wine in an ambience of well being.

AND 'OZITAN CUISINE WITH GREAT CARE /UR MENU OFFERS A WIDE 26 - your Gozo guide SELECTION OF ANTIPASTI SOUPS PASTA MEAT DISHES FRESH lSH

Xlendi Churchill Bar, Pizzeria & Restaurant Triq ix-Xatt T: 2155 6614 | M: 9944 1880 E: rosiegrech@yahoo.com

Our establishment is conveniently situated at the water edge of Xlendi Bay. Situated on the left side of the bay, we serve a wide range of delicacies from traditional Maltese food, to pizza, to fresh fish. We specialise in serving traditional Maltese food such as rabbit and beef olives (bragjoli). We are reasonably priced as we cater for groups of friends and families. Enjoy Xlendi Bay while eating out at Churchill.

Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner.

28 - your Gozo guide

Useful Telephone Numbers: Police: 2156 2040 Emergency Line: 112 Gozo General Hospital: 2156 1600 Tourist Office: 2155 0254 Gozo Channel Co. Ltd: 2210 9000

Pharmacies open this week: Wednesday, 31st March Palm Pharmacy Palm Street, Victoria Tel: 2156 6170 Lauretana Pharmacy Triq l-Imgarr, Ghajnsielem Tel: 2156 3017

Good Friday: Tac-Cawla Pharmacy Triq l-Imgarr, Victoria Tel: 2155 7819 Pisani Pharmacy Triq Sannat, Sannat Tel: 2156 4447

Sunday, 4th March Abelas’ Health & Beauty Centre Agius De Soldanis Street, Victoria Tel: 2155 6170 St. Joseph Pharmacy Pjazza San Guzepp, Qala Tel: 2155 5348

your Gozo guide - 29

Arkadia, GOZO | Naxxar Road, BIRKIRKARA