Dream island no more
Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
I came to Malta with my parents for 13 consecutive years. These last few years I lost one parent and my remaining one went blind. I gave Malta a miss for four years and I am afraid I will be giving it a longer miss in the future after the disgusting state I found my beloved island in.
My first shock was Valletta. What on earth is going on? People have tried to explain the new face of the city but it has nothing to do with the Valletta we knew and loved. The new Parliament building is too modern to sink in with the otherwise beautiful buildings of the city and as to a roofless theatre – it is so absurd!
I teach drama back home and I cannot comprehend the concept of an open air theatre at the entrance of a busy city with a very hot climate in summer and unpredictable weather in winter.
My second shock was Gozo. The last time I went there I always said that the sister island had better roads than Malta but now they are in a shocking state! I was told that they are being improved but not now in the busy tourist season!
My third shock was the “jewel in the crown Mdina. I was there at the weekend and on looking over into the ditches I was met with devastation galore! Gone are the citrus trees and the beautiful olive trees; instead it looked like cart ruts. I did look around to see whether there was anything to explain all this but all I saw was something like “work in progress”. I was also informed that one could see the details in the local council office. When I went it was shut.
Then I was taken to my beloved “little bit of heaven” – Mistra Bay. I do not mind admitting that I cried real tears. There were just two people swimming near where the boat ramp is. The rest of the “once lovely” bay was full of mounds of smelly seaweed, nothing else. I have read about the three new available swimming spots created around the island. Mistra is a natural bay and it once used to be swarming with happy bathers enjoying themselves. I used to see lots of disabled people coming there because of the short distance from the road to the sea. Now you have to be a mountaineer to reach the sea from the road. Is it possible that no one in charge ever ventures to this lovely bay to inspect the state it is in? Is the whole island in a deep sleep?
When I came before I always rented a car. I have been staying in my usual haunt Mellieħa but when I realised that it was too difficult to venture around these congested roads I had to put myself in the hands of my friends to take me around. What is going on in Mellieħa? I am told that it has a very good council. God help other areas with bad councils.
It is the first time that I am not upset to be going back to rainy England. I am trusting my friends to let me know when all is well with the island and I shall come back and maybe then I will be in a position to reverse what I said above and will write a letter with praises of my once “dream island in the sun”.
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ROBERT HIDE
Aug 29th 2012, 20:00
I lived in Malta from 1955 to 1965 when it was one of the most beautiful Islands in the World.Since then I have been coming back nearky every year. I now find that it has been ruined by highrise seafront buildings, shabby developements everywhere I look there's filth, rundown buildings and people who look like someone stole their happiness..
What went wrong ?
ALBINO ELLUL
Sep 3rd 2012, 05:09
i was there last july and what i saw was people working and people having good time .ofcourse i hated those people who were trying to sell me the vodaphone or the go mobil every time i went to valletta but then this is progress.i belive when the whole city proget is completed it would look nice
Tony Berkeley
Aug 20th 2012, 13:47
I'm an ex-pat and have been coming to Malta regularly. The island is changing and so it should to keep up with time & progress. The problem is not the development(s) although some make me cringe! But it's the culture and the lack of strategy, planning and industry discipline. It very much looks as if it's a free for all, everyone does what they dream about the previous night, and there is no rules about quality and safety during the work project, no end-date or penalties for late completion and health & safety regulations are non-existent. The intentions are praise worthy most of the time, but the execution is terrible. I cannot understand why there cannot be e.g. 3-ongoing project for each council area, and some overall authority to regulate a given process. This will allow development to go on, but ensures quality, safety and the creation of assets for the country instead of generating moans and inconvenience. look at Cyprus and other similar tourist locations and learn from their good practices and avoid falling for their mistakes. Easy I would have thought !!!
John Azzopoardi
Aug 1st 2012, 01:01
Totally Agree. Gozo ia one big mess and it has been for a long time. Starting with Mgarr road way back, Dwejra Road, Xlendi Road, and now this main road in Victoria. Hopefully, the work will be completed soon. We maltese and Gozitans have to put up with this mess day in and day out. There has to be a better way to create the least inconviniece to the citizens.
Lawrence Civelli
Jul 29th 2012, 18:47
How very true Ms. Wilson, the govmnt. doesn't govern today,politicians all they want are the votes,and
nothing gets done ,to hell with the public once they get elected.
If it wasn't for family,I would't come all the way from Texas. Big business took over.
Wenzu Vella
Jul 24th 2012, 09:48
Criticism is well and good but pleasing everybody is impossible. Malta is like every where else is a living, changing environment some is good and some is not so good. Ms Wilson’s perception is not the same as others. We have seen the odd letter from Brits here who would have liked to see the old filthy busses to be retained too. How many of you would agree with that?? I most certainly do not it was a shameful service.
Lately there is a lot of disgruntled people who are against the new Olympic venues in London because they are claiming that this has changed the way of life that they new all their life since childhood and yet others are very happy about the change. Again you cannot please everybody.
Ray Pisani
Jul 27th 2012, 12:04
I am sorry it is not a question of pleasing everybody - how about pleasing nobody!
I live in an area which has seen ongoing development non stop for 15 years - it is a nightmare.
Typically we are covered in dust, our pavement has been in a bad state for 30 years!
Sliema must have the WORST council in Malta. They do NOT care about their citizens otherwise
we would have residential parking, it is terrible living in a commercial area where large hotels, banks supermarkets have no parking area for their employees. To make things worse the new transport
system is so slow that more people are using their cars than ever before.
What would you call the rape of Valletta - the rape of Mdina? Why has half of Malta been dug up with never a sign of completion. Why should it take me 85 minutes to return from Ramla Bay to Sliema with Arriva holidng up all the traffic on the narrow ascent in Mellieha and why allow cars to park in that narrow road?
Malta has been turned over to the Contractors to do as the please and when they feel like it, and lastly why has the protection of old trees been removed? MEPA is a disgrace as are many local councils who only serve as a smokeshield for the contractors to have their way.
Ray Pisani
Ray Pisani
Jul 12th 2012, 01:12
Susan you are right on all counts.
The government is living in a dream at our expense.
Dust, heat, pollution, uprooted roads, the illegal cutting down and pruning of trees, money no problem going into the pockets of the friendly contractors.
Maintenance of anything - Zero.
This is an excuse of a country, and we have lost our independence to Brussels.
Sorry you were disappointed - we have to live with this disappointment!
wishing you all the best.
Ray Pisani
S Muscat
Jul 16th 2012, 10:36
Very well said!!!
Mr Tony Gatt
Jul 10th 2012, 16:10
I must say as a regular visitor to Malta I appreciate that the government is trying to modernize the Island but my question is-why on earth does it take so long to complete a project? Gozo comes especially to mind here.
Mr Alfred Grima
Jul 12th 2012, 21:18
@Tony Gatt. Miss-management galore!
david debattista
Jul 15th 2012, 10:26
Welcome to the Maltese Island .
Mr Peter Korsten
Jul 10th 2012, 13:30
Well, the island changes, what can I say? Some is for the good, whilst some is for the bad. The first time I came here was in 2000; I've been living in Malta since the 26th of December of that year.
Things that have improved during that period:
* The airport. Ten years ago, MIA was a messy lot. And whilst I despise the forced trek through the shops when you're leaving the country, all in all there has been a massive improvement. It wins awards, too.
* The electricity supply. Ten years ago, the supply was less than reliable, not to put too fine a point on it. These days, whilst there are still occasional outages (oddly enough, never where I live), it's become a lot more reliable.
* The roads. There are still quite a few roads that are a mess, and even some recently re-paved roads are showing the signs of wear, slowly the road system is being improved. There's still a long way to go, but not as long as ten years ago.
* Public transport. Lots of people complain about the new system, but all the factors that I hated about the old system (dirty, uncomfortable buses; rude drivers that gladly ran you off the road; completely unreliable timetables) are a thing of the past.
* The Gozo ferries. Ten years ago, there were old, hand-me-downs from elsewhere; these days, they are modern vessels.
* The Valletta Waterfront. This is a lovely area, which didn't exist in this form ten years ago.
I have to agree on the Valletta projects, and I'll leave it without further comment lest it becomes a political debate. But one has to wonder whether the old situation (a square full of parked cars and a ruin, also used as a parking lot) were any better. Personally, I think it wasn't.
If you long for the old, quaint Malta, which was like a throwback to a bygone era, with those picturesque old buses: that's not going to come back. We have to live here, too, and need to move on with the times. But in my personal opinion, after having lived here for a decade, I do believe that Malta is a place of beauty, despite it having so many people living on such a small piece of land.
Louis Muscat
Jul 10th 2012, 07:40
It seems that you are one of the LP spokeswoman, always afraid of the change, but criticism is your motto and never wait until the project is finished.
Reuben Zammit
Jul 10th 2012, 16:51
She doesn't even live here, how the hell can she be a Labour Party spokesperson? Seriously, stop trolling the nice lady for having her say
Giovanni Carmelo aka John Carmel Navarro
Jul 9th 2012, 21:29
Susan, yes so sad you are right on all counts, systematically we are destroying our heritage that stood test of many occupations and wars. I commend anyone who bothers to express their opinion especially who like you is spending hard earned cash in our Island. I can only apologize for the minority who elect to take offence from the truth. Please do reconsider the majority of Maltese do want you to come back time and time again, sadly those in power by their distracted actions are changing this once beautiful Island. just a note for those who seem to forget that Tourism is our main industry in Malta!
Gerry Cowie
Jul 9th 2012, 19:31
Carmel Vella should note that tourism is vital to the economy of Malta. She should in fact be encouraging improvements rather than failing to accept criticism! It is such apathy which results in nothing being done to improve things!
Carmel Vella
Jul 9th 2012, 22:09
Gerry Cowie, should be aware that we in Malta do know our faults, and we do not like foreigners picking on the smallest issue here. She aught to start at her home's problems.
Carmel Vella
Jul 9th 2012, 19:03
The easiest thing to do is to criticise others. Please look at yourself and your country first.
Mary Fisher
Jul 9th 2012, 21:07
I happen to know the town that Ms. Wilson hails from and I am sure that when she came to visit for all those years and then yet again she came to get away from the dreary area she comes from. Tourists come to Malta for a break, a good change and to have a comfortable rest and enjoy the scenery and what the island has to offer. Under these circumstances Malta has always got to look its best and we cannot expect the tourists to put up with our shortcomings. If that is the case they might as well stay where they are. We might have improved the percentage of people arriving on our shores but we are counting people who arrive on cruise ships and students. We will be counting illegal immigrants soon just to boost our visitor numbers. We also must take into account that North Africa is more or less a no-go area at the moment as Spain, Greece and Turkey are not as desirable as they used to be. Malta has become a Hobson's choice for a lot of our visitors. We should take this opportunity to amke their visit a wonderful experience so that not only would they come back themselves but they would be a free advert for our island when they tell others what Malta is like. We should all work very hard together to make Malta a No.1 choice and not take the cavalier attitude that you Mr. Vella seem to have taken.
Matthew Grima
Jul 10th 2012, 11:32
Why are you so defensive Carmel? Have a look around, will you? Every word written in that letter is true? It's what most Maltese people are saying. When it's coming from a tourist, it should count as well, more probably.
tony abela
Jul 10th 2012, 12:24
Dear Mr Carmel Vella, Thank you very much for your contribution towards attracting tourists to Malta, a business we are in dire need to proper.
I think you should be appointed Director of MTA with your exception qualities of ethics.
With people like you the numerous families who depends on tourism for their living will have their minds at rest that they soon be living on the dole.
William Spencer
Aug 26th 2012, 19:38
So many, many Maltese live in constant denial, and resent being told the truth by Foreigners ( who have no hidden political agendas ), the same Foreigners who spend their hard earned money in your Country.
Remember, tourists have a choice, and will quickly choose a more welcoming Resort if they are critisised for pointing out the obvious, be that large or small issues.
Like it or not Carmel, Malta need tourists more than tourists need Malta. Do not kill the Golden Goose just because you do not like being told the truth by Foreigners !
Alain Muscat
Jul 9th 2012, 17:08
Dear Susan,
It appears that Malta is so rich in natural resources that our economy can now do without tourism.
...
Sarcasm apart. Some people as cynical as myself remarked earlier that this letter will fall on deaf ears. They're probably right.
But if a letter of the sort can bring together a consensus in a country where it is practically impossible to have one...then its a step in the right direction. As a nation we're divided in our ideologies (PN vs MLP, Italy vs England, San Gorg vs San Bastjan et al)...but on the content of your letter we can all agree.
Letters of the sort serve as a wake up call...and we clearly needed one.
Thanks
ANTHONY PAVIA
Jul 9th 2012, 17:31
We have had so many letters of this ilk before, and the result has been clearly expressed in the contents of this letter. True, we all agree on having a better managed Malta. But come election time, how many of us are ready to bite the bullet??!! When will the Maltese insist on having value for their tax monies? When will the Maltese vote with their heads rather than their linage?
Alain Muscat
Jul 9th 2012, 18:33
@ Mr. Pavia - For my own entertainment, I'll assume the questions aren't rhetorical.
Firstly, as citizens, we can't really bite the bullet during election time. You can vote one way or the other or perhaps abstain altogether. During election times, the witty ones tend to push for tarmac on their road rather than responsible governance. There is little we can do as individuals. The reason why I saw the letter as positive is because for a short while there was a collective.
As for the second question. Knowing that my taxes are contributing to a Renzo Piano design in Valletta doesn't really bother me at all. If the project is aimed at boosting national pride and identity then so be it.However just like Arriva, incompetence and procrastination may lead the project to a similar destiny...failure. That's when Mr. Joe Taxpayer should start worrying about getting his money's worth. To summarize, it's not the projects we take that's costing us so much...but really how we go about them. A sound transport system would have paid off as much as a cutting edge design on City Gate will.
As for your last question...the answer is never. The Maltese vote with their "linage" precisely because they think they're voting with their heads...and judging by the reply to your first question...they're probably right.
Astrid Vella
Jul 9th 2012, 19:11
Alain, you say that it doesn't bother you that your taxes are used for the Renzo Piano parliament project, but surely it would have made more sense to clean up the mess in that area and locate the Parliament in one of the existing empty palaces, as was supposed to happen according to our law?
That would have freed up the bulk of the 100 million Euros to restore all of lower Valletta which is a gem and potentially a huge attraction for both tourists and residents, instead of leaving it to stink and decay, with balconies literally collapsing onto the pavements below.
Alain Muscat
Jul 9th 2012, 19:20
agreed Astrid.
Carmel Serracino-inglott
Jul 9th 2012, 23:04
Astrid,
I have heard this before ' existing empty palaces' Please mention some to choose from , will you?
Astrid Vella
Jul 10th 2012, 08:49
Yes, Carmel, I have no problem in mentioning the fact that the Auberge de Baviere was restored at great expense to the taxpayer, with the intention of using it as the new parliament.
Furthermore, Richard England had prepared plans for the conversion of the Mediterranean Conference Centre into Parliament, as the auditorium was ideally suited as a European-parliament style chamber and the new wing at the back could serve for offices. The Evans Laboratory building next door could have been rebuilt into a hotel for visiting dignitaries. This option would have given the impetus for the desperately-needed regeneration of lower Valletta.
St Elmo was another option. Although I personally don't think it's ideal, the fact remains that there's loads of space that the authorities are at a loss what to do with.
It has often been mooted that Parliament could be housed at Castille, and the OPM move back to the Auberge d'Aragon where it used to be, with the adjoining House of Catalunya providing ancillary office space.
Since 1950s, the Public Works Department were repeatedly warned not to issue a single permit over the Main Guard block as it was intended to build an upper floor across the whole block to accommodate parliament, which would have been very fitting, across the square from the President's officea at the Palace.
Additionally there are two or three enormous vacant palazzi going for a song in Merchant's street, just a block or two away from the Palace. The law does not stipulate that the palaces have to be Government property, it just says "Parliament and the ministries are to be located in the auberges and palaces of Valletta". Even the MEPA Appeals Tribunal admitted that this was contravened in issuing a permit to build Parliament on Freedom Square.
Are those enough options you think? Each one of them would have cost a fraction of the 80 million Euros we're spending in a time of economic downturn when those funds could have been put to far better use than the monument to vanity that is wrecking the character of our capital city.
Jean-Michel Azzopardi
Jul 9th 2012, 16:11
agreed
Alan Agius
Jul 9th 2012, 15:01
Totally agree with the writer of this article and the Valletta gate destruction is one of the most shameful things that could be done. Ever!!!
Matthew Micallef
Jul 9th 2012, 14:58
This article just makes me laugh. It's not the happy kind of laughter, just the kind you get when people finally get it.
GL Calleja
Jul 9th 2012, 14:51
How the truth hurts! You are right politicians in Malta turn a blind eye to anything that does not bring in votes. Our whole economy depends on tourism and yet it seems everything we do is to make tourists stay away. It is a shame to read such a negative letter and you would think it would wake up some of those that are responsible, but alas they will look at your letter and ignore every word you have said and yes some intelligent person would also make some comment that if you do not like it, then stay away. Very childish thinking. Malta and especially Mellieha want you to come back and please don't blame all the misdirection on the Local Council because most of the damage is being created by the Government in general. Hopefully everything will be back to normal soon, stay in touch. Famous last words. About the Topless Opera House? Ooooooops. Maybe you should drop a note to Minister De Marco and try to explain the facts of life to him. These people need to get out more often and see what is going on.
C Agius
Jul 9th 2012, 14:19
However, the Minister of Tourism claims that Malta is being improved. Yeah right... its a dirty, smelly, dusty mess.
W Cassar
Jul 9th 2012, 13:24
I cannot but agree with your letter, especially with the part on Mistra. In a time where the Government is looking at creating more beaches its letting Mistra bay be destroyed in the name of money. Mistra would make a lovely beach!
Francis Sammut
Jul 9th 2012, 13:19
Quote: ''The whole island is in deep sleep!" end of quote. How apt. You see, Mr. Murray, there's no vitriol and venting of spleen, coming from this end! You might say that others won't feel as I do. And that the day is still young for any would be abusive writers to comment. I don't think so. Up to now, the write-ups are all commenting in favour of Ms S. Wilson. I think it's got to do with the way she wrote her letter, all diplomatic with compassion, love and truth! I know and agree that sometimes there are those who cannot stomach any critisism whatsoever, but then, one can find all sorts on this hot, temperate, little rock of ours. And don't you ever think that this happens to foreigners only. No siree! If for instance I happen to speak-out loudly, disagreeing with the loud horrible bangs of the fiesta fire works, I'll be venturing into hostile territory and should expect the worst of 'vitriol and venting of spleen'. Hunting is another hot potato and so on and so fort. I think you get my drift. So, yes, we need to grow up! So there!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 10th 2012, 22:53
Exactly. I wonder who really has the vitriol! Mr Murray should look at himself in front of a mirror. The negativism oozing out of him and his comments is so ... so sad.
Mario Spiteri
Jul 9th 2012, 13:08
Ms. Wilson has not been criticised by a single person because what she has said, it is completely rigtht. If anything she has been kind and she not mentioned the cranes, dirt and building dust everywhere, or the monstrosity of the Seabank hotel ruining her precious Mellieha with the blessing of the Local Council which claimed it will bring more tourists to the area. More tourists to one man's project, yes, but less tourists to Mellieha.
As regards the Valletta project, Gonzi, he told us that it will bring tourists to Malta to admire the masterpiece of the genius Piano. So far the only letters that we have read from tourists all describe it as the destruction of the character of Valletta. Not a single tourist has priased it. So much for attracting those hordes of tourists.
As regards Mdina, Ms. Wilson be you know that all Malta is behind what you say. The useless destruction of so many old trees, including the protected ancient olive tree, all destroyed by the project of Minister 34U George Pullicino.
In other countries they had 100-year wars. In Gozo and Cottonera they have 100-year road projects.No wonder we have less tourists this year and in Gozo hardly any at all.
James Tyrrell
Jul 9th 2012, 12:19
An excellent letter Susan which unfortunately will fall as usual on deaf ears. The present Government and their Tourism Authority seem to be under the impression that they are doing a great job when the fact is they have for years been spoiling Malta as a tourist attraction. Their priority seems to be to sell the island off to their developer friends and to have necessary work carried out by their contractor friends who don't have a clue how to for example build roads. With so many value for money destinations around the world Malta is fast becoming the last choice for a holiday.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jul 9th 2012, 11:00
On a smaller scale, Piano is doing to our dear Malta what he did to Paris with his glass pyramid decrating the Louvre and being richly rewarded for the sacrilege.
ANTHONY PAVIA
Jul 9th 2012, 17:24
As if you can ever compare huge Paris with minute Valletta!
Pule' Carmel
Jul 9th 2012, 10:46
Yes we are destroying those parts of Malta which layed the golden eggs for us. All through greed.
M. Hills
Jul 9th 2012, 10:22
I think it's called "destructive construction" these days!!
Peter Murray
Jul 9th 2012, 10:12
Dear Susan,
Stand by for a load of vitriol and the venting of spleens at you for having the temerity to tell it like it is-with all the usual helpful advice on offer -such as stay away and we don't need your custom!The people in authority should take note of your input -but will this happen?(rhetorical question).Regarding your claim about what constitutes a "good council"I will leave you with the od adage that in the kingdom of the blind the one-eyed man is king.
Chris Gatt
Jul 9th 2012, 17:19
Mr Murray, assuming you are richly endowed with two eyes. I will say this only once: we really don't need your custom!. I am very happy to listen to all the criticism in the world. Indeed I think I am one of the culprits in this regard. And I am certainly not known for flying the National Flag. But there is a smugness about your contributions which is truly, deeply irritating, to the point where I could not agree with you, even if I do agree with you.
John Neville Ebejer
Jul 9th 2012, 20:57
Thanks Mr Gatt. You expressed well what I do feel as regards Mr Murray's contribution. I have contacts a number of tourists, the majority of whom express positive feedback on their stay here. Other remark of shortcomings and faults in a constructive way.
But then you get odd ones who love playing patronising stances expressing themselves about "their island" which is not. They love playing the role for the sole purpose of make belief being better - and no other reason. Otherwise they would criticise in an objective and respectful manner.
Last note : open air theatres in the Mediterranean region, to be enjoyed in summer evenings, have been set up since something like 2,000 years - ago. The appreciation of this idea seems not to have reached some. Hopefully they will catch up.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 10th 2012, 13:03
Mr Gatt, thank you, o, so much. I couldn't put it any stronger. Well done!
D Borg
Jul 9th 2012, 10:02
the problem at Mistra is NOT the seaweed (actually that's a blessing),
but the Fish Farms that have polluted the sea and ruined the knight's fortress beyond belief!
ANTHONY PAVIA
Jul 9th 2012, 17:23
True seaweed is a natural blessing. But not when it is occupying the swimmers section of a beach.
Christopher Pollard
Jul 9th 2012, 10:01
The problem I have with Mdina, the so called Silent City, is the number of cars now parked within its confines. I can understand that the residents and businesses need access but not why they need to park for hours on end. If we are not careful then Mdina will become yet another town dominated by the car and ruined as a destination.
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