Gozo countryside that must be protected

Published on the Times of Malta on Friday, 4th June 2010 by Franz Falzon, Qawra.

My father could never understand the reason why my family used to go to Gozo year after year especially in winter. Maybe my wife and I got hooked after spending our honeymoon touring Gozo on a Vespa! Later on, together with our friends, we used to trek around Gozo and it was an experience which we will never forget.

One of the places we went to on several occasions was Qala and its surroundings. From Mġarr we used to trek the path towards the mystic Barbaġanni Rock to Ħondoq ir-Rummien, then up the steep hill towards the Qala redoubt and finish at Qala village or continue the adventurous path leading to Daħlet Qorrot, up to Nadur and back to Mġarr.

Quoting from Lino Spiteri's recent Talking Point, we were bewitched with nothing but natural charm in pristine surroundings.

The vegetation at Ta' Xilep and Tan-Nemes is unique as it is still untouched by human hands. Lately, I had the honour of seeing the small and simple statue of Fatima (no gold or jewels) which is revered by millions!

The Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco, gives us hope with his statement about safeguarding sustainability and the Qala local council together with their community should be proud and endeavour to protect these enchanting surroundings.

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