Sunday in Marsaxlokk

The Myers in Marsaxlokk

Last week the bartender at Bubbles told us about the Sunday fish market in Marsaxlokk. This week we made our other plans around getting up early Sunday and spending the day exploring the fish market and the town.

Marsaxlokk is on the southern part of the island and about an hour from us. We left home at about 9 am and took a water taxi across the bay to Valetta where the main bus station is located. It was a gorgeous morning and the water taxi was a fun experience. Once we found the bus headed to Marsaxlokk, we climbed on board with about 50 other people and headed out. The bus ride wasn't bad- we had to stand in the aisle- but it was only about 30 to 35 minutes.

Water Taxi

Once we arrived in Marsaxlokk we expected a Seattle style fish market to be taking place. Not quite the scene we saw. This market was more along the lines of a flea market with some fish available. Some trailers looked like the owners were extreme couponers who were now selling their loot. It's quite possible that was the actual scenario too...not exaggerating. You could buy everything from shoes and clothes to fresh fish, produce and desserts.

Maltese Lace Parasols

The town itself was cute. It is right on the water and there are little colored row boats all parked in the bay. The opposite side from the water was a string of restaurants all serving fish and local Maltese cuisine. Even though this is listed as a 'must-see' in Malta, the locals clearly use this weekly market to shop regularly.

Elvis lives in Malta

Homemade Cannolis being made Sunday

After we explored the stalls for a little over an hour we headed to find some lunch. We checked the menu of almost every place on the strip and finally settled on Ron's Restaurant for some fish and chips. We were the first people seated there for the day and the owner wasted no time pointing out the pictures of Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg and Rachel Weisz. When they were in town filming this was their favorite place to eat. The owner even made a "wall of Americans" where the pictures hang to prove they were there.

View from Lunch

Our view from the upstairs table at Ron's was amazing. We could see out over the water and hear all of the market noise below. I had another crazy moment where I just looked around and realized we are IN Malta. It's really happening. I know that sounds weird, but sometimes it takes a moment to hit you for you to realize it.

Fish & Chips

After lunch we made our long journey back via bus to Sliema with a pair of boots as the only purchase among the group. Dan and I had a great time looking around and seeing all of the items for sale and the bargaining taking place. The fish skeeved me out a bit. Some of them were still alive and floating in less than an inch of water while still trying to breathe. There were baby sharks, swordfish, local fish that we can't say or spell, and some shrimps with the heads still attached. It's going to take some time for me to warm up to my dinner looking at me before it hits the pan. Until then, the grocery store has plenty of fresh caught fish already made into filets.

Fresh Fish

Hope everyone had a great weekend! We are having a very very rainy afternoon here and the boats are rolling all around the bay. Kind of a quiet day today, but good none the less.

Until tomorrow...xo