As Malta is such a small island you are never too far from the coast. And In the sweltering heat of a Maltese summer that can’t be bad. This island is a great place to visit if you enjoy sightseeing with ease. Buses and taxis are easy to use and, as in Malta they drive on the left, this makes things easier for the British, at least.
I have stayed in various Maltese resorts over the years, but whenever I go, and wherever I stay, I always like to take a boat trip of some kind. What better past time on hot afternoon?
Whilst walking around the bustling town of Bugibba, my family and I thought we would like to spend some of the afternoon on a boat but we didn’t want this to be an all-day event.
Boats are to be seen in abundance in Bugibba, so we were spoilt for choice.
We all agreed that we would probably most likely enjoy a speedboat trip. Well, we couldn’t have missed this particular boat with ‘Okey Kokey’ written on it. The boat was quite large and very bright –orange and yellow. Driving the boat is its owner. What a character. Showing of his brown deeply tanned Maltese skin, clothed only in his swim shorts,his dark curly hair way down his back, probably in the same style he has had since a teenager. He seems ageless and fearless. As we stood watching, he called out in his Maltese accent, for us to join his boat trip. He was so insistent that we went.
He helped the ladies onto the boat and kept up banter until he had enough passengers to begin the trip. We were promised a rip around the islands coast, and we would visit caves and the crystal clear waters of the blue lagoon near Comino, a tiny island of the Maltese group.
My daughter, an animal lover, seemed more fascinated by the brown mongrel, dog that seemed to understand his owner’s every word. He would obey commands to move to different parts of the boats. Sometimes he had a swim. The dog appeared unmoved and not at all phased by passengers on the boat who tried to talk to him. He only had ears and eyes for his owner.
I can’t remember how much we paid, but I know it was reasonable compared to other boat trips, and if it had been double the cost then I am sure it would still have provided great value for money.
We left the coast at Bugibba, traveling at speed: skimming across the blue waves of the Mediterranean. At times (I shall call him Okey kokey!) the driver delighted in getting us wet. He laughed as the spray reached us. No matter as it was refreshingly welcomed.
We sped around the coast for a while with Okey pointing out places of interest in the distance, and making c jokes. Any boats that sailed near were subjected to his pretend derision.
When we reached the wonderfully clear waters of the blue lagoon we were invited to swim. He joked that he would come and pick us up later. The water is deep here. Some of the passengers chose to swim.
Then Okey took us as afar as the boat could safely squeeze into several caves. He was quite excited to show some of the weird rock formations that were supposed to look like certain parts of the anatomy.
As we went into an especially dark cave he told us it was infested with bats. I think he lied but we all jumped as he made a bat like squeak (I assume it was close!) I probably jumped the most, being terrified of bats.
We went as far as the island of Comino. Here the water is clear and the sand white. I think it a shame though that this spot has become so popular. When I first visited it many years ago it was idyllic, but now it is difficult to even find a spot to place a towel. We didn’t alight as this was a shorter boat trip than this would have required. Okey did say that he often took parties out to Comino to swim and snorkel for a few hours before returning.
This boat trip is fantastic if you want character and aren’t too serious. I believe Malta is full of character and fun. Okey drove the boat well and gave us a wonderful, memorable trip. He was knowledgeable as well as being entertaining and funny, and never too rude. Everyone found him hilarious. Although we went on this trip as we love a speed boat trip, and wanted to again (It wasn’t our first trip to Malta) see the caves, we were all in agreement that this was more than an ordinary boat trip; it was something special.
The Okey Kokey returned us to Bugibba. Once there we went into a cafe for refreshments before taking a bus back to our hotel at Paradise Bay.