Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Blue Grotto

Malta

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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The Blue Grotto is a nature-made series of sea caverns on the south east coast of Malta.

Over thousands of years, the limestone formations here have been eroded by the force of the sea and weather, creating beautiful openings perfect for photographs and boat tours.

Learning about Bolt from some fellow travelers - which is like Uber but quicker and cheaper - we grabbed one to the Blue Grotto. It cost us $7.40Euro one way and $7.10Euro to return.

Looking out to the Mediterranean Sea

We had a perfect sunny day to view these elements of nature.

The Mediterranean Sea is as blue as can be.

The island of Malta has this rocky, scrubby look to it. Potable water in general is scarce, so to use it for lush gardens is a luxury.

The stone pathway

Here is a closer look at the stone pathway used to get nearer to the caves.

The walking path is volcanic rock, the wall is limestone.

Another interesting feature of this area is Maltese Falconry.

Falconry is a popular activity in Malta, where birds of prey, specifically falcons, are trained to hunt and then return to their handlers.

We saw tourists taking videos and photos of the falcon soaring through the air and then returning to his handler's arm. There was strong communication between bird and man that was easily demonstrated. 

Throughout the ages, owning and training a falcon was often a sign of wealth and status, especially among the nobility.

Falconry has become deeply ingrained in Maltese culture, with many families passing down the tradition through generations.

One of the larger sea caves at the Blue Grotto

One can arrange for a boat tour at a nearby fishing village and many people take advantage of this.

Not costly, it's also a family-friendly activity to create memories.

Looking inside the cave

 This massive 30-meter natural arch is a popular feature.

When you get closer to the level of the sea, the color blue is reflected onto the cave walls and ceilings, giving them a blue hue. This is due to the surrounding rocks and the minerals in them.

Some caves mirror the brilliant phosphorescent colors of the underwater flora while other caverns reflect a deeper, dark shade of blue.

Boat tours run all days of the year, weather permitting.

There is also Scuba diving on the nearby ship wreck Um El Faroud.

Or you can go snorkeling along the coastline or do some rock climbing.

Billy and Akaisha at the Blue Grotto

The name of the nearby fishing village is  Wied iz-Zurrieq. There are several boat companies that offer tours, and you can usually book a trip directly at the harbor.

Boat tours to the Blue Grotto typically cost around €10-€15 per person with the children's fee about half that.

It’s recommended to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky and the sea is calmer.

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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