Retire Early Lifestyle
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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.

Our Sailboat Trip in Malta

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Have you ever been on a bad blind date?

You know it won't work the moment you meet, and there's this "uh-oh" feeling with no polite way of escaping.

So, you know, ...

You make the most of it for the time you promised, hoping there will be some redeeming moment that will turn it around.

Meanwhile, you keep an eye on the door or on your watch, ... and make considerate conversation until you part ways.

That's what it was like with our commissioned sailing trip on this island of Malta in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

The 44 foot private boat we chartered

When we were in southern Italy, Billy had arranged for a sailing trip in Brindisi. There was no wind that day, and it was a bit of a bust. So, when Billy called Malta Sailing Experiences, he was hoping for just that.

A sailing experience.

So we go down to the Grand Harbor in Valletta, the capital of Malta, and meet with the captain of a 44 footer we had rented for the morning.

Our anticipation - and our expectations - were high for this trip.

Interior of the private boat

The boat is in ship-shape with polished wood and bleached cushions. There's a nice sized dining table, a place for sleeping in the connecting room, and you can see the white door of the head straight through this opening.

Sleeping area and head

The boat is very well maintained, with a large-ish sleeping area.

Equipped kitchen

The kitchen is pretty manageable, with gas stove, oven, double sink, microwave and shelving and storage for kitchenware.

This would be a super boat to take for a week's cruise or longer, just checking out the coast of the historical Mediterranean Sea.

Captain of the boat

This is the captain who is an expat living in Malta, which he loves.

He told us right away that there was little wind today and to put up the sails “would be too much effort”.

(!!!)

But not to worry, he knew lots about the history of the Grand Harbor and he would tell us all about it. 

Then, for some reason, he felt compelled to tell us about his EPIC sail yesterday, how we should have been on THAT trip, and continues on in grueling detail about how the wind was amazing, and the sail was one of the best ever... and so on.

Then if that wasn't enough, he seemed obliged to let us know that he had another sail scheduled for when we returned to the harbor. "The wind should kick up by then" and he can't wait for THAT sail.

Huh?

Remember my bad blind date analogy?

What's with this guy?

 Personally, I think he was too tired from yesterday and was saving his energy for the next reservation. He could easily have said “there isn’t much wind today, but I’ll take you out past the point to see if we can catch some there.”

After all, when we got to the point, there were actually sail boats SAILING.

But the captain couldn't be bothered, and simply motored our way through the harbor.

Billy was disappointed and I was perplexed.

We paid $300Euros (about $320USD) for a sailing experience, and the captain made little-to-no effort to provide one.

Did he think we wouldn't notice?

Fort Manoel

This is Fort Manoel, located on Manoel Island in the Grand Harbor.

Built in the early 1700s as a fort to protect this harbor, it was a vital naval base for the Knights of St. John.

These dedicated military men guarded the port and secured the island from the brutal invasions of the Ottoman Empire, which was quite a feat.

This fending off of the Ottomans in the Great Siege in 1565 changed the course of Malta's history forever. And it effectively stopped the Muslim invasions of Southern Europe at the time.

Fort Manoel was built later to continue the strengthening of the harbor, and after the Knights left, the fort was used as a military hospital and a naval base.

St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Valletta

In the photo above you see a section of Valletta's fortified city walls which were built in the 16th century by the Knights of St. John.

A distinct feature in the center of the photo is St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral, one of the most prominent landmarks in Valletta.

Built between 1839 and 1844, this cathedral was to be used by the British military and civilian community in Malta during the British colonial period.

Valletta is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

The Portomaso Marina development in St. Julien's

Portomaso Marina is a luxury residential and commercial development based right on the seafront.

A marina for yachts, there are also high-end apartments, penthouses, shops, restaurants and a casino.

This development transformed the St. Julian's area into a vibrant and luxurious visitor destination. And, truth be told, it's Malta’s premier integrated luxury yachting destination as well.

The Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Cruise Line operates this ship which can carry up to 4,000 passengers.

Cruise liners are like floating cities, and have restaurants, bars, casinos, theaters, swimming pools, water slides, spas, fitness centers, shopping arcades, nightclubs, and children's clubs.

Some ships even have features like rock-climbing walls, mini-golf courses, and go-kart tracks.

Oh my!

Passengers can stay on board the ship, or they can explore the ports of call when they arrive.

We have been on many islands in the Caribbean, and when a ship with 4-6,000 people disembark, they can literally take over the island!

Sure, beachside businesses can scoop up tourism money easily when cruise ships land, but the trade-off is losing some of the native culture which is never replaced.

Limestone cliffs

These limestone cliffs are characteristic of the Maltese landscape.

Millions of years ago, sedimentary rock was deposited here. Limestone is soft and porous, which is why it has eroded into the distinctive shapes you see here from Grand Harbor.

Offering stunning views of the sea, these cliffs are popular for activities like hiking, rock climbing, and cliff jumping.

Looking out over the bow

Here you see an enticing colorful hammock stretched between the mast and the bow. What a daydream this is to be able to take a break from sailing while rocking in this hammock!

You also see the mast, which holds the bottom edge of the sail, and various ropes and cables used to control the sails and the mast.

There are also all sorts of mechanical devices and metal fittings used to manage the lines and sails - all of which I have no clue!

One can walk around the bow if they wanted.

For myself, I preferred to stay in my cozy seat while someone else led the adventure!

Siege Bell War Memorial in Valletta

This large bell was used to signal alarms during the Great Siege of 1565, a pivotal moment in Maltese history.

The Knights of St. John, along with the Maltese people, successfully defended the island from a massive Ottoman invasion, and the Siege Bell War Memorial stands as a tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.

The siege encompassed the entire island of Malta, with major battles taking place at various locations, including Fort St. Elmo, Senglea, and Valletta. The Ottoman invasion was a massive undertaking led by Suleiman the Magnificent, the powerful Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

The siege lasted for nearly four months, from May to September 1565.

The memorial itself is a circular structure with a colonnade, built into the city walls of Valletta. It offers panoramic views of the Grand Harbor, and showcases the city's impressive defensive system.

Fort St. Angelo and the Upper Barrakka Gardens

The large, fortified structure on the left side of this image is Fort St. Angelo. It played a crucial role in the defense of Malta, particularly during the Great Siege of 1565.

The green area with the arches on top of Fort St. Angelo is the Upper Barrakka Gardens. These gardens also offer mesmerizing views of the Grand Harbor and the Three Cities.

The colorful ferry in the foreground is a Gozo Channel ferry, which provides transportation between Malta and the neighboring island of Gozo.

This ferry provides frequent service and in addition to passengers, the ferries can also transport vehicles. This makes it convenient for those who want to explore Gozo with a car.

Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship docked in the Grand Harbor in Valletta

The Breakaway cruise ship is known for its contemporary design and vibrant artwork on the hull.

Some of the images include the Statue of Liberty, a rendition of The Universe and the New York City skyline.

St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Valletta

If you look in the center of the photo, you will see St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral.

It was built during the British colonial period and has impressive stained glass windows, and a neo-Gothic interior.

Billy and Akaisha after a morning of motoring through the harbor

The port and waterfront were beautiful and we saw many historical buildings. The captain was a little short on his promised historical stories, but nonetheless, we captured some wonderful photos.

No one can guarantee the weather; if there is no wind, there is no wind.

Right on the website it is stated that once chartered, there is no refund for the weather - or lack of it.

However, we wish the captain had made more of an effort to get past the point and join the other sailing vessels - who were actually sailing.

(Yes, I know. I said that already.)

For information on Malta Sailing Experiences, see information below.

___________

Malta Sailing Experiences

Ix - Xatt Taxbiex Roland Marina, Pontoon D, XBX 1028, Ta' Xbiex

 Website: https://www.maltasailingexperiences.com/ 

Email: info@maltasailingexperiences.com

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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