An Interview with Jeff and Faye Europe Online's Malta Editor Emanuel Spiteri interviews Jeff and Faye about their trip. This interview was published on Europe Online in July, 2000.

You and your wife seem to have enjoyed your visit to the Maltese islands. What drew you to them in the first place?

FAYE:   My husband wanted to impress me for our anniversary--and he did! I was so thrilled when he told me where we were going--it was just like him to pick someplace so unusual and so full of history. It was perfect!! All I really knew about Malta came from movies and TV (The Maltese Falcon, and a couple of episodes of the old Remington Steele TV show which featured Malta). I didn't even know where it was! I was so excited when we went--I'm not sure he'll ever be able to top that anniversary gift!

JEFF:   I wanted to go someplace special - a place that our friends and family had not visited already (Malta is not a common vacation destination for Americans.) We love history - and Malta is full of it. Also, Malta is a very pleasant place to visit - English is spoken by virtually everyone, you can drink the water, the crime rate is low, modern conveniences are available, and the prices are reasonable. On our website, there is a whole page of our website that explains why we chose Malta. (See "Why Malta?".)

Why did you take the photos that you have taken?

FAYE:   We tried to get a good collection of pictures of both countryside and city life, and especially major historical places. The buildings are so photogenic! We loved the golden stone combined with bright green trim and shutters, and the brightly painted boats. My husband is the photographer, and he has a great eye for good shots. Of course, it helps when the subject is interesting and lovely to look at!

JEFF:   I looked at many pictures of Malta before going there, but I could not imagine what it would be like to really *be* there. I tried to take pictures that would help me remember what it was really like.

I had a lot of camera problems on the trip, and some rolls of film were nearly ruined. But I treasure even some of the shots that turned out badly, because they show something that I want to remember.

Actually, watching the video that I shot is the best for bringing back memories of Malta. Unfortunately, it is still not very practical to publish video on the internet.

What did you find lacking in Malta, if anything?

FAYE:   The bus rides were pretty jarring--but we had read about that, and expected it. We were also warned against driving in Malta--and after watching Maltese drive, we understood why! I think, since it is such a tiny country, being able to drive around would be a major improvement--but there would have to be major changes in Maltese driving culture for me to try it!

Also, I don't know if it was just our experience, or if it is generally the case all over Malta, but I found that the public bathrooms, while always scrupulously clean, were more often than not out of toilet paper and paper towels. By the third day of our trip, I wised up and took supplies with me--and I needed them everyday!

JEFF:   I found it inconvenient that there was nowhere to eat late at night in Valletta. For example, Faye and I went to the performance of "Anything Goes" at the Manoel Theatre on Saturday night - and there was no place open to get a bite to eat afterwards!

We only had little difficulties like those. To me, solving small problems is part of the excitement of travelling.

Did you find that the Maltese are as friendly as they are reputed to be?

JEFF:   Absolutely. People everywhere went out of there way to be helpful and friendly. It was not simply a matter of politeness. The Maltese we met were genuinely interested in visiting with us. We talked about travel, culture, family. Many people we met had travelled to the U.S., or had relatives who live in the U.S., or both!

FAYE:   Yes, absolutely 100%!! In fact, people seemed to go out of their way to be welcoming. We made contact with two local families before we went over, and when we arrived in Malta both families invited us to visit with them. We had great visits, comparing countries and customs and other trips we had taken. I was especially thrilled to see the inside of a Maltese home--it was incredibly neat and well-scrubbed, and very very ornately and elegantly decorated. We went for "tea" and had a wonderful rich pound cake sort of sweet, along with tea--and then whiskey for the road! (so glad we were not driving--and our driver did not imbibe!)

We found that even shopkeepers and vendors were friendly and welcoming--and no one was pushy trying to sell things to us. Most just wanted to ask us what we thought about Malta! Our hotel staff were very friendly and chatty, and quite knowledgeable about world affairs, tourism, business, and American culture. We had several very interesting chats with the owners of the hotel and other staff. It was a very quirky little hotel, off the usual tourist path and not exactly 5-star, but it was very clean, had personality and charm (as did the owners!), was very affordable and was convenient to buses and the city of Valleta. We also had gorgeous views of the bay from both our room and the dining room.

JEFF:   Well, I do remember two pushy people: a carriage driver in Valletta, and a taxi driver in Mgarr. They did not understand the word NO. I suppose they have to make their living, but I did not appreciate their approach. They were definitely the exceptions among the friendly and courteous Maltese.

I thought at first that people in the Three Cities were not so friendly. We drew some stares as we walked through Bormla and Birgu, and felt a little out-of-place. But when we talked to some residents, we found that there was no real problem. It is mainly a working-class residential area, tourists are not common there, and some residents don't speak English fluently. So I realized that they just wondered what we were doing there, and were perhaps a little shy, but they were not unfriendly.

What do you think would make the Maltese Islands more desireable to the visitor that is now lacking?

FAYE:   Again, I'd say improved driving conditions so tourists could feel comfortable (and safe!) renting a vehicle! Or maybe just buses with better suspension and more cushions on the seats!! We found the buses very reliable and convenient, as well as inexpensive, and a great way to "people watch," but they were definitely a bit of a body-slamming experience!

I have to say, though, that I would hate to see Malta become the new "in" spot for American tourists--I'm afraid too much tourism would spoil its charm! I am selfish, and want it to be "our little secret"--one of those places that most people don't actually ever go to!! I would hate to see the ruins overrun, and all the museum exhibits behind bars and glass--or closed altogether because of over-use by tourists. Malta has such wonderful treasures--I hope they work diligently to preserve them, and not hastily exploit them for tourist dollars.

One last note-- I was truly revolted by the whole bird-shooting/trapping "sport"--I think that should be outlawed immediately!! It was horrible--I had a hard time believing that such friendly warm people could be so involved--and so entrenched--in such a brutal custom. I am not familiar with the cultural drive behind such a seemingly barbaric practice, so I'm definitely speaking as an outsider. But as an outsider who loved Malta and would like to return, I have to say that eliminating that "sport" would improve Malta's reputation immensely (not to mention the lives and migratory paths of songbirds!)

JEFF:   We visited Malta in March, which is hardly peak tourist season. From what I have heard, Faye's nightmare of "too many tourists", especially at the main attractions, is probably true in the Summer. We were at the Grandmasters Palace when a fleet of tour busses arrived, and it became quite the amusement park. But it was rarely like that on our visit - we had the Tarxien ruins completely to ourselves for about an hour.

On the Kaccatur issue, I have to say first that I'm not against hunting in itself. I work for a government agency that manages wildlife and regulates hunting and fishing. Hunting is a big part of the culture where we live, but the hunters are also very involved in preserving wildlife habitat and making sure the wildlife is abundant. Maybe the kaccatur can get to that point. For now, they definitely upset the tourists. Also, as Malta approaches EU membersip, they will face a lot of pressure to comply with the international treaties on migratory birds.

When, do you think, you will be your next visit?

FAYE:   I would go back in a heartbeat--we just have to save up the money to go again! We have one child starting college this fall, and then 2 more in college in the next 3 years, and an even younger one at home yet, so it may be awhile before we take a big trip again--but if I could go to Malta again, I most certainly would. I would love to stay longer and really explore in more depth--especially the island of Gozo, which we really missed most of because of the stormy weather that blew in. I'd love to take our kids for a visit--I think they would really like it.

JEFF:   I hope we can go next year, perhaps in the fall. But it all depends on our supply of money and time.

Have you and your wife ever considered the possibility of living in Malta, now that soon she will be part of the EU?

FAYE:   Actually, we have talked about it! Once our kids are grown, we'd love to go to various countries and just live for a few months--and Malta would be at the top of my list!

We also wondered if Malta is at all involved in International Rotary Exchange or other student exchange programs--our children have all expressed a desire to go to this wonderful place for a semester of school! (Does Malta need English teachers?! that is my area!)

JEFF:   I'm not really familiar with all the implications of EU membership. I know that it would make living in Malta easier for those in other EU countries. But it has less of an impact of those of us from the U.S.

We have too many ties in the U.S. to relocate to another country permanently. But as Faye said, we have talked about extended stays overseas. I would like to live in Malta for several months, maybe even a year. I would want to visit every corner of the country, meet lots of people, even try to learn Maltese. And, of course, take LOTS of pictures :-)

Thank you for answering my questions.

FAYE and JEFF:   You're welcome, and thank you for the opportunity!

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