Google- your best mate in travel but not always!

by APURVA RANJAN (India)

A leap into the unknown Malta

I was planning for my first Europe trip, for a middle class Indian it might be a once in lifetime opportunity. So, to make most of it I was asking for reviews from everyone who have been there. Why I was not relying on internet because sometimes edited pictures tell other story than reality, Instagram filters and Photoshop give places completely different outlook. One of my colleague suggested "Azores Island" which they visited. They send their pics of journey, impressed by it I Googled "azure" and Google gave me result "azure window" I was mesmerized by the nature's carvings. I was planning all this in May 2017 for my trip in May 2018. For me planning and studying about place are equally exciting as traveling itself. Azure window was in Malta which was perfect gateway from Rome which was already in list. For planning and booking my husband totally relies on me, it is area of my interest. Europe holiday itinerary was ready. May 2018 came and I was in Europe. Yippee! I waited for this kind of trip since I started earning way back in 2011. Our holiday was going smooth and we were loving every experience of Europe. It is a completely different world than Asia. The weather, the food I wish I can move there permanently. After a wonderful wine tour in nearby town Frascati me and husband were relaxing in our hostel room. He asked me where in Malta have you planned? We both love nature so I was sure he would love it. I asked him to search for Azure. He replied "the collapsed Azure window of Malta" ? I jumped off from level 1 of the bunk bed to his side. Snatched his phone and read the news. It was written "Malta's famous Azure Window rock arch has collapsed into the sea after heavy storms." -May. I didn't read further and started crying why it happened now just before we were about to visit. Again my husband replied this is last year's news. I was stunned. My sorrow turned into self-interrogation. How could I claim now that I am a good travel planner, I do this as a hobby for assisting others. Then I checked that flight to Malta was non-refundable. 3 days in Malta!!! I wanted some different destination but for that moment I felt stranded. I lost interest for that place. My hubby motivated me, lets not plan those 3 days now, enjoy whatever comes. We landed Malta in morning, we already had our apartment booked six months back in western coast area Buggiba. On the way from airport I was fascinated by the monotone color and bright color flowers planted on the road side. When we reached the place we booked the area near by was so lively, and our apartment was less than 5 minutes on foot from the beach. Though the beach was not suitable for swimming because of rocky structure but was perfect place to witness sunset. The agents by the shacks convinced us for trip to blue lagoon. I have been to 7 countries and 20 cities in India before that trip and not lying till now "The Blue Lagoon" of Malta is my favorite destination I have been. The blue calm waters, the vibe of the people around, the rocky structures around everyplace you see screams "perfect holiday place". We crossed the blue transparent water to the other side and found ourselves in middle of nowhere. Sounds scary and exciting at same time. Also we did hiking to area and the other side was cliff even more beautiful for taking pictures that go viral. I am still in love with my mistake. It was a dreamy place. Next day we went to Blue Grotto another jewel of Malta, they take you on a 20 minute ride and show a totally different aquatic world. Deep clear waters, colorful corals and the mystic rocky structure. This article would be incomplete without complementing the rich flavors and diverse heritage of Valletta. The rabbit ravioli is something we tried new there. That trip reinforced my belief. At the end everything is good, and sometimes plan is not we need.