This beautiful house on Gozo Island is not only stunningly built, but feels like a part of history that is disappearing. The massive stone wall that keep the space cool in summer, the tall ceilings with exposed wooden beams, the stone stairs that are cool on feet, and the gorgeous wide arches invite you into the rooms are all being torn down for condos. This house has a pump in the entry, which, at first I thought was charming antique, a decoration. I realized it is probably connected to a traditional cistern. The caves I visited, and the UNESCO world heritage sites of neolithic temples were all found when families were digging cisterns to capture fresh water. From the beautiful bed frames to the lovely under curtains which resemble fishing nets and help keep out bugs , everthing about staying in this house feels rooted beautiful local knowledge.
I was worried when there was no AC in the middle of summer. However, lower floor was always cool, from the thick stone walls and the fans worked perfectly upstairs. I was reminded and humbled that humans have known how to live comfortably long before AC.
The snorkelling at the blue hole was AMAZING. I did not need to take diving lessons, I just spent my time looking at the color change in that deep underlit cavern and noticing new fish everyday. It was truly stunning and absolutely memorable. I wish it was part of my every morning routine.