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Any Way The Wind Blows

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In Malti, the points of the compass are mostly named for the winds that blow from that direction. These are versions of the old Latin names used by Roman sailors.

Xlokk is the Maltese equivalent of the Italian sirocco, both of which derive from the Arabic word sharg, meaning 'east.' The xlokk is a hot, humid and oppressive wind that blows from the southeast, usually in spring, bringing misty conditions to the island. It derives its heat from the Sahara and picks up its humidity passing over the sea. The tramuntana, from the Italian for 'across the mountains', is the cold northerly wind from the direction of the Alps. The northeasterly grigal is the typical winter wind that batters the rocky coast of Malta, and makes for an uncomfortable ferry crossing to Gozo, while the northwesterly magistral is the stiff sailing breeze of summer afternoons, the equivalent of the Turkish meltem.

to a parking area. Don't leave anything in your car - this is a favourite spot for thieves.

The road to Delimara passes Tas Silg, where archaeologists have uncovered a Punic-Roman temple. This may be the famous Temple of Juno that was plundered by Verres, the Roman Governor of Sicily and Malta in 70 BC, as recorded in the writings of Cicero. Due to ongoing excavations, the site is not open to the public.

South of Marsaxlokk, on the road to Birzebbuga, is Fort St Lucian, built in 1610 to protect the bay. Today it houses a naval college and the offices of a government fish farm.