http://www.trifter.com/Europe/Malta-The-Country-You-Want-to-Visit.76034 Discussion about: Malta: The Country You Want to Visit http://www.trifter.com/Europe/Malta-The-Country-You-Want-to-Visit.76034#comment93469 Ever since I got my first Pharaoh Hound, I've wondered about Malta. The Pharaoh Hound is a wonderful breed of dog that came to England in the midddle of last century when people travelling in Malta saw the lovely elegant dogs Maltese farmers had to help catch rabbits.

The Pharaoh Hound has a different name of course in Malta - Kelb tal Fenek (Hunter of rabbits). The romantic story is that the Phoenecian traders, a couple of thousand years ago, dropped off or trade, dogs from Egypt - hence th name we know them as away from Malta. The Kelb tal Fenek is the national breed of Malta, and is the most wonderful companion dog - I love them!]]> Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:16:10 PST http://www.trifter.com/Europe/Malta-The-Country-You-Want-to-Visit.76034#comment90551
1 - Maltese is not in anyway based of English or Italian, it is Arabic in origin, the only one being written in Latin characters. English and Italian are common because the islands were Italian then English territory before becoming independent from Britain.

2 - You talk about the Hypogeum, but fail to mention Ġgantija, which is not only a megalithic temple, but the oldest free standing structure in the world. While it is nowhere near as impressive as the Pyramids, or the Hypogeum, it is still a large tourist site. It is also much easier to view than the Hypogeum, capable of being view within a day of getting to the islands.

All in all, Malta's a great place, I hope to get back there someday.]]> Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:14:35 PST