Thank you for this Pierre. I am from Birzebbugia. I knew Hal Far and Benghajsa but not this amazing. Since I am terrified of heights and tight spaces I would have never seen what it is really like had it not been for you. Thank you so much.
Good vlog Pierre 🚶 🔦 ⛑ 🎥 . I liked Ghar ir-Rih - easily accessed with a rewarding awsome view at cliff end 🌊 ☀. A very picturesque area 🖼. Tanx for sharing mate. (Shame Gahan has been there 😔) Cheers 🇲🇹 🇪🇺 ®.
Great video. I'm trying to catch up with you. I am writing two years after you posted this video and maybe you have done another about this since then. According to Conrad D'Amato the cave with two openings has two names, Għar in-Nagħaġ and Għar ir-Riħ. The other one is Għar il-Buwż.
There is one greatly sought after asset to these caves which I don't know if it has been mentioned in the comments. I am referring to the annual lampuka fish run (dolphin fish - one of the most colourful fish on earth). The lampuka fish's annual migration around September brings it close to these cliffs when literally millions of fish come by.The lampuka doesn't like the sun, and they congregate around the bottom of the cliffs where the cliffs throw shade depending on the time of day. Anyhow, these caves were tightly held by keen fishing enthusiasts and as a source of food by the villagers; often from one generation to the next. Someone told me this story in the mid 1950's. One time around the early 20th Century or late 19th, a policeman was transferred to a village in the vicinity and he wanted one of these caves for himself. In those days (as always) a village policeman could make life hard for someone he didn't like. The man who had inherited the spot (which in those days could only be reached by shimmying down a rope) held his ground; but in the end, he gave in and the policeman got his way and started using the cave to fish for lampuka fish. Now this is where the story turns into legend. A year or so after the man yielded his prize spot, the policeman disappeared. They found that the access rope was broken but not cut. So it was assumed the rope had given way and the policeman died as he fell hitting the jutting cliff face and eventually drowned. But no. That's not what happened according to folklore. After being bullied by the cop, the original owner had gone back in the night, twisted the rope anti clockwise and inserted a sharp stone (żonqra the size of "ħabba" - a coin roughly 1 cm diameter). He twisted the rope back until the sharp rock couldn't be seen or felt. As the cop used the rope, the żonqra slowly ate away at the rope twine fibres. Soon, the crooked cop fell to his death and the man got his fishing spot back.
beautiful adventure thank you Pierre enjoyed walking with you in lockdown - how I wish I was with you - somebody suggested Ghar ir-Rih as the name of the cave - cave of the wind - very appropriate
Hello Pierre I came across your vlogs through watching Englishman and Conrad .Watched A few of them and found them quite fascinating and interesting.As an expat living in the uk some of the places that you bring to us are just strange to me as during my childhood growing up in Birkirkara I never knew that they existed.Im fascinated how do you know about these beautiful places especially The caves that you explore.May I convey my thanks to you for your enthusiasm for what you do,although sometimes it can be dangerous.Keep up the good work and Sahha.stay safe
If you are from B Bugia then watch this , opposite Ghar Dalam , best cave so far , home you subscribe ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mOLkMrJ1868.html
I found this cave by accident several years ago trekking up from Fort Benghjsa and wondered both the name and how well known it would be. It's a beautiful space, and I truly hope that it remains in good conditions, unlike the little ones across the valley where people confuse for a toilet or worse a place to vandalize (also like Ghar Hasan).
The first two times I trekked from Birzebbuga, up through Benghajsa toward Hal Far, I ached to go down to sea level and thought it was impossible, but it isn't, and since then it's been one of my favorite adventures that I have repeated many times. You probably know what I'm talking about, and if not... I'd love to take you there.
just when you think you've seen everywhere on this small island for the first time discover this amazing cave. the meandering way ghar ir-rih is formed may suggest that in ancient times this may have been a passage for a continual stream of water or a small river, as ghar hassan once was. in this case the stream would end dropping in the sea as a waterfall.
nice videos ! im maltese from Ghaxaq i love to explore i explored alot of places mostly north west and south i went to some places aswell but thanks to you im exploring abit more the south now :) thanks again :)
Ive thought that i trekked everywhere round this area but then ive came across your footage and still dont have an idea where to access the first cave. Great shots dude. :)
Hi pierre, i really like your videos and im right now in malta gozo, i wanted to know is there a way to get there by car? I mean atleast near to it? (The first cave)
Yes of course, just Google maps ghar Hasan close by Video Ghar Hasan - Full Exploration (Hasan's Cave) - Malta ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nj_87Osgygs.html, and i suggest you visit this too, then walk around 500m towards Birzebbugia and you will be a where i stated the video
