Diary Entry - 13 March 2020
I honestly canât believe that in 40 years of travelling to the Maltese islands, I have NEVER visited the Popeye Village. Shame on me đź
Popeye Village or #Sweethaven Village, is the film set of the 1980 musical production of âPopeyeâ and is now one of Maltaâs most loved and visited tourist attractions.
The film set was constructed in nearby Anchor Bay, just 2 miles from #Mellieha, between the months of June and December of 1979. (1979 was the very first time I visited Malta âșïž)
The full address and opening times are,
Popeye Village
Anchor Bay,
Triq Tal-Prajjet,
Il-Mellieħa, Malta
MLH 4808
E: info@popeyemalta.com
P: (+356) 2152 4782 / 3 / 4
Opening Times:
Winter Season (Nov- Mar) : 9.30am to 4.30pm
Spring & Autumn Season (April - June / Sep & Oct) : 9.30am to 5.30pm
Summer (July - August) 9.30am to 7.00pm
Trivia moment! đš
The logs used to construct the village were brought overland from the #Netherlands, and the wood shingles used to construct the rooftops were imported from #Canada! With a staggering construction crew of 165 from all corners of the #world, eight tons of nails and two thousand gallons of paint were used to finish off the massive set which encompasses 20 structures!
Cameras đ„ began rolling on the 23rd of January 1980 đŹ and the movie was distributed by none other than Walt Disney Productions. The stars of the movie were the late great Robin Williams as Popeye the Sailor and Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl.
The movie follows #Popeye, a one eyed muscly spinach loving sailor, who arrives at Sweethaven Village hoping to find his father! He does of course encounter along the way the infamous characters #Bluto and Olive Oyl!
Following a deep and extremely comfortable sleep, Iâve woken to another beautifully sunny day here in Mellieha. The rain shower in my room is just magnificent!
#Refreshed and with my Mia Tui bag packed ready for todayâs #adventure, I head down for my very first Solana Hotel breakfast in the Bellini restaurant - I absolutely adore that name đ„đ
The restaurant isnât too busy, and passing the buffet as I walk to my table, my tummy starts to rumble, it all looks delicious!
My eyes are drawn immediately to the ample Maltese bread station đ oh my!
There is so much choice! I can see cold cuts and cheeses, fruit, yoghurts, salads, muffins, pastizzi, and of course a hot station serving the good old English breakfast đł. There are also a number of self service #coffee machines serving everything from black coffee to mocha, and nearby is a large selection of fruit juices to choose from.
Oodles of natural light stream in through the large windows brightening an already cheerful room even more âïž
I donât have too long to linger as I really need to find some suntan 𧎠lotion. Itâs incredibly hot for this time of year and I still havenât been lucky enough on my travels so far to find a store with any for sale. My shoulders are slightly frazzled đ„đ
I have also booked a door to door transfer to Popeye Village at 9am. The Solana Hotel offers lots of different transfers to the islands various attractions, at an extremely reasonable cost, todays journey is only âŹ3!
Iâm truly in love with this hotel đšđ„°
I have only booked a one way journey as Iâm really not too sure of my plans for the rest of the day.
Itâs still early so the chemist and gift stores are closed, but my friendly grocer is open! Hurrah a whole display to choose from! My shoulders are exceedingly happy with my purchase đ
Sinking into a very comfortable seat on one of the plush velvet sofas itâs not too long before my name is called by my driver.
As I board the minibus he tells me Iâm the only passenger this morning so I actually have a private transfer đ
We chat throughout the short journey and he tells me how worried everyone is on the island due to the increase in Covid-19 cases. A lot of the islanders are extremely worried for the future of their jobs. The Maltese islands really do rely on #tourism, and this I fear is going to take a huge hit. But for now I intend to boost the coffers of local businesses as much as I can for the short time Iâm still here.
Iâm the first to arrive at Popeye Village, Iâm a little too eager today, as it doesnât open until 0930 đ
You can easily reach Popeye Village by public bus too, the bus stop is right outside. I adore the #inspirational quote on the bus stop sign.
First you need to take the pus to Mellieha or Mellieha Bay (Ghadira) and then take another bus the short hop to the Village. Bus numbers are as follows,
To Mellieha / Mellieha Bay
From Valletta: 41, 42
From Sliema : 222
From Bugibba : 221
From Mellieha to the Village
Route : 101
There is plenty of car parking onsite too.
Iâm actually glad I arrived early as the #sea at Anchor Bay is breath-taking, shades of azure and turquoise blue, and sea foam and emerald green. I could literally dive right in, itâs so alluring.
As I wander along the cliff path, I notice the large prickly pear #cacti đ”where lovers have carved their undying love for one another into the pads đ„°
Some may say itâs an assault on #nature, but Iâm rather taken by it. Love shouldnât be hidden away, or shied away from, it should be shouted from the rooftops for all to hear! đ¶ What the world needs now, is #love, sweet love đ¶ đ
The view of Popeye Village from this vantage point is spectacular, as I zoom in on my #Canon, Iâve spotted Olive Oyl on her way to work đ and from what I can see from here, the detail of the buildings looks absolutely amazing.
My excitement is now nearing fever point đ Why oh why have I never been here before? đ€ đ€·ââïž
A handful more people have arrived now too, and the ticket office is opening its doors to a bundle of excited faces!
The #winter entry package is only âŹ11 and this also includes a photograph, a collectible postcard and #popcorn đż The cashier here is also abiding by #COVID guidelines, we have to take our own tickets and map đ« rather than be handed them, and some of the attractions which would usually be open are closed, but this is in no way going to retract from our experience today!
Iâm #enchanted đ„° in just my first few footsteps. Itâs truly #magical and you really do feel that you are in the village of Sweethaven and not on a film set.
The Village has been built with so much love and attention, itâs #quirky and #quaint in equal measures. Thereâs so much to do, itâs simply #captivating.
I adore the comical signs and posters everywhere, you really can't help but #smile as you explore.
The Popeye #Comic #Museum is really cool with lots of #memorabilia and has a short film show.
There is also a full #cinema onsite where you can collect your popcorn from an authentic old style popcorn machine. Due to the Covid-19 situation I choose to skip the movie and the popcorn just to be on the safe side but did have a peek inside.
Thereâs free WiFi across the whole site, so itâs really easy to video call friends or post a #selfie đ€ł There are ample toilets and itâs also buggy friendly, the majority is wheelchair friendly too but there are areas which are inaccessible due to steps.
I wander down to see if the small #beach is open, ah, itâs closed off today which is a shame. Itâs enthralling at this level, although Iâm actually not sure I should be wandering around down here đ There is a cute duck đŠ having a right old chitter chatter, sheâs hilarious!
An old guy is approaching me and he has a bag of bread, ohhhhh now I understand, sheâs shouting for her breakfast đ. What a lovely scene this is, I sense they are the best of friends. đ
Heading back up to the square I can hear #music and find all of the movies characters having a little boogie. Spectating Iâm smiling from ear to ear they are having so much #fun, as I am too!
I love how much in character they all are too!
Carrying on through the village Iâve just found a serene spot to chill in at Anchor Square. I take a seat in one of the super comfortable lounge chairs and slowly exhale.
Iâm so very #happy and #relaxed, enjoying the deliciously warm #sunshine and listening to the water lapping the shore below. I close my eyes and applaud Walt Disney on their choice of setting, they simply could not have found a more perfect bay!
After around an hours #chillax, contemplating life and realising how lucky I am, I reluctantly head back towards the Silversmith, I could honestly sit here all day! But I spotted a gorgeous #filigree ring earlier and during my relaxing Iâve decided Iâm going to treat myself âșïž
The shop is so cute and has so much on display considering itâs size. I say hello to the #Silversmith who is hard at work. Iâm intrigued as itâs such a skill to make such intricate and beautiful items of #jewellery. I ask what it is heâs making! Oh wow, heâs making tiny anchors for pendants! Iâm mesmerised! I admire his ring making skills, one ring in particular which I have fallen in love with, and he invites me to find one that fits. I try on so many but disappointingly I have such slender fingers they are all too big đ Iâm so sad, as they are incredibly delicate and simply stunning.
I bid my new friend farewell and as itâs now noon, I do think itâs time for liquid refreshment đ.
Iâm really tempted by the Tipsy and Sons #Winery đ but Iâve spotted a terrific terrace overlooking Anchor Bay in the Seafarers Restaurant.
I order a glass of Maltese white #wine, and take a seat out on the stunning terrace. The wine is delicious and chilled to perfection, and the view is staggeringly beautiful.
I can hear a lot of #Geordie (native #Newcastle) speakers around me, which warms my heart. There is a song which begins đ¶ Wherivvor ye gan yeâre sure te find a Geordie, Wherivvor ye gan ye'll hear the Georde twang đ¶
Translation for none Geordies đ đ¶ wherever you go youâre sure to find a Geordie, wherever you go, youâll hear the Geordie accent đ¶ đ
I have a little chuckle to myself and relax further into my chair.
Now to plan the rest of my day whilst enjoying the fruits of the vine, soaking up my whimsical location and drinking in the jovial atmosphere. âșïž
I'm deliriously happy that UK passport holders have been reallowed entry to #Malta from July the 15th đ„ł , my beloved islands and friends, I will see you again very soon!
Until next week my lovelies when I continue my #adventure âșïž stay safe and take care
Tracy
Mimosa Mermaid