Ciao Martin, As with anyplace, not only is the area and Malta beatiful to look at and the weather is beautiful many time, But it is the people that make it so beautiful. Malta's natives and the people there are very, very generous and helpful and so quick to laughter and good times. They are beautiful people there and I will always keep in touch with the friends I have made there. I think it is common in the mediterranean for this kind of zest for life and beauty, but on this Island I can say, they are wonderful people. The food is good too. Interesting that the fig is classified as " Native " I have told many people that indeed the ficus carica is very much native to many Mediterranean countries. I had seen many " wilder " varieties growing throughout that area. They should redo in many sites and information the native range being from yes, the Turkey and middle east and definitely expand into the more Mediterranean countries. I do find however the common fig being classified many times as a mediterranean plant, which makes me happy along with the Middle east. Figs have such a history that goes far beyond our recorded history and its interesting. I had done a hiking expedition in Italy many years ago into unknown territory and we were days out and in this field there was a patch of yes, Fig trees growing there. It was so far from people i thought it was interesting to see them way, way out there. The patch was sort spread for quite a ways, we ate the figs, they were fabulous. Okay, Ciao