It was built as a film set for the production of the 1980 live-action musical feature film Popeye, produced by Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions and starring Robin Williams. Today it is open to the public as an open-air museum and family entertainment complex.
Last week, on the public holiday, we decided to visit Gozo for the day. We are dying to visit Maureen and meet her beautiful daughters. This Malta-style road trip has been attempted several times but has not yet been successful. Most times it's because we wake up too late. But this time was different. We still woke up late, but decided to go anyway. We were all set, I even had enough bottles and formula for a whole day out ready and packed. We got everyone and everything into the car and set off to Cirkewwa to catch the ferry. But once again it wasn't meant to be - there was a queue of over two hours for the ferry. We turned back.
But instead of going home, we decided to make a day of it anyway and headed towards Popeye Village. David had been before (a long time ago) but I had never been and nor had Emily (or Adam for that matter). I've always wanted to visit. So finally, here we were.
Granted, he wasn't awake to see much most of the time...
The music was far too loud and she hated it, but she still couldn't resist joining in the dance!
It was quite difficult to not just jump in.
We had no idea there was also a waterpark, albeit a very small one. It wasn't quite ready for the hot weather - or so I concluded considering there wasn't actually any water in it. But there will be soon enough and we plan to return and let Emily go wild. And maybe join in too.
The short list of fun things to do in Malta for kids is slowly (very slowly) growing!
Information
Website: http://www.popeyemalta.com/
Popeye Village, Anchor Bay, Triq il-Prajjiet, Mellieha, MLH 4808 Malta
Tel: +356 21524782/3/4
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun09:30 - 17:30
You'd never been to Popeye's Village?? Oh wow! It's changed big time now (tho I haven't seen the new stuff), but the original film set is just so quaint. That's something from OUR childhood :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure whether I should mention this... but I haven't seen the film either!!!
DeleteI only went there for the first time last year myself, but made it a point to go a couple more times before the summer was over. (I was probably more attracted to the idea of getting to swim in an uncrowded bay more than anything else - it was bliss!) They put out some fun games in the middle of the bay as well (a water slide, trampoline, see saw, 'rock climber' and so on) but they aren't really suited to little kids.
ReplyDeleteI had NO idea you could actually swim there!!!!! Aaaah, that'd be amazing!
DeleteI'm glad you got to enjoy the day after yet another failed attempt at meeting! Maia loves the play area there. We might have to join you there next time! Oh, and as Giselle said, that film is one of my earliest childhood memories. I remember watching it with my big brother at one of the 'cinemas' we had back then in Gozo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! We still do need to make it out to Gozo though ;) It'll happen sooner or later lol x
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