In 2009 I wrote regarding the kiosk owner at Hondoq [1] monopolizing the area by putting out beach umbrellas, deckchairs, advertisement signs, speedboats, banana boats, dinghies etc.
It would appear that he is carrying on from where he left off in previous years to the point where the Qala council have had to sink steel pipes into the area where he used to be located to keep him off it. Recently a speedboat tried to unload some passengers at the quay and was told off by the kiosk owner because he had his speedboat tied up there. Now I was under the impression that the quay at Qala belonged to the people, not that it was some sort of private mooring.
As if all that was not bad enough he has now taken things a stage further. His latest venture is to move the rope which encloses the swimming area effectively making the swimming area smaller. No doubt it was in the way of his other enterprises! Why is he being allowed to do this?
Having spoken to several residents of Qala I can state that they are getting sick and tired of this persons antics and the lack of action taken against him. The local people have been worried for some time about the possibility of a marina being developed in this area and feel that if one little kiosk owner can get away with this sort of thing what chance do they stand if some heavyweight developer takes over the area.
James A. Tyrrell,
N. Ireland.
25 Comments To "Why is action not being taken at Qala? – Readers letter"
#1 Comment By mario On July 11, 2011 @ 12:17 pm
Mr Tyrrell.
Your last sentence sums it all up
If one little kiosk owner can get away with this sort of thing what chance do they stand if some heavyweight developer takes over the area.
AND THAT`S WHAT WILL HAPPEN
I have been speaking to Qala residents and that`s what they all say.
#2 Comment By George Palmer On July 11, 2011 @ 4:01 pm
As a frequent visiter to the kiosk I have to say I find everyone who works there extremely friendly. I agree with the previous commentator. I don’t think the activities of the kiosk owner is likely to impede the enjoyment of the many that visit Hondoq. And they work hard to provide a number of services. The bigger threat is that of proposed development. Where big money is involved backhanders will be passed, planning permissions granted and another beautiful place ruined.
#3 Comment By Jenna On July 11, 2011 @ 8:01 pm
One simple solution. Get out of the EU
#4 Comment By Dietmar Treptow On July 11, 2011 @ 8:05 pm
Hello James .
Leave the church in the city … we say .
This Kiosk is a common Kiosk . The people like there beach and this people the care of it . Thats the fact !
It is better to save you power and energy against the marina planning .
Dietmar ( Didi )
#5 Comment By Gozoroo On July 12, 2011 @ 12:58 am
@ Mr. J A Tyrrell.
What you mean to say is that the Kiosk owner/operator is a terrorist, no different then the IRA.
I thought there is enough chaos and mayhem in the Maltese Politics, without any foreign interference.
Don`t the Qala people have a local council to speak and act on their behalf!!.
Thunder from Down Under.
#6 Comment By PETER MAGRO On July 12, 2011 @ 6:31 pm
ME AND MY WIFE WERE AT THE BLUE LAGOON IN COMINO AND ITS EVEN WORSE OVER THERE. THE TOUR GUY TAKES OVER THE WHOLE AREA BY PUTTING UMBRELLAS & CHAIRS LEAVING US NO ROOM TO EVEN PUT A TOWEL ON THE FLAT SURFACE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. IF YOU WANT TO STAY IN ONE PARTICULAR SPOT JUST MOVE HIS STUFF ASIDE, AND IF HE SAYS SOMETHING CALL THE POLICE; THAT’S ALL. THEY DON’T OWN THE BEACH.
#7 Comment By James A. Tyrrell On July 13, 2011 @ 12:49 pm
@Gozoroo. Have you any idea what you are talking about? Having lived in Australia for a while back in the day I can safely assume that you don’t.
#8 Comment By Shanna Xerri On July 13, 2011 @ 3:12 pm
Dear Mr. James A. Tyrrell,
I think the people are getting sick of you, you must be really sad to sit at home in Ireland and comment about an Island you do not even live on. I think you should
mind your own business.
Also the speed boat that went to unload passengers did unload passengers because
as you should know, since you clearly seem to know everything about Gozo. The Jetty
is quite long enough for even Captain Morgan to Moor along if it was deep enough.
Another point, the person that you say has taken over the place with boats, dinghies,
banana boats etc has a permit to leave his equipment there. He also pays a permit to be able to put deck chairs on the Jetty at the peoples request. Which as you said that you wrote an article in 2009 and totally showed your self up thinking that he was working without a permit, when he clearly had a permit.
The people are there to offer a service to the people and they have been there for 25 years. So I think you should stop being the messenger and get the actual person that
has a problem with the people at Hondoq and speak to them.
#9 Comment By R Vella On July 13, 2011 @ 9:51 pm
Shanna Xerri
I visit Hondoq quite often.
When I was younger my preferred relaxation/swimming spot used to be Zewwieqa and I HAD to shift to Hondoq because politely we were kicked out because of the yacht marina
I can see this happening in Hondoq as well. People go there to relax and enjoy themselves. But if it were up to people like the kiosk owners and the Hondoq developers. People would be kicked out politely because they try to take over the area as much as possible.
In regards to permits, call the local council and see how many permits he has. As far as I know, at a lot of beaches in Gozo, umbrella and deckchair owners do not have permits.
Recently whilst at Hondoq, I heard that an ice cream van had a lot of problems setting up his business in Hondoq. maybe because the kiosk owners thought that he will take some of their business.
If you are sick of Mr. Tyrell you are definitely not speaking on my behalf. I think he comes up with good points. And some people don’t like him because he steps on their toes
#10 Comment By Gozoroo On July 14, 2011 @ 12:51 am
@ Ms. Xerri
I bet my bottom dollar Mr. Tyrell still don`t get it. Typical Irish.
@ Mr.R. Vella.
Please comment on facts not “MAYBES”
Mr. Tyrell knows how to make a Maltese cross (he steps on their toes)
#11 Comment By James A. Tyrrell On July 14, 2011 @ 1:23 pm
@Gozoroo. Oh I get it exactly. Shanna Xerri seems to be well versed in regard to the things I have referred to. I wonder why that is? By the way your geography is a bit off, I’m British not Irish. Typical Aussie.
#12 Comment By r.vella On July 14, 2011 @ 8:11 pm
@ Gozoroo You have not answered any of my questions including this
As far as I know, at a lot of beaches in Gozo, umbrella and deckchair owners do not have permits.
Mr Tyrrell is telling facts .
Go out and get answers for my blog Gozoroo
#13 Comment By Gozo uk On July 14, 2011 @ 10:00 pm
Shanna is typical of the ignorance some gozitans have to the beauty on their door step. Gozo belongs to no man and is a gift on loan to it’s residents.
Those from outside of Gozo may not have residency claims to the island but please do not take that as an ignorance of what does and should go on there. We care deeply about the beauty of Gozo and the people who live there.
It s just a shame that some that do live there are only interested in what they can take out of the island rather than what they can put into it. Like most things in life you do not realise how precious things are until they are gone – protect Gozo at all costs.
#14 Comment By Shanna Xerri On July 15, 2011 @ 1:20 am
To All,
I’ll leave you to all debate because I have nothing else to say, with regards to your
continious foreign interferance ( Mr Tyrrell). I don’t see why you are voicing the Qala
people’s opinions since as far as I know we have a local council!
@ Mr Tyrrell It seems to me you are much more well versed in regard to the things than I am on the matter. I wonder why that is? (Foreign interference occurring) Are you
hand in glove with a certain Qala counciler, I wonder because it seems you know exactly what is going on… well I’ll leave you to continue your debate!
#15 Comment By James A. Tyrrell On July 15, 2011 @ 12:26 pm
@ Shanna Xerri. Given the fact that you know everything with regard to the matters I have raised and that you state above,’ we have a local council’ I think I can safely assume that you are from Qala and that you are associated with the kiosk owner in question. It was also nice of you to point out that ‘I know exactly what is going on’ so at least you are not denying what I have said.
As for being ‘hand in glove with a certain Qala councillor’ unfortunately I don’t have that privilege and have to rely on information from local people I know and fellow tourists. I would be grateful however for any contact information you could supply regarding local councillors as I’m sure I would find them most useful. I always find conspiracy theories so interesting.
Regarding your comment about foreign interference you seem to have forgotten that it is ‘foreign interference’ in the guise of tourists that provides a large part of the islands income. It therefore stands to reason that anyone who is putting money into the economy of the country has the right to comment on things which they disagree with.
#16 Comment By James A. Tyrrell On July 16, 2011 @ 12:33 am
@ Shanna Xerri. Just a quick follow up to my previous comment. There seems to be some disagreement here as to whether or not this person has the necessary legal permits for putting out deckchairs etc. The information I had received was that he didn’t but Shanna Xerri says that he does. If I’m wrong I’ll be the first to admit it. To that end I decided to contact the local council in Qala and put the question to them. Thanks Shanna for giving me that idea, I should have thought of it sooner. As soon as I get a reply I’ll let you know.
#17 Comment By r.vella On July 16, 2011 @ 12:50 pm
@ Shanna Xerri and also Mr Tyrrell
Now we see what the outcome will be re permits on the quay and hopefully one of you that is certainly wrong will admit it
#18 Comment By Gozoroo On July 19, 2011 @ 7:27 am
Poor James, still have colonial instincts embedded in him.Hope our PM is not related.
Thunder from Down Under
#19 Comment By Peter On July 19, 2011 @ 10:50 am
Very well said Shanna Xerri.
#20 Comment By mario On July 19, 2011 @ 6:21 pm
@Gozoroo
From down under how do you know what`s happening over here .Mr Tyrrell claims that he visits Gozo every year .Do you? because as far as I know tourists from Australia do not come on holidays here that frequent
#21 Comment By Gozoroo On July 20, 2011 @ 1:16 am
@ Mario.
Strange question coming from you!! Surely you must know by know that the Internet has shrunk the world to short of breathing into my face. As I have heaps of time on my hands I watch your TV, read your newspapers and talk to sensible MALTESE CITIZENS practically every day.
In regards to visiting, since I only have one life I`m trying to see as much as I can of this beautiful planet. Malta is not its epicentre. I visit if and when I have to. Mate when I go on a holiday I wanna breath fresh air and relax in peaceful surrounds, not wearing dust masks and ear plugs.
If you have ever stepped outside the Maltese Islands you would understand what I mean. Try the Pacific Islands or Australia. With the currency rate as it is, now is your chance. Glad to meet ya wherever you land on this great continent. You might have relatives ova here, ask them.
As for Mr.Tyrell, read my previous blog.
Thunder from down Under.
#22 Comment By A. N. On August 12, 2011 @ 10:57 am
I strongly agree with Shanna.
Mr. Tyrell I believe that you should be complaining about your own country other than Gozo. I have been to the kiosk a couple of times and they are very friendly, they are not taking over the beach they are just doing their jobs.
You honestly need to get your facts right before you post something on the internet that is not even true. You must be very bored at home all the time complaining about Gozo, it just shows how much jealousy you have towards the people because you see them doing so well.
#23 Comment By R. Vella On August 12, 2011 @ 1:15 pm
@ A.N
Do you frequent Hondoq Bay? Because if you do you would have seen
Deck Chairs on the quay. Their Speed Boat most of the time tied at where people jump.
And from talking with people who knows what they are saying told me that there is no permit for those deck chairs to be spread over there.
Mr Tyrrell is opening our eyes and if yours are wide shut that`s your problem.
The best thing to do I suppose is ask the local council re permits
Regarding your last paragraph it makes me wonder why you attack a person, personally. You and Mr Tyrrell should find FACTS so we all can see who is telling the truth especially in regards permits OK
#24 Comment By James A. Tyrrell On August 12, 2011 @ 3:39 pm
@A.N. I too have been to the kiosk on many occasions and I agree that the people there are friendly. I don’t have a problem with the actual people or the kiosk in that they are providing a service to the people who visit the area. The problem begins when they assume that they can take the area over for their own purposes. The fact that they run a kiosk in the area does not give them the right to put deck chairs all over the place and tie up boats where people are trying to enjoy the water. Even if they have a permit to put out deckchairs which by the way the Qala council have refused to comment on so we can assume they don’t, it only gives them the right to hire them out to anyone asking for them, not to have them covering the area all the time.
As regards getting my facts straight I am saying that they don’t have a permit, you appear to be saying that they do have a permit. By all means prove me wrong. As for me being jealous well yes I suppose I am in a way, but not of the kiosk owners. I would probably be jealous of anyone who lived on such a beautiful island because quite honestly I don’t believe half of them know just how lucky they are. No one owns the quayside at Hondoq or the water that surrounds it. It is there for the free use of all people whether tourists, Gozitans or Maltese just over for the day. It is just on loan to us all and should be protected for our children and their children to enjoy for years to come.
#25 Comment By Luigi On August 13, 2011 @ 12:52 am
Mr. Tyrell you are unbelievable.
Do you not think that you have put the people that work at Hondoq through enough crap over the past few years.
If the people that actually lived in Gozo, unlike yourself, had a problem with Hondoq and how the workers down there place their stuff they would have already done something about it.
I think its about time for you to go to another country and complain about them, instead of the people down at Hondoq.