The last day has arrived. One final breakfast at the hotel before packing my bags and checking out. My flight isn’t until 17:00, so there’s still some time left for a little adventure.

Yesterday, I found out about Malta’s oldest geocache, placed in 2004—something no geocacher can ignore! And since everything on Malta is relatively close, why not take a quick trip across the country to find it?

The cache is located near Dingli, a place I’ve visited before. It’s easily accessible by car with just a short walk to reach it. A stunning view paired with an easy find—exactly how I like it!

The Final Geocaches & The Gas Station Struggle

Before heading to the airport, I decide to squeeze in one or two more caches. Just as I’m about to wrap things up, I nearly forget one important thing: refueling the car. The roads around the airport are confusing, the signage is lacking, and even Google Maps seems to be struggling. I end up in places I never intended to go—just for a gas station!

Eventually, I find the right road—after looping back to the airport and retracing my steps, this time taking the correct exit. In total, I used about 35 euros worth of gas during my trip, which isn’t bad at all. At the station, an attendant fills up the car for me. No idea why, but I won’t complain. Just three more kilometers to go.

Back at the airport, I drive into the garage, find the designated HERTZ parking spot, and call an attendant to check the car. With a flashlight and a digital form, he inspects everything. After two minutes, I get the all-clear—no damage detected. (Guess he didn’t notice the little mirror incident. Phew!) Quick, easy, and efficient service.

Airport Lounge Perks & Overpriced Snacks

After a short walk to the terminal, I find a long line at Lufthansa check-in. I’m too early—check-in doesn’t open until three hours before departure. With nowhere else to sit, I grab a burger and a drink at Burger King.

Five minutes before check-in opens, I return and am the first in line. Security is fast, thanks to the new scanners where you don’t have to remove everything from your bag. However, the terminal is packed, and finding a seat is impossible. Most of the crowd is waiting for Ryanair flights leaving before mine.

Luckily, my credit card grants me five free lounge visits per year—this seems like the perfect time to use one. The Malta Lounge is on the list, so I head there. Free seating, a terrace with a view of the tarmac, and complimentary food and drinks? Yes, please! Small snacks instead of overpriced airport food? Even better. Watching planes come and go while sipping on something refreshing? Perfect. I may have “accidentally” packed some drinks and fruit in my backpack. Let’s just say they fell in there. 😉

The Journey Home

Boarding for my flight starts just as I arrive at the gate. Today, it’s an Airbus A320 all the way—first, a 2.5-hour flight to Frankfurt. Uneventful, smooth, and on time.

At Frankfurt Airport, my connecting flight’s gate is nearby, giving me time to grab some geocaches—a virtual one and an adventure lab. Then, dinner. A hot dog for 7.60 euros? Ridiculous. I also buy a pretzel and a chocolate roll for the next flight. Goodbye, money. Germany is getting expensive, and airports add an extra layer of overpriced madness.

Two hours later, I arrive in Oslo, just five minutes behind schedule. But, of course, my luggage takes forever to appear. I miss the first available bus to my hotel because the airport staff seems to be working at snail speed. When my bag finally arrives, I have to rush to catch the local bus (which, of course, departs from the farthest end of the terminal).

Checking in at 00:45, I’m pleasantly surprised—I get a free upgrade to a suite! Nice! The room is great, but why heat it up to 24°C? Not exactly ideal for sleeping. I crank open all the windows and turn off the radiators.

One Last Morning Before the Final Flight

A fantastic night’s sleep in a soft bed (not the rock-hard ones from Malta), followed by a relaxed breakfast. My final flight home isn’t until 16:10, and I’ve arranged for a late check-out. I even attempt one last geocache, but the puzzle solution doesn’t work. Oh well.

After a bit of doing nothing (still technically on vacation!), I take the bus to the terminal and check in for my Norwegian flight. Security here is a hassle—despite having the same advanced scanners as Malta, they don’t seem to trust them. Idiots. These scanners make life so much easier for travelers. Just saying.

The flight to Molde is on time, but as always, the final approach is bumpy. I hate that part, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Stepping off the plane, it’s cold and rainy. I immediately want to go back to the sun. Buhuhuhu…

Luckily, Nick is kind enough to pick me up from the airport, saving me from an expensive taxi ride. Much appreciated!

Final Thoughts on Malta

Malta is an interesting place—unique in many ways, but you don’t necessarily need a whole week to see it all. Some aspects of the tourist infrastructure still have room for improvement, making exploration a bit more challenging than it should be. However, the island’s compact size means you’re never far from anything.

Hotel prices vary widely depending on what you want. Personally, I only needed a place to sleep since I was out all day. Paying just 43 euros per night (including breakfast) was an absolute steal! Sure, I could’ve spent twice as much, but why?

Do you need a car? Not really, but it definitely gives you more freedom. Relying on public transport can be frustrating—buses are often full or don’t show up at all. Still, it’s the cheapest way to get around, and for some activities (like visiting Valletta), it’s actually the better option. Finding a good balance is key.

Could I have done more? Maybe. I could have hiked more, explored additional landscapes, or climbed more cliffs. But I saw a lot, and the side trip to Italy was great—I didn’t have to plan or think, just enjoy the ride. Traveling off-season has its pros and cons—not everything is open, and while I had good weather, it’s not ideal for swimming or beach lounging. Then again, summer would be unbearably hot.

All in all, I’m happy with how I organized my trip and what I got to experience. Another country checked off my list!

Thanks for reading—see you on the next adventure!