The Mdina Midnight Scavenger Hunt Turned “Ghost-Bustin’ Extravaganza”

The Unassuming Beginning

In the narrow, dimly lit streets of Mdina, the ancient Silent City, a bunch of spirited locals from the nearby towns had gathered for what was billed as “The Most Epic Scavenger Hunt in Maltese History.” Spearheading the motley crew were two characters as contrasting as ħobż biż-żejt and ftira: Dolores, the flamboyant tour guide who could trace her lineage back to the Knights, and Wistin, the tech-savvy geek who believed GPS could unearth the secret of the Pharaohs if only it tried hard enough.

As the church clock struck midnight, Dolores and Wistin handed out the scavenger lists, which included such treasures as a selfie with the famed Mosta Dome in the background, a stray cat from St. Julian’s, and—most challenging of all—a smile from a Gozo Channel ferry conductor.

The Plot Twist

All was fun and giggles until one group reached the Fontanella Tea Garden, only to bump into what they thought was a misplaced carnival enthusiast donning a spooky costume. Imagine their surprise when the “enthusiast” floated through a wall, turning their treasure hunt into a full-blown ghost chase!

“Ejja, this is not on the list, but ghost-catching could be worth bonus points, uwejja!” exclaimed Dorian, clutching his pastizz tightly as a makeshift talisman.

The participants, giddy on adrenaline and too much Cisk, decided to turn the scavenger hunt into a ghost-busting mission—a twist so out of left field that Wistin’s satellite-powered scavenger app crashed from sheer disbelief.

Haunting Humor at the Citadel

Meanwhile, at the Citadel in Gozo, another team had discovered an ancient lamp. Rubbing it for luck (and in hopes of a genie granting them a shortcut to find all items), they inadvertently unleashed a horde of cheeky spirits who turned the historic site into a paranormal discotheque.

“Kollox kollox, we’ll be the heroes Malta didn’t know it needed!” proclaimed Klara, who confused her history facts but made up for it with infectious enthusiasm.

The Ghosts of Social Media

• Dolores: “Jaqaw no one told the ghosts in Mdina they could take a break too? #GhostWorkers #MdinaMysteries”
• Wistin: “Updating app to include ‘Spectral Sightings.’ I think we’re onto something here, folks! #TechGhoul #AppUpdate”
• Dorian: “Paqpaq, I just wanted to win for the free fenkata at the end, now I’m dodging Casper’s cousins. #SpectralScavenger #FenkataFrenzy”
• Klara: “Go big or għoġob il-dar! Turns out the Citadel is party central for ghosts. #BoogieBeyond #GhostlyGrooves”

The Surprise Payoff

While the spectral escapade threw a wrench into the hunt’s initial plans, our intrepid adventurers found unity in their unexpected ghostly encounters. The haunted sites of Mdina and Gozo suddenly became national sensations, drawing in paranormal enthusiasts and intrepid tourists alike, all eager to Instagram their brushes with the other side.

In the dawn’s light, with the ghostly frenzy behind them, everyone convened at a beloved local eatery for a well-deserved feast of rabbit stew, bragjoli, and the real treasure of the night—stories that would circulate for generations to come.

“Next year, we’re sticking to digging up potatoes in Qormi. At least those don’t float through walls!” Dolores declared, finally asserting some semblance of order as she sipped her tea, spooked but smiling.

As the Times of Mela covered the complete hullabaloo, they’re happy to report that Malta’s Midnight Scavenger Hunt is now a permanent addition to the annual calendar—except it’s more ghost bustin’ than scavenging. Either way, with cheeky poltergeists and hearty Maltese grub, we say, “Mela, what’s not to love?”