When the Sea Stood Still in Sliema

The Curious Case of Captain Karistu’s Vessel

In the bustling coastal town of Sliema, where tourists flock to soak in the sun and locals stroll the promenade with their beloved ħobż biż-żejt in hand, an uncanny sight had everyone’s jaws dropping to the ground, followed by a symphony of “Uwejja!” It was a Monday, not particularly different from any other, until Captain Karistu’s legendary vessel, The Maltese Falcon, remained suspended mid-wave, as if the Mediterranean Sea had turned into a colossal blue gelatin dessert.

The Man, The Myth, The Marvelous Mystery

Captain Carmel Karistu, with his overgrown mustache shaped like the Grand Harbour, was known for his seafaring yarns and love for his mother’s secret rabbit stew recipe. But now, he found himself inexplicably marooned atop a motionless wave, staring at a puzzled crowd gathered along the shoreline, many spilling their morning pastizzi in shock.

“I’m telling you, it’s like someone pressed pause on the sea itself! And right when I was ’bout to dock for a feast of Timpana!” Captain Karistu exclaimed, gesticulating wildly.

The Plot Thickens Like Pekorin under the Sun

The Maltese authorities were as baffled as a fish out of water. Dive teams were dispatched, scientists were flown in, and even the local Imqaret vendor tried throwing his sweets into the sea in an attempt to “sweeten the situation,” as he put it. Meanwhile, Sliema’s residents took to social media to post selfies with #FrozenSea and guesses ranging from an alien intervention to a particularly intense game of statues.

Lara’s Accidental Breakthrough

Eight-year-old Lara, whose dreams of becoming an underwater archaeologist had her more in Mdina’s Natural History Museum than at the playground, suggested an idea so wild that it just had to be shared. Using her mother’s Facebook account, she posted a picture of a comic book she’d been reading – Super Wignac ftit li jagħmel it-taħlita (Super Wignac Saves the Day) – where the superhero calmed stormy seas with a bizarre gadget known as the “Wave Freezer.”

A Twist of Sea-salt

As Lara’s post went viral, a peculiar comment caught everyone’s eye. It was from a Professor Żammit, a known eccentric at the University of Malta, who claimed he’d been working on an experimental “Wave Freezer” device for a performance piece in the quiet village of Gozo, meant to “stop the sea’s incessant chattering for some peace and quiet.” His avant-garde experiment, while successful, accidentally affected Sliema’s busy shores instead.

No Harm, No Fowl – Just A Floating Boat

With a mix of embarrassment and pride, Professor Żammit paddled out in a borrowed kayak, wearing an oversized snorkel, and implemented the sequence to reverse the wave’s stillness. Soon the sea resumed its dance, and Captain Karistu’s ship splashed into the welcoming blue, much to the cheer of onlookers. Sliema’s promenade quickly returned to business, as did Captain Karistu who, true to his word, moored his boat and dashed to the nearest eatery for his beloved timpana.

Sea’s Lessons and Lara’s Quest

The “Day the Sea Stood Still” became a local legend, spawning endless tales and even a limited-edition flavor of gelato called “Frozen Wave.” As for Lara, she was awarded a junior membership to Malta’s Maritime Museum and a special school assembly in her honor. Professor Żammit, meanwhile, promised to restrict his creative fervor to less watery experiments—or at least give a heads-up before turning the sea into a spectacle of still life.

“Next time I invent something, I’ll make sure it doesn’t freeze anything more than the icicles for my granita,” Prof. Żammit declared, scratching his head beneath his floppy hat.

And thus, life in Malta rolled on, with stories of the day kollox froze over at sea becoming the spice at every family dinner table. The ‘Times of Mela’ ensured every amusing detail was recorded, bringing a chuckle to plenty and reminding everyone that in Malta, even the sea likes to play pranks—well, with a little help from a professor’s eccentric gadget.