Trip Day 3 - Malta

I have a problem writing this blog! Sooooo many photos. But we saw so many beautiful things. And it will probably be like that every day.  Well, I will try to limit photos and words because I have not much time to write the blogs.

After traveling without sleeping much in the plane even though we missed the night, arriving and already having a great time, writing the first blog, we finally turned the light off around 11 pm. We slept like rocks. James had been clever and setting the alarm for 7 am which woke us both up. We might have overslept otherwise. We didn't even have our early morning tea in the room.

Breakfast is a buffet which is always easy. A great selection of all sorts of things. Decision time. But I even had my usual apple.

We had been asked to be in the conference room at 8:30 were our guide discussed the itinerary with us and some important details. There is also an "optional tour" in a few days and she needs a headcount so she can arrange it. James and I signed up.

Afterwards we had 15 minutes to collect things from the room and off we were in a bus on our first tour. Our hotel is in Sliema and it was a 25 minute or so nice drive to Malta's capital city Valletta. We are now having also a local guide for three days. She gave us a lot of information in the bus already. The heart of Valletta is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and quite amazing. (You might want to read the above link I found and added.)

And off we go from the bus. We now all have a "whisper", which means a little receptor hanging on a lanyard around our necks with earphones so we don't have to be right next to the guide talking or worry to miss anything important. While listening we just can admire what we want to see. We like it.

Probably should have taken a photo of the fountain in the background. It seems to be very important.

Just in front of the gate and the moat was a map of the area inside the city walls. The 16th century heavily fortified city was built by the Order of Saint John, also known as the Knights of Malta. The order was founded to help the crusaders. We were told not to confuse them with the Templars. 

Moats which were never containing water but still were very effective. Two photos from the entry bridge which surely used to be a drawbridge.

If you clicked on the link I had added you might have read the this World Heritage Site contains 320 monuments. I don't know how many we saw but it really is amazing. Next to the modern Parliament building is the only ruin left from World War II. Valletta was heavily bombed probably because of the two harbors right next to both sides. The former Opera House is now an open air theater. One of our travelers said "oh, the green chairs". Must be a nickname of it. (?)

It is a lot of fun to see all the buildings. The streets were buzzing with happy people. 

We went into the Barracca Gardens and I should have taken photos which probably would not have shown much because you can't stand back enough to take a good impression of it. But here are photos of the view we had! Just gorgeous. 

From there we had a view into one of the harbors. There was one cruise ship and just in front of it "our" ship starting tomorrow. The Artemis!

Yes, there it is!

After that a little wait because the group had a potty stop. I used the opportunity to buy two bottles of water because we forgot to bring our refillable bottles to have in the side pockets for our backpacks ... even though we had been told. Sigh. (it is not the only thing I forget)

Walking the textile decorations which are starting to be put up for an important celebration soon (way in the back in this photo).

And then we came to St. John's Co Cathedral. The local guide had seen the big cruise ship in the harbor and knew that we needed to be there soon. Thanks to that we didn't have to stand in line to get in too long. And she had the tickets. 

Right from the door we entered through we were in awe. Everything looking golden is 24 carat gold. The carvings, the paintings, everything was almost overwhelming.

The  marble group of the Baptism of Christ was carved by Giuseppe Mazzuoli from carrara marble in 1703.

James and I had just seen the Sistine Chapel exhibition in Richmond a few days before we had left and today I looked at the paintings on the ceiling with different eyes. How is it possible for somebody to do this? Just looking overhead is a strain. Creating the painting... ?

You are so busy looking up and around but one should not forget to look down either. The floor is covered everywhere with marble inlay pictures. They cover the tombs of the most important Knights. All different. 

And then we stood in line again but still inside. In a side room was the most important painting by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610).   

This painting Beheading of John the Baptist is worth seeing. 

He wrote his name into the blood coming out of St John's head.

There was also another painting of his in a room close called "St Jerome writing".

We left the cathedral shortly before noon and said good-by til tomorrow to our local leader.

We were on our own until 1:30 when our Guide Vanessa would meet us in front of the Parliament building to take us with the bus back to the hotel. She offered other options too but we were ok with this ... and went to find lunch. Two fellow travelers (Janet, Eva ?) joined us and the King's Own Bar & Restaurant looked good to us. (Ha-ha, photo taken from upstairs where the toilets are)

Well, seafood. Malta is a small island in a big ocean. James had calamari.

I had mussels. The waiter promised that all would be local. Just like the local beer which went down fine because it is lovely warm outside. 

Back at the hotel we take it easy for a while. You have to think about what you just saw and experienced. Starting a bit on the blog helps to enjoy that too.

When it was almost time to meet Vanessa and our group at 6:30 pm we went up to the 9th floor. We had heard that you have a nice view from there. We met Peter and Susan from MA in the elevator. We had met them in the airport and had already had nice chats but they are in the other group. They wanted us to join them for a cocktail but we only had time to sit for a short time and chat. Socializing between the two groups will be easier on the ship.

Of course I did have to quickly snap a few photos. Too bad I am not really a swimmer/pool person. That infinity pool looked very inviting. 

Our welcome dinner. We had tables in a private room but went into the big breakfast room for the buffet. Salads, soups, main course, dessert, cheese, coffee. Wine on the table.

James and I decided we are not really keen on buffets. You have to leave the table several times. People eat different courses at different times. We were told it will be proper dinner on the ship. That's good.

My main course plate. Yes, you are right. Another thing about buffets: one eats too much. Got to try the fish, the beef stew, the roasted rabbit, cauliflower gratin etc etc. Sigh. 

We did have a walk around the block afterwards. That felt very good. Got some bottles of water.

When we were back I decided to have another look on the 9th floor. The tables were all full with diners. Yes, in this part of Europe everybody eats late. The pool looked nice but the view was not so lit up than on the other side. 

No more delaying. It's time to pack the suitcase. They have to be outside the door tomorrow morning at 7.30 am. Night night! This was a good day!