Trip Day 5 - Valetta, Malta

Friday September 16

Well, we slept well our first night on our "floating hotel" the Artemis. The alarm rang at 6:45 am and here the early morning photo from our balcony. We are still here because we have to do more exploring here today.

Buffet breakfast of course and then at 8:15 am off we went on the bus. I am still trying to get a good photo of the rubble walls between the fields. They were not only built for privacy or property reservation but we were told that sometimes winds from the ocean can be quite strong and the walls preserve the earth. Amazing how some of the square (or so) enclosures are considered higher inside because the earth has been worked to be most fertile. 

The bus stopped for a photo opportunity: the city of Mdina.

After a short ride another photo opportunity: The Dingli Cliffs (walk behind the chapel)

Vanessa had arranged for us to have a taste of peeled prickly pears...

... and prickly pear juice/liquor (?)

The lady on this kiosk was very nice and very knowledgable about prickly pears. She had them in different colors which she said might become ripe at different times. She talked abut their health value and more. Vanessa told us that she is there trying to do business 7 days in the week. I am glad Vanessa supported her and gave us the taste (even though I am always bit concerned about eating food at a stand like that ... 9 hours later I still feel ok, ha-ha)

Back in the bus we are on our way to Rabat. Rabat is the city outside the walls of Mdina. It was a nice walking tour.

The above photo is of an old hospital and Ann Marie walked us to this in its wall. This is called "the Ruota" - Foundling Wheel. It was used for the discreet depositing of unwanted newborn babies called "creature gettate".

The wooden cylinder served as a revolving door where mothers placed the child, it was then turned round so that the baby is safely deposited inside the Hospital. Simultaneously a bell was rung to alert carers. 

The narrow streets were all very clean and nicely kept with plants etc.

This is a slit for the postman leave the letters. Every house has slightly different way to receive their mail.

Then we came to St. Paul's Cathedral. Saint Paul is very much celebrated here because he spent 3 months here after being ship wrecked on his way to be tried in Rome.

Here are the bible verses commemorated which Luke wrote in Acts 28 about it ... in 6 different languages. 

Local guide Ann Marie read the one to us in Maltese. 

English and German!

Of course there was a nice plaza in front of it.

From there we walked to Hobards Garden. A lovely place with lots of benches. This is right next to the Mdina moat.

Ann Marie explained things to us (she is so incredibly knowledgable about all history and places) while Vanessa was on an errand. 

And there Vanessa is with a big bag.

She is offering a "pastizzi" to each of us. I got one with a pea filling and James with cheese (ricotta?) and switched half way. They were really very delicious. We were both unanimous that the pea one was best. 

I could not resist to take a photo of this tree (which was not easy because of all the people walking by). Ann Marie did not know what it is.

The moat with the bridge to the gate. 

The gate with the relief of St Paul (can't remember the other two) above it.

Right there was the palace which is the only one which was built actually by one of the knights of the Order. That's why there is the Malta Cross in the court yard.

Could not resist to take a photo of the gigantic Lego Malta Knight.

There was lots to see on our walking tour.

We walked all the way to the other side (which was actually not that far) and had a wonderful view from there. If I understood right we were told that we could see about 1/3 of Malta from here. It was very nice. 

We said good-bye to Ann Marie here and were let loose to explore by ourselves. James and I were very thirsty and went to the Fontanella Tea Garden.

We got a nice table at the edge and enjoyed the local beers. This one with lemon had been recommended to me so I did try it. Quite nice. A bit different. Refreshing. 

A bit more walking finding a different way.

And yes, I did some shopping. I found a little Lego Malta Knight to buy and this Malta lace. The bobbinlace lace place seems to be from Gozo island . 

We were supposed to be at a statue close to the gate were we had entered and of course were on time. Everybody was. What a good group. We were back at the ship something like 12:40 pm.

I worked a bit on yesterday's blog. James went back into the old Valletta city with that elevator up the cliff to Barrakka Garden where the entry to "The War Museum" is. It is were the Allied Leaders discussed what to do in the early 1940s. He thought it was interesting.

He was back just in time for the 4 pm discussion about Daphne Caruana which was arranged for us. OAT's motto is not only to show us the loveliness and beauty of a country but also the ugly. If you click on her name and read the link you know what it is about. Her family is fighting for justice for her through the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation. Her sister talked to us. It is a world-wide problem and depressing.

We decided to sit a bit on our balcony. It was very nice there. We had an "after 5 o'clock-er" and James proof-read yesterday's blog. 

After it was posted we went down to the lounge and played a card game. We chatted with others and it was nice (even if I lost).

At 6:45 pm our our guides did the "port talk". We are 39 passengers on this ship and divided into two groups. We are 20 and our guide is Vanessa. The guide for the other 19 is Louise. They are both very caring and fun.

After that it was dinner time which is always a served sit-down. 

Appetizer was "Italian Farmer Salad".

Then we had a soup (Kusksu). As an entree James had the pork tenderloin wrapped in prosciutto and served with a vegetable skewer and linguine pasta.

I selected the pan fried hake filet on fennel-bell pepper ragout, golden roasted potatoes arranged with white wine sauce. Everything very tasty.

Ah, yes, dessert: James had the dark chocolate brownie served with white chocolate sabayon and ice cream.

Christa enjoyed the ice cup Amadeus Mozart with hazelnut ice cream and chocolate rum sauce topped with whipped cream. 

Yes, a few minutes on the lips and ...

After dinner our two guides took care of the entertainment. They introduced themselves, each with a power point show of their lives, from baby photos to family photos etc etc. They were very funny.

We were supposed to leave about 10 pm and sail to Siracusa. We were on our balcony enjoying watching the happenings. 

We were warned by the captain that it might get rocky in the night and to make sure that nothing can fall down or the bathroom door can shut onto our fingers etc. We made sure of everything and were actually rocked gently to sleep. Good night!