Days 21, 22 and 23, Valletta Malta and sea days

Tuesday was a sea day so we were able to relax on the ship after four straight days in a different port. Sort of the same old routine, get up, eat, walk around the ship, eat, check out some activities on the ship, eat, gamble, drink, and eat. On Wednesday we were docked in Valletta Malta for only four hours which was not enough time. We came into port around 2:00 PM and the view of the city and surrounding area was like a postcard. Limestone walls and buildings dominate the skyline. From the ship it is a short uphill walk to the city center which is beautiful. One thing we noticed on the walk up the hill was a cat feeding station. Apparently the city has no problems with allowing citizens to feed the feral cats as long as these feeding stations are used. Sort of like Greece and their stray dogs but only for cats. Malta has a long history as there are signs of human life on the island dating back to 3,000 BC. Malta gained its independence in 1964 after being under British control for years and is now part of the European Union. One of the local street foods we had to try is a pastizzi, which is a flaky pastry filled with a variety of fillings like cheese, peas, or meat, we each had two because they were so good. We walked to the edge of the city and found a small restaurant among a neighborhood. We ordered one of the local beers which is called Cisk, again a light lager style beer. While sitting at our table on the sidewalk we watched a group of local children play hide and seek. From there we walked back up to the city center as we needed to get back to the ship by 5:30 PM. We reached the port area with time to spare so we found a small cafe to have one more beer before we got on the ship. Jim asked the waitress for one of the local beers other than Cisk. What she brought us is called a Shandy, a beer brewed locally by the same brewery that makes Cisk. The taste of the beer surprised us both, starts off a little hoppy, then bitter, then a sweetness takes over with a citrus finish. We asked the waitress if she gave us a beer and lemonade but she explained the beer is made this way. Jim checked on his iPod and the brewery starts with an English style IPA and then blends in citrus flavors and lowers the alcohol to about 3.5%. On a hot day a Shandy would be very refreshing. After our beer it was time to get on the ship for our return to Barcelona and then home but first we had one more sea day routine to follow (see above). Once we get home a final wrap up blog will be posted as we remember more about our trip.

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