Blogs from Malta, Europe - page 9

Late checkout 9.45am & down to the Teatre Polietama corner to catch the 'Prestida d Commune' (bus) to the airport. Still travelling light but managed to pack a home made pizza for our lunch. 1 hour to the airport and easy transfer. Way way too early but better waiting at the airport than in town. There was a hitch with the next aisle/queue/flight & interestingly it took not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4...but 5 staff a good half hour to work it out...in the meantime no-one was processed.....there was an awlful lot of chat & arm waving.... Met a nice Aussie couple heading to Malta too... Our flight was delayed due to the thunderstorms in Malta. It was easy enough to catch the Direct bus into town from the airport. Our apartment is lovely ... read more

This morning we've arranged to meet Louis to visit the Three Cities, which is the collective name for the fortified citadels of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua on the opposite side of the Grand Harbour from Valletta. We catch the bus to Valletta and walk through to the Upper Barrakka Gardens. As we walk Issy tries to teach me a series of unpronouncable noises which she tells me are Maltese for "good morning, how are you". She gets me to repeat them several times, and then tells me that I have to use them to greet Louis. I hope that she's not trying to trick me, and that the words don't actually mean something else. I remember a movie where this happened, and the words actually meant "I have three testicles". I greet Louis as instructed, and ... read more

Today we’ve booked to go to the Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni archaeological site, a few kilometres south of Valletta. We made the booking several months ago to be sure we could get in, which apparently was far from guaranteed; it seems they only allow a maximum of eighty people in each day in strictly controlled groups of no more than ten. It seems to be a bit cooler today, with some clouds and a gentle breeze. Our taxi driver says that it's been the hottest summer he can remember - some days of 45 degrees outside, which usually translates to 50 in his cabin. He says that days like that are very bad for business, as even the tourists don't go outside. There's apparently full employment in Malta and they need to import workers from other parts ... read more

We‘re feeling sad as we leave our cosy apartment and retrieve our trusty little Fiat from the garage for the last time. We stop along the waterfront, and Issy pokes her head up through the Fiat’s roof while I take some happy snaps. We haven't flown with Ryan Air before so we're not quite sure what to expect. It seems that they don't spend too much time or money cleaning their aircraft. As soon as the last passenger from the incoming flight‘s set foot on the tarmac we’re hustled up the steps and into our seats. We expected the whole cabin to be plastered with advertising signs, but it isn't. Selling things other than airfares does however seem to be high on the priority list. As soon as the seat belt sign’s turned off the crew ... read more

Tuesday 6-20 to Wednesday 6-21.... Woke up to a very cool view. The buildings/monuments made up of granite and rock where right by the port. Quick breakfast and we were ready to go exploring. We didn't have anything plan so we just took off walking. Up and up a really long/steep hill. We later found out the hill is called Crucifix Hill. Found the parliament building and while we were in front of the building the prime minister gets out if his car and walks in. He is equal to the president in this country. But only one person guarding him. Valletta is hosting an international film festival this week. Was fun the see all the stuff for the festival. Lunch at Papannis Italian restaurant. Very very good. Kelly had risotto and she LOVED it. Heather ... read more