Farewell Malta

After another lovely breakfast, we settled our bill and the concierge retrieved "Tatty" from the hotel garage.  Our car hire agreement was Full to Full on the petrol and although we'd barely used 1/4 tank of course we needed to replenish.  There was a garage soon after leaving the hotel, but having looked on the internet there were several more much nearer the airport so it made sense to fill up just before we dropped the car off.

However, we managed to avoid all of them and before we knew it we were at the airport, so a quick diversion and we headed off in search of a garage.  Ian thought he remembered seeing one when we were driving through Qormi the previous day and he was right and - added bonus - there was a pump attendant. 

Back at the airport we dropped "Tatty" off at the Budget car park and without even looking at the car, the chap happily noted No Damage on our hire form.

We were very early and the BA desk wasn't open but having checked-in online we decided to kill time by printing off our boarding passes and luggage label.  That went to plan but, when it came to affixing the label to our luggage, we were stumped - yes we've stood at check-in many, many times and watched whilst the staff dexterously tag the cases but we never paid close enough attention.  So we asked a passing person who was dressed in airline staff type uniform, but she couldn't work it out either.  So we just had to wait for check-in to open - still don't know how we couldn't follow the instructions. 

Anyway, fast forward to security and once again the female officer was very kind and considerate of my headwear and immediately allayed my fears. 

Having cleared security, we quickly found the lounge and who should be on duty there but the person who'd tried to help us with the luggage label.  We had a lovely chat with her.  The food was delicious but unfortunately there was no champagne or sparkling wine.

The plane was pretty full in Business Class and because of the food choices going so quickly on the outward leg, I'd changed our seats to Row 4.  When the stewardess gave out the menus, there was only 1 choice I'd eat, so as she was coming back again I cheekily asked if she'd reserve one for me and, to my surprise, she happily agreed.  Ian (always the gentleman) said he wasn't fussy and he'd take his chances but in actual fact he got the last Caesar Salad (my choice) - so again they'd run out of 1 choice after just 1/3rd served.  I'm so pleased I asked as it was really, really nice.

For probably the first time ever, our plane docked at a gate really near the terminal and we were just a couple of minutes from Passport Control.  As I approached the automatic gate, the immigration person overseeing the machines shouted at me to take my hat and glasses off.  I was very surprised at the way she spoke to me, particularly as she was wearing a hijab.  Fortunately for me (and her - as I would have taken issue with her.  Not for what she was telling me to do, as I take security very seriously and was prepared to remove my headwear, but her manner) the barrier opened and I was allowed through - hat, glasses still in situ.

As a consequence of clearing immigration so quickly, we had a long wait for our suitcase but eventually got ourselves back to Valet Parking and there waiting for us was the car - just brilliant.  I can recommend the service and we'll use it whenever it's economically viable.

A superb mini break to Malta, just what we needed.

A Drive Around Malta - Day 2

When we came back yesterday we handed over the car keys for the concierge to put it in the garage (easily the tattiest car they've ever seen - so embarrassing) and the lovely young lady labelled the keys up with our room number.  This morning we had to wait ages for the car and it transpired the chap had been looking for our room number on the registration plate - wally!  

The gales had subsided considerably this morning but there was still a keen wind.  We'd avoided the cliff tops yesterday but this morning headed for the Dingli Cliffs which are supposedly rather beautiful.

There wasn't a cloud in the sky.

The daisy-like flowers gave a beautiful yellow carpet everywhere and there were loads of other wild flowers (challenging to get in focus in the wind)

There is a little church (naturally) on the edge but we didn't walk down to it.

We then drove down to the Blue Grotto and experienced the touristy side of Malta for the first time; cafes selling snacks/drinks and tourists by the coach load.  You have to get a boat to reach the grotto (we didn't fancy it - the boats were very small and seemed full of squealing oriental teenagers) but as you can see from these pictures the water certainly was very blue.

We then headed for town of Mosta in the middle of the island to see the church which is famed for its rotunda (took a direct bomb hit during WWII but fully restored now) - the ceiling is beautiful.

Then on to the next door town of Naxxar as we'd read about a "beautiful 18th century stately home and garden" which were worth a look.  We'd assumed it was on the outskirts but as we were negotiating a roundabout in the middle of town, Ian suddenly noticed a sign and we were lucky enough to find a parking space nearby.  Unfortunately the "palace" consisted of only about 5 rooms and whilst they were very ornate they, and the garden which was winter bare, didn't really warrant the €15 entrance fee.  No photos from inside, but a few from the garden/ conservatory.

I don't actually remember taking this, must have been as we were walking back to the car.

There have been quite a few signs in Malta which have made me giggle; couldn't always get a photo but here are a few.

This one may be grammatically correct but it still made me chuckle.  Fortunately I don't need a hair dryer at this juncture but it seems it would have been a bit of a lottery as to whether I'd have found one or not.

Not quite such an interesting day, but we enjoyed the drive around.

For dinner we walked down into Valletta old town to a traditional Maltese Ftira restaurant and had their speciality which was rather pizza-like only the dough was much heavier - similar to focaccia.  They got Ian's order wrong so he had 1/4 of mine whilst waiting, but even with his help I only managed half of it, but it was delicious - as was the complimentary bread and tomato paste.

One thing that has surprised me enormously is the food - I guess it's a mix of Mediterranean and North African - but whatever it is, everything we've had has been full of flavour and delicious.

A Drive Around Malta - Day 1

Tuesday was forecast to be very, very windy so we decided to spend the day driving around the island.  There were a couple of places we'd earmarked to visit, the first of which was the fishing village Marsaxlokk on the south coast.

We got there after several wrong turns and parked in what appeared to be a car park but as we'd been warned that different rules apply for tourist and residents, thought we'd better check.  There was a Tourist Information Office nearby so we asked in there if it was OK to leave the car "It's a car park" was the reply, but it's impossible to convey the tone with which it was said!

As predicted the winds were unbelievable strong and at times it was hard to stand up, never mind hold a camera steady.  It's a really pretty village and in the summer I should imagine it's heaving with tourists eating in the many fish restaurants, but today it was practically deserted.  On a Sunday there is a large fish market.

The eye of Osiris is painted on the side of the fishing boats for good luck

From there we drove inland to Mdina, the old capital and a really interesting walled city.  The wind by this time had increased even more so I didn't get to take many photos.

Again, the cathedral was very beautifully painted.

We (Ian) had a fabulous salmon and tuna baguette at this cafe (I had a little taste).  The cafe was built on the edge of the city wall and the wind was howling and buffeting the plastic shuttering but the view was amazing - you could see right across the island to Valletta.

Not sure where the London Transport sign fits in

From there we drove to the very north of the island where the ferry to Gozo leaves from; nothing of particular interest but a couple of churches (there are so many churches) and the crashing waves.

We then drove the coast road as much as possible back to Valletta but there wasn't much worth stopping the car for (a lot of all inclusive, stay in the hotel and don't venture out resorts). 

For dinner we went to the Valletta Waterfront area which looks like a fairly newly renovated area with loads of restaurants and bars - but unfortunately no people!!  We'd decided to eat Pepe Nero and turned up a bit before then opened, but the waiters noticed us sitting outside in the "tented" area and opened up for us.  They were lovely and the food was delicious, if a little large.  Hopefully for all concerned the area will be heaving in the summer months.

Valletta 2

Next stop was the St John's Co-Cathedral which is renowned throughout Europe for its ornateness (dedicated to St John The Baptist it has a famous Caravaggio)

Unfortunately areas were roped off so you had to follow a trail and couldn't always go where you wanted.  Flash wasn't allowed and the lighting was terrible but I managed a few pictures.

The ceiling was pretty amazing

I've no idea who this was, I just loved the peaceful expression.

Caravaggio's Beheading of St John The Baptist

After leaving the Cathedral we just wandered about a bit, tiredness was kicking in after our 03:00 start.

Guard ceremony at Grandmaster's Palace.

Although Malta was the most bombed country during WWII, there are still loads of old buildings to enjoy.

I don't like to see this form of transport in any city, but the animals generally appeared in good condition and during the hot summer months there are at least canopies over their waiting bays.

Residents really should be banned from parking their modern vehicles outside such lovely old buildings.