       Visiting Valletta |
Valletta, Malta
Today we had a day off from diving. The wind was high – gusting 8 – although it was a bright, blue, sunny day so it seemed the right decision. Daisy hadn’t seen Valletta and it is such a really fabulous city that we knew she’d like it.
We had a bit of a lie-in and I got up at 9 and cooked them a big fry up. Having had that, washed down with gallons of coffee, we set off via St Paul’s Bay to drop off our 6 used cylinders at Maltaqua.
Got to Valletta about 1030. It’s such a beautiful city. The massive harbours dig blue arms up into the golden stone fortified headlands. The hilly streets of the city are lined with stone mansions, glassed in wooden balconies on the upper floors. Lots of interesting shops on the ground floor. Our first stop was for coffee at our favourite coffee shop: Charles Grech, in business since the 1800s serving delicious coffees, teas, liquers and delicacies. Suitably sustained again, we set off to visit the Co-Cathedral, the Palace of the Knights of St John, the Old Theatre and some hours spent wandering the old town, visiting the quirky shops. Daisy bought a really fab retro style polkadot fitted dress plus a new bikini in town. We stopped at one point and had an open air lunch. Fabulous food. A platter of cold local sausage, sundried tomatoes, the local broad bean based pate, olives, broad bean pate tostados, tomato, onion and herb bruschetta all washed down with cold rose wine and – in Bob’s case – local beer. It was all totally delicious and all the better for being eaten in the open air.
In the afternoon we drove over to Sliema (next bay) and caught a boat to take a 2 Harbour cruise around the various amazing deep Valletta harbours. Really interesting to see the city from the waterline and also to admire the many super yachts moored up there. Two cruise ships were in: both 6 star top ships. The Silversea Silver Cloud and the Regent Voyager. It must be spectacular to cruise into the Grand Harbour. The boat cruise was 15 euro each and lasted 90 minutes. It was great value and most enjoyable. Definitely recommended.
Came back to Sliema and gosh… bumped into a Gelateria…… there’s lots of them to be fair. Malta has very strong Italian ties. It’s only 90 kilometres to Sicily after all. Anyway, the gelato was unbelievably delicious and a real bargain at 3 euro for a massive cone. I had dark chocolate in combination with cherry jubilee. Yum! We then had a bit of a mooch around a mall and then drove home.
Made dinner in the apartment. Most excellent burgers with an interesting salad. Washed down with g&ts, and wine. Sttled down now for some movies.
Tomorrow we think we’re going to have another dry day and visit Mdina in the morning and sunbathing in the afternoon. Depends on the wind. So pleased to say that Daisy has very much fallen in love with Malta. Have never heard her so enthusiastic about a place.