Valletta, Malta

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Valletta, Malta

Tonight the ship is a rockin’ and a rollin’.   When we were in Valletta today the winds really picked up and once we left the inlet and got out into the Mediterranean we have 23kt winds and 6-8 ft. waves…. And that adds up to a rockin’ ship.  Jim and I are doing okay, I think Tracy and Larry are fine, Bob is fine but Denise wasn’t feeling too well.  We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

This morning when we came into the port it was a beautiful sight.  There is an impressive divided channel with a lighthouse type structure on either side that we glided past, we made the “S” type curve to get into the inlet and then the ship did a 180° turn and then slid into our parking spot.  It was amazing to watch.

One of the lighthouses as we enter the inlet.

A view on the way into the inlet.

Another view of the inlet.

Here you can see both lighthouses and the passage into the inlet.

 

There are steep walls line the inlet and you can see towers and domes on the skyline.  It all seems to be the same honey color, warm and beautiful looking.

Once docked we were out and walking toward town which is about a 15 minute walk.  Our first stop was the Lascaris War Rooms.  This amazing underground complex that is 400 feet under Valletta housed Britain’s War HQ in Malta and was also used by General Eisenhower during World War II.  We had a fascinating tour guide who was full of really interesting information about the war and the importance of this little island during the war.

A room with original furniture from WWII.

A restored map that was used during the war, our guide and Denise.

 

St. John’s Co-Cathedral was our next stop.  Built in 1577 it has a spectacular baroque interior and is rather plain on the outside.  It was almost too much to see, sensory overload on the inside. 

The outside of the church.

Looking toward the altar.

Just one of the ceiling domes.

 

One of the side walls.

 

We crossed the street and sat at a little café and at lunch.  It was a beautiful day with the sun out and a lovely breeze, we really enjoyed a leisurely lunch.  Our last stop was to the Upper Barracca Gardens, a spectacular panoramic view of the town and the Grand Harbour.  One level below is the Saluting Battery and became the principal artillery platform from where gun salute were fired on public and religious occasions and today the canon fired at 4:00 pm.  We watched it from the ship and I’m sure it was more impressive at the Gardens then it was on the ship.

A view down one of the streets.  Reminded us of San Francisco with the hills.

 

A view of the gardens.

Me in the gardens.

 

Back to the ship for some rest and then dinner.  We sat at our favorite table with our favorite waiter and assistant.  They treat us well and we have fun with them. 

Tomorrow we dock in Catania, Sicily and were going on a Taste of Sicily shore excursion visiting Mt. Etna and Taormina.  I’m looking forward to seeing the Volcanic jewelry they say is popular there.

Off to bed.  We’re still rockin’ and rollin’ some so we’ll be rocked to sleep.

A couple of things… first of all it’s really hard to pick the pictures for the blog.  There are so many wonderful things we see and with three or four of us taking pictures there are over 300 pictures a day to sift through.  It’s been interesting to see what the different people take pictures of and how they frame them.  We can all see the same thing but get a totally different picture. 

So many beautiful places we’ve been and things we’ve seen.  I feel very blessed to have this experience and to do it with my wonderful husband of 35 years and my two sisters and their husbands.  We’ve had fun and I know it will continue.

Second, I really want a real Diet Coke.  This Coke Light just isn’t the same. 

I guess that’s all for now!  I hope you’re enjoying the blog!

 

We're headed to Sicily!