8/25/24 to 8/31/24 Malta - a different world.

 Up at 3 am.  Had spent night at hotel in airport.  Flight to Malta late, so off at 7:30.  Slept so got there fast.

Hotel down by water.  8 stories. Had elevator....but ,of course, out of order.  I struggled to 6th floor.  Luckily had luggage help up and down or I really don't  think I could have made it.

Out and walked around, up hills, up stairs, more of same.  Get in shape or die.  Went to MUZA. Malta Museum and learned about history of this amazing place.  I've  never seen any place like it.  Interesting. Ancient and beautiful.

Found a nice al fresco for dinner, had my favorites. Spaghetti Carbonara and Limoncello spritzer.  Very hot out, like 95F, there were several fans.  Walked around and was thrilled with the handmade silver filigree jewelry and art.  I'm  not getting souvenirs anymore, but can't resist a pair of earrings, later!!!!

8/26/24. Mike and Cheryl arrived.  I was over in the Valletta area and I had to go meet them in Birgu.  Messed up meeting, but finally got together and got situated in our nice Airbnb.  A/C in our bedrooms.

We headed out to the Inquisitors Palace and spent several hours there.  Learned about the Inquisition and those horrors. Real horrors.

Next day fun. Cheap and quick ferry back to Valletta for the day.  Saw so much I just can't list everything we saw and did.  I'll  says it was all perfect.  Museums, meals, drinks.  You do need to keep hydrated that's for sure.  We were not partying at night that's for sure.  Pretty tired out with heat and walking up, up.

So I'm going to just post my photos, hope you enjoy.  Any questions, just ask.  There is a comments place at bottom of the blog, questions, whatever.

Sofotel at Gatwick

Art in my room.  I love this simple picture.

 

View from roof terrance at my hotel.

Walking uphill...

Walking up stairs.  Up, up, up.

Museum of Malta

My dinner and two for one, happy hour

Limoncello spritzer

My hotel, lovely view from roof.

The salami on the left was best I ever tasted.  Breakfast included, a nice spread.

Got to our Airbnb and had a refresher.  I had lemon beer, like shandy in Germany.  I find it refreshing.

Inquisitioners Palace.  Home of torture.  They did hold trials if you were accused of not being faithful.

Who's  that peeking out?  Mike, so good to see you guys.  It's been too long.  We'll  be traveling together for 3 weeks.  We always have fun.

Here's  Cheryl.  We just love all the stairs. Can't get enough.

Torture area.  This was a foit press.  They forced you to put your foot between two blocks and screwed it tight.

Torture area.  They made men sit on that pointed seat and pushed down on them.  Ouch!!

Toilet

I found this so interesting.  Might have been temporary as they'd just had some festival and these were large poles with a star on top.  I think they have many festivals for their important saints.

On the islands of Malta and Gozo, there are 359 churches!

Many interesting doors, knockers, embellishments.

Little boats, like gondolas. But with motors you can take from Birgu to Valletta.  Uber is a long trip, across harbor fast.  We used the ferry.  Great deal, round trip and access to a blessed elevator that put us right to the top of Valletta for 3.50 Euro. Yeah.

I'll stop here.  To be continued.