We'd read that the sail into Malta was worth seeing
so we got up early and headed to the top deck to join several of our fellow
passengers who had had the same idea. We weren't disappointed as we got
lovely views of the old town of Valletta with its ancient walls and buildings.
After breakfast we set off walking into the town. The main area is high above
sea level and there is a (n EU-funded!) lift to take you up for €1.
After wandering around the old town we then took a ferry across to Sliema where we found familiar shops such
as Marks and Spencer and Matalan. The weather started to look a bit
threatening and Sliema wasn't as beautiful as Valetta itself, so we caught the ferry back.
We stopped at the square by the Grand Master's Palace. There is a plaque on the wall commemorating Malta being awarded the George Cross. It then started to rain and became torrential. We took shelter and chatted to a couple on a two-week holiday from Doncaster.
When it finally stopped we returned to the ship.
 |
| Dawn was breaking as we approached Valletta |
 |
| The ship's pilot earns his corn here. For a large cruise ship, the harbour entrance is particularly tricky with a dog leg between two harbour walls, perhaps to stop torpedoes entering from a distance? |
 |
| Reminiscent of the skyline of Florence |
 |
| We're heading fro the berth beyond the green and white ship |
 |
| The lift into town is the grey tower to the left of centre |
 |
| Lift shaft is in the dark section towards the left |
 |
| There's our parking space |
 |
| There are some serious fortifications in Valletta. Malta has been invaded by just about everybody, except the British. We were invited in, apparently to get rid of the French! |
