Valletta, Malta
Friday, May 6
Flights were pretty good, but delayed an hour for mechanical out of Atlanta. So, late to Frankfurt, where I had to run to barely make the flight to Valletta, but my checked bag didn’t. Then a missed approach and a go-around made our landing here just a little more fun. After a nervous afternoon, my bag was later delivered to my hotel.
An evening walk and a bite to eat
Triton Fountain
Wednesday, May 7
Valletta
Again, I have to say how much I am enjoying Malta, a place I’ve not only never been, but a place I knew nothing about. One doesn’t hear much about it on our side of the pond, but believe me, it’s no secret to the Europeans. They (and quite a few Americans) are here in droves. And I can see why. The cities are dense and crowded but still have a certain attractive flavor, and the countryside and smaller towns are beautiful and historic.
Today was spent on a four hour hop-on, hop-off bus tour around the west and north side of the isle, including a horse-drawn tour of Mdina (“em-DEE-nuh), the former capital city and the highest point on the island, followed by a visit to one of the most famous and beautiful cathedrals in all of Europe, the Valletta St. John’s Co-Cathedral.
Thursday, May 8
Onboard M/V Corinthian
Valletta
After breakfast at the hotel, we were all loaded onto (four) buses and driven to the harbor, where we boarded the Corinthian, surrendered our passports, and were given the key cards to our cabins. Though there are 98 passengers aboard, we are divided into four groups, each labeled by a color. I am in the BLUE group.
Unpacking was next, followed by a light lunch and a discovery walk about the ship. My cabin is on Deck 3, which turns out to be the “main deck” for getting on and off the ship. One level down is the dining room and one level up is the lounge and bar, so I guess I’m set.
There is also a lounge and library on my deck and sun decks forward on Deck 6 and aft on Deck 5. The hot tub (no pool) is forward on Deck 6.
Two meetings this afternoon: a compulsory emergency drill and then a meeting of the BLUE group with Gabo, our group leader, who I like a lot. Great first impression, and the main rule, which he told us about on the bus, was that there would be no discussions allowed at any time, about American politics. Whew!.
Dinner tonight was very nice, a veal steak cooked perfectly, followed by a delightful crème brûle plate.
Tomorrow is our last day in Valletta. There is a ship’s walking tour in the morning, after which I’m going to take South, the other hop-on hop-off tour that I didn’t get to do yesterday because I ran out of time.
Friday, May 9
Our last day on Malta started with a nice breakfast on board the ship, followed by a downtown Valletta tour with a local guide who was pretty much worthless. She went on a major rant about all the immigrants who come here for employment opportunities, how their wage levels don’t result in taxes being paid, and how difficult that makes it for the Maltese people with higher costs for rent and health care.
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