We woke to wet roads, wet deck and wet George returning from the gym. Rain is very welcome in Malta at this time of the year!
We left George in peace with the objective to visit our local church, on Russell’s 61st birthday and coincidently Maltese Independence Day, a public holiday.
Rain ceased and we spied our landmark from the Main Street of Senglea (when we get lost we look for the giraffe crane)
Then onto the Senglea Church – only open in the mornings
Outside and, having donned respectable clothes (no short shorts or sleeveless tops), the inside..
The Maltese Cross coloured glass at entrance
Front of church pulpit and pivotal focus of this magnificent building – ornate carvings, statues, chandeliers, glass, wood and Gold!
There were about 30 of these
Side room and tiled floors
This child angel looks almost real
Side alcove (one of many) all so well maintained and clean!
Then off in search of a coffee – only 10am and too early for the waterfront cafes after the rain!
Over the bridge and back to our go to – Cafe Rouge
Two coffees later we decided to see how George was going and he met us to take the ferry to Valletta for lunch!
Two huge cruise ships in..
as we docked at the Valletta wharf!
Up in the lift and some family photo opportunities at Barraka gardens overlooking the Grand Harbour.
Russ and George
Russ, Sue and George
And…
Trudi, Russ and Sue With two of the three cities (Birgu and Bormla) in the background.
Off in search of food
Consequently Valletta was buzzing with lines of tourists! And all the cafes were pretty full! We ended up in a food hall eating Kebabs and drinking a coke and George logged in to work life
Russ decided (as it was his birthday) a walking tour of Valletta was needed! George left us and went home to carry on with work. Public holiday in Malta does not mean public holiday in England!
The remaining three trapsed around the streets of Valletta finding, by this time, most of the attractions closed and thousands of those boat (cruise ship) people wandering aimlessly.
A quiet, steep side street earlier in the day, which we walked from the bottom up at the end of our hike!
Lots of construction sites and tired legs! Vittoriosa definitely a better choice for a walking tour!
On the ferry and back to the home side, desperately in need of refreshment, as after the rains comes the humidity!
Our local convenience store offered this much needed respite. Russ ran into his new buddie and the icing on the cake (actually no cake just a nice cold beer) was ‘Johnny Be Goode’ giving Russ a couple of treasures he had stashed in the back of his car…
Antique China car (extremely heavy) and boat!
Whoever received such special birthday presents!
Rest time, legs up before a dinner out for some birthday celebrations…
All who wander are not Lost girls 