So Malta has now decided to remind me that it may be time to head to the Southern Hemisphere for summer.
At 8am thunderstorms heading our way.
While the rest of the team were breakfasting, I went to the bank (on foot) only to get drenched when the heavens opened.
Upon my return, it had cleared and looked promising for our morning excursion to Mdina (4th visit for Russ and Sue).
Arriving to Mdina, in the sunshine, first stop Rabat for coffee.
Fine specimen of motorcycling on the streets of Rabat.
Sue and Wendy exploring the residential areas.
After refreshment, sitting in the sunshine and stripping off some clothing layers, we made our way through the town of Rabat towards Mdina.
We came across some large villas with very large gardens (for Malta) in Rabat. (This one has a pool under the balcony).
Very lush garden (villa hidden) – this street is obviously one of wealth.
The thunder clouds , by this time, had rolled back in and the weather was looking decidedly ominous. However, we chose to go underground to the Mdina dungeons (Malta’s museum of crime and punishment). This is where the inquisitors meted our punishment to the heretics.
This sign explains this era of Maltese history, where horrific torture was undertaken by the inquisitors from the 1500’s until Napoleon Bonaparte put a stop to it 2000 years later.
Shaming masks locked on to offenders as a form of torture.
Another torture process – hanging upside down.
Suspended Iron maiden where the heretics were imprisoned. (Until death)
Stretching on spiked rollers and there were many more re-inactments of torture processes – even more gruesome than shown here. This is enough to share for one day!
By the time we surfaced, the storm was in full force, so after a quick look in the glass shops, we sheltered in a cafe for a bite to eat.
As the weather did not seem to be easing, we made a dash to the exit with one last shop for Wendy near the gate.
Russ and I were waiting outside (the shop) and a poor horse (with cart and driver) looked very miserable. I said to the driver “even your horse looks cold”. He scowled at me (thinking I had said “hot” – HOT horses are a sore point with these guys, as a horse dropped dead from the heat over summer and they are trying to ban this activity)
These horse and carts are a tourist operation. The man then snapped at me “are you hot?”, which was silly question, as I was obviously cold! I said “no, I’m cold” – he then told me “you are talking from your arse!” (Two times). Very rude and nasty, and the scowl continued!
Time to make a run for the car and head home for the afternoon to get out of the rain!
AND Go the All Blacks!
All who wander are not Lost girls 