Ghar Lapsi – another day another swimming hole!

Gym, work, coffee and a quick trip to the street market for veges all done by 8.30am, time for a coffee and on the road by 9.30 heading towards the swimming hole on the west coast.

The swimming hole….

And the Bonnici-Carter-Wulff-Hansen camp at the cove. That sounds like a lot of humans, but actually only four!

Maltese Luzzu (fishing boats) moored next to the rocks.

Filfla Island off the coast.

The boat launching ramp….always a cool turquoise sea welcoming the kiwi Norwegian crew!

A couple of swims and sun baking time for Kat and George, Russ and Sue retired to the cafe on the hill, in the shade and a nice cool breeze.

Then it was home, via the supermarket, Kat and George cooking tea.

Sue dropped the brothers to the airport only to be deterred by…

The “elephant” crane blocking their street upon pick up. Talking to the operator (driving this thing by remote) this crane (concrete pump) is actually called “elephant”

Sue contacted our Serbian friend Milo, and met him after his work (on the cool side – Senglea) for a long overdue catch up….my other surrogate son!

Just a couple of Pics from last night in the evening and our stroll along the Birgu wharf….

George trying to sell left over pizza…

Father son contemplation….in the evening dusk.

And hugs before bedtime!

A carless Monday found us exploring the city of Birgu and surrounds on foot…

After a morning of work (for Sue), gym (for Kat and George) and eating and washing (for Russell), the unanimous decision was to head to the Birgu waterhole for a much needed swim.

Of course, Russ and Sue stopped for a coffee on the way. A cool dip and a nap on the waters edge was enough for Sue and Russ. Time to explore!

We walked the backside of the Birgu waters edge and fortress towards the town of Kalkara, soaking up the sights and sounds of a Maltese Monday. The odd chat to the locals on the way.

Boats at moorings and boatyards, preparing for a summer on the sea..Kalkara is still a bit untouched by the frantic tourist trade, but obviously only a step away, with boutique hotels noticeably being restored on the waters edge.

A shady stop at the public loo and a rest in the shade before heading back into the Birgu fortress walls.

Walking in the restored gardens between the two towering walls. The original wall of old Birgu and the fortifications of the 2nd wall built in the 1600s (the era of the knights).

The original stairways unearthed in the restoration of the walls and gardens.

Olive trees and the merest hint of grass in the gardens, providing some much needed shade and still green and surviving in what promises to be a very long hot summer.

A bit of a climb out, but we did well, ducking and diving for each hint of shade (and a little rest). We didn’t realise the outside walls at the entrance were so long and more exploring is in order…..the residential areas behind these walls, but that is for another day. We had already had a good two hours on foot, and a cool drink and lunch were beckoning.

Where are the young ones you may ask? Kat is still soaking up the sunshine at the waterhole, George has been home, eaten, slept and headed back to his girl! Russ having a nap now, one and all in their happy places! Me it’s 4pm – cisk time for this Maltese Kiwi!

Another challenge done and dusted, Sue jumped off the Cliff at St Peters Pool!

That was today, and my “high” light of the last twenty four hours.

Stepping back to last night the remaining three kiwis and one Norwegian hit the town! George and Kat took Russ and I out for dinner to Valletta. The others chose pasta dishes, but I chose steamed mussels in garlic and coriander (entree size and about 30 mussels)…to die for! Great night out in the Capital of Malta.

Valletta nighttime lights! Strolling back to catch our ferry, now on the Summer timetable and running until late. Not enough research done on departure times however, as after 7pm they don’t run on the half hour! Just missed the 8.50 one and next one not until 10pm. A Luzzu came to our rescue, in the dark, and for a mere 10 euro delivered us back to the old town of Birgu..

This morning, as it is now rolling into the high tourist season, and Kat and George wanted to visited St Peters Pool, the only option was an early start, to beat the crowds!

A shortcut that ended in a walking track and a slight (and very bumpy) detour, we still made it to the destination by 9.30am, and were four of the first 10 to arrive!

Prime position on the cliff edge, George took the first leap of the high side….and as this is my 6th or so visit, I also decided it was now or never!

Before the Jump, which is earlier in this story..

Crowds were piling in by 11am and it was getting hotter and hotter on the rock, we had certainly had the best part of the day! Leaving our great morning behind and looking back at the bay…it really is one of most beautiful swimming holes on the island.

Back to Birgu for Lunch, and what should be happening in our own little square? … a classic car line up!

Don this ones for you – spot the Wolseley! English and European classics parked up in the midday heat.

Lunch and naps for some, I spent the afternoon booking the Norwegian leg of our trip in August and then it was time for a visit to Kevin’s sewing machine for some tailoring repairs on George’s shirt.

Successful afternoon, flights and accommodation booked, shirt repaired and dinner ready, Sues homemade hamburgers, for Russ for Maltese Fathers Day!

Saturday afternoon sitting in the sunshine and breeze on the roof deck with live music drifting across the harbour.

The termoil of the morning, workers, shoppers, cars and tourists has been replaced with gentle tones of Ed Sheehan playing out, while the humans are resting, dining or cooling off at the beaches.

Just sometimes the world stops…..

For the kiwi travellers it was a morning of supermarket shopping, and

Coffee time as the throngs of tours from the cruise ships ploughed through our little city.

The young ones having completed their daily exercises and breakfasted were then ready to hit the beach…..space on the sand at a premium.

George and Russ sharing some father son time drying off on the well used umbrella chairs which travelled with us from NZ.

Picture postcard set up on Rinella beach directly in front. Three swims later, and very salty and a little hungry, we headed back to the house for lunch, Kat opting to head straight to the water hole for more sun and sea. Russ and George needing a nap!

Time for a shower to wash of the salt and an evening out in Valletta planned.

Just a short trip across the harbour and ferries run until 11.30pm on the summer schedule. Car parked up for the evening and Sue can relax.

Our last night with Jaxon Steph and Mike started in Senglea for drinks with Kev and Rols ….. and on an excursion to the loo I ran into my lovely friend from last year, Carmen the concert pianist! There she was trucking down to the waterfront in the trademark pink jacket after sun went down.

She joined us for a coffee, and on next loo excursion she headed home, with a promise to catch up next week! Kev, Rols and Sally headed off, the rest of us had a bite to eat, george, Kat, Jax and Steph headed home and that left three kiwis…..Sue, Russ and Mike… not ready to go to bed. Birgu, our waterfront was alive with the Queen concert practice, and we decided to take a walk and get up close and personal with the band.

Like right on the stage! Booming music and no people! Perfect way to visit a concert! Loud! The actual concert tonight is “Rock the Fort” at the end of the harbour near Fort St Angelo. Parking at a premium in our little city tonight, and we can sit on the deck and enjoy the sounds (without having to use one of the thirty portaloos lined up at the base of the fort)

Strolling back this super “Super yacht” moored and lit up in the harbour – Mandango – built in New Zealand – about 54 meters long!

And the super launch’s lighting up the harbour like the blue grotto!

This morning, early start, 6am on the road to take Jax, Steph and Mike to the airport! Two kiwis back to NZ and one back to Canada! Smooth sailing at airport and Russ and I headed home to a cleanup day!

Even the pink backpack got a wash! Along with sheets, towels, mats, deck, floors, steps, bathrooms, kitchens and feet!

George and Kat now have big apartment number two all to themselves and Russ and I are status quo in apartment number one!

A rain check on socialising and a quiet (or maybe not when the band cranks up) on the rooftop deck!

The closest sandy beach over a couple of inlets, Rinella bay.

But first, the last trip to Paola for Steph to collect her treasure, Jax and Russ to have a six euro haircut… and Sue the driver.

Mike, George and Kat got a jump on the beach!

The Paola crew celebrated their morning with a coffee in the square.

Russ enjoying a second breakfast of bruschetta – a deal for 2.5 euro! (About $4.00 NZ)

Back to the house for Steph and Jax to pack and Russ to have a nap. Very hot and humid.

Sue jumped in the car and met the beach babies at Rinella beach….

Three swims later and body temperature a few degrees lower, we all headed back for showers before meeting Sam and Anna at Attard in the garden bar for a final farewell drink for the three kiwis heading back to NZ/Canada early in the morning.

Final packing duties and we are out to dinner to meet Kev and Rols for a dinner on the waterfront!

Sue had a big catch up on work this morning – now better connected to NZ server.

Had a coffee break with the team, Dan note van in background!…..before the “young ones” headed off on a day of adventure on a boat cruise to Comino and the Blue Lagoon.

A bit more work then into Birgu square on the hunt for a few repair supplies and cleaning products!

Number two coffee break for Russ and Sue!

Getting rid of glass in Malta is a bit of a challenge, it is not included in the weekly recycling, and collection is only once a month! So armed with full bag we set off to fgura to dispose of in a recycling bin. Then off to Senglea waterfront right around the end where we were meeting Kevin, Rols and friend Sally from Paris for lunch.

Russ chilling on the Harbour’s edge

Thinking about a dip with this huge cruise ship (carrying 4500 Passengers) across the channel.

Panorama of today’s visitors to the Island. After an overcast morning, the clouds burned off and the wind dropped…backing up a week of very hot days.

The bar/cafe in the foreground and the oil rigs in the background, we spent a very pleasant afternoon with a warm sea breeze, shooting the breeze with brothers and Sally!

Already 4.30pm, a quick trip to the supermarket for salad supplies and home before the troops, who will probably appear around 7pm!

Today ended with a visit to the “Dragons Teeth” in Marsakala – obstactacles put in the bay to deter the Germans getting to the Malta shore. The hooks and spiked at the side have rusted off.

The day started with the Norwegian kiwis off on their exercise routine, Sue trying to work and stomping her feet on the tiled floor as connection to work server so slow it was going backwards….

Gave up! And Russ sue and Steph headed to the street market.,..this time to kit Russ out in some new shorts and T-shirt’s.

Sue and Steph then had a wedding dress fitting (Sue the driver, Steph the model) Amost there!

Then it was back home through the streets of Birgu…

And a great day for the washing…

Hanging out the Maltese windows – maltese women have long arms!

Picked up the troupes, minus Jaxon and Steph, Jaxon with a summer flu and Steph looking after him and we headed to St Thomas Bay waterhole for a swim.

A couple of hours cooling off, and a trip to visit the “Dragons Teeth”, a must do in Bizzare Malta!

George and Kat hanging out in the Maltese seaside Bach town!

Back to the hacienda, and on the deck with a welcome cloud cover cooling off the evening.

The kiwi athletes hit the road early, Kat went running, George and Russ went walking, Sue working and the rest of the team arising a bit slower to another warm day.

Kat and George then went to the gym and after breakfasting, Russ stayed home and the rest of the team headed to the Blue Grotto for a swim!

Lookout from the top, and straight down onto the yachts at anchor!

We then drove down into the car park, and headed right to the swimming hole – to cool the kiwi feathers!

Swimming off the rocks – see Mike in the middle!

Kat still soaking up the sunshine and….

Steph and Sue sitting on the edge spotting the jellyfish – there are still a few around as the waters not so warm yet.

It was so calm we decided to do a Luzzu cruise into the caves…

The window in the cliffs, as pointed out by our driver.

Our skipper at the helm with the umbrella for shade, none for the punters, tied onto the back of the boat.

And the clear blue turquoise seas of the blue grotto! One of many caves we visited.

A trip certainly worth taking, then back up the hill for a quick bite and drink before the next tour stop..at which time Sue realised she had lost the rental car keys!!!! Bag emptied out, last option, Mike checked the car and sure enough there they were in the ignition. Only to be informed, by the very kind parking man, that I had actually walked and left the car going. He turned it off and kept and eye on the car until we returned (2 hours later)…. worthy of another little tip I thought.

We then headed to Qrendi, to visit the 400 year old church on the edge of the sink hole (Malta’s Grand Canyon – our kiwi nickname).

A stop at Scott’s supermarket for salad supplies and home to collect Russ to go visit Sammy and Anna (our cousins in Attard)

The fireball sun setting on 40 plane arrivals last night at Malta airport to greet George and Kat to a hot steamy evening.

Jaxon, Steph and Sue up early this morning, to visit the Car boot market by 7.00am, still and hot and very busy with bargain hunting locals and a couple of Kiwis.

Already by 9.00am the heat was getting to one and all so it was off to the Birgu swimming hole.

Kat soaking up the sun after her Norwegian winter. I managed to swim a length of the buoyed off area (felt like half a mile – possibly 800meters)

Relaxing on the waters edge with a few more locals coming down for a dip. Today must’ve hit about 38 degrees celcius….a little hot for some of the Kiwis.

Watching the world go by…the locals were heading out to their boats by..

Overloaded dinghy and no life jackets. Mmmm maybe a couple of trips would have been safer.

Back to the house, after a coffee stop, to find the air bed (George and Kats bed) floating. The hose had come off the washing machine and flooded the upstairs bunk room.. Still with today’s temperatures, the dry out time was only half an hour!

Headed north to meet cousin Neville and Michelle at St Pauls Bay, planning a stop a Buggibba for the team to see the tourist area…no car parks anywhere and car number two needed a gas stop. Most gas stations are closed on Sunday, and finding one meant we were nearly at our destination and close to the meeting time.

Barracuda sports club and another swim stop!

And a fun afternoon spent with two more fabulous cousins!!