Enjoying the life in Senglea, today will be a story and not pictures

George went off to the gym, Trudi went for a explore on her own, Russ slept in and I got up to do my work on computer and some washing. We are falling into our happy space!

We left George to work in peace for the morning and set out to Sam and Anna’s in Attard for morning tea! One wrong turn and we went zooming through a tunnel on our way to Sliema. So not the plan!

First exit off and once again headed north arriving at our destination only 3 minutes late – all roads lead to somewhere and with patience we arrive!

Great morning with Sam and Anna, teaching Sam some computer skills chatting, coffee and cake!

We headed back around 2pm in time for lunch and Russ to have a lie down!

Then off to the optometrists for George and Russ – mission accomplished, well almost! George has prescription and could not find any glasses he liked and in three days time Russ will be sporting his new bi-focals!

Trudi and Sue sitting on our wee deck having a quiet little drink and the boys are ‘chilling’ inside!

Another local adventure planned for tomorrow – watch this space so much to do before we shift next Monday to our new abode!

The street market in Birgu – a must do on a Tuesday morning in Malta!

George rose first in darkness and took off for a gym session at 6am. Trudi and Sue out the door at 7am to beat the crowds at the infamous Birgu Street market, where all the streets are closed and the local stalls are set up from 6am until midday.

Hot already!

Today’s pictures share with you the life of the market – you will just need to imagine the noise and yelling!

Handbags – everything Italian and nothing over 15 Euro ($25 NZ)

The first of about 30 handbag stalls!!!

Bread, buns and everything carbohydrate!

Smooching the shoes and George caught us on his way home from the gym – didn’t stay long, just enough time to drink my water and head back to work. He said Dad made a good choice not to join us as it was a place of clothes and shoes. Perfect! But he obviously didn’t notice the food…

Olives, and other fabulous food

Fruit and vege straight from the farms!

Half way up the street we spied a cafe/bar – the best coffee (cappuccino) in Malta so far! And in a mug.

I found some clear rubbish bags for our recycling (collected every day) a roll for 1 Euro

Hit the top of the market about 10am

With a morning meet up arranged it was a quick trot back down back the street and across the bridge to Senglea meet our cousin Evelyn and Russ. A beer for morning tea after a hot morning in the market.

Home again around 1pm, George well ready for a break, so we donned bathing suits, grabbed towels and water bottles and headed over the hill to Rinella beach

George only allowed himself an hour, so cooled and awake again, we dropped him back to his computer and we headed to Lidel to stock up again! Russ is cooking tea and finally Trudi and I are “Relaxing”

Busy day on feet, in car, in water and up steps, everywhere we walk has steps! Kiwi legs are getting good workouts!

George arrived last night for his week with the travelling trio (even though he has to work he can enjoy the warmth before the English winter)

Catch up time!

This morning Trudi and Sue walked to the car boot market in Birgu while the boys had breakfast

Still, clear, sunny morning in the Kottonera inlet

Looking back at our Senglea home!

We then met Russ and George at ‘Rouge Cafe’ for a coffee – cooling off under their umbrellas.

As George only had today and next Saturday to be away from his computer, we decided a trip to Mdina then a beach swim were the activities of choice for today….following is a series of pictures from Mdina – the highest city fortress on the island of Malta!

Transport through the city – poor horses we did not subject them to the job of carting us around!

George Sue and Russ in the streets of Mdina

Russ Sue and Trudi on the steps of cathedral (after donning capes and having a moment inside while mass was in progress)

Inside the cathedral

View from the wall from north to south

In hunt for a cool drink the cafes choose to remind us what is important

However due to a large number of tourists we chose to sojourn to Rabat – the adjoining city to quench our thirst – then off to the beach…

Gnejna Bay where lots of Maltese families were enjoying the Sunday afternoon – add four kiwis and the mix was perfect. The sea was warm and the little fish nibbled away at our feet the minute we put them down! I quite liked this but George and Trudi chose to float!

The Maltese Bach’s are built into the rock faces – very cute.

Refreshed and cool we headed back to Senglea to hopefully snatch a car park for the evening. Again we lucked in only 50 Meters down the road – so the car is tucked in for the night and we are chilling in the air conditioned flat!

Lemon and Lime Irish pub again for breakfast and the All Blacks v’s South Africa – Kevin joined us, the coffee was great, the breakfast great, the game a hard one to watch!

Down the road to St Thomas Bay for a dip and picture of Sue waiting for Kevin with her fan club!

The sea was a very welcome relief after standing in the car park for 30 minutes wondering where Kev had got to. We did not realise there was another car park at the other end of the beach.

A perfect little swimming hole and now even patrolled by lifeguards, a very easy job compared to New Zealand, we have even seen them sleeping!

Back to the car and looking along the south end of the beach

Kev tootled off to do some more work on his apartment and we headed to the supermarket and fruit and vege truck to stock up on fruit and water mainly. The tap water here is very salty as they have not had rain for months and even boiled has a very bitter taste in our coffee! George arrives tonight from England to spend a week with us, so quiet afternoon…

Relaxed start to the morning, Russ wandered to the local shop to buy milk and came back after checking his Wednesday lotto with a 65 euro win (about $120 NZD)!

We jumped in the car after 9am, and hit traffic chaos on our way to the beach, Destination Golden Bay.

In the north and on the other coast of the island, also home to the Radisson Resort hotel

Slightly overcast and even three drops of rain! Perfect day for the beach – the sea was warm and blue and even a little wave break on the shore. Lots of tourists all sporting speedos and bikinis with a lot of extra bits we didn’t really need to see!! In Malta anything goes!

Around 1pm we left and headed across the country to Xemxija (st Paul’s bay) for a bite of lunch and,surprise, a cool beer!

This is the site where St Paul evidently was shipwrecked on his way to Rome

Looking out from the cafe

In the distance in this image above you can seeon the island the memorial monument to St Paul’s shipwreck.

Back down the centre of the island and stopping st the San Anton Palace and gardens (after numerous wrong turns and one way street tours through Attard -the navigation system malfunctioning – Russ!)

This is the Presidents residence and historic kings gardens open to the public. However due to the lack of rain this summer the flowers were few and far between

The swans and ducks were enjoying the fountain pools however!

And Russ and Sue rested at the entrance to the presidents quarters

Inside the halls there was this beautiful private chapel

And on our back to the car Russ decided to play ‘Where’s Wally’ in the maze surely designed for short people or children!

Hot and a little bothered, after this expedition, it was time to head home. The road works (not the human GPS) delaying our journey back to the comfort of our air conditioned apartment. Now relaxing with a nice cool beverage (again).

Friday night ahead and we look forward to whatever this may bring.

Time to venture further north on this amazing island. We took the 8.30am ferry to Valletta

Up in the lift (the steel and glass tower in picture below) from the ferry to barracca gardens in Valletta

And went in search of the monument commemorating all the commonwealth airmen who never made it back from fighting in the Mediterranean in the 2nd world war. New Zealanders included.

Just outside the gates of Valletta – their names are engraved forever – surrounded by beautiful gardens

The old bus terminal at the entrance to the Valletta gate has moved further out and in its place is a new statue with fountainand pedestrian area.

We had then arranged to meet our Maltese friend, Charles, at the Barracca gardens cafe at 10am for our morning coffee and tri annual catch up. Great coffee and cool green gardens

After which a day exploring Valletta was planned – so at midday we set off and found the market place – then food. Trudi and Russell opting for the traditional ftira sandwich of tuna and salad (this being half the size of a large pizza and about 3 inches high) Trudi gasped at the sight of her enormous lunch and the waiter looked perturbed until Sue explained she was shocked at the size only! A short time later another guest (rather large chap) who was leaving, stopped at our table and said to Trudi ‘You not only get a suntan in Malta, you get FAT!” It was at this point, when all were sated that Russell decided to leave the girls, as he realised the rest of the day was going to be dedicated to retail therapy!!!

The main street of Valletta was awash with tourists off the cruise ship – walking in snake lines behind their guides and extremely busy the further down we got

Choosing the path less travelled Trudi and Sue found many interesting shops on the side streets (the odd purchase here and there) until reaching almost the bottom, footsore and very hot, and rested in the shade of the Palace of the grand Masters

Then proceeded to battle the throngs up the Main Street narrowly avoiding being coerced into a beauty shop who promised to sort out Sues wrinkles! Seriously too late!

The evening nearing and in desperate need of a cool drink, with half an hour to kill before the next ferry from Valletta to Bormla, what better to do than sit at the top of the barracca lift and enjoy a nice cold beer!

Catching the 4.45pm boat we arranged to meet Russell in Senglea for a drink and bite to eat before heading home.

Beautiful (and huge) Caesar salads all round

Thursday night is housie night on the waterfront and all the women were out to play ! This fabulous little truck arrived stacked with lollies to snack on for the housie players, who could resist…actually we did but loved the truck!

Housie WAS on the agenda for us today but, as we hadn’t been back home for 12 hours, a shower and quiet time was looking pretty inviting.

Today we have delved into history, caught up with old friends, shopped till we dropped and enjoyed a great meal that we didn’t have to cook! Goodnight Kiwis!

We started our adventures in Senglea with evening drinks and dinner on the water front with Rols and Kevin – Trudi and Russell enjoying the first beverage

Waking up at 7am this morning, the body clocks are finally back in sync, Trudi and Sue embarked on their early morning walk to explore their new town of Senglea. Sue sporting a very black little toe from falling down the stairwell last night, thankfully only a sprain not a break!

Sunrise at Gardjola Garden lookout, sporting the leopard skin shorts as no athletic shorts were packed. and views of todays cruise ship that just arrived in port for the day.

Across the Grand Harbour to the gates of Valetta (the capital city of Malta)

To the ports where the oil rigs and other superyachts are in for servicing

Having left Russell in peace to have his breakfast, we  returned at 8am for our morning coffee and toast….already hot outside and looking forward to the coolness of our airconditioned apartment.  However not for long…the electricity went off! No Toast! No Aircon! No Internet or lights! and warming up very quickly.  We contacted the owners who said they “would get on to it” and off we went to Vittoriosa for our morning coffee in the square, fully confident that by the time we returned all would be sorted.

The Band Club, and punters enjoying their morning coffee or beer!

Very pleasant, and the next stop was Lidl (the Pak n Save of Malta) to stock up on our supplies for the week. I think the checkout lady thought we were opening a Liquor store as the bulk of our shopping was wine and beer (which is very cheap at Lidl).  Sue managed to drive home without a wrong turn and snatched a park in front of the apartment to unload, which was very fortunate as we had some very heavy bags.  And the lift was working so we assumed (incorrectly) that the power was all sorted as several hours had elapsed.

Still no power, we threw the perishables in the fridge as quickly as we could (to keep the cold in) and it was pretty uncomfortable in our now very warm apartment. The said owners were once again contacted, and were out at lunch. Carmen, our neighbour on the deck opposite (and new Maltese friend) told us to call back and be “Tough” – so we did yet again.  Russ decided on a lie down, and Trudi and Sue wandered to the point to to have a dip in the harbour to cool off (both physically and mentally!

At which time Sue made yet another phone call to the appartment owners and the phone ran out of credit.  However, they did realise that these travelling Kiwis were not going to leave them alone, and swelter in the heat and darkness for the night. They subsequently rang Russell back (he also had left several messages) and advised him to flick a switch in the entrance and all was fixed.  This could have been achieved 6 hours earlier and Sues phone credit may not have run out!  Sue and Trudi headed back, now nice and cool, and made a unanimous decision that a long tall rum and coke was needed at the waterfront bar on the way back after powerless day!

Tonight, as our food and drinks are now nicely chilled, and so is the appartment with the aircon in action,  it may be a night in and we will throw a light dinner together.  Tomorrow we venture across the harbour to capital city, Valletta (by ferry)….. Three “Cool” Kiwis in a happy place once again.

 

One would think that a seaside view looking over the bay to the container port would not be their ideal holiday destination, but waking up to this today, not a breath of wind and a heat haze on the horizon was magic….

No time to dwell, however, as we needed to be clear of the abode by 10am, and three kiwis can collect a lot of extra baggage in a week! As this apartment was extremely sparse, we had cleaning stuff, eating stuff and drinking stuff that all needed to be bagged and carried down the stairs into the cars. Yes we needed two! Rols very kindly brought the little van to help transport us to our new residence.

Having made contact with the new owners, we had arranged to drop our bags at 10.30am and come back at 2.00pm after the cleaning. Thank goodness our new place has a lift!

Having duly deposited all belongings we decided a coffee was needed, and only a short stroll to the waterfront cafes. Little did we know that after fiesta week in Senglea, the cafes are closed! So we walked into Bormla to ‘Cafe Rouge’ which is always open. This next image is for mum – the new university that was dilapidated dockyards

And after 30 minutes walking in the searing heat, we decided we needed a cold one.

Milkshakes for Trudi and Sue – with copious amounts of cream! Great for our figures!

A ginger beer for Russ, well actually half a ginger beer, as having mastered the art of Maltese sign language to a passer by, Russ managed to pour his remaining half over the pavement!

Still with two hours to fill in, while the cleaners did their magic, we visited the convenience store to stock up on the basics; bread, beer and wine! Strolling in the shade back to Senglea (by now temperature felt like 40 degrees) we stopped at the only place open for a cold beer! To fill in time of course!

Waiting waiting….1.30pm we decided the cleaners must be nearly done. Not so, but we collapsed on the couch like the three wise monkeys (sweaty hot monkeys!) and waited again.

We did kind of rush them I guess and they forgot to take the previous inhabitants very large bag of smelly rubbish, which we will need to dispose of! But the place is lovely and newly refurbished and we have air conditioning!!

Trud and I have our small deck and with a traditional Maltese view each way…downhill;

And uphill;

After a fabulous shower to wash away the waiting we are ready for the next chapter of our adventures

Last night three tired, lazy kiwis, who could not face cooking, wandered along the bay and found an English run cafe (waitress about 100 years old – but very efficient) prawn cocktail, chips, hamburger for tea! And feeling a bit ‘beered out’ decided on a “rum and coke” for 1.25 euro ($2.00 NZ) so we just had to have a 2nd one.

The sun went down and this massive container ship (that we had been watching load up all week) up anchored and, with the assistance of three tugs, launched into its journey – the photo doesn’t do justice to the process, it was magnificent!

This morning Sue decided that she need a break from battling with the Maltese roads and drivers and have a relaxing day getting ready to shift tomorrow from this shipping town to the new apartment in Senglea.

Locked the car! And Trudi and Sue went exploring(by foot)

The bougainvillea is in full bloom…

Through the town of Birzebuggia and the town church was catching the morning rays.

Along the waterfront towards the container port and we found one of Trudi’s childhood memories…couldn’t resist!

Still too early for the shops to open, we stopped at a lovely open air cafe by the beach….sat down to enjoy the perfect double shot ‘hot’ coffee

Bliss …. well almost. We didn’t count on main street action on a Monday morning. A crane across the road bucketing concrete from a truck (engine on and back cylinder revolving – ‘crunch’ ‘crunch’) then right by the cafe a road worker decided to drill out a pot hole for repair with a ‘jack hammer’!!!!! All the while Sue was trying to have a nice relaxed chat with Mary back home and she was laughing at the Maltese turmoil as she remembers well!

Time to up anchor and leave, so to speak, as the shops were now opening.

The fruit and vege truck, A charity shop(never leave these empty handed), some local retailers with a huge variety of treasures to look at and homeward bound.

A rest in the park, and back with Russ by 11.00am with his home baked apple pie!!! Since he had been behaving we brought him a treat!

And this guy stops every day, but apple pies and Maltese bread are more than we need to sustain our athletic kiwi figures !!!! At least a long walk was had by two!

Last day in Birzebuggia and watch for the ‘Cottonera’ adventures – the old cities steeped in history and ‘Noise’

Finally our body clocks are adjusting, we actually slept until nearly 6am….we were up enjoying our morning coffee in time to welcome the young polish crew (from the neighbouring apartment) arriving back from a night on the town…..looking somewhat less jolly than when they left to taste the party life of Malta at 9pm last night.

Sue and Trudi took off to the Sunday car boot market in Birgu, an old haunt and still as busy as ever at 7am. Extremely hot and dusty and picked up a few great bargains – mainly lightweight summer clothes!!! They may not make it back to New Zealand but will certainly be useful in the current climate! All purchases came home to go straight in the washing machine.

By 9am we were back and Russ was fed and watered and ready for a swim. A short stroll to the little beach on the corner with the Sunday families.

A Maltese family with 2-3 year old girl triplets enjoying the cool water.

This image was capturing the container leaving port and, as a bonus, the rear end of a female swimmer (for all you blokes still wrapped in winter woolies)

Back to apartment for a quick shower and off to Kev and Rols (the apartment we will eventually inhabit before this trip is over) for lunch. Family time – good food – laughter and relaxing. Now back in Birzebuggia for a quiet evening while we plan tomorrow’s adventures.

Three very relaxed kiwis winding down