Tuesday 10th September

Valletta, Malta 

Today we sailed into the beautiful harbour of Valetta.  In my opinion the best sail in so far.  As usual we have a private tour with 31 other like minded passengers.  Our guide, Vince was there to meet us and we set off on a day of adventure.  First stop was to the Upper Barrakka Garden for our first photo stop and walk around the old walled centre of Valetta.  We had time to go through the Grand Master's Palace which we missed last year.  The Palace was the former residence of the Grandmaster of the Knights of St John and today is home to the Parliament of Malta.  A huge display of knight's armour and artillery downstairs and the beautiful palace rooms upstairs.  Some visited the amazing St John's Cathedral but we had seen this on our last visit but definitely worth a visit.  After making our way back to the meeting spot we waited for about an hour for our bus to reappear that apparently had "technical issues".  On our way again to the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk which is characterised by the brightly painted fishing boats that all have two eyes painted at the front to ward off evil intent.  From here we went to the Blue Grotto to get that photo then on to the Hagar Qim ruins and the Dingli Cliffs before ending at our lunch stop at the medieval city of Mdina, Malta's original capital.  After a stroll the the old city and a photograph of the amazing view from the old wall we made our way back to the port.  There was time for some last minute duty free shopping at the port which included a top up of our wine supplies then we welcomed the comfort or air conditioning after a very hot and dusty day in Malta.  Our sailaway was amazing as the afternoon sun highlighted all the beautiful buildings of Malta and the big surprise was our 7 gun salute as we sailed past the gardens.  Just fantastic.  Have I mentioned that I live cruising!!!  Now for a well earnt 4 days at sea while we sail to out next port of Aqaba, Jordon via the Suez Canal.  This should be interesting!

Our sail in to the beautiful harbour of Valetta

Auberge de Castille

The beautiful streets of Malta with their colourful gossip boxes.

The Grand Master's Palace

St George's Square and one of our lunch favourites from last year on the left.

The old town of Vittoriosa where we stayed last year.

Our knights's castle where we had our family holiday last year.

Church of St Catherine

Marsaxlokk 

Blue Grotto

Hagar Qim

The Dingli Cliffs

The entrance to the old medieval town, Mdina

The amazing view from the wall.

Our farewell at the port.

Cospicua, one of the three old cities as we were sailing out.

Our final farewell, the seven gun salute!! Fantastic.... Love Malta!