Saturday 10th October 2026
In Valletta
Got awoken by a massive thunderstorm with plenty of lightning visible from our rooftop apartment.
Having arrived in the middle of the night we did not get a chance to see the rest of the complex. It’s three houses combined into one and as expected a maze of rooms. There is reception, library, bar, breakfast room, numerous other accommodation
rooms, two outdoor pools, one indoor pool, a salt room, sauna and jacuzzi and we had a huge outdoor area. It’s truly amazing as was the service provided by mine host.
A lovely breakfast was followed by an unsuccessful wait for a bus to Valetta, about 30 minutes away. Ended up in an Uber and continued our trend with a race car driver at the wheel listening to God inspired music. Black, music and God seem to go together here .
We wound our away down to town through both ancient and modern suburbs on narrow roads , many affected due to overnight rain. Traffic was horrendous even without traffic lights, roundabouts and very courteous drivers. The number of new units being built is mind boggling and with 3 bedders starting at €800k they are not for the average person.
The harbour with many a luxury motor yacht and little boat greeted us and then the St Elmo Fort and a view across the Grand Harbour to the other fortresses. The harbour was abuzz with various craft and we expect it will be busier next weekend when the World Ocean Racers hold their annual
event.
I reckon it gives Sydney harbour a run for its money in terms of scenery.
Dropped off at fort and did a 45 minute show called the Malta Experience . It was a fascinating run through the long and turbulent history of Malta. They are truly great survivors after incursions by Romans, Etruscans. French, Moors, Spanish Turkish and anyone else wanting an island sitting between Europe and Africa. Interestingly the remnants of many of those marauders are etched in architecture, culture and language.
Followed it up with a visit to the new Convention Centre which just finished hosting the Global Travel Show. It was not a surprising choice given the importance tourism plays in the economy.
The Centre has a strong historic past being the hospital set up originally by the Knights of St John. A six story structure originally with wards 150 metres long on the first two floors each housing 900 odd patients.
The top floor was for the wealthy and the bottom the poor where bedding configurations ranged from 3 or 4 per bed. Coloured drapes signified the type of illness to aid treatment.nit was not a great advertisement for equality with treatment restricted to males.
No air conditioning in those days being underground. Holes in the wall leading to gardens where fragrant trees and flowers were grown helped sweeten the air.
The two top floors are now used solely for functions and conferences it’s now considered Europe’s most sought after venue.
There is a huge underground theatre that is now the centre for many European conferences. It was a staging area for journalists when the agreement to end the Cold War was done offshore during a cyclone by Bush Snr and Gorbachev.
The tour was hosted by the best presenter ever.
Walked our way to the City Centre and grabbed a sandwich and Lemonchello Spritz, naturally it was Happy Hour which seems to go from 11 till 7 over here, which probably indicates why so many young tourists gravitate here. Even now towards season end the place is packed.
Jumped on a little golf cart tour of the city before heading to the St John’s Cathedral. With a queue out the door two online tickets were quickly secured and we beat the queue.
If there is a better description than ‘ pure indulgence’ to describe the place I don’t know it. From fresco’s to mosaics and paintings to religious icons it had it covered and with 500 people going through an hour at $20 a head the upkeep fund would be in the positive range.
Aside from the church offering there is a separate digital display of Caravaggio’s ‘Beheading of St John the Baptist’ ,to supplement the real thing inside, which gives an explanation of the different nuances in the painting.
Culturally enhanced headed up to the bus depot to play time table lotto and catch the bus home. I will never complain about late buses in Australia or trains in Italy- Malta with its road design
and traffic congestion had them covered.
I read an article about the popularity of harness racing in Malta and got a close up look when a pacer flew past the bus whilst we were stuck in traffic.
Got home cleaned up and headed out for pre dinner drinks adjacent to the church, which like much of Malta is celebrating the 500th anniversary of St John’s (-the originator of St John’s Ambulance around the world) , demise from rulership.
Had an Aperol in a Tapas come Sports Bar where tables of football fans were cheering for both Spurs and Manchester United.
Our recommended restaurant was booked out so put in a reservation for tomorrow night before heading for another more upmarket place which served great wine and food with a smile.
Dinner over we waddled home through the narrow street back to our flower draped street, where dragging luggage is respectfully suggested, to navigate the maze
of corridors with its head skinning doorways to finish our first delightful full day in Malta.
