Category Archives: Malta

Impressions of Malta

Island of Malta, Malta, Valletta

Hello Everyone!,

Today will be my first post for the blog.

Thanks to getting to Valetta early we were able to go the War rooms after checking in. On the way there we took an accidental tour due to bad directions. After a lot of stairs, we made it to the War rooms. I personally think that the rooms so far were the most interesting part of the trip, as my dad would put it we have continued our adventure of World War II stories from different views around the world. Seeing the defense of Malta room and the place for planning the invasion of Sicily was intriguing. After the museum we got ice cream and sat at the famous pub where sadly the famous actor Oliver Reed died after multiple drinks. We met some nice people who had boats from Greece and sailed all the way here from there! I got to check upstairs to their”well decorated” bathroom had many signatures on the wall. We walk back to the room for a quick rest then out to dinner. Did i mention that MTV Malta was going on while we were there? There were many people playing like Omi, Echo smith, Tori Kelly, Jason Derulo and Martin Garrix. Dinner was great and i got a couple of hours of listening to the concert.

Today we had a nice walk into town and visited 2 churches, the first was gigantic with many other mini chapels to honor those who have helped the church. Along with that there was a museum with 23 tapestries. The second chapel i actually thought was better than the first it was a simple chapel for sailers and fishing people. There were candles and to remember Uncle Gene I lit one to let him know wherever he is, that we will always miss him and remember the good times we all had. It had been super hot so we got a quick snack and went to the room to relax. We then headed to dinner where i FINALLY got my octopus that i waited for this whole trip! The dinner was delicious and after that this led to me where i am right now typing this entry for you guys!

I hope you guys enjoyed this little update from my side! I look forward to writing more! posts!

— Syd

A 180° Turn

Island of Gozo, Island of Malta, Malta, Valletta, , ,

Today we had to unfortunately leave Gozo. We really enjoyed the quiet, low keyed life there. Time to move on…

And where we went was an 180° degree turn. Valletta is an energetic european city with a distinct feel all its own. It felt familiar and new at the same time, exactly what we wanted on this trip. If we had to leave Gozo this was a great next step.

After checking into the hotel we visited the Lascaris War Rooms which played a vital role in World War 2. If the Axis power were to control the Mediterranean Sea they needed to take over Malta. In the Lascaris War Rooms the British Empire defended these islands which they controlled in the early 20th century. After preventing the takeover of the islands the rooms were used to coordinate the invasion of Sicily and southern Italy proper. The lessons here were were carried on to help plan the Normandy Invasion in 1944 making this stop a nice addition to our trip last year. We were given some bad directions to this rather hard to find place (little wonder the Axis Powers never found it) and we were glad we hung in there and found it.

After the War rooms we got Sydney gelatto and headed to The Pub where the actor Oliver Reed met his fate. A classic pub, well worth the visit. As it turned out two other guests on the War Room Tour were here as well, Martin and Alan are on vacation from Britian sailing a boat in Greece and on an impulse decided to come to Malta. They could not decided where they are going next. Corsica… Lampedusa… A couple of great guys, they were a bit wild and respectful at the same time.

To top off the difference between the islands of Malta and Gozo, tonight was the Isle of MTV Concert in Valletta, a annual anticipated occurrence. The city echoed with performances by Jason Derulo and Echosmith bringing a nice lively feel to the evening. Not that I know the songs, but the energy was great and was quite different from the other island.

 

Bye-bye Gozo.
Bye-bye Gozo.
Crossing to the Island of Malta.
Crossing to the Island of Malta.
The walls of the Valletta Fort.
The walls of the Valletta Fort.
Syd and Kim entering the city of Valletta.
Syd and Kim entering the city of Valletta.
Walking down Triq ir-Repubblika.
Walking down Triq ir-Repubblika.
The Malta War Memorial.
The Malta War Memorial.
The view from the War Memorial.
The view from the War Memorial.
A view of the harbo(u)r.
A view of the harbo(u)r.
Recovering from some bad directions...
Recovering from some bad directions…
The entrance to the Lascaris War Rooms.
The entrance to the Lascaris War Rooms.
Syd leads to the Lascaris War Rooms.
Syd leads to the Lascaris War Rooms.
Sydney in the room where the defense of Malta was coordinated.
Sydney in the room where the defense of Malta was coordinated.
Another view of the defense of Malta map room.
Another view of the defense of Malta map room.
The map used for the invasion of Sicily.
The map used for the invasion of Sicily.
You are here. Er... I am here...
You are here. Er… I am here…
Where the Generals sat.
Where the Generals sat.
A drink with (the memory of) Oliver Reed.
A drink with (the memory of) Oliver Reed.
A friend of Sydneys. Per her request.
A friend of Sydneys. Per her request.
Don't even think of parking here.
Don’t even think of parking here.
He really does.
He really does.
The wall of Valetta at night.
The wall of Valetta at night.
The 2015 Isle of MTV concert in progress.
The 2015 Isle of MTV concert in progress.