I was about to check out from my hotel, when I decided to go explore the building and realised there was a roof top access with a sundeck and a jacuzzi (wasn't working when I was there).
Quite a good view from here.
Instead of lugging my luggage over, I decided to pick up my car rental from Mirage Car Rentals which was an 8 min walk away, and then drive back to the hotel to load my luggage.
I almost got a scare as the staff initially said he can't rent the car to me because I didn't have international driving permit.
I told him I checked and even showed him the Maltese Transport Authority website which indicated that non-EU licensed driver can drive for up to 1 year in Malta.
He had to call up the insurance company and the insurance company initially said the insurance wouldn't cover me as well, and that I need an international driving permit. The rental company staff told him to recheck and also told him about the Authority website and after a few mins I got my go ahead.
Phew! If not, alot of plans in Malta will be very screwed.
1st stop, Mdina. The town lies on top of a hill and is surrounded by walls, hence how it got its name, the Silent City.
It is pedestrian only and I will have to park outside the walls. The good thing is that it seems parking is free almost everywhere, though finding a spot can take time. And finally a spot, a few mins walk to Mdina.
Instead of lugging my luggage over, I decided to pick up my car rental from Mirage Car Rentals which was an 8 min walk away, and then drive back to the hotel to load my luggage.
I almost got a scare as the staff initially said he can't rent the car to me because I didn't have international driving permit.
I told him I checked and even showed him the Maltese Transport Authority website which indicated that non-EU licensed driver can drive for up to 1 year in Malta.
He had to call up the insurance company and the insurance company initially said the insurance wouldn't cover me as well, and that I need an international driving permit. The rental company staff told him to recheck and also told him about the Authority website and after a few mins I got my go ahead.
Phew! If not, alot of plans in Malta will be very screwed.
1st stop, Mdina. The town lies on top of a hill and is surrounded by walls, hence how it got its name, the Silent City.
It is pedestrian only and I will have to park outside the walls. The good thing is that it seems parking is free almost everywhere, though finding a spot can take time. And finally a spot, a few mins walk to Mdina.
As I was walking towards Mdina, I came across a roman archaeological site named Melite Civitas Romana.
I continued on and arrived at Mdina Gate, the main entry point into Mdina.
And this was what happened shortly after I entered the entrance 😂
Mdina is the old capital of Malta and there used to be a dungeon in the city, which has now turned to a tourist attraction.
Mdina is really small, but so pretty walking through the narrow streets and taking in all Mdina has to offer.
A lot of architecturally interesting buildings too, and I love those balconies!
The main attractions were the Mdina Cathedral (there was the option to go in, but I wasn't keen on paying for yet another cathedral), and around the square.
I also visited Carmelite Priory because it was free to enter, and it's really pretty inside!
I was very hungry as I didn't have any breakfast, so headed to Fontanella Tea Garden for an early lunch. This place has one of the best views for lunch in Mdina.
I continued on and arrived at Mdina Gate, the main entry point into Mdina.
And this was what happened shortly after I entered the entrance 😂
Mdina is the old capital of Malta and there used to be a dungeon in the city, which has now turned to a tourist attraction.
Mdina is really small, but so pretty walking through the narrow streets and taking in all Mdina has to offer.
A lot of architecturally interesting buildings too, and I love those balconies!
The main attractions were the Mdina Cathedral (there was the option to go in, but I wasn't keen on paying for yet another cathedral), and around the square.
I also visited Carmelite Priory because it was free to enter, and it's really pretty inside!
I was very hungry as I didn't have any breakfast, so headed to Fontanella Tea Garden for an early lunch. This place has one of the best views for lunch in Mdina.
I ordered a Pastizzi (a local savoury pastry) - There was the option of cheese filling or mashed peas. This was the cheese filled Pastizzi and was yum... Good amount of cheese with a good crispy crust.
I also ordered a fisherman's baguette and a vanilla milkshake. The latter 2 items were average, but I enjoyed sitting there and enjoying the view in the sun. Service was also really good.
I continued walking around Mdina for a bit longer, before leaving out from the Mdina Gate, that brings me straight into the town of Rabat, also lovely to quickly check out while in the area.
Like Mdina, there are also a number of narrow alleyways and many with those colourful balconies.
There were a few cathedrals here, such as Ta Giezu, Basilica Kolleġġjata u Proto-Parroċċa ta' San Pawl (very long name!) and St Cataldus Church with Catacombs.
Next to the Basilica is Parruccan, a confectionary store selling numerous types of cannoli with different stuffed cream, as well as local biscuits. The display looked really attractive and so I bought some to try.
Really looking forward to that Pistachio Cannoli with Cream, Coated with Pistachios!
Next stop, Mosta Dome. It took me a while to get here as I got stuck on a few one way streets, while trying to find parking, which was more challenging here. A funeral was underway when I arrived, with casket being carried up the stairs.
Mosta Dome was built in the 18th century and is the third largest unsupported dome in the whole world, with an internal diameter of 37.2m and walls about 9.1m thick.
I took a peek into the main church hall and then headed back to the car to continue my way.
Next stop, Mosta Dome. It took me a while to get here as I got stuck on a few one way streets, while trying to find parking, which was more challenging here. A funeral was underway when I arrived, with casket being carried up the stairs.
Mosta Dome was built in the 18th century and is the third largest unsupported dome in the whole world, with an internal diameter of 37.2m and walls about 9.1m thick.
On the drive through to the coast, I came across the "Parish Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven" (why are church names soooo long?), and had to pull to a stop. It was very simple in the inside though. It appears it is exactly 100 years this year!
Moving on.... Visiting some of the beaches along the coast, starting with Gnejna Bay.
The far end of the beach had these buildings built right into the cliffs and I think they might be storage units.
So many of them stretching all the way to the other end!
Next stop Għajn Tuffieħa (don't ask me how to pronounce it!). The view from the top of the cliffs were stunning! There are paths which leads to 2 different beaches.
To the left is Għajn Tuffieħa Beach, and to the right is Golden Bay. I didn't walk down to the beach, since I can't swim in current weather anyway, plus I wanted to get to the hotel before sun sets!
So continuing on, I arrived at Popeye Village.
This place was built from scratch for the Popeye movie starring Robin Williams. I had to Google up the movie because I never heard the one by Robin Williams. I had only watched the cartoon growing up.
Apparently the movie came out in 1980! Might be my movie to watch one of these days, if I can find it online.
This place is now converted to a theme park.
The final stop today is Paradise Bay. This is very close to the ferry terminal that leads to Gozo Island (in the far right corner), as well as my hotel for the next 2 nights - Paradise Bay Resort!
The outdoor pools are still too cold to be used this time of the year, but I later realised they have an indoor pool too!
I was too lazy to drive out for dinner, plus parking at the hotel is a major problem as there aren't enough lots, and it looked really packed when I checked in.
They have 2 restaurants on site, one which was a buffet spread, and another with ala carte selections - the buffet section was packed with people, and I think it may had been included in their room when they booked it.
Not keen on a buffet, I headed to the other restaurant which had only 1 other table when I was there, and I ordered the Seafood Linguine.
So many of them stretching all the way to the other end!
Next stop Għajn Tuffieħa (don't ask me how to pronounce it!). The view from the top of the cliffs were stunning! There are paths which leads to 2 different beaches.
To the left is Għajn Tuffieħa Beach, and to the right is Golden Bay. I didn't walk down to the beach, since I can't swim in current weather anyway, plus I wanted to get to the hotel before sun sets!
So continuing on, I arrived at Popeye Village.
This place was built from scratch for the Popeye movie starring Robin Williams. I had to Google up the movie because I never heard the one by Robin Williams. I had only watched the cartoon growing up.
Apparently the movie came out in 1980! Might be my movie to watch one of these days, if I can find it online.
This place is now converted to a theme park.
The final stop today is Paradise Bay. This is very close to the ferry terminal that leads to Gozo Island (in the far right corner), as well as my hotel for the next 2 nights - Paradise Bay Resort!
The outdoor pools are still too cold to be used this time of the year, but I later realised they have an indoor pool too!
I was too lazy to drive out for dinner, plus parking at the hotel is a major problem as there aren't enough lots, and it looked really packed when I checked in.
They have 2 restaurants on site, one which was a buffet spread, and another with ala carte selections - the buffet section was packed with people, and I think it may had been included in their room when they booked it.
Not keen on a buffet, I headed to the other restaurant which had only 1 other table when I was there, and I ordered the Seafood Linguine.
Pretty decent with lots of seafood. The staff who was serving at the restaurant were from Nepal and Colombia!
And I had to try this €2.90 Sparkling Rosé I picked up at the supermarket... It's pretty good! Almost the same price as buying a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice from the supermarket, or a cup of coffee/tea from the cafe!
Definitely won't be able to finish this in 1 sitting, so will have the balance tomorrow.
And I had to try this €2.90 Sparkling Rosé I picked up at the supermarket... It's pretty good! Almost the same price as buying a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice from the supermarket, or a cup of coffee/tea from the cafe!
Definitely won't be able to finish this in 1 sitting, so will have the balance tomorrow.
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