The ferries from Sliema to Valletta weren't running today, so I had to take a bus over, which took about 25 mins (vs a 5-10 mins boat ride as I was told).
By the time I got into Valletta, it was about 10am.
Walking into the fortress walls, one of the first interesting building I see is The Royal Opera House.
It was designed by the English architect Edward Middleton Barry and was erected in 1866. In 1873 its interior was extensively damaged by fire but was eventually restored by 1877. The theatre received a direct hit from aerial bombing in 1942 during World War II. Prior to its destruction, it was one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in Valletta. After several abandoned plans to rebuild the theatre, the ruins were redesigned by the Italian architect Renzo Piano and in 2013 it once again started functioning as a performance venue, called Pjazza Teatru Rjal. Smart of them to create an outdoor performing centre among the ruins.
I decided to randomly walk around Valletta and took the path that led towards Piazza Jean De Vallatte, with a lot of interesting buildings around the square eg. Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Museum of Fine Arts, Knisja Santa Katerina tal-Italja.
I continued on and in less than a minute reached the Auberge de Castille, Prime Minister's Office.
Malta Stock Exchange was round the corner and it was a first time I see a stock exchange with an emblem and a description of what the emblem means.
It was super quiet inside with only 2 people working at 10.35am?
Upper Barrakka Gardens, a must visit in Valletta, is located next to the Malta Stock Exchange, and in my opinion, have the best views in Valletta. While at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, I was told of a midday cannon fire that happens daily, and as I had about an hour till the ceremony happens, I decided to continue on with my random walking around Valletta.
I love the streets of Valletta with those colourful balconies and narrow streets. One of the streets I walked into housed the Ta Giezu Church which I quickly entered to have a look.
St. Lucia's Street is probably my favourite - such a quaint little street and with the street chandeliers and a view of the cathedral at the end of the street!
I somehow ventured into the centre square of Valletta where St John's Cathedral is located. From pictures it looked rather impressive on the inside, but there was a ridiculous charge of €15 for admission. I wasn't keen to be paying so much to enter a church, and I abandoned my idea of entering.
I walked back to Upper Barrakka Gardens to catch the mid day firing, along with watching the meticulous process leading up to the firing.
As it hit 12 noon, the soldier pulled the trigger and "boom"! It was over very quickly.
Time for lunch, where I settled in to Galeas Pasta Restaurant and ordered a seafood pasta. I was surprised to see that the restaurant also has a hair salon on the inside!
I continued on with my random walking and got to the Grandmaster's Palace. I only managed to enter the entrance briefly, before being told that it was closed.
Walking down to the end of the street, I reached the Siege Bell Memorial as well as the Lower Barracka Gardens. From here, you can also see the 3 cities, but not as well as from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Time to go check out the 3 cities! The 3 cities are Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. They are also known as Birgu, Isla and Bormla respectively. I was told there were ferries that runs from Valletta to the 3 cities on the opposite side.
When I got to the ferry station, this guy just rowed in with 2 passengers on board that was disembarking on my side.
This certainly isn't the ferry I was expecting 🤔
I boarded anyway, along with 4 other passengers looking to get to the other side....
It was an adventure as we are on a really tiny boat in the open sea, in this area filled with huge boats. As we got closer to the 3 cities, I felt really small compared to the bastions and forts towering above us around the area.
I am also glad those gusty winds had died down this morning, so the water was fairly calm. I would be worried being in this boat on those kind of choppy waters.
The ride took just about 10 min to Vittoriosa. A very quick ride.
I walked around Vittoriosa for a bit, passing by the maritime museum and the waterfront, as well as the Fort (didn't bother to go in since there's a fee).
A number of movies were filmed around here, including Game of Thrones, Da Vinci Code, World War Z, Gladiator, Troy.
I went next to Kalkara, just to see what it looks like. I didn't venture too far and turned back and headed next to Senglea.
As I walked towards Senglea Point and Gardjola Gardens, I came across benches with very interesting quotes that were derived from seamen.
I particularly like this one!
I also then found out there were proper ferries, which were more inline to what I had expected. Oh well, too late! It was still quite fun to be on the traditional boat across the water though.
The view from Senglea Point and Gardjola Gardens was really nice too, as you get to see Valletta from the waters.
I was super exhausted by then, and decided to head back to the hostel, but stopping through Valletta on the way.
It was a good thing I did that, as I got to see a little of Valletta in the evening, and I also only just recalled wanting to see St. Paul's Cathedral from the Valletta side. It was closed by the time I got there, but I probably wouldn't had gone in anyway, since it would be chargeable.
On my way out to catch the bus from Valletta to Sliema, I found a couple stores selling Pastizzi! I already had 2 earlier in the day, but was still in love with these pastries that I had to buy more.
I also found one store which sold them filled with Chicken, instead of the traditional cheese or smashed peas. Couldn't taste much of the chicken filling in it though.
I am actually surprised I enjoyed the peas more than the cheese - the pea filled ones kind of reminded me of a curry puff.
By the time I got back into the hostel was 6.55pm! Just in time for my 7pm slot for the spa at the hostel - very cool to have such a luxury in a hostel, and private too! The only problem was the water in the jacuzzi wasn't hot, and the sauna could be a lot hotter.
Great way to end of a trip in Malta!
I went next to Kalkara, just to see what it looks like. I didn't venture too far and turned back and headed next to Senglea.
As I walked towards Senglea Point and Gardjola Gardens, I came across benches with very interesting quotes that were derived from seamen.
I particularly like this one!
I also then found out there were proper ferries, which were more inline to what I had expected. Oh well, too late! It was still quite fun to be on the traditional boat across the water though.
The view from Senglea Point and Gardjola Gardens was really nice too, as you get to see Valletta from the waters.
I was super exhausted by then, and decided to head back to the hostel, but stopping through Valletta on the way.
It was a good thing I did that, as I got to see a little of Valletta in the evening, and I also only just recalled wanting to see St. Paul's Cathedral from the Valletta side. It was closed by the time I got there, but I probably wouldn't had gone in anyway, since it would be chargeable.
On my way out to catch the bus from Valletta to Sliema, I found a couple stores selling Pastizzi! I already had 2 earlier in the day, but was still in love with these pastries that I had to buy more.
I also found one store which sold them filled with Chicken, instead of the traditional cheese or smashed peas. Couldn't taste much of the chicken filling in it though.
I am actually surprised I enjoyed the peas more than the cheese - the pea filled ones kind of reminded me of a curry puff.
By the time I got back into the hostel was 6.55pm! Just in time for my 7pm slot for the spa at the hostel - very cool to have such a luxury in a hostel, and private too! The only problem was the water in the jacuzzi wasn't hot, and the sauna could be a lot hotter.
Great way to end of a trip in Malta!
No comments:
Post a Comment