Talbot Tour



Malta 2024

2024 40th Wedding Anniversary Trip to Malta

Our trip got delayed due to moving house. Fortunately we could move the flights without charge and got a refund on the accommodation.

Tuesday 27th August 2024
Leaving home

Locking our new house at Great Steeping was a new experience. We are leaving a day early as we have a four hour drive to Gatwick. Gone are the days Gatwick was 45 minutes away. We got to Spalding and stopped for breakfast.

Pushing on to the M25 and over the Queen Elizabeth Bridge. We had a 15 minute delay through the roadworks between the M26 and Clackett Lane Services. Then down the M23 to Gatwick and our hotel for the night.

Wednesday 28th August 2024
Departing Gatwick

Checking out of the hotel for the short drive to the airport. We arrived in the long term carpark and found a spot. After only two minutes we were on the shuttle. Breezing through security we found a restaurant for breakfast.

Finding a seat overlooking the main concourse we people watched until our flight gate was announced.

Our gate was one of the furthest from the terminal, so once we knew we set off.

Arriving at the gate, we had a short wait to board. Taking off on the three hour flight. After a couple of hours we hit a patch of turbulence and were bounced around a little.

Landing at Malta the pilot got lost and had to go around the block a couple of times before finding his parking spot. Bit like a cat settling down lol.

Clearing passport control and customs we exited into the public area but couldn't find the taxi we had pre-booked. Leaving Jackie with the case Martin did another circuit of arrivals looking for our driver. When he got back Jackie had found the driver so we went out and climbed into the cab.

A twenty minute drive got us to our hotel The Grand Harbour Hotel, near Victoria gate.



Checking in we found we were on the fourth floor but the lift was broken. Well we wanted a view. Slogging up the narrow stairs we got to our room and the view was worth it. We overlook the Grand Harbour.



As we were getting ready to go out for dinner the Island Princess sailed from Valletta right past our window. So we gave them a wave as they went by.

Leaving the hotel we found a nice street cafe and had dinner before getting some bottled water and retiring for the night.



Thursday 29th August 2024
Valletta

Out early to beat the heat today. Walking up to the city gate and Three Tritons Fountain before walking the length of Republic Street. Down to the fort of St Elmo.



Paying for entry into the fort and military museum we walked the ramparts then ducked into the air conditioned display halls of the museum. After an interesting tour we grabbed a cold drink and a seat in the shade before walking back towards our hotel.

Half way back we stopped for a coffee at a street cafe. Then shopping for lunch. Back at the hotel we climbed the four floors to our room for a shower and siesta.

Once the worst of the heat had past we ducked out to find dinner. As it had cooled down and the church of St Paul of the Shipwreck had opened to the public after a service. They have a piece of the column that was used for the beheading of St Paul.



We ate in a street resteraunt having a Maltese traditional meal of rabbit. Then a stroll through the city gates to see the fountain at sunset before bed.

Friday 30th August 2024
Gozo

At breakfast we were told that the lift had been repaired. So we congratulated the engineer and the manager and set out knowing we wouldn't struggle with the stairs when we return.
With ferry tickets booked we left the hotel and dropped down the stairs to the Gozo ferry terminal. Scanning our tickets allowed us in to the air-conditioned waiting area. Boarding the ferry for the 45 minute crossing we got a couple of seats by a window.



Getting off the ferry we boarded the Hop on Hop off bus. After 4 stops we got off at Ggantija Temples. Wandering around the ruins for half an hour.



Then strolled up the road to the windmill.



Back on the bus we pulled into Victoria (the main town). We had intended to stay on but the driver informed us that due to an accident on the road ahead the tour would terminate here and we should get the next bus in 50 minutes.

Taking this opportunity we got lunch in a nice cafe on the corner with outdoor seating.

Back on the next bus we made our way to Ta' Puna Sanctury. After a visit we brought icecreams and some water and found a shady spot to await the next HOHO bus.

Arriving back to the ferry. We had missed one by a couple of minutes due to the number of cruise passengers boarding their own ferry. So we spent a other 45 minutes sitting in a shady spot with cold drinks. The ferry ride back was relaxing and we pocketed the Barrakka Lift ticket that comes with the ferry ticket for later.

After a shower we walked to Valletta Waterfront for dinner in a nice resteraunt. We watched The P&O cruise ship Queen Victoria sail as we ate. Then to ease our journey back to the hotel we used the Barrakka Lift to go up to the high point of the city near the gate and then walked down to our hotel.

Saturday 31st August 2024
Grand Harbour

No alarm this morning but still awake at seven. Playing on the Grand Harbour today. After breakfast we walked down to the ferry jetty and crossed to Cospicua on the harbour ferry.



Walking to Fort St Angelo we found a crumbling stairway that took us around the side of the fort to the very end of the peninsula.

Walking back round we stopped for a coffee in a bistro by the marina. Looking out at the very expensive yachts. The to the Maritime museum. Got told off because we tried to give the welcome film a miss. Not the best museum but they have Lady Hamiltons bed. To think Nelson may have got jiggy there lol.

Wandering through the back alleys for a while we eventually found our way back to the marina. We caught a water taxi back to Valletta ferry pier.



It was a little sketchy getting on and off but it was definitely and experience. The driver swerving in front of a pleasure yacht and berating the captain for his poor seamanship was amusing. Grabbing a baguette for lunch we retired to our air-conditioned room for a few hours.

Out again for dinner. We managed to snag a table at San Paolo Naufrago. A bar / resteraunt on the stairs in an alley. We only had the table for 90 minutes so made the most of it. For the future book ahead. A couple of drinks and pizzas later we strolled around town looking for a shop or two. After a pleasant walk we headed home to our hotel.

Sunday 1st September 2024
Blue Grotto

Off we go again. Alarm set for seven o'clock, up and breakfast before walking out of the hotel at eight. Typical Talbot holiday. Walking up through town to the main gate and bus station. We knew which bus we needed and what stand it would be on. After a short wait it arrived and we boarded paying cash (€2.50 each). Thirty stops and forty minutes later we alighted at the Grotto.

Walking down the hill to the seashore we followed the signs to the Blue Grotto boats. Paying the ten euros each we were encouraged to hurry down to the landing stage and were the last two loaded onto the first boat of the morning.



Chugging along the coast we motored in and out of a number of caves. The bright azure blue and crystal clear waters were amazing.



As we motored back towards the jetty at least half a dozen boats full were heading towards the cave. The information we had seen yesterday said to get to the caves early to miss the crowds. Sure enough there were seven tour busses in the parking area when we got back. We ordered a coffee and cake and sat in the shade watching the crowd and the queue.

Back at the bus stop in time for our return trip we were dismayed to see our bus bypass the road in and continue towards Valletta. That was annoying as it was another hour before the next bus and there was very little shade.

As we were discussing what to do, a young Australian lady said she had just ordered a taxi and would we like to share. Thanking her we agreed. She was going to Sliema which is just a ferry ride from Valletta. So after an air-conditioned ride and a chat we arrived in Sliema.

Saying our goodbyes we walked along the sea front and arrived at the ferry terminal as a ferry was loading. Quickly paying for a ticket we boarded an the ferry pulled away from the jetty.

Back in Valletta we climbed to the centre of town and brought lunch in a bistro beside the Cathedral. Then back to our hotel for a siesta.

Out in the evening to find dinner and an evening walk before bed.

Monday 2nd September 2024
Valletta

Our last full day in Malta

Walking through Valletta and down Strait Street. A well known drinking zone when the British fleet were based in Malta. At the time it was refered to as "The Gut". Back up through town to Upper Barackka Gardens for a coffee.

That allowed time for the Cathedral to open for visitors. Paying for entry we looked around at the heavily guilded and painted interior. Veiwing the two paintings by Caravaggio. We only stayed for about thirty minutes as it was quite humid inside.

Finding a Gelato we sat in the shade and cooled of before retuning to the gardens for a while. Then it was siesta time. We fly home tomorrow so we started the packing and checked in on-line for our flight.

Out in the evening for dinner. Walking down to the sea front for a resteraunt. A 20 minute walk got usto the harbour area and a nice table with a view.

Strolling back after dusk watching the bum boats still carrying passengers across the harbour. Time to finish packing for the trip home.



Tuesday 3rd September 2024
Last day

Up at 05:30 and checked out to meet our taxi to the airport at six o'clock. Our taxi arrived at five past and we were soon weaving through the streets of Valletta to the aitport.

As we had already checked in on line we cleared security and got a coffee and croissant while we waited for our departure on KM Malta 116.

Boarding the flight we departed on time. A smooth flight apart form a little turbulence over the Alps. Landing at Gatwick and through passport control we were soon on the carpark shuttle.

Back in our car for the three and a half hour drive home.