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Snapshots from Malta

Janet Camilleri

We had a very special reason for wanting to visit Malta, even if it was just for one day, as part of our recent trip to Europe.

It’s where the hubster’s family (his father’s side) is originally from.

In fact he still has an uncle living there; naturally we stopped in for a visit. Best cup of tea I had during the whole two weeks of the cruise! (Sadly the teabags provided by the ship were weak as dirty dishwater, it took THREE to make a decent cuppa!)

We had a lot we wanted to see during the six hours or so we were in port – all the touristy spots, plus my father-in-law gave us a list of places that were significant to the family (eg the church they attended, the street where they lived, etc).

So, we organised a driver for the day. From memory it was about a hundred euro  – or $150 AUD – to be chauffeured to all the places *we* wanted to see, rather than just the usual attractions. Plus, it worked out to be cheaper than if we had booked a tour with the cruise line, and our driver was happy to wait while we visited the rellies for half an hour or so 🙂 .

President’s Palace and Gardens (San Anton)

Just a couple of tourists enjoying the San Anton Gardens
Making friends with a kitty in the gardens
Steps to the President’s Palace

Walled City of Mdina

Mdina is a medieval walled city, and was the capital of Malta until 1530. There is evidence of settlement here dating back 4000 years, and legend has it that the Apostle Paul lived here after being shipwrecked.

Walking the streets of Mdina
Say cheese! I’m looking very happy that we found some of our fave Maltese cheese, Gbjienet (pronounced jer-bane-a). We haven’t found a stockist for it in Brisbane so it is a rare treat – we sometimes order it specially from Sydney.
Love the architecture in Mdina
Looking very hot and sweaty
My very own Maltese falcon 😉
Beautiful old street

Valetta

Today’s capital of Malta is Valetta.

Evening view of the port in Valetta, taken from the cruise ship
The Blue Grotto – it was late afternoon when we visited, if it had been earlier in the day it would have been an amazing blue!
Can you tell the British once ruled Malta?!
St John’s Cathedral Valetta

Family Sites of Interest

Not connected to the family in any way except for the name – Camilleri is as common as Smith or Jones in Malta!
The street where the family lived about 100 years ago
Mosta Church which the family attended. The dome is said to be the third largest in Europe.
On the steps of Uncle’s house
I was very tempted to get this t-shirt for Miss 18!!!

Which one is your favourite from my snapshots of Malta?! I love the first one of me and my hubster!

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