Valletta, Malta  November 1, 2022

What a great sleep! I was in bed by seven and woke up around six to a not so great email from DAB. That’s the group that heard my appeal in September about my cabin.  They did not approve my request so now I have contacted the RM to see if I can lease part of the walkway that the southwest corner of my cabin infringes on.  It is what it is – I am not upset because I didn’t do things right with the RM to begin with and now I must suffer the consequences!  It will be OK, it is just going to cost me money.

So……  I decided I should try to get a tent here rather than struggle to find a Decathlon with a tent in stock in Dubai.  I’m also practicing not procrastinating as putting stuff off causes me anxiety and it’s 100% avoidable.  I walked to Decathlon about 2 km away and found not only a tent but also a good head torch so I am set for my overland!  Along the way-

After, my goal for the day was to visit Valletta, the capital city of Malta founded in 1566-

It’s one huge fort thanks to the Knights of the Order of Saint John-

Just outside the city gate is a fountain of three bronze Tritons holding a large basin. The base is concrete and clad in travertine slabs –

After crossing the bridge into Valletta,  I was on Republic Street which is filled with shops, restaurants and many people-

The remains of the Royal Opera House that was bombed in 1942-

I wandered and came to Saint John’s Co-Cathedral-

It cost €15 to go in so I refused. It’s apparently one of the nicest churches in Europe but I’ve seen quite a few that were very nice so I thought for $20 I’m going to pass.

There’s a cool structure commissioned by the UN to mark its 70th anniversary called Enlightened Universe –

A man was walking around pulling a cart that played music and the figurines danced –

Beautiful baroque architecture and quirky streets-

Looking west to Sliema across Marsamxett Harbor-

The National Library of Malta is in Republic Square.  It was built in 1891 and Queen Victoria, wearing a shawl of Maltese lace, sits in front-

There are statues everywhere-

including this one commemorating the Maltese Revolution in June 1919 when many people of all social classes gathered together to rebel against British rule.  Soldiers shot at the unarmed crowd and six men were killed.  This led to government changes and in 1921, Malta was granted self government-

Upper Barrakka Garden-

looks east across Grand Harbour to the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea-

Looking north to Lower Barrakka Garden-

Eventually I made my way to the Valletta Waterfront which has a few bars and restaurants including the Hard Rock Café.  I thought it would be different as in be blocks and blocks of patios - it wasn’t, but I soon realized why the streets were so crowded –

The sun was starting to set so I thought I better get home.  The sidewalks are uneven and many are broken.  It’s dangerous enough in the daytime let alone in the dark.  So many walls-

The view from my apartment-

I bought a seven day unlimited bus pass and after talking to a very well informed woman at the tourist office, I think I have my next few days planned.  I’m going to take public transportation to different areas on this island and then one day I will go to Gozo and tour around it. I hope the buses are reliable!