Marvellous Malta

Our last day in Malta is fine, sunny and virtually no wind (for Malta). We have a list of things that we could do, but decide to head for the coast to make the most of the fine weather, to see the Blue Grotto and a spectacular stretch of coastline.

The Blue Grotto is wonderful on a sunny day, with views along the coast, out to sea, and into the inlet of Wied Il-Zurrieq. We take a 35 minute boat trip which explores the Grotto and several of the caves in the sea cliffs. The water is so clear and blue. We can see coral on the walls of the cave and we admire the number of caves in this stretch of coast.

 

Next, we catch the bus to two prehistoric temple sites, at Hagar Quim and Mnajdra.We have already seen several prehistoric sites, but these ones are quite special. Though they are smaller than the sites at Tarxien and Ggantija, they seem more complete.

One has blocks up the walls and partly over the ceiling, suggesting how the roof would have looked. Another has huge stones neatly aligned and carefully placed to form a definite curved building, each side mirroring the other. Both have decorated altars, and one has an altar which is aligned to the movement of the sun, so that on sunrise at the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun touches the outer altars, while during the winter and summer solstices, the sun penetrates to the altar in the inner chamber.

We finish off our afternoon by taking the local water taxi from Valletta over to Vittoriosa, the original site of the settlement for the Knights of St John. This side of the harbour is quite different to the walled city of Valletta, much smaller, but with just as much character.

This side of the harbour, being the main dock area, got hammered during WW2 air raids, and damage is still evident in places.  The conspicuous and gleaming affluence afloat in the marina is a glaring contrast.  The views back to Valletta are wonderful, and also across to other parts of the harbour. We also get great views of two enormous cruise ships which had arrived during the day.

We take our last look over the harbour from the Barrakka Gardens, just 50 meters from our door. The sun is setting, and the buildings across the water are glowing in the last of the sun. There is a wedding taking place on the terrace below. Later, we hear a five gun salute from the gun battery located there, and later still, fireworks over the harbour. Just part of the magic that is Malta.

Now, packing up after a wonderful week, perhaps one of our best weeks yet …