Welcome to Valletta

 

 

Good Day to You

Here's glimpse of Valletta and its harbor. We'll we seeing a lot more of both!

I got some decent sleep and also decided to give myself an easy orientation day. I have time here, and don't need to be in a rush. 

This is my apartment. Note the stone walls and beamed ceiling. It's well equipped on a quiet street.

I arrived quite late at night so no groceries. I brought tea and some almonds and I snaffled some Imquaret from my airplane dinner. These are date fritters and helped make a decent breakfast. On the plane I also sampled some Maltese bread and goat cheese. Both very nice!

Valletta is the capital of the independent Republic of Malta, a member of the EU. English is one of the official languages, but the Maltese have their own tongue, and from what I can tell use a lot of English and Italian loan words. The currency is the Euro. Now I assumed since it was the EU and all, Malta would use Continental plugs.  Fortunately, I checked before I came. Malta was a British Colony for many years, so the plugs are the same as the UK, and they drive on the left.

The city was founded in 1566 by Jean de La Vallette, the brilliant, but ruthless Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. Located at a strategic crossroad of the Mediterranean, he conceived of Malta as a fortress against Islamic pirates, and the city's and island's heavy fortification remained and were last tested during World War II when the island and its people held off a determined German invasion. 

But this Early Modern and Modern History is nothing compared to Malta's long past of human habitation. How did people get here, and why did they even think to come looking? But Malta was settled in the Stone Age and boasts the oldest standing temples on Earth. We should visit!

Valletta is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and a noted exemplar of Baroque Architecture, which you will be hearing a Lot About in this blog. The Grand Master had his city laid out in a grid form, so it's impossible to get badly lost, but oh my--there are a lot of stairs, too.

 

This is the Triton Fountain near the castle. But I was there to find the Tourist Office.

I just spent time wandering around. I did make my way to the tourist office and got a map. I strolled a couple of the main drags and licked some windows. I tried to get some cash with my digital debit card. Nope. But I did find a fabulous grocery store not far from my apartment where the card worked!  

I don't think the Maltese go for Apero, but thereare plenty of Italian visitors as Sicily not far away, so Apero is a thing here, and it is definitely a thing with me. Let's have a sip of Maltese white wine.  It's slightly effervescent and a bit sour, but refreshing. I got some Maltese bread--very chewy but good and some tuna spread. Since I can't get the induction stove top to work, this will do for dinner as well.

Tomorrow I promise some actual tourist action. Until then, bye.