Malta October 28th 2007
Ta' Qali Craft Centre (almost) & Mellieha.
Greeted by glorious sunshine, if a bit hazy, streaming through our window we arose at around 07:30. My photographer took the pictures below whilst we stood / sat on the balcony with our coffee.
View of house across from our balcony.
View of Hotel pool and part of gardens.
View of Mellieha to the right of our balcony.
Once the eyelids were prised apart, it was time breakfast in the Hotel's main retaurant, Les Jardins Restaurant, and very good it was too.
Suitably stuffed and after a democratic vote it was decided to get the wheels and go find the Ta' Qali Craft Centre.
Unfortunately, it being sunday, the Ta' Qali Craft Centre was just about to close when we arrived. Should have thought of that one.
But we did get a nice picture of Mdina in the distance.
So we decided to hop into the car again and head for Valletta, which isn't far.
View of Mdina from the Ta' Qali Craft Centre.
We, by we I mean us, I can't speak for all tourists, but we, should really find out about events that are going on locally. I say this because as we got closer to Valletta, so the traffic became more intense ? In fact by the time we had reached Floriana and Triq Sarria, we were moving at about one cars lenght every five minutes ? Then it dawned on me ! I had read about the Grand Prix de Malte, a rally for 'Classic Cars', even thought about going to it at some point. Well this was it. (Not the traffic we were stuck in but the reason fro that traffic). So with the help of a policeman we were able to cross three lanes of cars, 'Exit Road left' and run away.
Time to head back to the hotel as we had promised ourselves that this week would not be one of rushing around everwhere, all of
the time, but would have plenty of 'taking it easy' time. We drove back to Mellieha via the north east coastal road,
Tul II-Kosta, well worth a drive if you want something to do, very scenic and not so built up once you pass Swieqi.
Managed to park in Adenau Street, which became a favoured place to park during the week, right next to the hotel and avoids the demon spiral ramp.
Some persistant pestering by Rosie ended in the rest of us spending the afternoon at The 'Roof Top' pool at The Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa.
Strange to us really, using an outdoor pool during October? Though it was not baking it was warm enough to loaf around up there for a couple of hours.
Below are two views of Mellieha from the roof of the hotel.
View of Mellieha & Bay from the roof.
View of Mellieha Parish Church from the roof.
For tea we settled for a meal, mainly Pizzas actually, in the Hotel's Al Ponte Bistro & Pizzeria and very good it was too.
After we went for a walk up to the Mellieha Parish Church, in the dark. Places look different at night especially as the Maltese seem to be able to tastfully illuminate buildings as can be seen below.
A nicely illuminated building near the Church.
Mellieha Parish Church at night.
Once we had returned to the Hotel we settled in Le Mirage Bar for a couple of drinks, or at least I did whilst Kathy obtained her fix on Facebook in the Hotel's internet room and the kids investigated the games room. Then, well, it was time for bed. Got to make the most of each day.
Click here to read about Monday 29th October.
(You can of course use the menu on the left towards the top of this page to roam around.)
