M for Malta, Mdina and Marsaxlokk

Our first two days on the island of Malta involved bus journeys from Valletta to explore towns a little way off. The bus station in Valletta is very well organised, and with the added assistance of the public transport app on my phone, it’s very easy to get around. We had already mastered the use of the app on Gozo. Bus drivers have, mostly, been helpful with stopping in suitable places for us to board the bus, getting the ramp out and often insisting we get on the bus first and have Racheal’s wheelchair strapped in position before other passengers board. The buses on Malta are much busier, but by planning our routes carefully we can often get on a bus at the beginning of its journey which helps.

Our first trip was to the walled city of Mdina, similar to the citadella in Victoria on Gozo, but a much gentler climb from neighbouring Rabat to a bridge into the city. It is a maze of narrow streets, apparently none longer than the distance a knight could shoot an arrow from his bow. This makes it difficult to find a sunny spot for a picnic because, apart from the square in front of the cathedral, there are few places to sit or that the sun can penetrate. We did find a place on the wide steps up to the city wall, from where you can see for miles. Once a thriving capital city for Malta, it now only has 85 inhabitants though the number of residents is far outnumbered by the number of tourists.

The next day we were back on a bus, this time to Marsaxlokk, a fishing town on the east coast of the island. For the first part of the ride, we were accompanied by a canary in its cage!

Traditional Maltese fishing boats are colourful and have the Eyes of Osiris painted high on the bow. Mythology says these will protect the fishermen from the perils of the sea. When we arrived the sun was shining and we found a pleasant spot on the sea wall to eat our picnic, the suddenly the heavens opened and we were diving for cover under a wooden shelter. Just as quickly the sun returned and we were able to enjoy a walk along the quay to admire the boats and the beautiful colour of the sea.