Malta

The first stop of a bit more country hopping. Why just fly to Malta, when Sicily lies so close, and if going to Sicily why not add in Sardinia, finish the trip in the first of the two Italian Capitals, Rome, then lastly the capital of fashion, Milan.

Malta, Mr Bunny has never been to Malta whereas Mrs B went a long time ago, therefore we decided it was high time we visited this tiny little island in the Mediterranean together. Even though Malta is tiny, we still opted to stay in three very different places. Starting in Sliema. We chose Sliema for its close vicinity to the island Capital Valletta. Our room was just a stone throw from the harbour and with neither cooking facilities or breakfast included, we knew we would have to go searching for food. Tiffany`s came recommended, a busy little restaurant on the sea front, you know the type, chairs and tables on the roadside, covered with plastic roof and sides. Or, as Mrs Bunny pointed out, we could sit on those two chairs in front of that little pancake place with its nice looking menu. Ha! These two chairs may have sat on the outside, but inside this `little` cafe went on forever, and it was beautiful, pink, frilly, quirky, old ladies boudoir crossed with grandmas kitchen, a touch of whimsical, a swirl of both Alice in Wonderland and Madam Puddifoots from Harry Potter and I give you Carolina`s. We were aiming for the terrace thinking it was upstairs, but it just got better with the terrace a first floor balcony overlooking the harbour. We came to eat here for the next three days.

We caught the ferry across to Valletta, just a short bunny hop away, and wandered the old town for hours. It was nothing as a I remember, I even wondered if I came to this part of Valletta as nothing jogged my memory. Pleased about this as I do prefer new memories, rather than vague recollections of old. It is hard to write about Valletta because although old, it was also crazy busy. We realised why when we reached the harbour and found not one, but two cruise ships in the port. I have seen cruise ships before, but never this close, and I was actually overwhelmed, even sickened by the size of these things. I asked a crew member on the port side, how many passengers? 3000, and this was the smaller of the two ships. No wonder Valletta was so busy. It was there and then that I decided that a cruise ship was my idea of floating hell. We have encountered other cities that host the cruise ships, and they too are swamped. 3-5 thousand people, swarming en masse into a small city? No thanks. We stayed in Sliema, but saw nothing of the town. We didn`t feel like we needed to. It is just a mass of endless buildings, flats, apartments, hotels all crammed into a very small area. As you fly over Malta on the way to the airport, it is easy to see how this island could quite easily become nothing but houses with no green spaces such is its rapid spate of growth.

The next few days we hired a car, based ourselves in the town of Mosta, central and mostly residential housing. We stayed in an apartment that we shared with its owner. Effectively we booked their spare bedroom. From Mosta we ventured around the island. From Marsaxlokk to Dingli, Medina to Mgarr. We tried hard to cover as much of the island as possible, whilst choosing not to enter the many paid attractions, museums or shows. I think it would be fair to say that we saw a lot of the areas of Malta, but not a lot of the stories. There are many many places of interest, but I think we chose a busy week, couple that with two cruise ships, parking that is ridiculously difficult, and our liking for the place diminished rapidly. A petty minded jobsworth at the supermarket, and my patience was at its limit. The biggest, most badly sign posted supermarket you have ever seen. We entered and attempted to go into the store through a closed, no barrier, no staff, nobody with a shopping trolley, empty till aisle. No! No! No! came the shouts, you go that way! sorry, we backtracked, found another entrance and let the fun begin. 30 minutes later, and we still failed to locate basic essentials. We paid for what we did have, and left. Naturally they feel the need to check your bags on exit. The next day, after we exited through what we thought was the correct exit till, No ! No! NO!! Go Back!! Go Back, pardon my french but flipping frogs, keep your hair on! We actually had to back into the store and exit down the next lane again...naturally jobsworth felt the need to search my tiny bag, glasses case and small purse, so patience at an all time low, I apologised for stuffing the half chicken and a pound of potatoes into my bag! (not) Bloody jobsworth. He even stuck a paid sticker on the young girls bottle of water in front of me, to prove she had it when she went in.... Malta you are trying our patience.

One day we toured the island around Dingli and on our return back to the room spotted a small stall selling fresh vegetables, and a donkey stood to one side. Wanting to support the little guy, we stopped to buy but realised that we were looking at a newly renovated small holding with a tiny museum. Greeted by the owner we asked if we could buy some tomatoes, and then she asked if we would like to see the museum, adding, or not if your not interested. Odd statement, but we let it go. She then asked if we were over 60!! Have to say this did not sit well with either of the bunnies. Lastly, she showed us round the museum (took 5 minutes) then said, you can look around yourself, then come upstairs, and you can have a drink, or not...... For a woman just starting out in a new venture, she had a lousy way with words. We did not get our drink, neither did she offer. We left.

For our last stay we headed a few miles north to the area of St Pauls Bay. I think our love of Malta was at an all time low by now, as we faced yet another road that was dug up, yet more cranes, and limited parking spaces. We parked up, grateful for our tiny little pug sized car, paid 30 euros for a parking garage that we did not get chance to use, and entered our next apartment with an already flat feeling, only to find that our apartment had a view of brick wall and a sodding dog that barked non stop somewhere in the immediate vicinity. We ate a subdued homecooked meal, and that ended our time in Malta. Mr Bunny became quite ill. For two days he became sick and lethargic, with a frequent longing to hug his new porcelain friend. Poor Mr Bunny. Mrs Bunny stayed by his side as he slept, only venturing out as far as the nearby Farmacia. Unlucky for us, we also managed to encounter the most miserable set of hotel guests, not once but three times.

Popeye Village. On our last day with Mr B feeling a little more himself, we drove up to the north of the Island where many years ago they made the film Popeye. The film crew built a whole village in which to make the film, and it has remained a tourist attraction ever since. The film itself is dreadful, my opinion only, despite the wonderful late Robin Williams playing the lead. The setting for the film quite lovely. The film set is very clearly a treasured asset and is well maintained. It passed a pleasant couple of hours, though I am fairly certain that come summer it would be far too busy.

I think it would be fair to say that Malta was probably a one time only for us. We did find pockets of peace, green fields and pleasant views, but not enough to feel a need to rush back any time soon.

Thank you for your hospitality.