Harbor Cruise

The last day for Katherine and Matt's visit we started out by bus for Valletta. By now they had been through the Valletta Bus Terminal multiple times, but they had not yet been inside the city wall. Today we went straight in.

View of the Three Cities from Upper Barrakka Gardens

After pointing out the moat, new Parliament building, and the performance center, we took a peak inside Our Lady of Victories chapel (the oldest church in Valletta). We passed the Auberge de Castille and the Malta Stock Exchange, then entered Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Scaffolding still obscures the ceiling at St. Paul's Shipwreck, but at least the lights are on

This was actually our first visit to Upper Barrakka Gardens. This spot had been mentioned several times in class lectures, but somehow we had always missed it. We'd seen it from below only. It really is the best view of the Grand Harbor.

Enjoying a bit of shade at Lower Barrakka Gardens

We hastened down Republic Street to the Co-Cathedral. Mary and I had just visited recently, so we briefed our guests about the highlights (especially the Caravaggio paintings in the Oratory) and sent them in while we waited. The price of admission is a little steep for a return visit so soon.

A modern Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat contrasts with the 500 year old walls of Valletta

From the Co-Cathedral we went almost immediately to the Church of St. Paul's Shipwreck, one of our favorites. The renovations in this church appear to be nearing completion, and the lights were on for a change. This gave us a different view than we've had before.

Harbor cruising

It turned out that the schedule for tours of the Sacred Infirmary was not going to allow a visit there today, so we simply briefed them on the outside of the building and took in more harbor views. It was a short walk to the Lower Barrakka Gardens (a place we have visited a number of times before), and then walked back to St. George's Square, but there was no changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace as setup was in progress for some sort of entertainment event in the Square.

Migrant rescue vessel

To compensate ourselves for the loss of the Infirmary visit and guard changing, we stopped at Amorino for gelato on waffles. Then we hoofed down hill to the ferry for the return to Sliema.

The Knights of Malta withstood the Siege of 1565 at Fort St. Angelo

Part of the "deal" for our cruise to Gozo and Comino two days ago was an added "free" harbor cruise. Mary and I had always assumed these would be pretty lame, but since we'd already paid for it, we decided to take the ride. It was surprisingly informative, and interesting to see familiar places from a different perspective.

A worker high on the mast of a yacht in the harbor

After the harbor cruise, we returned to the flat so that Katherine and Matt could finish packing for their trip to the airport. They took their gear with them and we enjoyed "happy hour" at a pizza place by the bay, near the bus stop. We then sent them off to the airport full of pizza and German beer.