Whirlwind Tour via HO-HO
With only one day left in Malta, we decided to get on the Hop On-Hop Off bus once again and do the tourist sites. We only needed a one-day, one-route pass and a harbor cruise so the operator gave us a fairly good deal, discounted the tickets about 50EU.
Grabbed the bus at 930am next to the ferry station in Sliema and headed out for Ta’ Qali Craft Village. This little area is situated on the site of a WW2 British Air Force Station in a few remaining Quonset huts and some built out shops. Along the way we pass one of Malta’s lesser known relics, the Wignacourt aqueduct. Built in the 1610 by the Order of the Knights, this aqueduct was in continuous use up until the 20th century. Little is mentioned of this artifact in the tour books.
We wanted to go to Valletta Glass first to catch some glass blowing and do a little souvenir shopping. In the Valletta Glass shop there were 4 or 5 glass blowers working on small figurines. Each seemed to have a specialty from heating and shaping to doing the finish work or some of the more artistic steps. At this time they were making apple ornaments of various colors while during our earlier visit they were making swan ornaments.
We also stopped at several other craft shops to see their wares and demonstrations on how they make their goods. The pottery shop was pretty interesting and looked like it took not only a steady hand but a bit of artistic talent.
Now that we were a little lighter in the wallet, back on the bus to Mosta. We had told the family about the church in Mosta, you know the one with bomb that went through the ceiling but didn’t explode, so we thought that would be a good stop. What we had forgotten was that this church closes every day from 12pm to 3pm. Not exactly sure why they do this but hey, it’s their church, they do what they want. So we took pictures of the outside and got back on the bus for MDina. Interesting to note, the cannon located outside the church bears the same insignia or makers mark, as the cannon we saw in Panama, Ft. San Lorenzo.
Panama Cannon w/slightly different crown
We toured MDina and stopped at the museum for lunch. Sounds a little off but the museum actually has very good food, good selection and outstanding vistas, wine isn’t bad either!
After the meal we walked to Rabat, just about 15 minutes from MDina, so the family could tour the catacombs and bomb shelters. Since Collette and I had already done this we elected to walk over to a local traverna and have a glass of wine while we waited. After tasting the wine, I know how they filled the catacombs with bodies. We were even afraid to pour it into the planter boxes for fear of killing the plants. On the way back we saw the statue of the patron saint, Gothataway. Most people miss this one but we knew where to look.
Where to get rid of this wine?
Patron Saint, Gothataway
Good last day in Malta. Headed back to the apartment to have a dinner of left-overs, read a little and pack for Ireland.
