Hey everyone, I just can't believe I finally got all my vacation pics on my computer and external drive now! I'm so excited! Now I can finally start writing more posts for you all to enjoy. The pictures here are just of the Grand Harbour in Valletta, which is breathtaking. I will have to post more to show you the docks and the country of Malta.
I have so many pictures just on Malta, I will have to do it in segments.
When we cruised to Malta, I thought I lost all the pictures. My granddaughter's new camera was acting very bad and the pictures were coming out blurry so I had to buy a disposable camera on the ship. The Grand Harbour Valletta is more than amazing, it is so hard to believe that you're actually looking at the most incredible site! The magnificent harbour view of the ancient city of Mdina is breathtaking... indescribable! My heart actually raced a little when I first viewed it. The Captain made an announcement to make our way to the top of the ship on the port side to get a really good view of the Grand Harbour. We didn't have to because we had a balcony. To be honest, I think I should have gone upstairs because I would have been able to scan the entire harbour from left to right whereas my balcony did restrict me somewhat.
To say Malta was awesome, is an understatement. The place is incredible, the people amazing and the history and views throughout the bus tour was beyond my wildest dream. It is a very small country. It was significant during World War II, as I was told. I unfortunately didn't get to see any grave yards while there.
I purchased a St John Jerusalem pendant and a figurine for myself. I served in the Halifax Brigade providing First Aid at public events. I received a PVOT (Priory Vote of Thanks) from our provincial Lt Governor and I also received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medal so Malta was extra special because this is where St John of Jerusalem started.
The worst thing that happened to us was that we got on the wrong bus! YES WE DID! We disembarked down the long plank and it was a long line brick wall with lots of tour vendors just trying to sell you a ticket on their bus and other tours. I tried to get the "red" bus tour because I saw they were going to Mdina, which I wanted to see and explore so much. Hah! Fooled me.. I went to the next station because we were being pulled all over and we booked a ticket with them. We waited and got on the bus. We went up the stairs to sit on the top so we could get better pictures. As the bus rolled along, we saw many wonderful sites, but I kept waiting for the ancient city Mdina. This is the city we saw as we entered the harbour.
We had a wonderful little stop (it was a hop on hop off bus) and we enjoy a little bit of shopping and some refreshments. We took some pictures and got back on the next bus. We arrived back at the place we got on the bus, near where we disembarked and I wondered what happened. Why didn't I see Mdina? Well, we got on the wrong bus!!! I knew one red bus company went to Mdina, I thought the other place I bought the ticket was the same company but it wasn't so the laugh was on me for not checking. One bus would go north and one south. Because it takes so long to travel round trip, we didn't have enough time to get on the correct bus to Mdina. Mdina is south and we took the north bus. We saw so much but missed so much too. Please enjoy my pictures and memories.
So here's a lesson for all of you, when you buy a ticket for something, be sure it is what you want or you could find yourself on the wrong bus too!
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| This is on the right side of the harbour |
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| Ancient City of Mdina, so awesome, isn't it? This was the place we were supposed to go to on the bus, but we got on the wrong bus and went NORTH! |
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| This is on the Port side of the ship, which we were on. It has the best view for docking. |
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| Looking back at the harbour entrance as we sailed into port. |
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| Look at this, isn't it amazing. This protected the little country. |
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| We coming around to dock |
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| A view of some of the homes. |
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| This is the right side view looking back. |
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| Looking back at the entrance to the Harbour, amazing! You won't see another harbour anywhere like this. |
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| This is where we docked. |
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| The dock is where the tents are. We purchased our bus tickets there. There are also nice little shops and food places to eat here. |
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| This tent area is for the restaurant across in the building. |
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| Here is a good visual where we docked and got off the ship to make our way over to the tent area. This is where we actually got off the ship. |
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| As you look at the bottom left, you can see the different stands that sell tours. Further down, you can see a red bus area and the slant building going up towards the left, is a steep road that takes you into Valletta. |
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| Layla's holding on for dear life as we are ready to dock in Malta. |
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| Now this is a nice picture of Layla on the Ship just before we left the ship for our adventure! |
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| Kids are ready to get going and waiting for me to stop taking pictures. |
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