Malta
First morning view from the top of Sliema, looking south towards Marsamxett Bay and the city of Valletta in the distance.
The Saluting Battery looking out from the Upper Barracca Gardens of Valletta across Grand Harbor. The two penninsulas jutting out towards us are the cities of Vittoriosa (center) and Sanglea (right).
Ramparts above the Saluting Battery. The Upper Barracca Gardens are off to the right.
Upper Barracca Gardens.
Wine with a view.
One of many very steep streets in the city of Valletta.
Up and down...
Center of Valletta.
Still using British phone booths.
Beautiful cappiccino stop.
Check out the ceiling above the cappiccino.
Flags out for a religious feast day.
Entrance to the British Barracks.
Courtyard inside the Barracks.
The front entrance to Valletta.
Triton Fountain at the city gate of Valletta.
French Creek, the harbor of Sanglea.
Harbor between Vittoriosa and Sanglea. Old dockyards to the left were almost totally destroyed in the War.
Marsamxett Bay from Valletta towards Manoel Island on the right, and Sliema beyond.
Yacht harbor of the Excelsoir Hotel. On Marsamxett Bay.
Yacht Marina between Manoel Island and Gzira.
Yacht Marina at Msida Creek.
Msida Parash Church at Msida Creek.
Ancient city of Mdina. Founded in 700 BC by the Phoenicians, then governed by many successions of occupiers.
Mdina. Roman ruins on the immediate right date back to BC, when the Roman Governer lived here. Fortified city in the distance is Mdina. City to far left is Mtarfa.
Mdina ramparts view to East. Mtarfa to left, Mosta in far distance.
Time for a glass of wine!
St. Paul's Cathederal.
Courtyard of the beautiful Xara Palace Hotel. Superb.
The famous Rotunda of Mosta, actually the Church of the Assumption. This giant dome is the third largest free standing dome in the world.
The interior of the Rotunda. During a Mass in 1942 a German aircraft dropped a bomb that penetrated through the dome and landed on the floor of the church without exploding. The patch over the hole in the dome is still visible.
Slima shopping plaza on the waterfront.
Waterfront of Balluta Bay.
Spinola Bay.
St. Paul's Bay.
The Blue Grotto.
Marsaxlokk Bay.
Shopping stall along the Marsaxlokk waterfront.
Our Lady of Pompei Church on the main waterfront piazza, Marsaxlokk.
Ancient Hagar Qim temple area. These are the oldest recorded buildings (man made structures) on earth. Circa 3500 BC.
Interior.
A great resting place after a day of tourist action - The Excelsior Hotel Bar.
Malta is actually two islands - Malta and Gozo. Gozo is to the north of Malta and is actually a large island, but without a commercial airport. Everything goes by boat or ferry. Unfortunately, because of this not many tourists get to see Gozo. It is a very interesting place, as you can see by clicking on