A day in Valletta

Breakfast at home today.  Our welcome pack at the apartment included a box of interesting looking muesli, so we thought we should try it out.  It was pretty good...topped with cherry yoghurt...but it ain't no marmellata croissant!

Headed down to the ferry stop with ambitious plans for sightseeing in Valletta.  It's 30 degrees today, with almost 90% humidity...maybe should have re-thought our plans!

Easy ferry trip, then that 58-metre stifling lift up to street level.  I always have that momentary thought...what if it stops midway...but let's not think about it.

Now, Valletta is chaotic.  Crowded streets and shops...all a bit overwhelming.  We made our way to Caffe Cordina, a Valletta institution located in a former palazzo, for coffee.  Even at 9am both the inside seating and large outdoor area across the pedestrian street of Triq il-Republikka (Republic Street) were incredibly busy.

We headed on to D'Amato record shop...another on Brent's list.  It claims to be the oldest record shop in the world, established in 1885.  No treasures were found by the little Aussie crate-digger...not that he needs more anyway!

We were going to visit St John's Co-Cathedral, but the long queue, barely moving, in the sun was off-putting.  Instead we visited the Grand Masters' Palace - the State Rooms and the Palace Armoury.  The Armoury was really interesting, displaying a collection of armour and weapons dating from the 15th century.  The armour was ornate, evolving through the years to be more practical for the wearer...even designed to reflect the fashions of the time.

I had a few cafés on my potential list for lunch...but the crowded tables and the heat were crossing one at a time off the list.  Our ticket to the Grand Masters' Palace also gave us entry to MUZA, Malta's new national-community museum of art...so we headed there.  MUZA is situated within the restored Auberge d'Italie, a 16th century building once housing Italian members of the Knights of St John.  And it has a café-restaurant!  We had a wonderful lunch in the quiet and cool surrounds of the museum, and then wandered the museum.  Highlight of the day!

Finally back to the ferry and across the water to Birgu, stopping for a granita from a cart before the walk back to the apartment.

I still have a list of things to do in Valletta...but let's see how we go with the heat!