Malta Memories VALLETTA

When visiting Valletta, if travelling by route bus, you pass through Floriana before arriving at the Bus Terminus just outside the City Gate at Valletta.

Thornycroft, Ford and Bedford route buses at Valletta bus terminus in 1995

Valletta is the capital city of Malta, the two main streets are, Republic Street and Merchants Street, there are lots of narrow back streets which have many small local shops each selling their own range of goods.

Two of the many small independant shops in Valletta

Valletta has some lovely public gardens, the Upper Barrakka Gardens overlook the Grand Harbour with a panoramic view across to Senglia, Vittoriosa, Kalkara and Cospicua beyond.

Firing of the Mid-Day gun at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta

There is always a lot of maritime activity with Cruise ships, Cargo vessels and the small Djhaisa water taxis.
Other public gardens in Valletta are at Lower Barrakka Gardens and Hastings Gardens with views across Marsamxett Harbour, lovely sunsets can be seen here.

Sunset over Lazaretto Creek, seen from Valletta

Malta Railway Museum - Attard

The Malta Railway opened in 1883 and closed in 1931. There is a private museum in the village of Attard, which has a wonderful selection of photographs, maps, timetables and artefacts on display related to the Malta Railway, the highlight of the museum is a model of all the stations and bridges along the line of route from Valletta to Hamrun, Birkirkara, Attard, San Salvatore, Notabile (Rabat) and Museum (Mtarfa) hand made by Mr Nicholas Azzopardi who is to be congratulated on the results of his hard work over the years.

The Malta Railway Museum

Valletta Station

The tunnels and bridge near Porte Des Bombes

Princess Melita Road Bridges

Hamrun Station, Loco Shed and Workshops

Hamrun Station, Loco Shed and Workshops

Birkirkara Station

Attard Station

Bridge at San Salvatore

Notabile Road overbridge at San Salvatore

Notabile (Rabat) Station and tunnel under Mdina

Museum (Mtarfa) Station and tunnel under Mdina

Gheriexen Valley Bridge and buffer stops at Mtarfa

Malta Memories SLIEMA

It was July 1995 and our first visit to Malta, we stayed at The Tower Palace Hotel in Tower Road, Sliema. I remember when we first stepped out of the Air Malta 737 at Luqa, the sky was a dark grey colour and the heat felt as if you had stepped out of a fridge and into an oven!
After collecting our luggage and heading through the customs to the arrivals hall, we were greeted with a line of kiosks manned by staff from various holiday companies, we spotted the Bellair kiosk and were given an envelope which had all the necessary details for our stay in Malta. We were then guided out to the car park by a gentleman who was to be the driver of a red minibus which was to take us to our Hotel. I said to him that "I think it looks as if we are going to have a storm" seeing as the sky was still this dark grey colour, combined with the heat. I had no response from him, I expect he was thinking, "another load of crazy English tourists".
After a speedy journey, passing through a very foreign landscape, and having no idea whatever of where we were going, we soon arrived at Sliema.
After checking in at the reception desk, we headed up to our room, it had a balcony overlooking the sea.

The view from our balcony at the Tower Palace Hotel, Tower Road, Sliema

We explored the local area and walked along the promenade to St. Julians taking a rest under the shade of some palm trees near the Exiles beach, watching some lizards scurrying about.
A real treat was experienced one day when walking from Sliema to Spinola Bay, we decided to walk along the back roads for a change and just around one corner, what did we see but a Man selling his hardware items door to door. He had a lovely black horse and a two wheel cart laden down with everything under the sun, including plastic buckets, pegs, and a whole array of household items.

Horsedrawn Hardware hawker in the back streets between Balluta Bay and Spinola Bay

Other years we stayed at the Marina Hotel, Tigne Seafront, Sliema. Our room had a wonderful view across Marsamxett Harbour looking in the direction of Valletta.

Valletta seen from the Marina Hotel, Sliema

 The view from the Marina Hotel looking towards Gzira, there are plenty of route buses and Captain Morgan boats waiting for business at Sliema Ferries.

Route buses and boats waiting at the aptly named "Sliema Ferries"

A favourite place for a snack or one of their glorious fry-ups was the Army & Navy Restaurant, next door to the Magic Kiosk along the Tigne Seafront at Sliema, sadly both of these establishments have closed down.

The Army & Navy Restaurant, Sliema

The Magic Kiosk, Sliema