July 24 2014 Valetta Malta

July 24 2014

Today we are arriving in the port of Valetta, Malta.  Jamie and I visited Malta twice last year, so it is my third visit to this city.

Valetta, Malta is one of the most beautiful ports to cruise into.  Malta is officially the Republic of Malta.  It is a small densely populated island nation comprising of seven islands, three of which are inhabited.  It is located in the Mediterranean Sea just 5 miles south of Sicily.  The island is 17 miles long and 9 miles wide.

We are arriving in port about 6:15 a.m. so it is an early morning in order to see the sunrise and sail into the port.  

I figured since most of the guests were getting off the ship first thing, I would get my laundry done while there wasn’t a wait for washers and dryers.  The plan worked great.  Had all my laundry done by 10 a.m.  and then got ready for the day.

Went out to the port at 11 a.m. and met up with Michael, George, Kathy, Jason, Noel and Kathryn for the Hop On Hop Off Bus.  Cost was $15 euros and picks up right outside the port down the walkway on the right.

Rode the bus through the city (it is an extremely hot day and a little humid).  Went through many of the small villages and saw plenty of sights right from the bus.

Here’s a picture of my daughter Jamie from last year’s visit to the fishing village

Next stop is the Blue Grotto.  Here’s a picture with Jamie last year and then this year’s picture of the same place

 

Here’s some additional pictures from the Blue Grotto.  It is a beautiful little boat ride.  You ride the little boat for about 5-10 minutes before you get to the Grotto.

Jason, Noel and Katherine (and our skipper):

While waiting for the Hop On Hop Off bus, got a gelato and a couple of souvenirs:

Continued on the bus to the Old City and went shopping and enjoyed a traditional Maltese treat – a Canolli from the local bakery.  (I had one from here last year, and it was on my list of must do’s for this year!)  The Wembley Bakery makes these fresh while you wait, putting the cream inside the canolli and the nuts on top while you wait.  Delicious!

Went by the city walls on my way walking back to the ship:

This is looking at the ship from the city walls before taking the Barrakka lifts down to the street level to get back to the port.  (The Barrakka lifts are elevators that take you from sea level up to the old city.  Very nice so you don't have to walk the huge hill to get up there).

Now it is time for all to be aboard (4:45 p.m.) and we will be making our way back to Barcelona.  We have beautiful views of the city as we leave Malta.

I ran into Jake the Pirate in the atrium and there was no line, so wanted to get a picture for Jamie’s since she is friends with Jake.

Tonight in the Walt Disney Theater is the Magic & Illusion of Kyle Knight and Mistie. They do an excellent show, fast paced and audience interaction is involved which makes it fun.

Next it is off to Bingo, but no winning tonight.

Next is dinner in Carioca’s.  My third favorite restaurant on the Disney Magic.  My favorite is Animator’s, followed by Lumiere’s and then Carioca’s.  So you could say it is my least favorite, but instead, I say it is my third favorite. LOL

After dinner, we wander over to Fathom’s for 80’s Flashback night.  Michael of course has all his 80’s props, including the Michael Jackson gloves, so we have tons of fun playing the 80’s flashback musical game.

Back to the room to call it a night.  We receive our final gift from Disney Cruise Line for the Inaugural Voyage we are on  Sorry, I didn’t take a picture, but it is a flat bowl and then you can roll up the sides and clip in the edges to make it a bowl.  Kinda a cool gift.

Tomorrow is our last sea day.  Have a really busy day planned. Before you know it, they will be kicking us off the ship….

Goodnight from the Disney Magic!