Today is the day after Thanksgiving and we are at home in Tucson, fully unpacked, but still doing laundry and tending to chores. Our two cats, Jake and Luke, who had the benefit of daily visits from our kitten-loving friends, Cathy and John, nevertheless are our constant companions, no matter what we may be doing at any time of the day or night.
I am now refreshed enough from our travels (and travails) coming home that I can return to the sailing and scenic joys of the remaining days of our cruise, starting with . . .
Valletta, Malta
Friday, 17 November 2017
We sail into the dramatic harbor of Valletta shortly before 1pm. Although I have sailed here before, this is the first time the ship has entered the harbor during waking mid-day hours (rather than early morning before sunrise)--and it is a breathtaking sight. The largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean, both sides of the water are lined with massive walls and fortresses, behind which, on our right (starboard) side stand the church domes and domestic terraces of the capital city, Valletta; on the left (port) side lay the "Three Cities," known by their joint title rather than by their individual names.
We can also see farther back along the shore, the 21st-century elevator that takes passengers and residents to the Upper Battery, at the highest level of the city. Rather than spend energy on the 10-minute walk to the elevator, the three of us share a taxi from the pier to the entrance to the upper city. The cost of using the elevator is one Euro per person to go up--the return trip down is free. The cost of the taxi is 15 Euros each way for all three of us.
The Battery Gardens overlooking the harbor present a wide view of the surroundings and our ship below, as well as the historical sense of the presence of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
It is nice to have this extra afternoon to explore the streets of Valletta without the pressure of a guide and the crowding of a tour group. The most important site in the city is the Co-Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, a baroque masterpiece financed and designed by the Knights Templar upon their arrival here after their expulsion from Rhodes. Besides displaying the architecture and decoration of its massive construction, the building houses several masterpieces by Caravaggio, left by the artist as payment for his release from prison.
Before returning to the ship, we enjoy a walk through the wide and narrow streets of the central city:
We return to the ship in the very late afternoon filled with the vibrant colors and exuberant forms of Valletta. Tomorrow we have a tour to other parts of this island nation, and I will describe them in the next blog entry.
I am now refreshed enough from our travels (and travails) coming home that I can return to the sailing and scenic joys of the remaining days of our cruise, starting with . . .
Valletta, Malta
Friday, 17 November 2017
We sail into the dramatic harbor of Valletta shortly before 1pm. Although I have sailed here before, this is the first time the ship has entered the harbor during waking mid-day hours (rather than early morning before sunrise)--and it is a breathtaking sight. The largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean, both sides of the water are lined with massive walls and fortresses, behind which, on our right (starboard) side stand the church domes and domestic terraces of the capital city, Valletta; on the left (port) side lay the "Three Cities," known by their joint title rather than by their individual names.
As we near the dock, directly below the city, we see more clearly the restored warehouses and military structures left by the British and other occupiers from the past three centuries.
We can also see farther back along the shore, the 21st-century elevator that takes passengers and residents to the Upper Battery, at the highest level of the city. Rather than spend energy on the 10-minute walk to the elevator, the three of us share a taxi from the pier to the entrance to the upper city. The cost of using the elevator is one Euro per person to go up--the return trip down is free. The cost of the taxi is 15 Euros each way for all three of us.
As we enter the upper city we are greeted by a raucous crowd celebrating their university graduation. They make a great deal of noise, but are just a happy young crowd.
The Battery Gardens overlooking the harbor present a wide view of the surroundings and our ship below, as well as the historical sense of the presence of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
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| Upper Battery Gardens |
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| Oceania's ms Marina Docked at Valletta |
It is nice to have this extra afternoon to explore the streets of Valletta without the pressure of a guide and the crowding of a tour group. The most important site in the city is the Co-Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, a baroque masterpiece financed and designed by the Knights Templar upon their arrival here after their expulsion from Rhodes. Besides displaying the architecture and decoration of its massive construction, the building houses several masterpieces by Caravaggio, left by the artist as payment for his release from prison.
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| South Side Elevation of Cathedral Interior Decoration: |
Before returning to the ship, we enjoy a walk through the wide and narrow streets of the central city:
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| Renzo Piano's Post-Modern Conference Center at the City Gate |
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| Typical Victorian Building Design and Decoration |
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