Friday May 29 

We arrived as indicated and got to our holiday apartment in Sliema at about 1pm to find it was not ready (as expected) but we could leave our luggage there. We walked around the waterfront, stopped for a drink then found the closest grocery store, a Lido only 5 minutes walk away. Lido is just like Aldi so very disorganised with somewhat limited selection. We managed to get some fruit, yoghurt and water. By the time we were finished the apartment was ready so we settled in - unpacking and showering before going out for dinner.

Saturday May 30

First full day - after our standard holiday breakfast of fruit and yoghurt we got onto Marko (our host) about the TV which we could not figure out. After an hour of back and forth he sent a technician who somehow got it working (clearly Marko had never personally turn the TV on). 

So thinking it was fixed, we set out for self-guided walking tour of Sliema. We did a big shop at the closest grocery store (even closer than the Lido and 10 times better) - we stocked up with makings for 2 pasta dinners and some bread, ham and cheese for lunch and/or dinner. Back at the apartment around 1pm we had a light lunch then settled in to watch some of the French Open. We again had all sorts of drama getting the TV to work - after much jiggery-poking around we got onto the pay TV channels.  The FO was on the channel "France 2"; however, their coverage ended at 3:30pm and cutover to "France 3" which was not on our subscription, we then located Eurosport which was also covering the French Open but alas it was also not in our subscription. 

Later in the afternoon we went for a seaside walk and stopped for happy hour at one of the many bar/restaurants dotted along the way - we each had a Mai Tai (2 for 1) for 8Eur.

We headed home for showers and a pasta/salad dinner.

Sunday May 31

We had pre-booked a 3 hour walking tour of the old town of Valetta - starting at 10am, so we took the 9:15 ferry over to the old town and walked about 10 minutes to our meeting place. Our tour had 20 people and a pretty good guide; however, it dragged on in the last hour. By mid-day the old town was packed with tourists. After the tour finished we had lunch at a cafe - it was about a 3 out of 10.

We then headed home via the ferry arriving around 2:30am in time for a half-hour of FO then showers, resting and planning the next few days activities. we stayed home and had cold cuts for dinner.

Monday June 1

Another amazing day weather-wise - sunny and high 20's every day. We took a harbour cruise in the morning - very interesting to see all the creeks off the harbour with 100's perhaps 1000's of boats docked - usual Mediterranean style - stern to shore and anchor to secure the bow.  We came home in time for lunch to find the lift out of order - we started up the stairs to the 4th floor (narrow and steep with no railings) - unfortunately the sensor lights weren't working properly so we had to use our iPhone flashlights to find the switches, further the second floor landing was totally covered in junk/rubbish. I contacted Marko who's onto it - but it seems no action until Tuesday - the lift is a real concern as even when working it is very rickety. In spite of our apartment being beautifully renovated the rest of the building is very dilapidated.

After lunch - we rested then headed out for some retail therapy - I scored some Max Mara navy linen pants and Dieter a shirt and 2 t-shirts.

Then it was home for dinner.

Tuesday June 2

Off to Gozo today. Alas, another "fog-dam". We took the 8:45am ferry to Gozo arriving at 10am. We met our "private" guide only to find there were 2 other people in his very small car!! A major argument ensued - he said private meant up to 4 persons; however, even if we were OK with that, it would not have been possible for both of us to fit in the car. The 2 already ensconced in the back seat were on the large size which no space for an additional person. So we told the guide we were cancelling our tour and would like a refund (of $230) - he told us we needed to go via the booking agent (GetYourGuide).

At this stage we just jumped back on the ferry we had come over on which fortunately had not left yet. While on the return trip I did a live chat with GetYourGuide who were very apologetic and by the time we reach Sliema I had an e-mail stating that a full refund would be forthcoming.

As a result - on arrival back in Sliema we hopped onto the ferry to Valetta and spent the rest of the day sightseeing.

We went out to dinner at the Skyroom, a roof top restaurant in a nearby hotel. The views were outstanding and the food pretty good.

Wednesday June 3

It was off to Gozo again today for a Blue Lagoon "tour" - the tour was actually a small ferry (25 people) transfer to the Blue Lagoon on Comino island where you can stop for 1+ hours before jumping back on board for a drive-by of some famous caves. We arrived at the Blue Lagoon around 10:50am and were horrified - see photos - the small rocky "beach" was body-to-body or even closer with people just floating / standing in the water. Influencers ruled the waves - all in the smallest string bikinis and largest botox lips ever seen. We left as soon as we could (11:20am) and back on Gozo found a bar on the edge of the marina and shared a sambo and a drink.  Back at home I checked the TripAdvisor reviews of the Blue Lagoon - should have done this first and saved a day.

Thursday June 4

We had pre-booked taxi to the ancient city of Mdina and adjacent Rabat. We had also booked a walking tour, which was interesting but we both agreed it would have been easier to just do a self-guided tour as both cities are very small. After checking out the local cafes we decided to head home for a late lunch of cheese and biscuits.

We had dinner at home.

Friday June 5

We took a newly booked 4-hour private tour of Gozo today so it was over to Gozo on the 8:45 ferry for a 10am start. The tour was very good and we saw all the highlights and a couple of lowlights. The tour finished at 2pm so we stopped at the same harbour-side bar for a drink and a shared sandwich before catching the 3:15PM ferry back to Sliema.

We stayed home for sandwiches.

Saturday June 6

Malta to Catania - see next entry.