This is the continuation of a previous post. Click here for Eat, Pray, Not So Much Love – Part 1! & Eat, Pray, Not So Much Love – Part 2!
When I woke up the next morning, my face felt like several minions of the anti – Christ had done the electric slide with red-hot pitchforks on it all night long.
I went into the mini kitchen of my hotel room, retrieved two long knives and attacked my suitcase locks. 10 minutes and 2 cuts later, I manage to pry it open and get at my ointment. After applying it all over my face, I prepared for the day. I dressed up in more holiday clothes, threw on my “so fly” floppy hat again and proceeded to the lobby.
I went into the mini kitchen of my hotel room, retrieved two long knives and attacked my suitcase locks. 10 minutes and 2 cuts later, I manage to pry it open and get at my ointment. After applying it all over my face, I prepared for the day. I dressed up in more holiday clothes, threw on my “so fly” floppy hat again and proceeded to the lobby.
I asked the receptionist how to get to Sliema Ferries as I wanted to discover the city by myself but she plumped another 1,000 tour brochures on the counter. Ah, not so fast missy. I reiterated I just wanted to know how to get to the ferries. She asked me to cross to the other side of the road and walk generally straight until I got to the coast. It seemed generally straight was the standard directions in Sliema.
Turned out getting lost the day before actually gave me a sense of where to head the next day. I spent a good deal of the next two hours weaving my way in and out of very hilly streets and alleys, happy to be so free from care and stress. Eventually, I took a seat facing the coastline and tried to eat my ice cream faster than it was melting. I didn’t succeed. While cleaning off the mess, I was offered another tour, which seemed more interesting than the day before. I paid for it and climbed in the bus five minutes later. This took us to the south side of Malta and involved a few walking tours with a draconian guide who ran a tight ship and timeline.
This tour lasted most of the day but one destination that stuck with me was Marsaxlokk, an idyllic fishing village. The place was calm, serene and colourful. I had lunch in a delightful restaurant by the sea and felt so relaxed; I didn’t notice the tour bus about to leave without me. I fled after the bus like Usain Bolt headed for the finish line and threw myself in front of it, which turned out unnecessary. As I was the only black person on the bus, it was pretty obvious one person was missing and the bus was stopping anyway. Out of breath, I climbed on board and watched sadly as the village became smaller behind me.
When I returned to my hotel, I uploaded my pics onto my laptop and my Mac, which had been a trusty companion for the last 3 years choose that moment in time to crash with all my pics on it. I started cursing at the laptop and stopped when I realised Steve Jobs probably couldn’t hear me. I reminded myself I had a back up drive in Dubai and calmed down.
Turned out getting lost the day before actually gave me a sense of where to head the next day. I spent a good deal of the next two hours weaving my way in and out of very hilly streets and alleys, happy to be so free from care and stress. Eventually, I took a seat facing the coastline and tried to eat my ice cream faster than it was melting. I didn’t succeed. While cleaning off the mess, I was offered another tour, which seemed more interesting than the day before. I paid for it and climbed in the bus five minutes later. This took us to the south side of Malta and involved a few walking tours with a draconian guide who ran a tight ship and timeline.
This tour lasted most of the day but one destination that stuck with me was Marsaxlokk, an idyllic fishing village. The place was calm, serene and colourful. I had lunch in a delightful restaurant by the sea and felt so relaxed; I didn’t notice the tour bus about to leave without me. I fled after the bus like Usain Bolt headed for the finish line and threw myself in front of it, which turned out unnecessary. As I was the only black person on the bus, it was pretty obvious one person was missing and the bus was stopping anyway. Out of breath, I climbed on board and watched sadly as the village became smaller behind me.
When I returned to my hotel, I uploaded my pics onto my laptop and my Mac, which had been a trusty companion for the last 3 years choose that moment in time to crash with all my pics on it. I started cursing at the laptop and stopped when I realised Steve Jobs probably couldn’t hear me. I reminded myself I had a back up drive in Dubai and calmed down.
I spent the rest of my time in Malta wandering around the streets and spending a fortune on bottled water. On my last day, I partook in an airport transfer from hell. For €8, I enjoyed the privilege of watching the driver weave in and out of traffic like he was on speed. A hail Mary exploded out of everyone’s mouths when we arrived at the airport in 1 piece.
Even though I spent only a few days in Malta, it was hard to leave. I’d quickly gotten used to the laid back and relaxed atmosphere and was reluctant to return to the world of computers, emails and phones! I was a bit miffed I wasn’t able to see St John’s Co-Cathedral and Caravaggio’s painting of the Beheading of St John, and the show at the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. If you ever go to Malta, definitely don’t bypass this. I plan to return to Malta someday to visit these places specifically. By the way, entry tickets to the Hypogeum need to be booked weeks in advance.
I returned to Dubai with a damaged beyond repair suitcase and 1kg lighter from all the walking I’d done. It wasn’t quite the “lazy song” holiday I’d planned but I loved every second of it. Next up, Geneva and Thailand in July!
Even though I spent only a few days in Malta, it was hard to leave. I’d quickly gotten used to the laid back and relaxed atmosphere and was reluctant to return to the world of computers, emails and phones! I was a bit miffed I wasn’t able to see St John’s Co-Cathedral and Caravaggio’s painting of the Beheading of St John, and the show at the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. If you ever go to Malta, definitely don’t bypass this. I plan to return to Malta someday to visit these places specifically. By the way, entry tickets to the Hypogeum need to be booked weeks in advance.
I returned to Dubai with a damaged beyond repair suitcase and 1kg lighter from all the walking I’d done. It wasn’t quite the “lazy song” holiday I’d planned but I loved every second of it. Next up, Geneva and Thailand in July!
PS: As it turned out, my back up restored my iPhoto album and I was able to recover all my pictures. Some of them below :)
