Mediterranean

Day 3 - Mon 15 Oct 07

Up early - down for breakfast at 07:00, despite it not starting until 07:30! Grab something quickly and then down to the bus station. I don't have to wait long for the No.45 to appear and the fare is only 20cents.

The bus gets me to Cirkewwa just after 08:00 and there's a ferry waiting for me there. I get my ticket for two Lira (return) and walk aboard. The crossing to Gozo take about 30 minutes, and at the other side there's a No.25 bus waiting to take me to Victoria the capital. I'm there by 09:00 and it takes me about 10 minutes to walk up to Il-Kastell. I take a wander around the fortifications and almost get blown off as the wind is so strong.

Il-Kastell walls, Rabat

The views of the surrounding countryside and impressive and there's the typical Maltese church/cathedral inside the walls of the castle. I climb back down the hill and head into the old town where I find a cake shop and purchase a custard and sponge affair. The twisty streets lead me back to the bus station, so I catch the 25 back to the ferry port (where the ferry is again waiting). I walk aboard and we're soon underway. The crossing may be short, but the wind is blowing hard so walking around is difficult!

The 45 bus back is mobbed, but I manage to get a seat. I've decided to get off at Mosta and see the church. I follow my plan but the church is closed until 15:00, so I grab another bus and head off to Mdina. The bus is 50cents, which doesn't sound a lot, but it's far more expensive than any other bus I've taken!

Mdina itself is very pretty, and there are lots little passageways, churches and shops - all very much aimed at the tourists. The LP suggests a visit at night went all the day trippers (such as me) have gone, but I have a feeling that the place might be a bit dead.

Walked into Rabat to see the Catacombs of St. Agnes, quite creepy really, as there are still bones down there. On the way back, had to queue up outside the bus while the driver was onboard chatting to his mate. Bundled onboard and then back down to Mosta to see the church, which is now open.

The dome in the church is impressive, there was a mass going on so I stayed at the back and observed, it wasn't until the end when the carried out the coffin did I realise that it was a requiem mass. caught the 45 bus back to Valletta. Got supper from Marks and Spencers. Sat down in the bar in the hotel overlooking the harbour and wrote my diary as the sun set. I'm not planning on doing anything else today.

So I decided to talk a walk after all - and found some worrying news. The performance in the Theatre was cancelled tonight as the orchestra (who are on a cruise ship) couldn't get ashore due to the high winds. I just hope I'm going to be able to depart on my ship on Wednesday!