We took our time and had breakfast at the apartment. Then we took a short walk before the concert. The theater was close to the apartment, and we arrived early. We had time to take a peek in the main theater before heading to the smaller venue. The performance was by a 15-year-old pianist. He did pieces by Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven. My favorite was a piece "Fantaisie-Imprompu Op. 66." by Chopin. This was composed in 1834, but published posthumously, even though Chopin had never wanted it to be published. The pianist ended the concert with an encore of Christmas tunes.
Wrap around balcony on the Grandmaster's Palace
Entrance to the theater
The larger theater -- ready for the next production
The smaller concert room
Falafel wrap from Moo's Kebab
After the concert and a quick lunch at Moo's Kebab, we headed out of Valletta by bus to Rabat and Mdina. Mdina is a walled city or fortress dating back 4,000 years. Our tour guide told us on Sunday that there are many movies that have been filmed in Malta. Mdina and other locations in Malta were used in the filming of Game of Thrones. The small, quaint, walled city was a step back in time, and the fortress wall provided views of the beautiful countryside. There was an artisan food shop in Mdina. I found some nice spice blends, capers, and smoked Himalayan pink salt.
A nativity in a recess in Mdina
In front of the cathedral in Mdina
Heading to the fortress wall for a view of the countryside
Walking the narrow street of Mdina
The views from Mdina
Balconies are different in Mdina
The park and walkways outside the fortress walls
Cathedral in Rabat in the city center
After our walk through Mdina, we headed to nearby Rabat and took a brief stroll through the central area before taking a bus back to Valletta. It was too early for dinner, so we walked around some side streets. We saw an interesting restaurant in the rampart wall. We saw it from the bridge as we entered the city center. We tried to find our way to it, but instead found a park with wonderful views. Eventually, we found the restaurant, but it did not have the food we were interested in. We ended up eating at a restaurant called Tribe close to the old opera house.
Oranges growing in a park in Rabat
Christmas carnaval near the city center
Rampart restaurant with outdoor seating under the canopies
View of the carnival
Still looking for the restaurant
Canon at the park, it looks like its pointed at the ferris wheel
View of the harbor on the other side
Hummus with pomegranate, roasted chick peas and persillade (parsley salad)
On Tuesday, we went to Gozo Island. but we started later than planned. We had purchased our ferry passage on our bus pass, but we didn't know we still had to have the bus card scanned. We didn't make it on the 9:45 ferry because we were in the wrong line. We booked our ticket back for 7:45 pm, because we wanted to be sure we had enough time on the island. When we arrived at the ferry terminal on Gozo Island, we were able to take the second bus from the terminal to Victoria (Gozo's largest island). From Victoria, we caught another bus to Dwejra on the west coast of Gozo. Dwejra is home to many unusual rock formations, blue pools of water, and high rock cliffs. We walked through the onshore formations, the high cliffs, small rock-walled farm plots, and eventually back to Victoria, where we enjoyed wonderful food at Roza's, a family-owned restaurant in Victoria. There was an hour wait when we arrived, so we walked to the Cittadella (Citadel). It (like Mdina) is an ancient fortified city. Once again, the views from the fortress walls were amazing, and the architecture is magnificent. There are a few families still living in the citadel as well as artisan craft shops, restaurants, and exhibits.
Rocky coastline of Dwejra on Gozo Island
The rock formation known as fungus rock
More fungus rock
Clear waters on the western coast of Gozo Island
Diving and swimming area and archway in the rock
Archway Dwejra Tower built in 1652
Ruggled coastline of cliff and rock formations
Dwejra Tower
Interesting vegetation
Rocklined road to Victoria
Rockwall and prickley pear cactus
Prickly pear in Malta is not a native plant, it is used for windbreaks, food and fodder
Cinderella carriage and horse
Back entrance to Roza Family Restaurant
The citadel
Views of Victoria from the Citadel
Inside the fortress
Tiered farming
From inside the wall city
From inside the walled city
Wild Mushroom Risotto and smoked seabream
St. George's square
Giraffe painting on the wall of house
Welcome to Gozo Island
Santa outside of a restaurant
Church on the large rock near the ferry terminal on Gozo Island
After our stroll through the citadel, we were seated early for dinner. I had a vegan wild mushroom risotto with caramelized onions, and Thom had the fish of the day (fresh caught) with roasted tomatoes, capers, spinach, and a side of roasted vegetables. After dinner, we meandered to the bus stop and walked around a bit before waiting at the terminal for our ferry.
Two more awesome and mostly sunny days in Malta. I hope I have captured enough Vitamin D to make it through January...
