Last Day in Malta...

As our flight on New Year's Eve didn't take off until 10:15 pm, we had plenty of time for a day of exploration before leaving.  It rained throughout the night and was still drizzling slightly when we left the apartment at 10 am.  The drizzle was short-lived as we made our way to the shop where we could leave our backpacks for the day.  We decided to visit the set of Popeye the Movie on the northwest side of the island at Mellieha Bay.

In front of the movie set

We took two different buses to get to the village.  From the first views of the village, we could tell that it was the real set of the 1980 movie.  After finding the restrooms, we went to see a short film on the filming of the movie.  We found out that the director (Robert Altman), chose the location in Malta for it's monochromatic sandstone rock, that added to the cartoon affect.  The entire set was built in 8 months.  The cove that it was built on was a beautiful blue in the bright Maltese sun.  The village is 19 buildings and it didn't take us long to walk through.  We then walked along the cove to the cliffs across from the village to get some postcard perfect photos.  I enjoyed the cartoonish effects of the building construction and the painting techniques.

The view of the village from the cliffs across the bay

Thom makes a better Popeye

The Oyl House

Inside the set

The cove 

Characters dancing

A beach in Mellieha

After touring the village and a short walk, we walked 20 minutes to the bus stop and headed back to Valletta for a late, late lunch.  We walk around until about 6:30 pm.  Then it was time to pick up our backpacks and head to the airport.  Our timing was perfect, as we just missed the rain, which started while we were on the bus to the airport.

The parliament building in Valletta

Best photo of the National tree

The fountain with the lights on

Our flight was uneventful.  We arrived just before midnight.  We actually saw fireworks as we flew over Greece at 11:00 pm, as they are an hour ahead of Kosovo.  

It was colder in Kaçanik than when we left.  But we have gotten out to walk every day and enjoyed coffee or lunch with friends.  I am happy to have a break.

Snow on Luboten