World Cruise Day 76/152 - Valletta, Malta - Our halfway point

Cruise day: 76/152

Ports days: 26
Sea days: 50
Countries: 12
Continents: 4
Ports: 19

Today marks the halfway point in our journey - 76 days done, 76 days to go.  Not sure how I feel about that.  Of course, it doesn't matter - we soldier on.

We didn't arrive in Valletta until noon today.  I pulled back the curtains this morning to see we have company - lots of company. 

These are just two of the many ships we spotted off the port side this morning.  This is a busy shipping area as it sits between the Suez Canal and the Straits of Gibraltar.

We ate breakfast because we were hungry and chose not to wait for the late riser's dining event Viking was putting on in the pool deck area.  We had a leisurely breakfast and then walked out to check out the brunch.  They had a nice selection of items available, including Norwegian waffles.

Of course, drinks were available.

But oh, those desserts...

No event would be complete without ice carvings, right?

So, exactly where is Malta?

Malta is a tiny 122 square mile island nation off the southern coast of Sicily and the east coast of Tunisia.

Our approach to Valletta was spectacular.

That sure looks like one tiny opening into the harbor

Yup, it is tiny

How do you disguise a fixed crane in the boatyard?  Paint it like a giraffe!

A couple of MSC ships in for some work

There are many yachts here.  In case you're wondering, this is the Golden Odyssey.  It is owned by Prince Khaled bin Sultan (net worth, $10 billion) who purchased it in 2015.  It is valued at a cool $400 million and costs between $25 and $40 million annually to operate. It sleeps 32 guests in 16 cabins and has a crew of 60 in 30 cabins.  Yes, that is essentially a 2:1 crew to guest ratio.

If that's too spendy for you, consider the Talisman C.  This is a charter yacht.  Here's a portion of the description:

• Split level master suite, en suite with Neptune bath, separate shower plus large dressing room
• Massage room with masseuse and beautician on board
• VIP cabin on the main deck
• Main deck gym with treadmill, bike, free weights, yoga equipment, and much more
• Observation deck or ''crow's nest'' giving stunning views and perfect for sundowners
• Oversized glass-fronted jacuzzi on the sun deck
• Zero speed stabilizers to reduce any rolling motion while at anchor
• Novurania Chase 23 tender boat
• Ski Nautique Super Air Nautique 230 ski boat with skis and towable toys
• Three Sea-Doo jet skis
• Four SeaBob power snorkel/dive crafts
• Kitesurfing kit and more
• Sleeps 12 guests in six cabins

Interested?  Winter season rates range from $567,000 to $595,000.  Per week.

This afternoon, we had an excursion called Birgu by boat and foot. To get from Valletta to Birgu, we took their water taxi.  We noticed that these folks appeared to be bundled up.  With the temperatures hovering in the low 50s and expected 18-25MPH winds, we also bundled up before heading our, and we were glad we did.

The boat is very much like a gondola but with a motor.  We zipped over to Birgu in just a few short minutes, sailing through the harbor.

Birgi is known to the locals as Città Vittoriosa - the victorious city. Birgu was the site of several battles during the siege of Malta in 1565. The knights of the Order of St. John eventually defeated the Ottoman Empire invaders.

Once in Birgu, we started our walking tour.  This is a memorial to families that lost members during World War 2.  It was amazing how many members some families lost.

We wound up at The Inquisitor's Palace.  Initially constructed in the 1530s and then extended several times, the Palace served as the residence and workplace of the Inquisitors from the church.  If you are unfamiliar with the term, inquisitor, think about the Inquisitions - that period of time where the church essentially ruled and conducted trials when people were found in violation of the church's rules.

The ceiling in the main entry

Two of the inquisitors that had tenure in Malta went on to become Pope

A mobile alter - the doors and bottom all fold to seal the box for transport

At times when not appropriate to ring the church bell (from Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday), churches used this clapper device, or crotalus, to sound services - all 365 churches in Malta had one

The Inquisitor's bed chamber

This is where the Inquisitor sat to render judgment

This is the doorway opposite the Inquisitor's chair - the door is intentionally designed small to force the accused to bend over to enter, adding to their humiliation

In rare cases where torture was decreed, this is where they did it - a foot vice on the left used to elicit confessions by crushing the accused's foot and a hoist on the right where an accused's arms would be tied behind their back and then they would be hoisted by their arms, forcing all their weight backward on their shoulders

Malta's flag

The residential area was quite interesting.  Narrow streets, small balconies, and a wonderful variety of door designs.

The wrought iron low gates outside the door were used so the doors could be opened to hear street vendors and meet them to purchase their items - many times they had goats and provided fresh milk - the gates kept the goats out of the house

We took the water taxi back to Valletta to return to our ship

After a quick dinner, we were off again - this time for an evening concert at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Paul in Mdina.

The concert featured ten singers and eight instrumentalists playing two violins, two violas, flute, clarinet, french horn, and a cello.  The sound was wonderful and it was a nice experience.  This was an event that Viking added at the last minute and made it available in the afternoon and evening at no charge.  Nice touch, Viking! We will be back at this church tomorrow, so more photos will be coming.

Knowing that many folks might want a snack after getting back late from the concert, shortly after our arrival back in our stateroom, our cabin steward showed up with this small plate of finger sandwiches - a nice light bite to round out the evening.  Another nice touch.

All in all, day #1 in Malta was a success.  Tomorrow, we have a bus tour in the morning and a tour of the Mdina and Mosta and their churches.