Old and New Malta

Valletta is an integral part of Malta's past and present but just a short ferry ride north lies what seems to be Malta's future, Sliema.  This place has always been associated with the Maltese upper classes but now the bustling construction activity for swish boutique hotels and apartment blocks are creating a huge influx of short and long term foreign tourists settling along its sprawling seawall and scenic bays. We took the five minute ferry ride over to Sliema and wandered around the seafront area for a couple of hours.  After coming back to Valletta we toured around some more of its wonderful historic sites. 
 Rita standing on the flat limestone rocks of Sliema Beach which goes for several kilometers.  There is a wonderful seawall along the waterfront with lots of cafes, bars and restaurants.  It is also completely covered with boutique hotels and high-end apartments.  Thankfully, we are here during low season and there is not a lot of tourists walking around.

Bolluta Bay is one of several beautiful bays along the seawall.  Swimming usually starts here in May.

 Rita and I heading back to Valletta on the Ferry after having a wonderful lunch on the seawall.


This might look like Venice with it's gondolas but it's tourists riding in Malta's traditional rowing boats called dghajsa's (die-sa).  We had the wet and wild experience in one yesterday.

 This building houses stores and shops that are currently closed but I loved all the colorful doors.


 A colorful apartment building overlooking the Grand Harbor.  If you look carefully you can see a British style phone box on the right.  As a former British Colony, Malta still has a lot of British influences such as these red phone boxes, red mail boxes and they drive on the left side of the road.

Republic Street is one of two main pedestrian streets in Valletta.  On the left is part of the 16th century Grand Masters Palace, once the residence of the Grand Masters of the Knights of St. John.  Today it's the residence of Malta's President.
A wonderful example of the traditional Maltese balconies.  The colorful doors on the ground floor used to be shops and stores but have not been converted into car garages as parking is at a premium.  

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