Another big breakfast. You get into a bit of a routine with this breakfast lark, but mustn’t grumble.
So today was the last day, doesn’t it come round fast? We had booked a Bus Hop on Hop off a couple of days back, and after the nonsense of Sunday today was the day to redeem the ticket. It was warm. We got the bus early door’s and managed to get the very front seats on the top deck, that made me feel sick. Still all over the shop thanks to that stupid bloody sea trip.. Anyway, bus takes ages, but not as long as the local service. We sped on towards Marsaxlokk, which was sold as the Padstow of the South of Malta. Not having been to Padstow myself I cannot confirm the similarities, I think it might be different. Had a walk up the front and looked at all the fishing boats which are famous in these parts. Very warm, so soon stopped off for a beverage – it was cheap. We had a look at the menu even though it was unfortunately very early there were sandwiches there for 70 cents. another 50 ccent to toast it. It was mental. About a third of the price of anywhere else we had seen. So, the next bus was in an hour, so we had a look around and then were undecided whether to stay another hour and have some lunch or get down to the Blue Grotto. We left, it was a good move….
Got to the Blue Grotto next around midday, was worried it would be very busy, but as we made our way down the steep hill to the boats it was looking nice and quiet. Got to the boat and went straight on, there were eight in the little boat and the driver, as we left the harbour everyone else stuck on their life jackets, we didn’t – that’s how we roll man. The Blue Grotto is a number of caves with the clearest water I have ever seen, some of the water was so blue that you wouldn’t believe a picture of it. Our driver (a Liverpool supporter!) gave us the tour, and you could tell it wasn’t the first time he had handled a boat. It was good there. Liked it alot.
Once back in the harbour we found a quiet spot in the shade and dove straight into the water. Swimming between the boats being able to see the bottom some four meters beneath you. Unfortunately within half an hour the crowds started appearing. The harbour queue got bigger and foriegners started swimming and jumping and sitting and talking next to us. That’s my cue for a sharp exit. Up the hill and had just enough time for a drink before the next bus was coming. Bus driver told us there was no where for lunch until back at Slemia, so we sat in the aircon downstairs this time for 45 mins until we returned. Went to one of our local haunts for a beer and a bit of nosh, Kate had a massive burger dinner, Sian had some ginormous duck pancakes, which were actually pancakes as in pancake day stuffed with a whole duck, I think I has thai fishcakes. They were big.
Up to the room next, I was shot, and just wanted a shower and a relax – great having a balcony, Kate took Sian up to the pool for a couple of hours – nice.
Evening meal on the final day was to the highly rated L’Artist, we had peeked at the menu before so Kate was as happy as a pig in poo to get down to the Maccy D’s in town for a Chicken Burger. Off we went to the restaurant early. The only people eating were the owners, only about six tables in the whole place – every one was reserved. Luckily they took their plates off their own table and sat us down. Simple menu, quickly order – Largest Rib Eye on the menu for me, Mixed sea food fury for Sian. Told the boss that I wanted my steak cooked how the chef would like it. Don’t think they understood, but I have faith. Great big bowl of bread, oil and balsamic vinegar later and along came the mains. Delish. Mine was basically just the steak on a plate, with some potatoes (baked! ;o) on the side, Sian’s was an enormous pile of mussles, prawns, calamari, garlic, wine and herbs. Loved it. Steak was medium rare, which I wouldn’t normally order for a rib eye, but it was fabulous – strangely it was “just” Aberdeen Angus, it must have been the fact it was cooked on a lava stone that made the different…
Home James, and bed for the last night. Next day was a reasonable 8:45 start for the airport, so no problems with getting up. The airport experience for significantly better than UK.
Some things we learned
Just spend a couple of hours in the Blue Lagoon – get a speed boat and do a short trip
Water Taxi over to Valletta is great. couple of Euro’s
Use the local buses, they are very cheap and cheerful, regular and well worth using
Its quite warm
The sea isn’t as warm as I remember
I liked it.