Wednesday, 21 September 2016

Malta - Valletta on Independence Day

Our travels have slowed, with two weeks in one place - so, my blogs are becoming more frequent. Today was Independence Day in Malta and we managed to time our trip into Valletta with the laying of flowers by the President and Prime Minister at the Independence Statue ust outside the old town. The military put on a good display with a marching band and 21 gun salute! We then wandered into the main walled area to get our bearings for future exploration. I walked around the waterfront for an hour or so, while John took Sophie and Will back to Marsaxlokk for a relaxing afternoon. They have now also almost caught up on their blogs and journals. I walked around to the bell tower and lower gardens. There are horse and cart tours for tourists - and this seems to provide a use for trotters that don't make it on the track. There are a surprising number of trotters in training, including one that seems to live in a suburban garage around the corner from our apartment.

Waiting for the guns to be set up
Poised 'ready to fire' for a long time

Marching band

Company of soldiers

Ear plugs in and ready to fire

President - Marie Louise Coleiro Preca

Prime Minister - Joseph Muscat

The guns are fired

Again, again and again

Archway outside the National Library

Street in southern Valletta

The enclosed balconies

Lane way to the harbour

Victoria Gate to the walled city of Valletta

Horse and cart and waterfront view

Siege Bell War Memorial

Lower Barrakka Gardens

Valletta Harbour

The Palace of the Grand Master

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