All along the Mediterranean Cruise - Valletta

By time we got up (0730), we were already in the Grand Harbour. After breakfast, we went out & walked round the town in two different ways, so by time we got back to the ship, I had done 15k paces. There is another sensible sized ship here, the Athena but it is between two troop ships, the Costa Concordia (which came later) & the Celebrity Constellation, on which there are 2,950 pax, two of whom, very overweight & from Las Vegas, who we guided a bit at first, on the grounds that the obese were making an effort. Much to our horror, the Main Gate area is being 'redeveloped' in an inappropriate style by Renzo Piano. Noticeable is the increased use of ethnic naming: Pulizija for Police & the name on the Labour Club is now Partit Laburista.

The much-improved Harbour area

Going up

The mess at the Main Gate

Sites in Republic Street
Public buildings
The Presidential Palace (formerly, Grand Master's & Governor's)

We walked down to Fort St. Elmo & round back to the ship, which was invisible until, more or less, the last moment, as furthest into the harbour. Back at 1240. It had been cool at first but not as cool as had been suggested & got quite hot.

I went up on the top deck for photos, then walked back up to the Phoenecia to take more photos, this being the most photogenic of places. I returned by 1550 & found Avis in the Secret Garden.

I went to the Library to do web editing. Then, at about 5, I dashed to the loo for a wild shit. I collected the computer & went to bed, where Avis found me later. I wrote a note for the doctor, asked her to take it to the Health Centre & failing that, to reception but she did not hear that last bit. Fortunately, the doctor found it although he was off duty, rang me up & called in, by which time, Avis had returned with a pile of tea bags & milk & made me a cup. The doctor took it seriously because of the risk of Nora the Virus. I got pills & house arrest. My note to the doctor had elements of flippancy which I think threw him a bit. He asked a lot of questions & left a questionnaire but I cannot remember what I ate for lunch & dinner for the last three days. Breakfast is easier. Other people are having health problems as well.