Malta here we come

I’d forgotten how uncomfortable Easyjet plane seats are but, given we were travelling through the night and none of us had slept, I only saw 1 out of the 3 hours flight. The boys got their heads down too.

Leaving MIA airport on our shared shuttle bus was a cosy experience revealing a built up town, quite industrial in part and a little run down at times. Heading out of the town the sights became more rural with small vineyards, dry stone walling and hedges cultivated from giant cactus.

Looking at the buildings there was an instant sense of the islands history with large dome-roofed buildings perched on top of the hills. The were also a few religious icons and statues but this maybe historical rather than current or maybe both.

Arriving at the hotel an hour or so ahead of check in we dropped our bags off and went for a stroll to check out the locality. We found the Tal-Kaptan, an Italian restaurant with loads of veggie offerings, several bars advertising free wifi and the local corner store for essential supplies. Well, I say essential supplies, our last swag bag consisted of fags, munchies and a six pack of Bud.

Once checked in, we retired to our room on the 5th floor and unpacked. The room is good, comfortable for 3 and a balcony overlooking the sea. The main road alongside the seafront is quite busy in the day but much quieter at night.

Temperatures are good with a gentle breeze, I think I’m going to like Malta.

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Ban Bang Bao, Koh Chang

Ban Bang Bao, Koh Chang

Sorry, no picture attached last time, don’t know what happened there.

It’s Sunday , I think, forgive sloppy spelling etc, as it’s not easy typing while lying in a hammock. A well deserved rest, as the first day here I went on a trek in the jungle. Was warned it was hard, but as ever didn’t listen. It was steep, steep, hot hot, and slippery, the best way down was by sliding on your bottom. A sort of off piste, cross-country -down-hill slalom at 34c. And for added adventure, a few rivers to cross, some through the water or simply a felled tree.

Yesterday was a great improvement. Out on a boat all day. Three goes at snorkling and lots of beautiful fish with a good lunch thrown in. Definitely something I could take to!! And then night fishing later in the evening.

To all at work, thanks for the Snorkling kit.

The Island is very beautiful, just a lump of jungle-covered mountains with a road that doesn’t quite go all the way round. The first resorts you hit when you get off the ferry have long sandy beaches. But the bars, eateries etc are Blackpool -in -the -tropics, well more hippyish than that, but you get the drift.

This village at the south end of the island must once have been a fishing centre as it has a large natural harbour. But the local economy has now become so tourist dominated with over priced restaurants ( 3 times as expensive as Bangkok and not so good) hippy clothes and tat, that you can’t even see where the locals do their shopping.

Picture of sunrise!…..

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