Second day in Malta, this time the island of Gozo. We woke up to check our location using Google Maps, and in a replay of our last visit, we’re not where we expected to be. Now, the itinerary when we booked had a certain port, and for all I know this was changed months also, but I copied the list into my working document, which builds up into a massive tome as we plan days, plot maps, add booking information etc, and stupidly I never go back to seabourn.com to check if anything has changed, therefore it’s my fault really!
So we scrunched up the map for the day, and plotted a new route using Mgarr as our starting point. At least having been before we had a head start with what to expect. First we had to tenderly tender in, across some very alarming swells! The new route was to explore the northern side of the island, so we had to get there, quite a climb with all those ice teas still making their presence felt, but 4.6 km in an hour wasn’t too bad. The drop down to San Blas Beach was very steep, but the cove with a tiny beach and the reddest sand imaginable was well worth it. On Google the route back was the same way but we could see across the valley a winding path through allotments, which we thought might work. We asked an old chap sat sitting at the bottom, and he said just follow it, so we did, through someone’s beach house, past the family, their BBQ and up into the allotments, it was all rather eccentric, but the outcome was a new route so success!
As we’d been descending we could hear rifle fire across the valley, as we ascended it was apparent we were walking closer and closer to said fire, so with some caution we rounded each bend hoping to survive the ordeal - in the end we walked pass a rifle range and it was all very carefully delineated, but prior to that we had no idea what to expect.
Next destination was Ramla Beach, or Red Beach, a much larger beach which was rather touristy so we turned around quickly and continued on our route. Each drop down to a beach had a corresponding climb back up to the heights, and were not getting any younger - a couple of French boys passed us exchanging pleasantries, them being at least twenty years younger. We used to joke about passing the wrinkles, now we’re heading it that direction, albeit not quite there yet, it’s easier to let the young ones go ahead.
Passing through Small villages en route, we drop down into Marsalforn, which is a more touristy place with a big harbour. The number of dive shops we found makes me wonder if there’s scope to investigate for another holiday sometime? Anyway it’s not a destination, merely a waypoint, so we head out of town towards the capital Victoria, this time along the main road which is a bit annoying but in real terms the traffic is light. We pass a Corcovado statue, somewhat smaller than the Rio version. After an easy start we’re soon trudging up steep hills into the town, where we reacquaint ourselves with the local theatre, main square and the church of St George but we resist the temptation to return to the Citadella, we only did this two years ago.
Final leg is the walk back to Mgarr, it’s just four miles but the heat and humidity are fierce so we set off aiming to do it in 70 minutes. Although it’s the end of the march we walk on steadfastly, enjoying the architecture along the route, the occasional moments of silence when the road fell quiet, and achieve our goal of making the harbour for 14:30 to catch a tender back in time for lunch at the Patio Grill.
After lunch we hit deck five as usual, it not for long because Caviar in the Surf was beckoning in the main pool, an hilarious event where they use a surf board in the pool and serve food to swimmers directly. Having done it numerous times, we chose to watch from the edge this time, and, after enjoying a glass or two of champagne returned to five for our quieter spot in the sun.
We had to go in early again, because it’s assistant cruise director Anna’s solo show tonight before dinner. She does a Linda Rhondstat tribute which, although I know nothing about the artist, is very good and excellently sung. I even recognise s few numbers.
Dinner is in MDR as it’s Thomas Keller night again. I have the starter, a ricotta and Parmesan Gnudi for me - a cheese confection that’s actually very enjoyable, we choose other dishes for main which are fabulous and hubby has the Frangipani tarte for dessert which was not so impressive, in fact the one I make is better, two out of two people agree so it has to be true. Meanwhile my chocolate chip lava cake pudding was the best of the whole cruise, I will be experimenting to recreate that as soon as we get home - c’est magnifiqué!
The evening’s turn is a prolific pianist called Julian G, he’s exceptionally talented plus somewhat eccentric, as fits the bill in many ways. Somehow I got roped into being part of the act, and had to mime proposing marriage to another guest, it’s all quite harmless but hilarious, well ... for everyone else anyway!!
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