Malta

Wednesday December 22, 2010 Day 175

After breakfast this morning we walked the deck and watched the ship sail into the port of Malta. It has a beautifully-protected harbor into which we sailed a bit earlier than we were scheduled. As we watched, a pilot boat brought a pilot out to the ship. It did not even stop, but came alongside the ship’s ladder and the pilot reached out, grabbed the ladder and clambered aboard, after which the pilot boat sped away. After we pulled alongside the dock, various people gathered below in preparation for the ship’s arrival. One of them was Santa and his donkey. You do know the story of Santa and his donkey, right? Right!

As we watched the dock activity, we were aware of a dog in an area near a couple of the workmen. The dog did not interfere, and in fact, did no approach the workers. As we looked closer, we realized that his leash was tethered to a trot line which allowed him run up and down an area of the dock but it kept him out from under everybody’s feet.

Malta is a lovely island country. It is very small, just 121 square miles. Much of that is on the main island of Malta. There are two other inhabited islands: Gozo, and Camino, with only four residents! The country has a population of about 410,000. Our excursion was a bus tour which took us to several stops including the harbor area, the highest point on the island, and a local market.

Maltese ships are decorated with eyes for good luck

Roger, with Malta in the background

Traditional yellow buses of Malta

Unfortunately, I was suffering too much cruise fatigue to enjoy Malta properly. We were happy to return to the ship before 5:00. We went upstairs for a cup of tea, cookies and a scone with marmalade. Just before 6:00, we went back to the exterior deck and watch Malta float away from us. We were privileged to watch the pilot boat come alongside the ship to take the pilot off the ship. Interesting process - I hope he never loses his footing!

Goodbye to Malta

I checked messages briefly and found one from Shelli stating that she will have a C-section in a week. I truly regret that I will not be there with her, and will not see the child until s/he is a week old. At the same time, I am so excited about having a grandchild.

We saw the daughter of the blind woman who was missing her luggage - she still does not have it all. I think it trickled aboard, some at every port, although I am betting none made it aboard at Crete since that was a diversion port.

It has been a cruise of sorrow and joy. On the 16th, we learned that my aunt June died - the last of my father‘s siblings. My father is now the sole remaining survivor among his siblings. Then on the 19th, we learned that Roger’s aunt Gail died. She was the last remaining survivor of her parents’ children, Roger‘s mother having died in May. The joy takes the form of our aforementioned soon-to-be-born grandchild.

Ship extravaganza - combination magic show and ballet and modern dance and gymnastics and music - quite nice. Afterward, there was a chocolate fanasy in the cafeteria upstairs. There were ice sculptures and chocolate sculptures and chocolate fountain and oodles of chocolate to eat. A feast for the eyes and the stomach, one which the latter did not need!