Friday, 15/4/2011
Catarina, Margarida & Patricia
Today we had a later start, we woke up at 8am and went down to breakfast at 8:45. At 9:45 we left the Vivaldi hotel and went by bus to the capital, Valletta. The bus left us in front of the Auberge de Castille, which is today the prime-minister’s residence. Then we walked to St. John Co-Cathedral, its exterior was very simplistic, but the interior when we saw was very impressive and rich, the walls were covered in gold and huge paintings; the marble floor was extremely elaborate and colourful. Inside the Co-Cathedral we saw two Caravaggio paintings and we had the opportunity to carefully analyze them.
Afterwards we visited the President’s Palace, which was similar to the Co-Cathedral : simple on the outside and extraordinary on the inside. The palace is full of inside gardens, and we had the chance to visit the State Rooms, some of them are still used nowadays.
Then we got in the bus again, destination Rabat….
++++
Geraldo, Eero and Jussi
The first thing we did in Rabat was eat lunch in an Italian restaurant. We had pasta, chicken and cake for dessert and all in all the food was good. After that we walked to a nearby location to visit some old catacombs. We walked through dark and damp passages which were also very narrow and so the experience was at the same time interesting and repulsive. After we had finished visiting the catacombs we went to sit in the garden above them for a while before moving towards our next destination.
We strolled over to the nearby city of Mdina, which used to be the capital of Malta before Valletta. After taking a few photos from a viewpoint looking over to the seaside, we were allowed to have just under an hour of free time. The cakes and pastries sold in Mdina were said to be noteworthy. A group of us made our way to a café which was attached to a souvenir shop, where we enjoyed some drinks and cake. Then we regrouped with the rest at St. Paul’s co-cathedral. The façade of the building didn’t quite match the rich interior, which boasted exquisite marble floors and beautiful painted ceilings. As we wandered around the cathedral, we got a glimpse of Malta’s religious aspect. To finish off the day, we took the Paramount bus back to the Vivaldi hotel and enjoyed the pool and the sauna.
Friday 15 April 2011
Thursday 14 April 2011
Day 6 Thursday 14th April 2011
Thursday 14th April
Chiara, Megan & Julia
We all got up early today as we went on a walk from Saint Julians to Silema. Because we got there early, we had free time around the area. We were surprised to find so many English shops. The girls went shopping and the boys ate fast-food. We met back an hour later to go on a harbour cruise at 10h30. Surprisingly, no one was late. The cruise was interesting and very informative, and we saw all the natural harbours of Malta.
After that fun (but very cold) boat trip, we went to Valletta and visited the Upper Barakka Gardens and had a photo outside the Auberge de Castille (which we later found out was built by Cassar the architect in Mr. Swallow’s presentation). In Valletta, we had some free time to eat lunch (and some people even sampled the Maltese cuisine). Then we met in front of the Grand Master’s palace and went on to the Malta experience, where we had an overview of Malta’s history.
We then had free time until dinner and had to make our own way back to the hotel in St. Julians by public transport. When on the buses, we were surprised to see that the doors are left wide open and people just hop on and off while it is still moving.
At supper, Paulius was presented with a birthday cake for his 17th birthday, which he shared with everyone.
Chiara, Megan & Julia
We all got up early today as we went on a walk from Saint Julians to Silema. Because we got there early, we had free time around the area. We were surprised to find so many English shops. The girls went shopping and the boys ate fast-food. We met back an hour later to go on a harbour cruise at 10h30. Surprisingly, no one was late. The cruise was interesting and very informative, and we saw all the natural harbours of Malta.
After that fun (but very cold) boat trip, we went to Valletta and visited the Upper Barakka Gardens and had a photo outside the Auberge de Castille (which we later found out was built by Cassar the architect in Mr. Swallow’s presentation). In Valletta, we had some free time to eat lunch (and some people even sampled the Maltese cuisine). Then we met in front of the Grand Master’s palace and went on to the Malta experience, where we had an overview of Malta’s history.
We then had free time until dinner and had to make our own way back to the hotel in St. Julians by public transport. When on the buses, we were surprised to see that the doors are left wide open and people just hop on and off while it is still moving.
At supper, Paulius was presented with a birthday cake for his 17th birthday, which he shared with everyone.
Wednesday 13 April 2011
Day 5 Wednesday 13th April
Wednesday 13/04/2011
Claudia, Mimosa, Maria & Morgane
Today we had breakfast at 9 o’clock, and after that we had free time until 1 pm when we had lunch. Some people decided to go see Santa Marija tower, some went to the Blue Lagoon and some just stayed at the hotel by the pool. At 3:30 pm we had to check out and pay our bills at the lobby and after that we took a boat from Comino back to the main island, Malta. The boat ride was very bumpy, and some of the biggest waves spilled water on everyone. After the boat ride we got our luggage, put it all in the bus and started driving towards the Vivaldi hotel in St. Julian’s. The hotel is a 5 star hotel and very nice and comfortable.
**
Joacquim
We went to Santa Marija bay and we found out it was just a harbour for fishing boats. Then we went to Santa Marija tower. We went up to the top of the tower and we saw some fantastic views. There were some fish farms, Gozo harbour, a beautiful view over Comino island and Malta’s Ferry harbour. It was very windy. We came back to the hotel by the Blue Lagoon way and saw some fantastic cliff views over the highest cliff in Comino. It was wonderful.
Claudia, Mimosa, Maria & Morgane
Today we had breakfast at 9 o’clock, and after that we had free time until 1 pm when we had lunch. Some people decided to go see Santa Marija tower, some went to the Blue Lagoon and some just stayed at the hotel by the pool. At 3:30 pm we had to check out and pay our bills at the lobby and after that we took a boat from Comino back to the main island, Malta. The boat ride was very bumpy, and some of the biggest waves spilled water on everyone. After the boat ride we got our luggage, put it all in the bus and started driving towards the Vivaldi hotel in St. Julian’s. The hotel is a 5 star hotel and very nice and comfortable.
**
Joacquim
We went to Santa Marija bay and we found out it was just a harbour for fishing boats. Then we went to Santa Marija tower. We went up to the top of the tower and we saw some fantastic views. There were some fish farms, Gozo harbour, a beautiful view over Comino island and Malta’s Ferry harbour. It was very windy. We came back to the hotel by the Blue Lagoon way and saw some fantastic cliff views over the highest cliff in Comino. It was wonderful.
Day 4 Tusday 12th April 2011
12.04.2011 Journey-Morning
This morning we woke up earlier (7.30) because we had to change island from Gozo to Comino. Before taking the bus to the ferry (around 10.30), we had to pack our things and get ready. The transfer to Comino Island in Malta, by bus and after that ferry took around 1 hour. The boat was a private one specially for our European School II of Brussels trip. The boat was small but we had a nice voyage and we could see the beautiful landscape of the various islands of Malta.
We arrived at the Comino 4 stars Hotel. Surprisingly it was very big and comfortable. And it included a nice swimming pool with a magnificent view to the sea. We had free time to explore the hotel and have some fun in the swimming pool. After we had to get ready for lunch, a delicious buffet which consisted of pasta, salad, meat and whatever people wanted to choose. Once again, we got more free time after the lunch to explore the island of Comino itself.
Afternoon:
We were free so we had time to explore the island of Comino. It is very breath taking, and the cliffs of Comino were very beautiful. We went to the Blue Lagoon, its water was so crystal clear that we could see through the water and its colour was as blue as the sky. The water was cold but the sun was burning so we didn’t feel the cold. We sunbathed until 4 o’clock and then returned to the hotel. After some time we went to the swimming pool and spent the rest of the time there. Shortly before the meeting at 19:30 we dressed up for dinner. After the dinner we had free time until 23:30 and then we went to sleep.
This morning we woke up earlier (7.30) because we had to change island from Gozo to Comino. Before taking the bus to the ferry (around 10.30), we had to pack our things and get ready. The transfer to Comino Island in Malta, by bus and after that ferry took around 1 hour. The boat was a private one specially for our European School II of Brussels trip. The boat was small but we had a nice voyage and we could see the beautiful landscape of the various islands of Malta.
We arrived at the Comino 4 stars Hotel. Surprisingly it was very big and comfortable. And it included a nice swimming pool with a magnificent view to the sea. We had free time to explore the hotel and have some fun in the swimming pool. After we had to get ready for lunch, a delicious buffet which consisted of pasta, salad, meat and whatever people wanted to choose. Once again, we got more free time after the lunch to explore the island of Comino itself.
Afternoon:
We were free so we had time to explore the island of Comino. It is very breath taking, and the cliffs of Comino were very beautiful. We went to the Blue Lagoon, its water was so crystal clear that we could see through the water and its colour was as blue as the sky. The water was cold but the sun was burning so we didn’t feel the cold. We sunbathed until 4 o’clock and then returned to the hotel. After some time we went to the swimming pool and spent the rest of the time there. Shortly before the meeting at 19:30 we dressed up for dinner. After the dinner we had free time until 23:30 and then we went to sleep.
Tuesday 12 April 2011
Day three - Monday
Today, we saw Fungus Rock and the Azure window. It was lovely. The boat ride under the tunnel let us see beautiful corals and beautifully shaped rocks and cliffs. At the top of one of the cliffs, we could distinguish a crocodile-shaped rock. We then spent some time at the beach situated at the bottom of the cliffs beside the Azure window before going back to our hotel.
Cedric, Cyril, Paulius and Domagoj
Cedric, Cyril, Paulius and Domagoj
Sunday 10 April 2011
Sunday in Malta
Our day started at 08:15. We had a lovely English breakfast at the hotel before we went to listen to the presentation of Mr. Swallow. Today, he explained what happened in Malta during 5000BC-1650AD.
The sightseeing of today started at 11:00. We got on the bus and drove to the harbour of Gozo. From there, we walked a path that took us all around the island, walking at a distance of 2 meters from the cliff, where the distance to the water was about 20 meters. We got to see the Maltese vegetation, the rocks that were exposed to erosion, and of course the beautiful panorama with Comino and the island of Malta in the background, separated from us by a deeply blue sea. After a 1 hour walk, we stopped at a small beach, where we spent our lunchtime. Some students bathed in the sun, while others enjoyed jumping off a 10m tall concrete structure into the water. At 14:30, we left for the town centre, where we walked along the walls of a fortress, surrounding the cathedral. It was possible to see the entire isle of Gozo from where we stood. After this touristic visit, we joined Mr. Swallow at his own house (The house of the Swallows) where we enjoyed a lovely cup of tea. We finished our day by returning to the hotel, where we had our supper.
The sightseeing of today started at 11:00. We got on the bus and drove to the harbour of Gozo. From there, we walked a path that took us all around the island, walking at a distance of 2 meters from the cliff, where the distance to the water was about 20 meters. We got to see the Maltese vegetation, the rocks that were exposed to erosion, and of course the beautiful panorama with Comino and the island of Malta in the background, separated from us by a deeply blue sea. After a 1 hour walk, we stopped at a small beach, where we spent our lunchtime. Some students bathed in the sun, while others enjoyed jumping off a 10m tall concrete structure into the water. At 14:30, we left for the town centre, where we walked along the walls of a fortress, surrounding the cathedral. It was possible to see the entire isle of Gozo from where we stood. After this touristic visit, we joined Mr. Swallow at his own house (The house of the Swallows) where we enjoyed a lovely cup of tea. We finished our day by returning to the hotel, where we had our supper.
Saturday 9 April 2011
Day one - Saturday
Today was the first day of our seven-day trip to the Maltese islands. Our long journey began in the morning by taking the train from Gare du Midi to Amsterdam - Schiphol Airport. After an hour of window shopping and the occasional burger at the airport, we got on our flight to Malta. On arrival, there was a bus transfer to greet us along with sunny and warm weather. We traveled across the island to a port, where we took a ferry to Gozo, our destination for today.
In the evening before supper, Mr Swallow gave us an interesting presentation about general information about Malta. For example, it is very likely that we will encounter scorpions on our journeys ;). Tomorrow awaits a dawn of new adventures.
In the evening before supper, Mr Swallow gave us an interesting presentation about general information about Malta. For example, it is very likely that we will encounter scorpions on our journeys ;). Tomorrow awaits a dawn of new adventures.
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