I could really sum this post up in three words (specifically: "I love it!!!"), but that wouldn't be entertaining at all, would it?
We arrived here a little over a week ago, after our harrowing Italian adventure. As our plane landed at night, we could see very little of the island during our cab ride from the airport to our hotel. Instead, we had the pleasure of being surprised in the morning with how incredibly gorgeous this place is! Just in case "Mediterranean island" didn't already tip you off to its beauty, let me elaborate...
The skies are blue and lovely, and though it's November the weather is still quite temperate. There does seem to be a fair deal of difference between the t-shirt weather of the afternoon and the put-on-a-sweater weather of the evening, but I'm more than willing to overlook that considering the weather I would currently be exposed to if I were home in New York! A local explained to me, on my second day here, that winter in Malta is basically this weather for several months, interspersed with approximately 3 days of rain. I think I can handle that. :)
Several beaches are within walking distance, two of which are sandy and one of which is rocky:
The aforementioned local also said that the water is still warm, if one is brave enough to test it out! Diving is supposed to be amazing here, so I'd like to give it a shot if we have the chance...I have to snorkel, at the very least!
The architecture of Malta is somewhat similar to what you'd see in any beach town...Miami, Carmel... It's only a few stories high, for the most part, and it's all done in beige, sandy tones. Par exemple:
[I'm afraid I don't know why it's sideways...Blogger refuses orient it in the proper direction! When I post it to Facebook, however, you'll be able to see it correctly.]
I desperately want one of those places, but I can't decide which color door I like best...oh, decisions, decisions...life seems to be an endless succession of them!!
Our home for the duration of our sojourn in Malta is Paceville, an area that is known for its nightlife, and so far it certainly lives up to its name! Our hotel for the first week of our stay was just around the corner from the street where all the bars and clubs are located, which is fantastic in terms of saving money on cabs and saving feet from having to walk long distances in heels (though it is built on a hill, so we are still forced to suffer the podiatric hell of copious stairs), but not-so-fantastic on the "getting a peaceful night's sleep" front. All of the bars and clubs feature drink specials that add up to paying next to nothing for any alcoholic beverages you may desire - 2 FOR 1! FREE DRINK WITH THIS TICKET!! 12 SHOTS FOR 1 EURO!!! - so our pocketbooks are going to be very thankful that we chose to visit Malta instead of Hong Kong!
Feast your eyes upon a (rather blurry) snapshot of said bars and clubs:
Accommodations have also proved to be unexpectedly cheap - yet another Maltese blessing! After a week in our hotel, we moved on to an apartment at the top of the long staircase you see in the photo above. A one bedroom for 140 Euro per week...not too shabby.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is time to discuss what is perhaps my favorite part of Malta so far: the food. I'm Italian...what else were you expecting?
We are situated in the perfect spot for testing out all the tonsorial delights of this city. We're surrounded by Italian restaurants, are near a couple of fast food places (initially typed as "fat food," which I'm sure Freud would have appreciated) for those who indulge in such things, have two crepe places nearby that are utterly delightful, and aren't far from a Mexican place, a sushi place, and several Chinese establishments. There seems to be a great deal of UK influence in Malta, so there are lots of little pubs and several places that serve full English breakfasts and Sunday roasts...my inner Brit is very happy. :)
Most of the food seems to be taking its cues from the drinks and is relatively inexpensive (huzzah!). I'm also thoroughly enjoying cheap cappuccinos, which seem always to be my addiction when I'm in Europe and often tend to be one of the more expensive coffee-related drinks on the menu. Best of all, however, is the seafood. What else would you expect from the middle of the Mediterranean?
Jon and I managed to accidentally order something that came with AN ENTIRE OCTOPUS.
I rest my case.
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