One Day Spent In Malta… Already!

Published on by milliethom

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We’ve been in Malta since 12.30 pm yesterday, Saturday, and I can tell you, I’m loving the sunshine! Today, temperatures hit 37° in Bugibba, where we’re staying. Not quite as high as the 40-45° we had in Andalucía in May, but still very hot after the miserable weather we’ve had at home most of the summer.

So far we’ve not been too far on the island. We spent the morning by the pool and I had a nice long swim… well, as nice as it can be will lots of people in there. This afternoon we had a walk along what we’d call a ‘promenade’ at home – i.e. along the seafront. So I just thought I’d post a few photos of the hotel and town…

But first, I’m putting up a few snaps of the hotel we stayed at near to Gatwick airport, before flying out here. It’s one of the Millennium  group of hotels, and it’s at the village of Copthorne. We’ve stayed there a few times and always leave the car there. It’s nice and old, and it has a swimming pool – always a bonus for me. Regular shuttle buses run back and forth to the airport, or the hotel will organise taxis on request – which we usually do. It’s a fifteen minute ride. Anyway, here are a few pictures I took when we went down for a meal. It was dark by then, and the polished floors really gleamed! This first photo is of a screen in the reception area with some information about the history of the hotel. It moved from one image to another quickly, and I had a bit of a job catching it – so excuse the poor alignment. (Click on it if it isn’t readable.):

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Here are a few of the other photos I took:

And now to Malta…  These are a few photos from our apartment windows in Bugibba, Malta. They were taken at different times, some mid-afternoon, some at sunset, and one just after sunsrise this morning. (We are facing north).

These photos were taken along the promenade/sea front this afternoon. Two show views up  typical Maltese side streets; others show shops selling ‘seaside’ goods, or offering a variety of excursions. There were lots of places selling ice creams – with almost as many flavours as we saw in Italy!

We took so many photos today, far too many to show here. Tomorrow we’re going to lovely Valletta. We spend a lot of our time there because it’s just amazing. Bugibba’s OK as a base, but it’s not the best place for us. We got this time share years ago, and it’s handy to have. But we’d much rather be in Valletta…

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72 thoughts on “One Day Spent In Malta… Already!”

    1. Well, I think it was more a case of taking a lot of photos in a short space of time! Apart from the flight, we didn’t actually go very far from the hotel. It’s just a case of me being ‘snap happy’ right now. Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I’ve had a quick look at yours and see that you do a really great travel blog. Once I get home next week, I’ll be sure to check it out! Best wishes to you… Millie.

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    1. Yes, Malta’s a lovely island – and there’s so much history to delve into. We’ve been many times before, and always find new places to see, either here or on the smaller island of Gozo. Thank you, jesh stg! 🙂

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  3. Temperatures in Bugibba hitting 37°–time for a Cromwell slurpee.

    Beautiful vacation spot. Tomorrow I’ll prepare a message for you, stuff it in a bottle, cork it with due care, walk it over to the ocean, and send it on its seafaring way. Be on the lookout for it. You should get it before you leave for 10 Downing Street (fingers crossed). But in the unlikely case that you don’t get it, it simply says something about not drinking Maltese ale.

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    1. I’m still looking out for that bottle, Prospero. Perhaps it will arrive tomorrow. I’ve had a few Cromwell slurpees so far … the heat demands it, you know. And Maltese ale is even worse than English stuff, so I’m told. As for 10 Downing Street, I think they’d bar the doors if they saw me heading their way… Today (Monday) was even hotter than yesterday. Valletta seemed to simmer in the heat. Keep well, my friend. 🙂

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  4. Wonderful spot you located in Malta, good view and you know something about how the apartment building there, reminded me of Pakistan. Enjoyed your pictures very much. The inside with wood detailing is very cool at Gatwick hotel- classy place. Your fun gives us an insight to us;) enjoy!

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    1. Thanks, Huma. And yes, I can see why some of the buildings here reminded you of Pakistan. Many are built from the golden limestone here, so everywhere has that yellowy look. As everywhere, there are rich and poor, so not all buildings are
      wonderful to look at. And the hotel at Gatwick is a gem. Some parts of it date from the 16th century, so it’s in a world of its own. It makes a great overnight place before flying. Weather in Malta so far, is flippin’ hot! 🙂

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      2. I’ve been daubed in sunscreen since I got here, Huma, and constantly feeling like a greasy chip! I love the sun, as long as I’ve got the sea or a swimming pool ready to dive into. It’s just so hot walking around in the sun. But I bought a nice wide-brimmed hat yesterday. At least the back of my neck is protected! 😀

      4. Life’s too short to be miserable – and there’s so much to enjoy. 🙂 Pictures of me rarely find a place to sit other than the bin! Louise will tell you, I “pull a face like an alien” (her words) when anyone approaches me with a camera. 😀

    1. Thank you, Irina. The Copthorne Hotel is a good place to stay overnight before catching an early morning flight. At least we get a few hours sleep, whereas we’d get none if we drove down from home. It adds a day to the holiday, as well. It is a lovely old place and we have a nice relaxing evening there.

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    1. It’s very hot after what we’ve been having at home, so it will take some getting used to. The trouble is, I want to visit a lot of places, so haven’t the time to laze around the pool… as tempting as that may be! 😀

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    1. Thanks, Scribbley. As you know, it’s great to be away – especially somewhere hot and sunny. It’s a bit too hot at times for walking round taking photos. Sometimes all I want it a nice long swim. 🙂

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  8. I always wanted to go to Malta! It’s so lovely to see beautiful Malta from you. You well captured how sunny and beautiful it is. You made a perfect decision to stay at a historical hotel, well suited your lovely personality. 😉 Enjoy your trip Millie! ❤

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    1. Our holiday has been really lovely so far, Khloe. We’ve already been to Valletta and Mosta, and tomorrow (Wednesday) we’re having a day in Gozo, another of the Maltese islands. I hope to do posts about them later on. The Copthorne Hotel is a nice place to stay before an early morning flight. Our room had wonderful Internet connection, too – far better than what we get at home! ❤

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  9. You lucky thing! Am sat here working in t-shirt, shirt, jumper and body warmer and it was raining so hard this morning, Mr Hicks refused to leave the house!

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    1. I really do sympathise, Bekki. I know you’ve had a lot more rain in the south-west than we’ve had this summer. Mr. Hicks is very wise to stay indoors. It’s nice to see the sun, even if it is only for a week, but it really is too hot at times. They say they’ve had a scorching summer in Malta this year. Some countries just don’t like to share! 🙂

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      1. Mean aren’t they! I shouldn’t be complaining though – there’s a lot worse in life than a bit of rain.

      2. Britain wouldn’t be so beautifully green without it. Malta is OK, but from the plane, it’s just miles and mils of yellow. I love looking down on England as we come into land. So beautiful.

      4. Nor me! British countryside is so beautiful, and so varied. 🙂 Just off to Gozo (coach at 11.00 to the coast for the ferry. It’s 10. 35 here now. Best not keep it waiting…) 🙂

  10. So, Malta’s familiar to you then? I’ve never been there, looking forward to seeing what Valletta looks like, if you’re planning on doing a post on it… 🙂 I really would love to be somewhere sunny right now!!! Lucky you! Enjoy it! – Oh, and the Gatwick hotel looks really nice. You have so much history in England! I love old buildings. (Did you hear stories about smugglers 😉 ?)

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    1. This is our fifth time to Malta. We’ve had a time share in Bugibba since 2001 but don’t come every year. It depends on where else we want to see. I will be doing a post on Valletta, but I’m not sure when. It’s a very cosmopolitan city and very busy. I did intend to do the post this week, but we have a couple of all-day trips planned which don’t get back here until late. Tomorrow (Wednesday) we have a day in Gozo, another Maltese island. We’ve not been there for ten years, so we’re looking forward to it. I’ll be doing a post about Gozo eventually, too.
      No, we didn’t hear any of the smugglers’ stories at Copthorne, but since you’ve mentioned it, I’ll ask when we get back to pick the car up. We generally stop for a meal, too. Whether the staff will know any of the stories, I don’t know. I share your love of old buildings. ‘Modern’ just hasn’t any appeal to me. Just an old fashioned girl, that’s me…!
      As for being somewhere sunny, it’s just too hot for sightseeing. Swimming’s a much better option. But I know what you mean, after the miserable summer we’ve all had further north. 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Tony. It’s good to see the sun. Most parts of the UK have had a miserable summer this year, so it’s a nice change. The heat just takes some getting used to. There are a lot of sites of historical interest on Malta, and we plan to visit a few – if I can tear myself away from the nice cool pool. 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Marvin. 🙂 There is only one sandy beach on Malta, so we’ve been told. Here in Bugibba, there’s just a stretch of rocks, but people still get down there for the lovely water.
      They sunbathe on the rocks, too. We were a little north of Mombasa for part of our holiday in Kenya (in 2005 – a long time ago, now) and it was a gorgeous sandy beach. I went out snorkelling from there. Yes, all such happy memories. Your country is a very beautiful one, Marvin. 🙂

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  13. Your clicks make the place so beautiful and sweet as “honey” (if I am not wrong, that’s how the name Malta was derived?).
    I see your love for history has brought you to this prehistoric place 🙂 🙂
    I remember back in school, I loved the country because it was so easy to.draw its flag and wondered how cool the people would be who are living there😁 Seeing the place now through your eyes is really wonderful. 😃😃

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    1. You’re right, Prateek. The Romans named the island Melita, which does mean ‘honey’. Why they called it that, I’m not sure. My guess is that it could be because the whole island in made out of a wonderful golden-coloured limestone (oolithic type). From the air, that’s the only colour you see – all the buildings are made of it, too. Of course, it could be something completely different, like a ‘sweet’ climate with plenty of produce etc. But the climate is not much different to the Italian/Roman one, so that’s probably not the reason.
      There are so many historic sites on Malta and Gozo, which span from earliest Neolithic up to ww2. I’m sure you would love it here, too. Your childhood interest would definitely be rekindled. The flag is very easy to draw, and so is the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Falcon could be a little more difficult, unless you’re an artist as well as a poet.
      We’re going to Gozo in an hour until after sunset tonight, so I’ll be visiting some great sites on that island today. I’d better make sure to take my sunhat and sunscreen! 🙂

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      1. I hope you had a wonderful journey and now enjoying the time in Gozo ☺
        Also, did I tell you everytime we converse, I learn something new? I have already started saving for the tour to Europe. Hopefully would be able to visit here and witness the play of golden colour☺☺
        And yes, do take care. The attention seeker sun never forgives when we are too busy having fun outdoors 😁
        Looking forward to see Gozo from your eyes😃

      2. We got back from Gozo at about 8.30 pm, so now I’m catching up with comments. I can’t let a day go by without tuning in to WP. 🙂
        We had a very interesting day on Gozo, and I’ve got plenty of photos and information to share once we get home. I hope you make it to Europe one day, Prateek, just as I would love to visit India. It’s funny you’ve always been interested in Malta. It’s a lovely island, but it can get very busy during the summer months. In fact, we’ve never seen do many people here as we have this year. We could hardly move in Valletta the other day. It really does get in the way of my photo-taking! 😀 Not that we can complain – we just add to the tourist numbers.
        Yes, the honey-coloured rock is very beautiful, although it seems to be everywhere, and can be a little monotonous. There’s no variation in the colour of any of the buildings. 🙂

      3. Haha well if you get bored because of lack of colours, I think my latest post will be of interest to you😁
        And I so wish to welcome you here. But for now, have a lovely time and bring lots of stories for us 😍

      4. I will certainly hop over to your post tomorrow, Prateek. I’m just about ready for bed. We’ll be up at six in the morning to be ready for another trip out. I’ll look forward to reading then. 🙂

    1. Yes, we’ve had a lovely time so far, and visited several great places. It’s so hot, and we should just be in the sea or the pool, but there’s so much to see on the island. Thanks, Lynn.

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      2. You’ve nothing to be sorry about, Lynn. I’m grateful that you visit my blog at all. I’m very behind with reading posts this week … just haven’t had the time. I always try to catch up with some when I get back. Belinda re-blogged my Sealed Knot post while I’ve been in Malta. It was a lovely surprise to see that. 🙂

      4. Oh, thank you for that, Lynn. It’s great to know you enjoy my posts. I’ll have a few more ‘Malta’ posts to do once I get home … and I’m dying to catch up with your Saudi story. That is riveting. I miss your recipes, too. 🙂

    1. Oh, Sliema is lovely! We go there quite often when we’re in Malta. I really like the long Promenade there and the views out over the harbour. It must be great having family out here to stay with, too. Malta’s a wonderful island, and I imagine your family miss it. Thank you so much for visiting my post and liking the photos…much appreciated. I’ll have several posts about Malta and Gozo to write up once we get home next week. We’re just lapping up the sunshine before we go back to the grey skies we left behind in Lincolnshire. 🙂

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      2. Well, if you can recommend a hobz biz-zeit, it must be good! I’ll look out for that when we have lunch out tomorrow. We’ll be in Sliema briefly tomorrow. We’re having a boat trip round the harbour and it starts and ends in Sliema. Thank you for the tip: 🙂

    1. Yes, we’re having a great time on Malta, Aquileana. 🙂 We’re here until Saturday and trying to visit as many places as possible. This is our fifth time here and we still have lots of places we’d like to see on both Malta and Gozo. Thank you so much for reading. 😀

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    1. I’m sure you’d love Malta, Heena. It’s steeped in history, so for someone who loves the subject it’s wonderful. September is very hot though. It was almost 40 degrees on most days. We’re trying October next year! 😀

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    1. It’s just been extensively refurbished and had two floors added to it. So it’s quite large and has a very ‘modern’ feel. The top two floors are all time-shares, mostly apartments, like ours. It is a good hotel in that the staff are lovely and it has plenty of things going on. There’s a gym and outdoor and indoor pools, and the usual spas, massage parlours and so on.We’re not there a lot, because we like to spend our time visiting all the great sites. And we have at least three trips to Valletta. Malta’s such an easy place to travel round. I’m going to do a quick post about getting round the islands. Not everyone likes Malta. It seems to be one of those places people either love or hate. There are only a couple of decent beaches, so beach lovers and families should check where they pick has got one.:)

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  19. Millie, I’m happy you were “snap happy”. I would love to visit in October to experience Malta and its history. You would be a marvelous travel agent or at the very least, the person in charge of brochures. Your writing and photos make me want to hop on a plane and visit all these lovely places. Thank you, Clare

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    1. Photography has become my latest obsession! It’s probably to do with wanting to do posts about everywhere I go. As for the travel agent thing … When I was a teenager I wanted to be an ‘air hostess’, as flight attendants were called in the 60s. Unfortunately, they wanted tall, leggy girls in those days, and my legs refused to grow very long. 😀 I do love travelling, and geography was my main teaching subject. Thank you so much for ypur kind words.

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