Day 4: Malta

Alright y'all...  I know you've been waiting on the edge of the chair for me to start back up with the trip report.  I got the pictures done, but am fading fast so please go easy on typo's and the like!  I realize there's a loading problem with a couple of pictures- I'll try and fix it tomorrow.

Day 4 started with us sailing in to Valetta, Malta on a gorgeous, sunny day- high near 80.  I took advantage of being adjusted to the new time zone and went to Pilates at the gym and ran about a half mile.  The treadmills look out over the water on the front of the ship which I admit was a bit disorienting.  It is a neat city- built up like a fortress.  DH woke up with the kids and said DD ran to the window, pointed and said "Sandcastle!" and could barely wait to go look at it more closely.  

I met the kids at breakfast at Topsiders and on our way to fill up our water bottles, ran in to someone quite special indeed!

We got off the boat around 10 and made our way towards the climb in to town.

In hindsight, we should have done the hop-on, hop-off bus.  But, we made it to the statue of Independence and the entrance to the city after a steep uphill climb and having to bribe DS with snacks.  He just wanted to go back to the Kids Club.

Then, we continued our walk to the Chapel of St Francis of Asisi, then St John's Chapel both of which we wanted to see.  Gorgeous, but hard to fully appreciate while chasing toddlers. And in the courtyard, there were beautiful flowers!  

(And a wheelchair access ramp which DS kept running up and down and screamed when we left.) 

We then kept walking, trying to find a place for lunch and got a tad bit lost, but found some neat sites of the city.

And then we found the Government building which had these wonderful fountains- perfect for playtime which we desperately needed.  And on the corner, gelato!

We then headed back to the ship.  We hit Topsiders again for a lunch buffet.  The highlight was dessert (though my notes tell me the butter chicken was really good too).  I don't even remember what all that was, but I remember it was delicious!

We dropped DS off at the kids club just in time for a special guest.

We set sail early- around 4- byebye Malta!

 We went to the family pool for a spell as well, but DH's back was bothering him, so we rescheduled his hot stone massage from the last day onboard to that day, no problem.  He felt a lot better afterwards, thankfully! 

While DS was at the kids area, DD and I visited with some characters (missing from the line up are Goofy & Max, Sorcerer Mickey- I have pictures but didn't adjust them for the web to post here).  It was funny- last year, at the park, the escort for Stitch made everyone be extra careful to protect their left shoes.  They said he ate them.  So, when Stitch started pointing at DD's shoes and being interested, I thought he was going to eat her shoe (playing along).  No, he was excited that they lit up.  Oh well! :)

We dressed the kids for dinner and DS wasn't all about the princesses, but DD was, so DH & DS went to play shuffle board while we visited the lovelies.  We do have pictures of Snow White too.  Tiana and Alice were missing, but the others were out.  DD was so excited to show Cinderella her matching dress and painted fingernails.

And finally, Stitch caught up with us before dinner time.  DD wore her jammies since she was done with her dress, but of course, no one minded. :)

Dinner was at Parrot Cay and Minnie surprised with a guest appearance in full out Flamenco and showing her stuff.  It was pretty neat!  Dinner was pretty yummy.  I had:

Teriyaki Jerk Chicken Tenders

Papaya & Mango Soup

Crusted Rib Eye steak with twice baked potato and corn on the cob

And for dessert- Vanilla Smores Cake and Creme Brulee Cheesecake. 

The Cheesecake won by a good margin.

Next port- TUNISIA!