August 24 - First Full Day Aboard

Traveling in the period known as AC (after COVID) does impose some odd and inconvenient elements; we have to spit in a test tube every morning, wear a mask at all times except when eating, and stay with our group when we leave the ship on a tour (no independent shopping or wandering around). 

Yesterday, after a relaxing afternoon in our stateroom, we attended a short lecture on the history of Valletta and enjoyed a special dinner at the “Chef’s Table” where we dined on an Asian Panorama menu (chilled king crab, lobster and chicken shu mai (dumplings), Peking duck, and a unique dessert which would take too long to describe) paired with four excellent wines. We returned to our room and found that our luggage had been delivered! Clean underwear!!!

Valletta, the capital of Malta, where we spent the day, is a fascinating city, and we are docked on the Grand Harbor where there is much activity. We toured the harbor in a water taxi which looks a lot like a gondola and visited Birgu, an ancient town across the harbor. Among other things, Birgu is know as the location of the Inquisitor’s Palace, the seat of the Maltese Inquisition from 1574 to 1798. Those who would not repent were tortured. 

Another very chill afternoon, I am looking forward to a quiet dinner and a lecture on the people of the Balkans. The memory of those horrible first 36 hours is fading…

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