During our stay in Malta we were very happy to receive accommodation in the five star Crowne Plaza Hotel . In such a hotel they serve no ordinary breakfast and we were delighted to find that there was a rich variety of food to choose from. There was even a chef waiting to cook our omelettes on command!

At 11.00 on Sunday we had been invited to watch the changing of the guards, the In Guardia, at Fort St. Elmo. This ancient ceremony dates back to the time of the knights of St. John. The whole performance was very entertaining with all the guards and grand masters colourfully dressed in traditional Maltese uniform. Three regiments of guards each displayed the use of traditional weapons. The musketeers fired loud shots into the air followed by an even louder cannon display. The whole ceremony was synchronised by a marching band with beating drums and bleating trumpets.

After a few hours of relaxation the team arrived back in Valletta for a meeting with Michael Bonnici, former deputy speaker of parliament. He gave us an interesting and educational tour of the historical city of Valletta, starting in the Barrakka Gardens. From this point we had a great view over the bay and over to the other side, where the famous three cities of Malta are fortified by enormous stone walls. Mr. Bonnici described in great detail the history behind the many buildings, churches, and statues that we encountered on our walk.

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