Being prepared meant leaving enough room in the luggage to bring back the many books and paper goods I would pick up. Plan was this trip; leave about 1/3 bag space for what would get “accumulated.” Ended up with over a dozen books and things that was almost a foot high.
B, could also be for – BFF - Best Friends Forever. In this case, was true for our 2 guides; Jossette and Vivian, native Maltese. Who knows, we might gain some extra friends we will meet along the way. This first tour group was 39 people. A mix of married and singles. Add to that, the desk clerks and restaurant staff that also would share stories with us. Was lucky enough to remember most names after only a few days.
From the Road Scholar Malta guide book:
Day 2: Welcome to Malta! Meet your companions and leaders.
Look for program staff holding the Road Scholar sign in the arrivals hall at the airport. Transfer to the hotel will take about 20 minutes. Check in and settle into rooms at Hotel Victoria in Sliema. Later we get together for a "Welcome" gathering and distribution of materials, general information about the hotel facilities and procedures, answers to any immediate questions. NOTE: Itineraries are subject to variation for local conditions not always known far in advance. All indicated features will be included, but may be re-ordered.
Afternoon:
Hotel Dining Room. Buffet menu consists of multiple choices for starter, main course and dessert. Procedures will be more fully explained on site. The food in Malta is mostly continental with a British character. There is also Italian influence resulting in a variety of pasta dishes, and fresh seafood prepared in Mediterranean fashion -- with lemon, for example, or with tomato, garlic, capers. Beef, chicken, veal and the local specialty - rabbit, are generally served in sauces, with potato and vegetables on the side. Be sure to try the crusty Maltese bread and a soft goat cheese from Gozo.
Hotel Victoria info:
http://www.victoriahotel.com/
Map:
https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&q=Hotel+Victoria+sliema+map&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&ei=ujueUrfpE8eSyAHJzICADA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg
B is for “best” flight ever. A smooth ride to both Frankfurt and Malta. When you are in the air for 8+ hours, you don’t want anything “broken” (-:
Photo 1. When you are above the clouds, you don’t know if you are above land or water.
Photo 2. Frankfurt airport very nice. Free newspapers and magazines. Some even written in English.
Photo 3. Just like promised in our Road Scholar material, Jossette is at airport to guide us to awaiting ride to hotel (-:
Click below for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2013C2CDay2of28
