Miscellaneous Stuff
From last weeks newsletter regarding the Italian version of Big Brother, here are pictures of the self appointed Alpha Male and the seemingly submissive female who appeared to have fallen under his spell. Incidentally, they were both eliminated in the Final.
One of the things that I particularly enjoy about living in Malta apart from the lifestyle and good weather, is that even though tourists visit pretty much all year round, before the peak arrives, there are plenty of places I can visit in relative peace and quiet. Here are some places that I have visited and found very interesting.
The Malta Maritime Museum
Having started from scratch in 1988, the museum has a collection of more than 20,000 artefacts belonging to Malta’s maritime past.
Visitors to the museum can enjoy some unique artefacts which include the largest known Roman anchor in the world, the earliest known ex-voto on the island (a votive offering to a saint or a divinity, given in fulfillment of a vow), the Order of St John’s largest ship model, the biggest collection of cannon on the island, the Napoleonic figurehead of the 110-gun ship HMS Hibernia, a 1950s working marine steam engine, as well as a collection of more than 60 traditional boats.
Situated in the Grand Harbour Marina, the museum is housed within the Old Naval bakery in Vittoriosa, making it the island’s largest museum in one of the first industrial revolution buildings on the island. The museum takes you on a journey across 7,000 years of Maltese seafaring history.
Aviation Museum
The Malta Aviation Museum is located on a former Royal Air Force airfield in Ta’ Qali, a small tourist village in Malta, mostly known for its Crafts Village, National Park and home to the National Football Stadium.
The museum is a prime attraction for enthusiasts and has a collection of aircraft, engines, uniforms and model aircraft from Maltese aviation history, which are housed in three hangers. All work at the museum is carried out by a small group of volunteers who put their heart and soul in the preservation and restoration of the aircraft exhibits. Among the exhibits on show are a World War 2 Hawker Hurricane which was restored back to full working order after being recovered from the depths of the Mediterranean in 1995. Apart from the three hangars and the exhibits, there is a small chapel, a tiny cafeteria, and a souvenir shop.
National Aquarium
It is the only Aquarium in Malta and is spread over 20,000 sqm (215.28 sqft) and apart from the Aquarium itself, there is a public promenade, a car park, facilities for local dive schools, a restaurant, a beach club, a shop, and a tourist information kiosk.
Some facts about the Aquarium
There is more than just underwater life. Reptiles, insects, amphibians are also housed in the 41 tanks that make up the animal exhibits in the Aquarium and each one is themed to replicate the natural habitat of the animals.
The tanks are numbered and split into separate zones according to which area, time period, or species they represent.
The main tank is about 12 metres in diameter and includes a walk-through tunnel which makes you feel as if you are quite literally, living under the sea.
Most of the fish are from the waters around Malta and the Mediterranean but other exotic species are also available to see, such as those from the Indo-Pacific ocean.
There are some of Malta’s hidden treasures and most famous landmarks here, including shipwrecks, natural landmarks, and man made structures.
The complex also includes a laboratory, a food preparation room, and quarantine facilities so that every different species can be properly cared for and where further research can be carried out.
Visitors can book a ‘back of house’ tour and gain a further insight into what goes into life at the Aquarium, as well as the care of the Aquarium itself.
I hope you enjoyed the Easter break and have good week.