BRITISH INFLUENCE
by alyf1961
On the 5th of September 1800, the French signed over the islands of Malta to the British. the armistice was signed near to the Portes De Bombes in Floriana by General Claude Henri Vaubois and Rear Admiral Pierre Villeneuve for the French and Major General Henry Pigot and Captain George Martin for the British.
The Maltese took a special liking to Captain Alexander Ball after he was sent by Nelson to block the French troops in Valletta. He was chosen by the Maltese as their chief and representative.
This was the start of a relationship between Britain and Malta that lasts up until today. Malta is still part of the commonwealth.
Banks in Malta
by stewartbel
There are two banks in Malta - HSBC and Bank of Valletta.
Both have very short working hours - from 08.30 - 14.30, except on Saturdays when they work from 09.00 - 12.30hr and Sundays, when they are closed.
Exchange rate for euro varies from 2.33 euros for 1 Maltese pound (Maltese lira) to 2.4 euros for 1 LM.
Regular currency in Malta is Maltese lira (pound) but many places except euro too.
Hilly Streets
by steventilly
Valletta is quite a hilly city, especially as you come from the edges by the water towards the more central parts of the city. Some of the hills are climbed by near vertical flights of steps, others by more gentle (but longer) inclines. Looking down someof the street is quite spectacular, as they drop away in front of you (and sometimes rise again at the other side).
Don't worry if you can't manage hills or steps - once you are within the central area there is not too much step-climbing to do, and especially if you arrive by bus.
A dusty treasure
by jayhawk2000
Entering Valletta is like going up into the attic of some rich, eccentric relative and opening old crates imported from exotic ports. As you sift through the piles of brittle parchment and faded photographs you may come across real treasure...but at the touch of your fingers it falls apart into so many handfuls of dust.
Valletta is a remarkable city, quiet (except for the rattling horse carriages) and refreshed by the winds funnelled up the stair-step streets. Walk the streets carefully, she's old and needs looked after. Climbing the stepped streets, watching the women hang their washing out of their balconies, seeing craftsmen at work in the jewellery shops, jerking at the sound of a cannon in the fort, feeding the stray cats in the gardens atop the battlements...
If you are after something...
by ankx
If you are after something more than just sunbathing on your holiday, the Maltese Islands present an ideal situation. There are no huge distances to travel in Malta, less in Gozo, which enables one to visit more places of interest and still find time for relaxation.
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Street scene
Me in front of the Maltese Falcon
Grand Harbor, Valletta, Malta 2010
Upper Barracca Gardens, Valletta, Malta 2010
