Malta; What's the Malta with you? Mediterranean Cruise Part 7

Destination: Valletta, Malta
Date: December 2012

On the steps of a building in Mdina, Malta
January 2013

When we docked in Malta we were ready for a day of adventure.  We didn’t plan anything, and my Rick Steve’s book didn’t cover Malta, so we were on our own. I’d done a little browsing on the web to see what the “must see” sights were on this little island, and that was about it.  

At the port of Valetta in Malta
January 2013

Another beautiful view of the Grand Harbor in Malta
January 2013

When I saw that Malta was on our itinerary I have to say I had really no idea where it was located.  I know a little embarrassing.  That’s when I found out that it is located in the smack dab middle of the Mediterranean.  Just between the straight of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal.  It isn’t a very big island but it does have a population of almost 500,000.  Of course it has changed hands of power over the years, being in such a strategic spot in the Mediterranean, but now it is under its own rule since 1965.  The last country to rule Malta was Great Britain so that made the national language English.  I have to say, after the struggle in Sicily, we were glad to be able to communicate.  The other national language is Maltese so of course the locals could still talk about you right in front of your face, but at least they understood when we negotiated taxi rides.

The port of Malta is probably one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.  With long stone buildings with arches and bells it looks like something built back in the 1500’s at least.  I’m not sure what the age of the buildings are, but I did think it was funny that once we walked behind the building at the port, it was just a front facade almost like a movie set in Hollywood.  There was no building... it was just the face.  

In downtown Valletta, Malta
Can you tell how tired they are getting of all my picture taking?
January 2013

We negotiated with some taxi drivers at the port but found them to be too expensive for what we wanted.  From our reading we knew we wanted to visit the city of Mdina, the original capital of Malta and go to the Blue Grotto, a series of caves in the cliffs of Malta on the southern shoreline.  We had gotten instructions from the TI office about riding the bus, so we knew if we couldn’t find a taxi we could bum a ride on a bus.  

The twinkies taking in a beautiful view of the port
Valletta, Malta, January 2013

In the Barrakka Gardens in front of a monument
Valletta, Malta January 2013

From the port we were able to take an elevator ride up to the city level of the new capital Valletta, which put us in the.Barrakka Garden  This cute little city sits up on the cliff tops and overlooks the port of Malta quite majestically.  The town is small and inviting with lots of little shops and restaurants but we were ready to see some sites.  There are horse drawn carriages walking the streets taking tourists on rides, and beautiful cathedrals and gardens to see.  It was actually a really cute little city and had foreign music playing and the smell of a sheep barn.  A little musty I must say.  The kids begged to ride the horse carriages but we were still on the hunt for a taxi.

We began our walk through town over to the bus terminals feeling like a taxi wasn’t meant to be on this adventure.  Then Trent found some taxis parked near the bus station and the negotiating began.  We needed to go thirty-five minutes south to the Blue Grotto and then another twenty minutes to Mdina and then another twenty minutes back to Valletta.  We needed two taxis for the entire day who were willing to not only drive us but then wait as we did what we wanted to do at these locations.

One of the two taxis we took during our day around the island
Valletta, Malta, January 2013

The beautiful countryside we had a chance to drive through as we drove from Valletta to the Blue Grotto
Malta, January 2013

Luckily he negotiated a 50E for each taxi and we quickly split into two groups and started our journey.  After a very scenic ride through the island we arrived at the Blue Grotto.  This little city just south of Zurrieq, has a Mediterranean feel of the Greek Islands.  With a city built on a cliff side there are beautiful views from wherever we stood.  We walked down the steep streets to buy our boat tickets and get out on the water.  This was our first time in the water of the Mediterranean during our entire trip!

Colton posing out front of the ticket booth to the Blue Grotto
Malta, January 2013

Three happy girls, excited to be out on the water!
Malta, January 2013

Trent and I were excited to be out on the water exploring the blue caves of Malta
January 2013

Our Blue Grotto tickets were 6E each and with six boats running we were quickly on our own motorized skiff, with our own captain with the gruff of a fisherman with piercing blue eyes.  He kept slurring out words in English pointing out objects and between Trent, Colton, Bailey and I we were able to put together a meaning and understand what he was saying to us. 

The view we were enjoying from our dinghy
Malta, January 2013

The blue water was beautiful inside of the caves
Malta, January 2013

Lexi loved going into the caves!
Malta, January 2013

Our little tour took us to about ten different caves, through ice blue water that was clear as glass.  It was beautiful to be down in the caves with the ocean crashing against the rocks and see the beauty of the cliffside.  It actually reminded us a lot of the cave boat rides we’ve done with my sister “K” and her husband “M” in Lake Powell.  It was beautiful and this was one of the kids favorite activities of the entire trip.

On board our dinghy and having fun!
Malta, January 2013

When we were done at the Blue Grotto we got into our waiting taxis and proceeded to our next stop in Mdina.  This beautiful little city is the highest peak of Malta.  You can see three-quarters of the island from the view from Mdina.  We entered the city by a bridge into a large city gate.  The buildings were so close together and made for lots of long narrow alley ways for pedestrians.  With more churches and cathedrals to view, shops, restaurants it all wound around in the beautiful setting that I’m sure has been featured in many Hollywood movies.  It looked like a city from the castles of dark ages, but clean and without the muddy walk ways.  

The narrow streets of Mdina with all six kids
Colton, 16, Bailey 14, Clay 10, Lexi 8, Leah 8, and Bella 5
January 2013

The kids posing again in front of a cathedral in Mdina
January 2013

We just had fun taking pictures.  Every time I suggested going into a church or even the Mdina cathedral I was out voted and reminded how disappointing this or that church would be having just visited the Sistine Chapel.  I had to admit they were right.  We came across a long ledge that had a beautiful view of the beauty of Malta and we had to stop and take pictures. 

Bella holding the flags of Italy and Malta
January 2013

At a cute red door across the street from where we ate lunch
Malta, January 2013

 The funny thing about this little city is that even with the tiny streets, there were tiny cars driving around.  Every once in awhile we’d hear honking as a car came around a corner letting those who were walking know to get out of the way!  We stopped at Fontanella a garden tea restaurant for lunch and were sat at a table that had a gorgeous view from the outside veranda.  We sat together over looking the Mediterranean eating our eighth day of pizza.  Of course the kids didn’t care and we devoured it quickly.  

Our delicious lunch with a beautiful view overlooking the countryside of Malta
January 2013

Clay finally started enjoying pizza our last few days on our Italian vacation
Malta, January 2013

Just sitting on that veranda with all of my children, and my husband will be a memory I will have for a lifetime.  It was so beautiful, and I was so happy to share it with the people I love the most.  

On the streets of Mdina enjoying our day with the kids
January 2013

Trent and I so glad we came to Malta!
January 2013

We knew from our little stops, shopping, our amazing lunch, and our lazy stroll that we were going to give our taxi drivers heart attacks after waiting so long. So we made our way back to the city gates.  Our day was over, but our mission was accomplished.  We saw all the sites we wanted to see, did a little shopping, and ate some great food.  Next time I get over to this part of the world I’d like to make a summer stop in Malta and enjoy swimming the beautiful blue water that surrounds this island in the Mediterranean.

Bella's little fingers holding the flags of the region, soooo cute
January 2013

Safe and Happy Travels!

Young & Dumb but In Love; Honeymooning in Cabo San Lucas 1993!!

Destination: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Date: December 1993

Forgive our grainy selfies as we Honeymoon in
Cabo San Lucas Mexico, December 1993

I guess our love of travel stems back to the very beginning of our relationship.  Before Trent and I got married my travel had revolved around trips to my grandparents homes in Maryland or Central California.  I guess we did sneak in a few trips to Utah while we were taking my older siblings to college but my travel was pretty limited.  When Trent and I started making our wedding plans he took over the job of planning our honeymoon, and of course I didn't care where we went, as long as I could be with him!  So in light of it being Valentines I thought I'd post about our honeymoon to Cabo San Lucas Mexico!

For me this was a very exotic location.  For one I'd never left the country, actually I take that back we did got to Tijuana once when I was twelve, but does Tijuana count?  Secondly, I was leaving the country with my new husband and no parents.  Crazy!  Well in my young mind it was!  Thankfully Trent had just returned from a two-year mission for our church in Guatemala so I felt like I was in the hands of a world traveler.

Trent found his catch at the Giggling Marlin
Cabo San Lucas Mexico December 1993

I can't say I have too much in the way of travel tips on this location but its fun to look back at the activities we did do while we were there.  The Giggling Marlin and Señor Frogs were popular locations and since they were known primarily for being bars we stayed away during the night scene.  We did go check them out during the day and took a few memorable photos but I don't think either is known for the delicacy so I don't think I remember liking the food very much.

I think that shirt I was wearing was in my rotation for the next 10 years!  Trent and I eating somewhere in
Cabo San Lucas Mexico, December 1993

In 1993 Cabo was under a lot of construction.  I think there had been a natural disaster within a few years of our honeymoon and so much of the area was being rebuilt.  At the time there was an "old" and a "new" part of the city.  We had a room in the "old" part and I remember that the $6 per person taxi ride to the "new" part of town was too expensive for our young blood.  So like a newly returned missionary, Trent introduced me to public transportation... the bus.  We felt like this was a great money saver at only $1.50 per person to the "new" part of town, though it took much longer to travel the six miles between.  I remember very vividly how pungent the smell was on the bus and just like the movies some locals did have a few chickens on board.  It was a crazy ride with loud Mexican music playing and made one of the greatest impacts on my memory.

Who wouldn't fall in love with this cutie!  Trent at the Malia Hotel
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico December 1993

Staying in the "old" part of Cabo had the draw back of older hotels.  We were enticed by the new and beautiful hotels on the "new" side.  At the time the Melia Hotel was a new hot spot and we sneaked onto the property to enjoy the facilities of the resort.  We felt we were so sneaky enjoying our Virgin Pina Coladas poolside and made a point of never taking a towel with us because having a towel of another resort was a sure sign of being an impostor.

While we were in Cabo we also went horseback riding on the beach.  Unlike the movies we were not given gallant steeds to take us on our seaside ride.  Our horses looked more like starving animals that should be featured in a Sarah Mclachlin TV ad but we didn't dare ask for healthier animals.  Being a country girl myself, and not off the ranch for very long, I was very disturbed by our rides so I made sure we took it slow and didn't press these Mexican horses too much. We never even broke into a trot.

On our glass bottom boat ride out to Divorce Beach and Lovers Beach
Cabo San Lucas Mexico December 1993

Another fun activity we did was go on a glass bottom boat ride.   Of course this was something that was totally new to me!  I guess I really expected the bottom of the boat to be clear like looking into an aquarium in the states, but I was sadly misguided.  Of course seeing through the water in the Pacific Ocean is much more difficult than the clear blue waters of the Caribbean.  Even if the water was clear it had to be still so that the sand wouldn't rush under us and block our view of anything underneath.  The funny thing was our glass bottom boat ride was through some of the most torrential waters where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.  These glass bottom boats can be accessed by Darsena Marina and really are a fun, even though it was no aquarium experience!

Here there is a small stretch of land that hosts two beaches.  One side is called Lovers Beach where the water is calm and beautiful and faces the Sea of Cortez.  The other side of this beach is called Divorce Beach and it is choppy and rough, as the water crashes up on land from the Pacific Ocean.  Our glass bottom boat ride was a $5 ride to visit these two beaches and gave a very distinct memory of how different these two beaches were.

Because there is no dock on these beaches we had to jump out near the land and walk up to Lovers Beach.  Here it is calm, beautiful, and made me wish Trent and I had the place to ourselves.  On the other side, Divorce Beach, swimming is not recommended due to the terrible undertow, and that made me even afraid to get near the waters edge.  It was a great place to visit especially since we were Honeymooners!

Beach side in Cabo
Cabo San Lucas Mexico, December 1993

Of course there is more to Cabo than the beach and sitting poolside, but of course we were on a honeymoon and that is all we wanted to do!  On a return trip, Trent went on an amazing four-wheeling trip with his friends of the BYU Entrepreneur group.  I also hear that Cabo has an amazing golf course, and if I was to go back now I would make sure to find a five-star hotel and wouldn't worry about my taxi ride.  I also wouldn't have spent three hours walking the streets of Cabo looking for the "cheap" breakfast place our room attendant told us about while at our hotel on the "old" side of Cabo.  *We actually did finally find that breakfast place and it was the best $3 meal we ate the entire time we were down there.  However, all of this added to the adventure of the entire experience.

I would pack smarter shoes and would worry less about fashion, and more about practicality especially on some of those cobble stone streets of "old" Cabo.  I also wouldn't have bought a time share on my honeymoon just to hear the applause of those in the room at that darn Melia Hotel.  Good thing we got out of that contract with only a minimal loss.  We were young and dumb but we were in love and Cabo will always have a special place where we jumped off a huge cliff together and have landed almost twenty years later more in love than ever!

Happy Valentines, Trent!  You will always be my first and only true love!!

Safe, Happy, and Travel with your True Love Everyone!!

Sicily; Not what we saw, but how it made us feel; Mediterranean Cruise Part 6

Destination: Sicily, Italy
Date: December 2012

So happy to find church in Sicily!!
Messina, Sicily, December 2012

Going to church in a foreign country can be daunting.  However, if you’ve never done it you should give it a try.  After being out of the states for eight days our spiritual well being needed to be filled.  We happened to be in Sicily on this particular Sunday and looked online to find our churches nearest meeting house, and what time the sacrament would begin.  

Waiting for Dad to find us a taxi to church
Sicily, December 2012

When we walked off our cruise ship we were inundated by taxi drivers all willing to take us to the nearby sights in Sicily.  We knew we couldn’t hire any of those drivers since they would be set on a day long hire and not just one to take us three miles down the road.  So we continued to walk further into the city to find a willing cabby.  

Not long after Trent was able to convince two taxis to take us to our destination, Umberto Bonino Scala 1A!  When we told our driver the address of our church he quickly denied that any churches were located there.  He kept pointing to the Catholic church located in the Piazza that we were standing in and told us to go there.  Our limited Italian and his near non-existent English did not make for a very easy conversation but finally our message was understood and we were on our way.  

Bella was so excited to find a purse that fit her perfectly
Sicily, December 2012

Speaking Italian would be very helpful, especially in a place like Sicily!  Unlike so many of our other ports this was the most difficult to find anyone who spoke or even tried to understand English.  Trent became very street wise on hand signs to use when communicating our desires.  It was actually a little hilarious to the kids and I, even if Trent wasn’t as amused.  On a side note the kids and I also enjoy Trent’s attempts at Italian by sliding into Spanish which wasn’t understood either.  Then when he does find someone who speaks a little English with a very thick accent, he acquires the accent to be understood.  It kept us laughing on more than a few occasions.  We sure do love you honey!

The sign we were dying to find!
Sicily, December 2012

Finally after a twenty minute taxi ride we arrived at our address.  Like the taxi driver said there was no obvious church in the area.  It was a big industrial area with lots of businesses and warehouse space in a long strip mall type area.  Our eyes searched, and searched and I could see the smug expression on my cabbies face as he kept repeating “no churcha, no churcha”.  Finally, Colton spotted a familiar sign on the building wall with our churches name written in Italian!  We were so relieved.  

Once Trent paid our drivers they gave us their business card to indicate to give them a call when our service was done.  I think he probably paid them pretty good if they were willing to come back.  This also made me laugh since it had been so difficult to convince them to take us there in the first place!  

In church and ready to sit through all of it in Italian
Messina, Sicily, December 2012

Now to our second obstacle.  Though we found the sign the door was locked.  In our efforts to save face we didn’t want the cabbies to know there was no entrance to our church and so we lingered a little in front to take pictures as our cabbies waited to see if we would get in.  One even motioned for us to come back because there was “no churcha” there, but Trent found a series of buzzers to push and we prayed someone would answer our ring.  Finally the door clicked open and we were free from our cabbies  interrogating watch.  

So much relief was felt as we stumbled into the industrial building.  White tiled floors, white walls, and gratefully a familiar picture of Christ greeted us.  Just up a flight of stairs we were greeted by an Italian usher of the congregation.  Of course he didn’t speak a word of English, but the look of love on his face was easy to recognize.  He didn’t seem the least bit flustered that we didn’t speak any Italian, and counted all eight of us and began making his own decisions of what to do with our confused looking lot.  

Lexi playing "Do you love your neighbor?" with the kids in Primary
Sicily, December 2012

He quickly took us straight over to their primary.  This was about the only word I understood as he very loudly spoke Italian but at a calming pace.  When he opened the door there were three tiny women sitting around a small church table with three young boys.  Two of the women were Italian straight from an Al Pacino movie, and the third was a Philipino woman who had immigrated to Sicily.  

Leah posing with one of her primary teachers at church.  Could this woman be any sweeter?
Sicily, December 2012

These women quickly stood up and began hugging our children.  With no heat in the room they still wore their huge black winter coats and stood about five feet tall.  They were tiny, but so full of love.  One of the women came over to me and went on and on in Italian and then grabbed both of my cheeks with her soft little worn hands and pulled me in to kiss me.  She then ran her hands down my arms to my hands and grabbed them and spoke to me softly as if to say, “I will take care of your children, just go on to class now.”

Leah thought it was pretty cool to see a Book of Mormon in Italian
Sicily, December 2012

Right then for some reason I was so overcome with the spirit of this tiny little church.  My eyes began to pool with water and I was so touched by this woman’s full heart of love.  Though I couldn’t decipher the words she was speaking, her heart connected with mine, and I knew we were sisters in this gospel of Jesus Christ.  After a hectic and uncertain morning, and getting all six kids in the right clothes to attend church, I had felt a little frazzled and this woman had put my mind at ease.  The best part was my kids were such great troopers about all of this.  They hugged their new teachers and we were quickly ushered out the door to our class.  

Bella, Lexi and Leah posing with the Primary President
Sicily, December 2012

Since it was the fifth Sunday, and because their church has their meetings in a backwards order than we do in Texas, the adults and youth were all meeting together with the bishop.  The chapel was in the largest room of this complex, and we were lucky if it sat sixty people.  Colton, Bailey, Trent and I found seats in the back and we were ready for our class.  We didn’t understand anything that was said but the words on the whiteboard were easy enough to figure out.  The lesson was on salvation and sacrifice.  Again we didn’t understand the words but we understood the message.  

My new best friend who could only say Bella, Bella as she touched my face.
Can't help but love her!
Sicily, December 2012

We enjoyed our Sunday School lesson, then had the best bread we’ve ever enjoyed during Sacrament meeting (it was sourdough, yum!) and soon finished three hours of simple messages of faith and dedication.  At one point during the last hour of church a little boy had to be taken out during the meeting for being a little rowdy and he was clutching his soccer ball.  The kids thought this was all so entertaining.  

All of us at church with the Elders who did a great job translating for us during Sunday School
Sicily, December 2012

We soon said our goodbyes to our new friends and wished the Elders from California and Utah good luck, and made our way out of the industrial building.  The members of the congregation had given us good advice on taking the public train back to our port so we could change before setting off on our day of fun.  The neighborhood around the church was very poor and dirty, but unbelievably right next to the water and had a beautiful view of the Mediterranean.  

Our very clean train ride back to the port after church
Sicily, December 2012

We walked down a very narrow sidewalk over to the train that happened to be starting his route at our stop.  The door to the train was wide open and so we filed on.  Trent tried motioning to the other passengers to see where we could pay but no one seemed to understand our message, or at least knew how to give us an answer.  I was ready for a free ride and wasn’t too concerned.  I figured if someone came by to collect a ticket we could just pay them, but Trent wanted to make sure we paid our fare.  Finally he got the conductors attention and waved some money at him.  He communicated a message that the ticket booth was closed today and when Trent gave him the motion if we should stay on the train or get off, he gave us the motion to stay.  So we were good!  Apparently since the ticket booths are closed on Sundays the trip was free.  

Trent and Bailey on the train
Sicily, December 2012

After almost a five hour excursion of just going to church we were ready for a late lunch, and a change of clothes.  As I thought about the events of the day I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get to visit any of the major sites of Sicily.  I wanted to see more of this beautiful island than an industrial park in a dirty neighborhood, but then I began to reflect on the feeling I gained from our encounter with these lovely locals of Sicily.  The way they made me and my family feel as they welcomed us into their hearts.  They also shared with us their sweet spirits of love and gratitude for coming to visit.  At one point a sweet woman who introduced herself as Lucia Amado motioned to my face several times saying... “bella, bella”.  Then she held both of my hands and smiled so sweetly as she kissed my cheeks and said her goodbyes.  

I realize my experience in Sicily may not be very useful to those of you seeking travel knowledge, but for me Sicily was about the way I felt, and not what I saw.  I’m glad to know I have brothers and sisters in the gospel where ever I am in the world!

Have safe, happy, and life changing travels!

Enchanted Rock, Texas State Park, Yep that's really the name!

Destination: Enchanted Rock, Texas
Date: November 2012

Cousin Fun on Enchanted Rock
November 2012

If you're looking for a fun day trip with the kids around the San Antonio area, I highly recommend heading up to the Hill Country to enjoy the majestic Enchanted Rock.  Located about 15 miles north of Fredericksburg Texas, Enchanted Rock is a great day trip for any family, couple, or individual looking for an easy climb to see the beautiful view of the Texas Hill Country.

Looks like Earth giving birth to another planet
Enchanted Rock, November 2012

A beautiful view of the Texas Hill Country from the top of Enchanted Rock
November 2012

This 425 ft peak of pink granite sits like a rock among the trees in this area of Texas, more info can be found at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/enchanted-rock.  Children under 12 are free to enter this Texas park but everyone else must pay the $7 entrance fee.  There is also camping available for those interested at $12 per night with a car fee of $5.

Our family hike to the top of Enchanted Rock
November 2012

As stated on the Enchanted Rock website "Tonkawa Indians believed ghost fires flickered at the top, (of Enchanted Rock) and they heard weird creaking and groaning, which geologists now say resulted from the rock's heating by day and contracting in the cool night. A conquistador captured by the Tonkawa described how he escaped by losing himself in the rock area, giving rise to an Indian legend of a "pale man swallowed by a rock and reborn as one of their own." The Indians believed he wove enchantments on the area, but he explained that the rock wove the spells. "When I was swallowed by the rock, I joined the many spirits who enchant this place." The first well-documented explorations of this area did not begin until 1723, when the Spanish intensified their efforts to colonize Texas. During the mid-1700s, the Spaniards made several trips to the north and northwest of San Antonio, establishing a mission and presidio on the San Saba River and carrying out limited mining on Honey Creek near the Llano River."

On the trail going up with all six kids and nine cousins!
Enchanted Rock, November 2012

This past Thanksgiving, Trent and I had our six kids along with his two brothers "T' &T's" families with their nine children so we knew staying in the house was not an option to keep this brood occupied.  We were soon off with movies playing in our vehicles and ready to do some hiking with these fifteen kids ranging in ages of 3-16.  That's the best part about Enchanted Rock it really is good for all ages!

It seemed impossible to get all fifteen kids in the picture at once!
Enchanted Rock, November 2012

Who doesn't love a picnic?  These kids are having too much fun!
Enchanted Rock, December 2012

We set off on our hour and a half drive up to Enchanted Rock.  Once we arrived we paid our entrance fee and headed in for a little picnic.  There are lots of picnic tables and since we brought our picnic from home we were ready to get started.  Once the kids were fed it was time to get started on our hike.
Some of the kids were obviously faster than others but the best part of Enchanted Rock is that it looks just like a rock popping up out of the ground with very little obstacles to obstruct our view.  Though I was one of the ones bringing up the rear I could see all fifteen kids on the rock at all times during our hike.

Lexi loved visiting Enchanted Rock with her cousins
November 2012

Clay loved all the climbing!
Enchanted Rock, November 2012

This hike is good for anyone who can walk!  My little niece "E" who is only three-years-old loved running around on the rock just as much as the older kids.  Once we arrived at the top the view of the hill country was breath taking.  I think it was a beautiful sight even for the children.  My big tip of the day is bring plenty of water!  Though we hiked the rock in November it was still warm and everyone was ready for a little drink at some point during the climb.

Just a short post today.  Hope you enjoy this little gem.  If you have any day trips around the San Antonio area that you could recommend, or you think I should check out, please let me know.  I love a new place to visit!

Safe and Happy Travels!!