The third of the organised trips on our recent Malta visit was to ride the North and the South Open Top Tours and also to have a harbour cruise. So a busy day.
Richard had arranged where possible for us to sample at least two different open top vehicles.
For further details of the tour see
http://www.pbt.org.uk/maltabybus/factsheet%20open%20top.pdf
Instead of the expected Vo B10M the RMF COY 004 was provided to take us to Sleima and a change of vehicle. This was FPT 588C new to Northern General as 2118.
So off we went. Hey Sliema is not this way !
Back on the road south the car just happened to be beside the infamous Maghtab landfill site. This is one of several sites that are causing problems as the material dumped chemically alters. Here we have landfill that has grown to a mountain !
http://www.eu4u.gov.mt/aerial_emissions.asp
http://www.scottwilson.com/projects/environment/waste__resource_management/malta_landfills_rehabilitation.aspx
http://www.maltamedia.com/artman2/publish/govt_politics/article_861.shtml
Back to buses. The Routemaster is overtaken easily by Zarb's B10M CCY 956. This was Wally's Trollies H617 UWR. Came to Malta from Berkeley, Paulton.
Marco pointed out that "You may also notice that it overtook us just in front and in full sight of the speed camera! I hope they didn't get a ticket for that... "
Down in the posh area of St Julian's and a contrast in architectural styles !
Onwards through Sliema, passing FBY 758 one of the five Sarackis bodied BR7LEs.
Arriving at Sliema Strand to see the service bus depart.
A quick phone call and fifteen minutes later Reno's son Sean arrives with a Vo B10M to continue our journey. Three cruise ships gave operational difficulties !
Plug in for one of the multi-language commentaries. The system uses GPS to ensure that you are listening to the correct details. The earphones are supplied and are yours to keep !
I thought that by April it was too warm to collect Maltesers from the orchards !
Porte Des Bombes, Floriana.
The suburb of Valetta is Floriana. The city is defined by the inner and outer defences, also known as the City Gate and the Porte des Bombes
Along Triq Sant' Anna and the American Embassy among others.
Traffic chaos at the Triq Nelson near the bus station. No love lost between the route buses and the open tops that load here !
So off north through Hamrun and Santa Venera.
Keeping along the Aqueduct to San Anton Gardens.
Wignacourt Aqueduct, Malta. This aqueduct was built in the 16th century to transport water from the old capital city of Malta, Mdina to the new capital city Valletta. Today, only part of this aqueduct is visible in the localities of Balzan, Birkirkara and Santa Venera
Titan COY 007 (OHV 811Y) is the service bus whilst COY 005 (G301 OGE) is the duplicate.
Passing through Attard the route threads it's way through Ta' Qali with the Craft Village, Aviation Museum, the National Stadium etc.
There was always a band of admirers wanting to photograph the bus.
So Sean posed her for us.
The route nw heads to Mosta and just before the Dome we passed DBY 368 the Reo Speedwagon. This is a personal favourite !
Beep beep Paramount !
The ancient capital of Malta Mdina looms ahead. Often called the "Silent City"
However outside the walled city in Rabat chaos reigns. Cruise ship or Italian teenagers !
One of the few visible remains of the Malta Railway. This was only used for the headshunt of the Notabile Museum Station. This station served the Mtrafa Barracks.
The road narrows and the views expand ! The Bingemma Gap takes us between the Victoria Lines to Mgarr.
On our way we pass Our Lady of Itria Chapel.
At Mgarr we meet up with Titan COY 007. All OT's retained in the Big Bus maroon/cream livery have the south tour advertised on the offside and the north on the nearside.
Golden Bay with its fine beach and new hotel.
The Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort & Spa is situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking one of Malta’s most beautiful sandy beaches, Golden Bay. The location commands one of the best sites on the Island of Malta with panoramic views over the bay below and beyond. At the same time it is only a short drive Southwards to St. Pauls Bay and the town of Bugibba and a ten-minute drive northwards to the ferryboat that connects to Gozo, Malta’s sister Island. The original Golden Sands Hotel was built in the 1960s and was operated by the same family until Island Hotels Group purchased the property in January 2003.
The return to St Paul's Bay takes us through a very productive horticultural area the Pwales Valley.
The new by pass allows views of St Paul's Islands.
The route now takes us along the coast through St Paul's Bay, Bugibba and Qawra.
Retracing our earlier route we descend into Paceville and the former Primary School of one of our group !
Spinola Bay.
Spinola Bay
After retracing the route along the Sliema front we arrive back at the Strand.
E & O E. All comments are believed to be accurate but remember I have had a bus pass for many many years !
Thanks to Marco - our man in Malta - for proof reading the captions !
NB. Right click on images to access larger (1600 x 1200) images.
Terry Partridge's jottings
