So Malta is reopening itself to tourists on the 1st of June 2021 after the second wave. Prior to today, tourists could come to Malta without a negative test, & undergo a paid-for rapid test at the airport. As of today, they have to present a Negative PCR test or a VALID Maltese Vaccine Certificate. Not presenting a PCR test prior to boarding will result in denied boarding. No foreign vaccination certificate will be accepted unless we have a bilateral certificate recognition agreement with ANY country, or till 1st July, when the EU-wide Digital Green Certificate will be used, and bilateral agreements with 3rd countries thereafter only. Mask-wearing is also no longer mandatory on beaches. Please check updated information as this may change in future.
Tag Archives: Malta
The Gut Malta: Walking in Strait Street Valletta
Realised I hadn’t posted this video here..
The Gut Malta: Walking in Strait Street Valletta, Malta’s Historic Red Light Area on 1st May 2021. I review its history, showing some old photos while walking in the street. You might not be able to visit Malta right now, this way you can see it. Known as “The Gut”, or “Strait Street” (Strada Stretta in Maltese), this street was the focus of entertainment, nightlife and even prostitution ever since the 18th century up to the mid-20th century when the soldiers, sailors and Maltese would meet up here. Barmen and Maltese ladies pined for the British sailors here. It’s still vibrant, though not right now due to the pandemic. In the evenings there are bars and live music. Following Malta’s independence in 1964, and thus the lack of foreign servicemen, it effectively closed down. But the stigma of the place remained. Marks and Spencer opened an annexe in the street in 2003 and built a bridge to “protect” customers and bring them over the street instead of along it.
VIDEOS: Gardens in Malta: Independence Gardens and the Chinese Garden of Serenity
Two trips to gardens which I vlogged.
One, the Chinese Garden of Serenity in Santa Lucija.
The Chinese Garden of Serenity (Ġnien is-Serenità) is a public Chinese garden in Santa Luċija, Malta. Construction of the Garden of Serenity began in September 1996 as a gift to Malta from the People’s Republic of China. Alfred Sant, Malta’s Prime Minister at the time, opened it on July 7, 1997. It is maintained by the Local Council of Santa Lucija. Two stone lions – one masculine and one feminine – guard the main entrance to the inner gardens. The lions might be from the poem “Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den”. There are statues to the Maltese prehistoric Goddess (or Fat Lady as she is known) and other gifts from countries like Slovakia.
Second, Independence Gardens in Sliema.
The Independence Gardens are a space of greenery (which you don’t find as much as in the past) in Sliema. They also include a playground with swings for young children. It is located in the central part of Sliema near Tower Road and the seafront promenade. In the past, it was just a field and later was converted into a garden back in 1990. It is very close to Sliema beach.
Mdina Exploring the Silent City: Greeks Gate and the Mdina Ditch (il-Foss tal-Imdina)
I walk in Mdina, the old capital city of Malta. The old city is known as the Silent City of Malta. If you are in Malta it is a great place to visit and explore. It is also known by its titles of Città Vecchia or Città Notabile, is a fortified city in the Northern Region of Malta which served as the island’s capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls and has a population of just under 300, but it is contiguous with the town of Rabat, which takes its name from the Arabic word for suburb, and has a population of over 11,000.
I go through the Greeks Gate and explore the Mdina Ditch (Il-Foss tal-Imdina) which are newly restored gardens.