Events of Friday 23rd November 2012
On 23rd November 2012 I travelled to Malta with Ann and Dean. They've been visiting the Radisson resort at Golden Sands in Malta for a number of years and, this time, I agreed to accompany them.
We set off early by road for Heathrow and parked in the Terminal 4 Long-stay car park. A shuttle bus transferred us and luggage to the Terminal for check-in. The two-and-a-bit hour flight to Malta by A320 was pleasantly shorter than on many of my trips.
It's actually my second visit to Malta. I've been trying to remember exactly when the first was - my guess is around twenty years ago. Needless to say, there have been major changes since my last trip. The first time I arrived at Luqa Airport its origins as an RAF base were still obvious. Now, development of the site into the present Malta International Airport has obliterated most evidence of its history although I did spot some derelict Nissen Huts just outside the airport. These durable buildings had clearly found civilian uses before finally falling into disrepair. I was intrigued by the signboard on one of these buildings - 'MALTA RABBIT CLUB'.
Dean had booked a hire car and we drove to Radisson Golden Sands as it was getting dark. Ann had arranged a well-appointed suite with two bedrooms and a large sitting room. Later in the evening, we enjoyed a splendid meal in the Agliolio Restaurant. By this time, we were all pretty tired so we retired to bed. I slept soundly.
A bit of history
Malta has a strategically-important location in the Mediteranean and, consequently, the island has been colonised a number of times over the centuries, latterly by the British. The Maltese people, of course, have the distinction of having been collectively awarded the George Cross, in recognition of the heavy bombing the island suffered in the second World War when Malta provided a vital base to Britain. Malta gained independence in 1964, became a Republic in 1974, joined the European Union in 2004 and adopted the Euro as its currency in 2008. The Maltese Constitution makes Catholicism the official religion and worship is deeply engrained in the society.
Although natural resources are few, Malta has quarries producing limestone which, cut into blocks, were the traditional method of constructing buildings. In recent times, Malta enthusiastically embraced tourism which I think has proved something of a mixed blessing. I believe Information Technology is now seen as the way forward. For more information, see the Wikipedia article.
Entering the EU meant (for at least some people) 'Falling on Soft Times'. But, looking at some of the farmers tending smallholdings producing vegetables and the delapidated state of many houses and commercial premises, I don't think the largesse has been spread around evenly. Malta received significant contributions from the European Regional Development Fund. For instance, the hotel we're staying in (opened in 2005) was funded 50% private enterprise, 12.5% Malta Government and 37.5% ERDF. Rather like Spain, there has been massive housing developments which in these troubled economic times have become difficult to sell. The EU has recently proposed a massive reduction in funds to Malta signalling worrying times ahead.
More when I can.
Photographs
Malta.
