Days 559-560, 23-24 Dec '15, Valletta, Lights, Action, Panto! On Christmas Eve "Eve", the 23rd, we ventured into Valletta - the walled capital city of Malta. We came prepared to love it and we certainly did. Christmas in Turkey was shaping up to be a bit like a strange older person hanging around a kindergarten... there, but sort of on the sly. Prayer calls would have drowned out the Christmas bells. If there had been any. But now it's Christmas - and how! Even the small villages have Christmas lights and decorations up and it turns out Santa is a bit of a recidivist... number of times we've seen him abseiling into upstairs windows! By the by, we parked in the massive car-prevention joint ("carpark") just outside the Triton Fountain and the city gate. We walked over the bridge and were met with the sight of Republic Street, drenched in Christmas lights catching the last of the afternoon sun. Incredible. Quick trot to the Tourist Info Spot, maps, cruise about the crib and nativity display (very big thing in Valletta), then off to see the pretty lights, the Christmas crowds, the tree made of big, coloured glass balls. We had an early dinner at Cafe Jubilee near the Manoel Theatre and then wandered back to St George Square for the inauguration of the Christmas Light/Projection display against the facade of the Grand Inquisitor's Palace. Excellent way to kick our festive season into top gear. The purpose of the jaunt to town however was still to come. As soon as we confirmed our visit to Malta in late October, we investigated performances at the Manoel Theatre or "Teatru Manoel" - an absolute jewel-box of a theatre. Turned out the only thing on during our stay was the traditional Christmas Panto - this year "Robin Hood and the Babes in the Woods". Absolutely, dead set, too funny. It's a rock & roll panto with lots of gender confusion, funny voices, naughty jokes and political humour... and astonishingly good value for a night out - started at 8 pm and, with an intermission, didn't finish til 11.30 pm! It was fabulous to see the Christmas lights and crowds when all the shops were open. But it was magic to see them after the shops closed and the crowds left and the twinkling of the curtains of white lights down Republic Street was all that remained. Home by midnight... Just...

Christmas Eve... Made our way to Zurrieq (some wonderful Maltese place names) for their weekly market. Lots and lots of clothes (definitely don't need them) and some Christmas food... including some dark, cognac filled chocolates, all the way from Germany. Yes. Getting into the Christmas "spirit" here! Christmas Day plans? Off to the Marina Bay hotel for a buffet lunch. Last time we had roast turkey? Ireland. This time last year. It's been too long!