Second Week

Heyha there!

 

First I wanted to tell you something about the libraries of Malta.

There are 57 libraries in total which are separated on the 2 biggest islands, Malta and Gozo here. On Comino (I'll tell some more about this island in an future update ;) there is no library at all.

 

11 libraries on Gozo are subject to the Public Central Library Gozo and thus there are 12 libraries on Gozo.

 

The other 44 libraries are subject to the Public Central Library Malta (PCL M), where I work. And furthermore thez separated into Regional libraries and branch libraries. The Regional libraries are the biggest libraries in each region and have the same opening times as the PCL M. The smaller branch libraries adjust their opening times to the needs of the local people. The Isla Branch Library e.g. opens only in the evening from 4:30 pm to 6pm.

 

Who kept track of the numbers will realize there is one library missing. That is the National Public Library, which acts as the archive of the Maltese history at the same time. Later I'll tell you some more here aswell ;)

 

About the libraries itself: They get barely any money, so they have to depend on the donations from local people. This sadly means that most of the books are not up to date sadly. On the other hand there is no yearly fee and the locals donate a lot :)

The loan system itself works just as it did used to in Germany. There are still stampcards, but the books are also connected to the user accounts in the computer system.

 


Leisure!!!!

 

 

Now for the fun part again :D

 

Friday I walked home from work, it took an hour but atleast I have seen a lot of stuff from the island :)

 

I made a small stopover at the Sa Maison Gardens, which were built in the 18th century as a hunters lodge. Better known is the Maltese Name "Il-Gnien tal-Milorda", meaning "The Lady's Garden".

Later it was used as a military outpost, but now it's accesible to the public again.

In my opinion totally worth a visit, a nice view and very quiet!

 

 

Next day I had a planned cruising tour to Comino. Arriving there I got the information of the last tour being on Friday.. Pity! :(

 

Well okay, having a book, bathing clothes and my snorkeling mask with me I of course did not want to sour the day and explored Bugibba.

It seems to be a tourist area with many restaurants and small stony beaches.

 

After a small stopover at the cliffs I arrived again at Ta' Fra Ben Bay, which did not stop me at all to enjoy the day.

A lot of snorkeling and sun bathing happened and I also enjoyed the waves for a long time.

I also found a small stone formation which kinda reminded me of a small hut without a roof, which cannot be seen on the photos very well sadly.

 

Arriving in the flat in the evening I fell asleep very quickly after a meal and a cold shower.

 

 

The next 3 days not much happened due to fatigue and a big thunderstorm with a lot of rain. I relaxed in the flat and finished several books, made my laundry and refueled energy for the days after the thunderstorm.

 

On wednesday, so yesterday it finally was time!

I used the opportunity and went to the Splash and Fun Park directly from work.

I was very lucky and it was really empty. High saison was over on friday, that means the tickets were cheaper aswell.

The park itself is not that huge, but there were 3 slides that were a lot of fun. I of course went down them several times in a row, these were the "small" slides on the mostright (purple color) and the "boomerang" slide.

In between I made a short break and continued reading my book (Pittacus Lore; Fate of Ten).

I also observed the area from the waterpark which itself should be worth a visit at some point.

I had a small shock in the waterpark though, I lost my fitness tracker in the diving pool after jumping from the 5m board.

After several failed attempts to retrieve it (I found only some necklaces from other visitors...) the lifesaver attempted to get a diving mask. In between another user chatted with me and asked what happened - he also retrieved the tracker for me, which is still working just fine.

 

 

In the evening around 6 pm the park closed and I made my way home.

 

After one and a half hour and several nerves less I got home. The streets were so packed that we could not move much and of course the driver also ignored my stop where I had to change busses!

That coupled with the fact that the bus I had to take home also ignored me willingfully made the trip so much longer.

Just for future visitors: If you want to take a bus, you must extend your hand so the driver will stop for you.

 

After having a fresh shower and a meal another very nice day was over despite the way home.

 

 

That was it for now and see ya! :*