Malta – day 3: Mdina | alison richards | graphic designer and artworker

I left my accommodation at 7:40am and caught a bus to Mdina. I was so excited about this trip, having read a little about the old city and seen a couple of photos. I'd also planned on going for a hike from the city, but that was very much weather dependent, as it was a bit chilly and blustery.

I'd read about catching the bus there and it said to get off at this particular stop... I don't know why, maybe it was old information and they have since changed the route but the bus does actually go right up to the city gates. Don't get off early. I did, despite some hesitation, and there was no footpath on either side of the very busy road, meaning it was quite a dangerous walk. I made it to safety finally, and set off to explore.

It was lovely being in the city really early. There were very few other people around and it was just me and the stone walls - not for nothing it is called "the silent city". It was gorgeous, my favourite part of Malta, and it really was like I'd stepped back in time.

A door was open in the stone walls and I couldn’t help myself to have a look inside…

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul

I’ve never been anywhere quite like this. High stone walls with doors every now and then was all you could see of the houses. It was fascinating and beautiful.

This bougainvillea is quite a star on Instagram, and you can see why. Unfortunately the flowers were starting to die – it was autumn after all – but it still looks lovely.

It must be quite dark inside these houses, unless they have windows on the other side.

I was walking up this road when I noticed a guy wearing a Qld State of Origin jersey. I stopped to talk to him. Bloody Aussies are everywhere!

I walked out of the bottom city gates and crossed the road to go to another city nearby called Rabat. Compared to the silence of Mdina, Rabat was a bustling place, with busy restaurants and shops. I stopped off to have morning tea - my accommodation was self-catering but I struggled to find anything in the local shops to eat for breakfast. I ordered some eggs and tea, enough to keep me going for a while, then went to explore.

Rabat was a nice little place, with lots of alleys to wander and get lost in. Thankfully, there were also a lot of balconies, as it started POURING down when I was there and I had to hide under one. I'd brought my rain jacket with me, but my Birkenstock's were getting soaked! The heavy rain didn't last too long, and I kept going, drying out as I walked.

Ta’ Ġieżu or the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Rabat

Hiding under a balcony while its pouring with rain.

Some of the typographic signs in Malta were just so good

Another example of great typographic work!

I said at the start of this post that I had planned on going for a hike, but the weather was just too unpredictable to go. It's a shame because the walk from Rabat to the Dingli cliffs is supposed to be pretty incredible, but I did not want to start walking the 6km there and it pour with rain again!

So, instead, I walked back to the bus stop in between Mdina and Rabat and stood in line with lots of other people in the rain. It was an interesting experience, as everyone crammed onto the bus, and unlike London buses there was only one door. Every time the bus stopped, we all had to squeeze out of the way to let them through. It was chaos! I made it back to my bus stop and squeezed through everyone to get off, and had a quiet night at my accommodation.