Kalkara & Birgu

Fort Rinella

Today we went to Fort Rinella in Kalkara. When we entered the fort we saw 'soldiers' dressed in nineteenth century attire cleaning weapons. First we went to the cellars where there was a video presentation about the purpose of this nineteenth century fort. It contained a 100 tonnes muzzle loading canon, the largest of its kind in the world. It could shoot one tonne shells eight miles away, to defend the entrance of the harbour. It was innovative at that time, because it was the first muzzle loading canon that could be automatically reloaded. This way it could fire a shell every six minutes. For an attack over land the fort had a small platoon of soldiers that defended the fort with rifles.

At the end of the tour the pupils were quizzed about what they learned today. The winners were allowed to dress up like nineteenth century soldiers and fire one time with a old nineteenth century rifle, as you can see below.

Malta at War Museum

After our visit to Fort Rinella, we went to Birgu to visit the Malta at War Museum. The museum showed some artefacts of the siege of Malta in WWII. Because of the many air raids, the Maltese population carved bomb shelters in the limestone under the city. The one we visited could house up to 700 inhabitants. It was all very narrow and cramped. There were bunks, but not enough for all 700, so there was a system circulation system so that everybody could at least get some sleep. The rich could buy a part of a shelter for their own, so they had a bit more privacy. When it was raining the water could get knee deep in the tunnels, until they installed a system to get rid of the water. There was even a nursery for mothers to deliver a baby. But because of the bad hygienic conditions, only three out of every ten newborns survived the first two weeks. It was very claustrophobic, something experienced by some of our kids (Dutch and Maltese), who decided to go out. And we were only a group of 30. Imagine how it must have been for the 700 hiding here during the war in fear for the air strike...

A short walk along the quays of Birgu harbour concluded the day trip. Back at school the girls attended one lesson, to experience hands-on how it is to be in a Maltese class, before they were picked up by the parents to go home. The boys were brought back to the boys-school, where the parents were picking them up. Tonight all the students involved in this exchange will have a 'farewell party' in a McDonald's restaurant.

This concludes our exchange. Tomorrow , we expect the children of v2s at the airport around 5 o'clock in the morning. Our flight departs around 7 o'clock. We expect to arrive at Eindhoven airport around 10.30, and if everything goes well we will be in the arrivals hall around 10.45. See you then!

Siggiewi

St. Thomas More College Girls' Secondary School

This morning we visited the girls' school. The Assistant Head showed us around and in the end offered some refreshments. Apparently everybody liked them, because at the end almost everything was gone. Then it was time to leave for the Malta Falconry Centre in Siggiewi.

Malta Falconry Centre

On our way to the falconry centre we passed the McDonald’s near the airport. A few girls told they went there yesterday and stayed there for three hours. They said it was a bit to long. That surprised me, because I thought teenagers could stay indefinitely in a McDonald's restaurant.

In the falconry centre we could see all kinds of birds of prey, some in cages, some on leashes. Unfortunately it was to windy for the falconry show itself. But we were still allowed to hold a few of them in our gloved left hand and we could touch them. That was fun, although one of the kids didn't like the birds and reclined the offer. Then we had a short break before we continued to the Limestone Heritage.

Limestone Heritage

This was only a short hop with the bus. So short, that the teachers were already outside the bus before the pupils realised we were there. In the Limestone Heritage they first showed us a film how the quarrying of limestone changed over the years. Next we had an audio-tour in a quarry along a diorama showing us the same. At the end there was a workshop where the pupils carved their own souvenir from a small slab of limestone, to take home. After some snacking in the cafeteria and shopping in the souvenir shop, we continued to the centre of Siggiewi.

Saint Nicolas church

The city square of Siggiewi was dominated by a statue of Saint Nicolas and the church behind it. Unfortunately, almost all shops were closed, so it was a bit boring to spend our free time there. But the sky was blue, the sun was nice, and the temperature was 19°C in the shade, so we relaxed on the steps of the church until the bus came to pick us up.

The end of our exchange is drawing near. Only one full day left. But the kids are getting tired, so it is a good thing that we are almost at the end of the exchange.

Valletta

Nenu Artisan Baker

Today we had a very busy program. First we visited Nenu Artisan Baker. That is a baker who wants to keep the traditional Maltese baking alive. There we had a workshop where we made some kind of 'pizza' (excuses to the Maltese who are reading this, I couldn't remember the proper name). Before we began everybody had to put on an apron, a hair net and latex gloves before they were allowed to touch the food. It started with bread dough in a rectangular baking tray. We had to pour some olive oil on the dough and to spread the dough with the oil on top with our hands so it filled the whole tray. Then you put some onion rings, tomato slices, capers, olives, sausages, sesame seeds and cheese on it (whatever you liked). Finally we had to bake it in the oven for a few minutes and then we had a very tasty bread. While the bread was baking we watched a film about the philosophy behind Nenu the Artisan Baker.

Upper Barraka Gardens

After we left the baker we climbed up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, where we arrived just in time to see the saluting shot coming from the cannon. There we had lunch, or, if you didn't feel like eating, you could go shopping in the neighbourhood.

Malta 5D Multimedia Show

Next it was time to see the Malta 5D Multimedia Show. We got nice yellow rimmed 3D glasses (that looked for some reason orange at the end of the show). In the show we saw a brief history of Malta with some spectacular re-enactments. Amongst others we saw the Great Siege of 1565 and the siege of Malta in the second world war. This accompanied by feeling the movements, feeling the wind and rain in your face and smelling the bread. For the ones who know the Efteling: Think Pandadrome and you get the picture. A few hours after the show my ears are still ringing because of the screams of some of the girls.

Lascaris War Rooms

After the 5D show we got some free time for shopping (or going to the McDonalds, as some kids did). Then we went to the last programme item of today: the Lascaris War Rooms. First we saw a documentary from the WWII that showed the adventures of a big convoy of ships trying to reach Malta. They finally succeeded, just in time for the starving population. After the film we went to the command centre of the British army in Malta. This was used to coordinate the defence of Malta in the first few years of the war. Later it became the command centre of the allied forces in coordinating the attack on Sicily and Italy. Also the famous British general Montgomery and US general Patton where stationed there at the time. The visit to the Lascaris War Rooms ended this days programme.

For tomorrow we also have an interesting programme, but more about this later.

Mdina

Last night most girls went to the cinema. They saw 'Hansel and Gretel', apparently a 16+ 3D film. Don't ask us how they got in, but somehow the girls managed to convince the staff that they were 16+. But the girls told me that there was only one really scary part in it. They didn't look like they had lost any sleep over it.

Today was a Maltese National holiday, Saint Joseph's day. So we had a limited programme, as the host families were free and wanted to do activities with their guests.

Saint Joseph's Day in Rabat

We went to the old capitol of Malta, Mdina, that dated back to the time Malta was occupied by the Arabs. It is a fortified city on top of a hill, overlooking most of Malta. So the kids made many panoramic photos, just like real tourist.

There we did a treasure hunt. Going through the narrow and winding streets of Mdina, the kids were supposed to find the answers to the questions. We don't know if they succeeded to find all the answers, but tomorrow we will hear who has won.

Around noon the host families picked the children up to do some activities in the afternoon. We will hear tomorrow what they did.

Ta' Qali and Bugibba

At first we had some catching up to do.Today's most exceptional story is the one about Thijs. Yesterday he got hit by the deck of the ferry (or was it the other way around?) when he and his host family came back from an afternoon spent at the island of Gozo. This resulted in a deep cut in his chin that needed three stitches to be closed. But he is okay now. Some others were impressed by the McDonald's with the lovely sea view they visited last night. Some girls watched the film 'The Amazing Spider Man' and agreed that the main character was really hot.

Alka Ceramics in Ta'Qali

In the morning we went to Ta'Qali, a crafts village. There they produce the finest Maltese glass and ceramics. We went to Alka Ceramics, where the kids got a workshop. First they were shown some techniques they could use, then they could apply these techniques themselves on some clay. The most wonderful pottery was produced. Alka Ceramics will fire it, and the Maltese teachers will bring the finished products to the Netherlands in April.

Bugibba

'Then we went to the coast resort Bugibba. This is where the Maltese people spend their summer holidays. We started with a scenic train ride. Most girls preferred to wave to passers-by.than to listen to the sound track explaining what they saw. Next we visited the Classic Car Museum. It contained mostly cars from the fifties and the sixties, but also jukeboxes and live size dolls with characters from the American entertainment industry..

After the visit we had some free time in Bugibba before returning to school, where the kids were picked up by the parents.

Marsaxlokk market

In the host family

After almost a full day without their friends, the Dutch kids had to exchange a lot of stories. Almost every host family had done some activities with their guests. like visiting the Blue Grotto or going to a park where you could do a lot of sports activities. Everybody was enjoying the kind hospitality of their Maltese hosts and were surprised by the big amount of food they got offered. They found it hard to say no when they had enough. Because of that same hospitality Elise wasn't allowed to sleep in her own cotton nightgown, as that one was of course much to thin for the 'cold' Maltese nights, but she had to use a woollen one instead, offered by the family. Nils and Mischa were not used to Maltese meal time table yet. They got around 4 o'clock in the afternoon a nice meal of fries and chicken nuggets, and they ate sparingly to leave some space for the dinner. But they didn't realise that Maltese dinnertime was at 9 o'clock in the evening! So they were very
hungry by the time dinner started.

Scenic train ride and fish market

After catching up with each other, the kids boarded a 'train' to get a scenic train ride. And indeed, it was scenic: a picturesque harbour, an nice view on a bay (one of the girls couldn't believe the sea could be so blue) and some old fortifications.

Then we visited a market,where the kids could spent some free time.Originally this used to be a fish market, and still a lot of merchants sold a wide variety of fresh sea creatures. But also freshly baked products, vegetables and fruits, clothing, shoes, toys and so on were for sale. Around 12 o'clock the parents picked up the kids again and went on to do some more activities with them. I am curious about the stories they will tell tomorrow.

The trip to Malta

At 8.45 we arrived at the airport. Most of the pupils were already there, for some it took more time to arrive. One got stuck in the traffic jam between 's-Hertogenbosch and Eindhoven and had to use secondary roads to reach the airport. After saying our goodbyes to the parents, we checked in. This was done in a quick and efficient way, After a second round of goodbyes we went to the customs. There a girl lost her scissors. For some unknown reason she thought she needed her pen bag during the flight and had them in the carry-on luggage. The customs didn't agree. A boy let the metal detector go off. He was searched, but nothing illigal was found.Just before boarding we had a PANIC moment. Another girl lost her ID-card.She retraced her steps, her backpack was pulled inside out, we went back to the customs, but apparently her ID-card disappeared without a trace. After a final thorough search the ID-card was found in a small unobtrusive pocket of the backpack.

After boarding the trip to Malta was uneventful.As the plane was completely full, not everybody could find a chair next to a classmate. Also after our arrival in sunny and partly clouded Malta, everything went smooth. Within a few minutes we had our luggage. Alls the hosts and the two Maltese teachers were waiting for us, often with the whole family. After a warm welcome the children were quickly whisked. Within five minutes we, the teachers, found ourselves alone. We haven't heard from the children since, so we can only assume everything is all-right.