What is your zombie plan?

So the rest of term? Humdrum sums it up nicely. Just the same ol grinding away at the wheel trying to get the boys to learn in the face of gross indifference and arrogance. As someone once said, its a hard knock life. However I am currently greatly enjoying one of the perks of being a teacher. You guessed it, holidays! I am in Malta until Sunday and have spent my time here walking around old cities, drinking more than is sensible, scuba diving, and basically enjoying being away from teenage boys. Oh and B-T-Dub, all-inclusive is key. I spent the extra I had to pay for it in my first 2 nights drinking. Nothing like being able to eat or drink whenever you want.

So day-by-day you want huh? Ok, day one, Saturday, got up at 3am, caught the train, then plane and got here around 11am. Arrived at the hotel then went for a wander around Qawra, Buggiba and St Paul's Bay, the 3 linked towns where I am based. Saw some towers, visited some shops, realised I was not in the youngins part of Malta. Surrounded by aging Britons who do nothing but laze by the pool and get sunburnt, just like in the tv shows. Went to a few pubs but didn't see many people and didn't stay out too late.

Sunday I met the Chevron Holidays rep and organised some tours, got the name of a dive company. Then I caught the bus to Valletta (0.54 Euro!) and saw the firing of the cannon, the walled city, fort St Elmo, and the Malta experience, which goes over the history of Malta. Then I came back to Qawra and this is where the trouble began. Dropped into the hotel bar (All-inclusive remember) and sunk a few or a few too many whiskies. Then I went to the head of Tourists street and followed it towards my hotel drinking in every bar I came across. I remember meeting some young Britons on holiday, then blank, then the zombies attacked.

Now this part could be delusions as I had just finished reading World War Z, a book about the zombie apocalypse. But I clearly remember barking at a dog (go figure), being on a rooftop, climbing walls and dealing with barbed wire. I assume I tried to take a shortcut as there are many streets here that go in the direction you want and then stop. So me in my wisdom thought, fuck that, I'm going over. My jeans, shoes, and body attest to the difficulties I had. I had to repair a rip in my jeans, there are sandstone scuffmarks on my clothes, and I have a gash on my leg from barbed wire and grazes reminiscent of wall-climbing. Needless to say, I awoke in the hotel room with fuzzy memories. Monday I visited the dive shop to tee up some scuba, then did some souvenir shopping. didn't go out this night, wonder why?

Tuesday was my first day diving, and who should I meet? Another bloody Kiwi. Not only that, but she was also a teacher living in London on holiday in Malta to do some diving over the break. I don't know the odds of that but they cant be high. That first day we went to Cirkewwa reef, a nice sheltered bay on the West coast. Saw some fish, got my bearings and saw a statue of Madonna underwater.Got in 2 dives here and visibility for both was excellent.

Wednesday we went to Valletta and dived on 2 wrecks in the harbour, the X131 (Carolita) and the HMS Maori. The Maori was a tribal class destroyer sunk during WW2 and the gun bases are still visible, along with part of the superstructure. The wreck lies in around 6 metres of water. The X131 was a lighter (barge type boat) from WW1 and is at a slope from 5 to 22 metres. Not much to see as she has a pretty clean deck.

Thursday I went on a tour of Gozo. Saw the citadel and walled city, took a boat ride to the blue grotto and saw the prehistoric temple at Ggantija. The temple was impressive considering it is older than Stonehenge (3600-3000 BC), has pretty large liths and has weathered pretty well. Gozo is a very nice island and much greener than Malta.

Friday was my last day diving. First we went back to Cirkewwa where I bimbled around behind a lesson and really depth-tested my camera. 19 metres, well exceeding the stated 10 metre limit. Although to be fair it did stop working and only resumed functioning when I came higher. Next we went to Popeye village and did a cave dive. Kind of spooky to be swimming around in the dark and all enclosed, Guess it would be worse without scuba though.

Saturday I took a tour of Malta itself. We went to the old capital of Mdina. This is another walled city and has some interesting history and architecture. Then we went to the craft villages and saw glass-blowers and filigree workers. Glass blowing is damn impressive. I watched a guy make a horse out of glass by pulling on it with pliers and turning it. After this we went to the South coast for lunch and then visited Mosta dome, the 3rd largest unsupported dome in the world. For such a tiny country there sure is a lot to see here, would of liked to have had more time but never mind aye. Spent Sunday at the movies as I had to check-out at 11am and didn't fly out to 2125 and being Easter Sunday, most places were shut. The flight back was relatively uneventful, getting back home at 2am.

So reflections on my trip. Malta is a really interesting country with friendly people. If you are going for the nightlife then head for St Julian's, thats were the young people hang out. Did my diving with Aquatica in St Paul's Bay. An excellent company with good knowledge of the dive sites and a relaxed way. Bella Vista hotel Qawra was nice, well stocked bar, decent and plentiful meals and in a quiet but handy location. Chevron air holidays handled my flights and accommodation and offered good advice on attractions. Overall had a great time and would definitely recommend Malta.