Retire Early
Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler
In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age
of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this
financially independent lifestyle, they invite you
to take advantage of their wisdom and experience. |
|
Valletta,
Malta: A Sun-Kissed Historical Gem
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli
Currency Converter
Valletta, the vibrant
capital of Malta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich history
and stunning architecture. Often hailed as Europe's sunniest city, Valletta
offers a captivating blend of old-world charm and modern amenities.
Perched on a peninsula
between two natural harbors, Valletta has played a pivotal role in European
history. The Knights of St. John, who arrived in 1530, transformed the city into
a formidable fortress. Their successful defense against the Ottoman Empire in
1565 marked a turning point in Malta's history and Europe's geopolitical
landscape.
Come take a look!
Billy and Akaisha in front of Triton Fountain
Here we are in front of the sizeable Triton
Fountain.
Built in 1959, this fountain is on Republic
Street, a major thoroughfare in Valletta.
The fountain symbolizes the sea and Malta's
strong connection to maritime history.
Triton Fountain
Here is a clearer view of the fountain.
in Greek mythology, Tritons are sea gods,
often depicted as half-human, half-fish creatures.
They are associated with strength, power, and control over
the sea.
Malta has a long history of seafaring, naval power,
and resisting invasions by other empires.
Palazzo Ferreria
Built in the 16th century, this large
building originally served as the residence of a Grand Master of the Order of
St. John.
It is located on
Republic Street which is a
thoroughfare in Valletta.
Later, this building became known as the Palazzo Ferreria because
it housed the Malta Mint -- operated from 1973 to 1995.
Malta Mint produced
coins in precious metals. Many of these coins are still highly
sought after by collectors today.
Notice all the
bright green Gallarijas.
The Wembley Store
The Wembley Store is a popular souvenir shop located in the heart of the city.
It sells everything from magnets and keychains to t-shirts and tote bags,
plus a variety of
souvenirs featuring Maltese landmarks and symbols.
The store
also offers a selection of local products, such as honey, olive oil, wine, and
traditional Maltese crafts like Bizzilla - Maltese lace.
Bizzilla is a delicate and
intricate form of bobbin lace that has been a cherished tradition in Malta for
centuries.
Famous for its exquisite patterns, fine craftsmanship, and
timeless beauty, each piece can take weeks or even months to complete.
In the 20th century,
the popularity of Maltese lace declined due to changing fashion trends and the
rise of machine-made lace.
Triq Melita
A charming, narrow street named Triq Melita
is lined with
traditional Maltese buildings, many with distinctive balconies.
It's a pedestrian-friendly street with a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for
strolling and exploring its cafes and shops.
Triq Melita, or Melita Street leads to
the picturesque waterfront area known as the Upper Barrakka Gardens. This scenic
spot offers stunning panoramic views of the
Grand Harbor.
An outdoor chalkboard menu
Restaurants line Republic street and you will
commonly see chalkboard menus advertising the day's specials
Lamb Shank is a hearty dish featuring a slow-cooked lamb shank, often served with
vegetables and a flavorful sauce.
Bragioli are rolled meat dishes,
typically beef or pork, filled with cheese, herbs, and sometimes ham. They are
then braised in a rich sauce.
Maltese desserts are unusual to our palates
with items such as dates, honey, sesame seeds and candied fruit.
St. John's Co-Cathedral
At the front entrance, you will see the
Maltese Cross. This is most commonly associated with the Knights Hospitaller, a
medieval military order. It is believed that the Knights adopted the cross as
their emblem in the 11th century.
The Maltese Cross is typically depicted as a
white cross with four points, each ending in a smaller cross. The four points
are often interpreted to represent the four cardinal virtues: Prudence: The
ability to make wise decisions. Justice: Fairness and impartiality. Fortitude:
Courage and strength in the face of adversity. Temperance: Moderation and
self-control.
This magnificent cathedral is a masterpiece of Baroque
art, featuring intricate carvings, paintings, and the famous Caravaggio painting
"The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist."
Pricing for entry to St. John's
Co-Cathedral
Pricing and days of tour operation are
clearly listed.
Two men having cappuccino
I find this photo to be intriguing.
It begs for a story to be told.
You will find an older man with lots of white
curly, wild hair speaking with a younger man with almost no hair, but the little
that he
has is dark.
The older man wears a tie and suit pants
whereas the younger man has an open neck shirt and jeans.
One wears glasses in order to see, while the
other has sunglasses on his head.
It seems the older man is explaining
something important to the younger one who is intently listening - could it be a
business plan? A professor discussing history or architecture to a student?
Wouldn't you just love to dive in and "visit"
to find out what it's all about?
Humorous sign advertising souvenirs
This sign kind of says it all.
No one wants to go to a foreign country and
bring home "sucky" souvenirs.
This sign says you won't find any of those
here...
Typical Maltese Kiosk
Here you have some warm-colored limestone
buildings with a bright red gallarija, and red window jams and doors.
This style comes from the British influence.
The kiosk and other modes of decoration
carries the impact from various cultures, including Italian, Spanish, and
Arab.
Malta Stock Exchange
The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE), also known as Borża ta' Malta, is the primary
stock exchange in Malta.
The MSE is a modern and efficient exchange
established in 1992 and has since grown into a well-regulated and
internationally recognized exchange.
The exchange is regulated by the Malta
Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which ensures
investor protection and market integrity.
The trading floor of the Malta Stock Exchange
These screens display real-time stock prices, charts, and other relevant financial
information.
You'll see the logos of various listed companies
being visible,
indicating the diversity of stocks traded on the exchange.
The Upper Barrakka Gardens
The Upper Barrakka Gardens are perched atop the fortified walls of Valletta,
and they offer
breathtaking panoramic views of the Grand Harbor below.
Built in the
16th century by the Knights of St. John, they have served as a recreational
space and a strategic lookout point for centuries.
During World War II, Valletta, including the Upper Barrakka Gardens,
suffered significant damage from enemy bombing. However, the gardens were
eventually restored to their former glory.
A look out at Sliema Creek from the Upper
Barrakka Gardens
The fortified walls surrounding the harbor are remnants of the Knights of St.
John, who built extensive defenses to protect the city.
There is lots of shipping activity here, and
you will see fishing boats, cruise ships, and cargo
ships in the harbor on any given day.
The narrow inlet that you see here is called
Sliema Creek. It separates Valletta from Sliema.
This creek forms a
natural harbor, providing shelter for boats and ships.
The Saluting Battery
This photo shows you an historic cannon battery that fires a midday salute every
day at noon. This
is a tradition dating back
to the time of the Knights of St. John.
The three
Cities across the harbor are Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. They played a
significant role in The Great Siege of 1565.
Fort St. Angelo
In this photo, you can see Fort St. Angelo, also known as Il-Birgu. It's located in the city of Vittoriosa.
It's an enduring landmark with a rich history, playing a crucial role in
Malta's defense and serving as the headquarters of the Knights of St. John
during the Great Siege of 1565.
Fort St.
Angelo withstood intense Ottoman attacks, playing a pivotal role in the Knights'
victory.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
From here you can look out of one of the many
arched doorways onto the Grand Harbor. It's a beautiful panoramic view worth
seeing. On the wall
to the right is a plaque honoring Albert Einstein.
It serves as a tribute to
Einstein's significant contributions to the field of physics and his impact on
our understanding of the universe.
Looking towards Valletta from the Upper Barrakka Gardens
The Grand Harbor is to the right in this
photo.
You can see the whole town is made of
limestone buildings, limestone being a common construction material in this area.
The high walls you see in the center right
are defensive walls which were needed in Valletta's historical past. This
harbor, and the inhabitants who lived here, experienced much violence over the
centuries and these walls offered some protection from the invaders.
The building on the left with the painted
blue windows is most likely a residence.
Panoramic view
Here is a panoramic view of the Grand Harbor
with the cannon battery in the foreground.
You can easily see the fortifications that
Malta with the Grand Harbor had to have to defend itself from the various
invaders who wanted a post in the Mediterranean Sea.
In the last few centuries, politics and wars
have calmed down, and Malta received its independence from Britain in 1964.
This view is from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
The mound in the distance is Rabat
This view is also from the Upper Barrakka,
looking towards Rabat.
The prominent building
with the two domes is the St. John's Co-Cathedral.
And the bridge you see here is the Bridge of
Castile, which connects Valletta to Floriana.
If you enjoy ancient history, stories of sea
battles and sunny, dry weather, Malta might just suit your taste!
Retire
Early Lifestyle appeals to a different
kind of person – the person who prizes their
independence, values their time, and who doesn’t
want to mindlessly follow the crowd.
HOME
Book Store
Retire Early Lifestyle Blog
About Billy & Akaisha
Kaderli
Press
Contact
20 Questions
Preferred
Links
Retirement
Country Info
Retiree
Interviews
Commentary
REL
Videos
|