Excellent Malta hostel day trip with leader Paty.

Here’s our group in Mdina: U.K., USA, France, Spain, Colombia, Sweden, Canada.

Mdina and Rabat are two historic, neighboring towns in central Malta that effectively function as a single destination. 

Mdina, the “Silent City,” is a fortified medieval citadel that served as Malta’s capital until the 16th century. 

I’m surprised it’s only on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This place is amazing.

Rabat, which translates to “suburb” in Arabic, grew outside Mdina’s walls and is renowned for its deep religious roots and Roman heritage.

The biggest highlight ➙ Basilica of St Paul.

For us, Rabat had the best inexpensive restaurants we’d found in the nation.

We loved the savoury Pastizz (Pastizzi) snacks and traditional Maltese savoury pastry parcels called Qassatat.

But the highlight of the trip for us all were the Dingli Cliffs.

We took an Uber van to get there for sunset.

Not counting airports. Not counting that time I stepped one foot into Bhutan. 😀

Here’s a map of my current list.

London operates the world’s busiest city airport system ➙ 6 major airport hubs for international travel.

I often end up connecting in London as flights from that city are some of the best value in the world.

Each time touching down, I try to spend a few days in one of the most fascinating global cities.

Once again I stayed at Wombats near the Tower Bridge.

Here’s Tower Bridge without me in the way. 😀

And here it is from above.

Most of what I do is FREE — wandering the streets and parks. Something interesting around every corner.

London is expensive but I don’t often pay for much. The major museums are free.

This time I stopped in the Natural History Museum. And the Victoria and Albert Museum next door.

At the V&A, one of my favourites is the Cast Courts.

Without his sling, David ain’t so tough.

The rooms are jam packed with interesting stuff.

Another Michelangelo reproduction.

I had some good weather in March, surprisingly.

Love London.

I happened upon a rally where most of the signs said “Free Iran“. Many were protesting the killing of innocents in Palestine, as well. Anti-Israel.

Freedom of assembly is a fundamental human right. There were arrests, but it stayed mostly non-violent.

I really need a month in London to visit everything I’d love to see.

I flew out of London on dread Ryanair. It was excellent. Stansted airport excellent.

Often chaotic. Always entertaining. Walking tourist London is a lot of FUN. 😀

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.

This video edit was inspired by one on Learn Online Video.

I was disappointed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

BUT very impressed with Nairobi. A worthwhile tourist stop.

I had a ride share in from the airport during a drenching rain storm that killed between 1-20 people, depending on the news source reporting. Happily I was on the ultra modern expressway, a toll road. A project of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

To get myself organized, I checked in first to the super fun Jabulani Nairobi Backpackers Hostel.

Location in the Westlands district made it convenient to get to restaurants, shops, and modern shopping centres. Expats here don’t lack for much in the way of international stores.

Carrefour grocery stores looked much the same as in Europe.

For day hiking, my hostel recommended Karura Forest, one of the largest urban forests in the world.

Trump ruined my first few days as it took time to change my ongoing flight from Dubai / Oman to London.

I’d hoped to do some hiking in the Kenyan highlands — but the rainy season had already started. It would have been a hassle.

My last 3 nights I booked into posh Wildebeest Eco Camp to live it up.

$61 / night for everything. Gourmet meals included.

I was keen to visit nearby Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum. On arrival it was inexplicably closed. Nobody knew why. A common problem in east Africa.

Also nearby and hugely popular is the Nairobi Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage. (PHOTOS)

Click PLAY or watch my short video on YouTube.

It’s at the gate to Nairobi National Park, inside the city itself.

I did the obligatory visit to the National Museums of Kenya. Small, but interesting.

On the same ticket you can see the Nairobi Snake Park and Aquarium. Neither is well maintained — but I am fascinated by snakes and reptiles.

There’s a small Botanic Garden, as well.

One last thing ➙ HUGE problem in Kenya for me was that my Canadian credit cards only worked occasionally. Many ticket offices don’t take cash. A few drivers don’t carry cash.

Those same cards worked all the time in Tanzania.

I was relieved to get out of the country.

I wouldn’t return to east Africa unless it was for a guided hiking adventure or another safari.