Today was a bit ambitious for our family—two big trips, including a playdate at a playground in another city, and then a festa in Rabat.

We began at the San Anton Gardens in Balzan, a lovely town between Valletta and Rabat. Our friends, the Buttigiegs, told us about this park, and since there was no school today for their kids, we all met there for a playdate. Highlights included a pond full of turtles and some pretty fun playground equipment. At lunch, we introduced the Buttigieg girls to Uno, which we play often.

Around mid-afternoon, we headed to Rabat/Mdina to experience another festa, this one in honor of St. Joseph. We heard the local band playing their hearts out, and saw the inside of the parish church, all decked out for the occasion. Needing some quiet and a relief from the crowd, we headed into Mdina for dinner at Fontanella, a restaurant famous for its cakes and its breathtaking view. We didn’t last long enough to see the fireworks, but while waiting for our bus, we found the perfect climbing tree.

Dinner with a view

The perfect climbing tree

Kyle and Keegan play with Amy and Julia Buttigieg