Valletta, the Capitol

From Valletta overlooking the Three Cities

Laundry out to dry....

The tug boat glides in front of the island where the movie 'Gladiator' was filmed. The island wasn't open to the public. Tom was thoroughly disappointed.

Valletta was the first European city built on a grid system. Nice straight streets going from one side of the island to the other.

Look how cool the box windows are...on both sides of the building

View from the city walls over to the Three cities

Their buses were very unique looking

The market had a real 'turkish' feel to it with lots of spices and grains

The Maltese 'eye' found on their boats

One day we visited this fishing village, and bought our lunch at the outdoor market.

The view from our balcony. Just over the water is Valletta. We stayed in Sliema.

The infinity pool. I had the hardest time getting the real effect of it. It was awesome.

Another angle of the pool. Can you see the sea in the corner. It was a perfect place for that kind of pool. Seriously it felt like infinity. Does that have a 'feel'?

Another view from our rooftop pool

This promenade goes from Sliema to St Julien and we walked it every night to watch the lights and the water and the people. It's at least several miles long.

Gozo

Azure Window. Definitely a 3-star attraction

Fungus rock. They used to pulley people in baskets attached to ropes to get them over there. Supposedly there is medicinal plants on the rock.

Gozo also has plenty of walled cities and cathedrals

We took a hike up the hillside and were rewarded with this nice view of our bay.

The hillsides were terraced, but they certainly have to deal with a lot of rocks!

It's flat but beautiful.

The tower at the end of our bay. There were dozens of towers that dotted the island

A nice view of our village, Xlindi

Our hotel is the one behind me with the wrought iron balcony. We arrived just after a storm so the water was murky, but when it calmed down it was sparkling blue.

Mdina

The old walled city: Mdina

Dingli cliffs nearby Mdina

Gate to the Old City

This city is made completely of this stone. I loved the color. Wish I could have a house out of this stone.

A pretty plaza inside the city walls.

The doors were beautiful as well. All in bright colors of reds and blues and purples and greens.

Ritz Camera

Well, I have to be fair. Billing finally contacted me and said they were sorry about not getting me the refund. So they did refund my 39.99....and gave me a $25 gift certificate (which expires in 30 days....does anybody want it???)

What finally worked in the end? I think it was posting my complaint on their facebook page. Don't you think so?

How about a tour of Carrefour?

The symbol? I thought it was an arrow or something until Nicole pointed out that its a 'C'. Oh so very clever!

The best cheese...

The fresh fish is packaged really great. I like Panga for 9euros/kilo

Weigh your own veggies and fruit...good thing they have the pictures!

Slice your own fresh bread

Don't forget to buy Belgian chocolates!

And for 2euros you get the most divine chocolate ice cream with chocolate slivers!

Dank u, Merci, Tot ziens.....Belgium, always so confusing which language to use!

What do you do in your spare time?

So really this isn't interesting. It's just that you can spend HOURS trying to get a company to get things straight when they screw up. I have been trying to get a refund from Ritz Camera since this summer. It was a straight-forward return. I got the refund #s and everything. But they just can't quite get from A to B. Know what I mean? So for a good laugh, you can read on, but otherwise just know that I'm frustrated and I will NEVER, EVER order from Ritz camera again. I said that to somebody and they acted like I was a dummy to order from them in the first place. Nobody told me they were bad!!!




Dear Customer Service:
I have tried in vain to straighten out a refund order. I have TWO refund orders: #2624237 and refund #2619018.

I have a credit for one of the orders:
From my bank statement:

09/21

09/22

74332390265002396971991

RITZCAMERA.COM 877-6900099 CA

$34.99-

Now here is the problem. I have received this credit, but I have not received the second credit of the SAME AMOUNT and for the SAME PRODUCT.
I have called several times. Then I resorted to doing the live chat:
Conversations below:

Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
You have been connected to Mathew S.
anita herway: ok
Mathew S: Hello Anita. Welcome to RitzCamera.com. I will be glad to assist you.
anita herway: thank you. I hope you can solve this mystery!
Mathew S: Sure.
Mathew S: Please stay online while I check the order details.
anita herway: no problem
Mathew S: It is taking longer than expected. Please stay online.
anita herway: I told you there seemed to be a mystery. I have two return/credit statements but only got credit for one.
Mathew S: Thank you for waiting. I appreciate your patience.
Mathew S: As per our records we have refunded to your both the orders.
Mathew S: We request you to contact your bank and check.
anita herway: Well, I have my account (VISA) as proof that you indeed did give me credit on Sept 21 for 34.99. But that is the only credit. Give me the date of the second credit please.
anita herway: No need to check with my bank. I already have the record. There is only one credit. That is why I am coming to you
Mathew S: Please stay online while I get the required information.
anita herway: ok, and I will need date and transaction #
Mathew S: Thank you for waiting. I appreciate your patience.
anita herway: ok
Mathew S: I shall forward request to our concerned department to check on this.
Mathew S: We will get back to you as soon we receive an update.
anita herway: ok, however, please note that this is my 3rd try to get this settled. Please do not ignore this request! email: anitaherway@hotmail.com with updates and info. I wish there was a way to document how many times I have tried!
Mathew S: Sure, Anita. We will get back to you at the earliest.


and also just today:







Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
You have been connected to Stuart L.
Stuart L: Hello Anita. Welcome to RitzCamera.com. I will be glad to assist you.
anita herway: Very good. Maybe I should start by saying this needs to go straight to accounting. I have tried to straighten this our previously. They said they would contact me. It's been a week and no word. I really don't want to be put off again.
Stuart L: May I know on which order you received the refund?
anita herway: Well, that would be great if I knew. But on my bank account it doesn't list which refund #!
anita herway: I have the bank statement in front of me if you want all the numbers?
Stuart L: Please stay online while I get the required information.
anita herway: Just that it was received on 21 Sept. And that is the only refund. I think the problem is b/c there are TWO EXACT returns. Both for the same amount. May I just say that your store sent BOTH items to me which I did not even order!

anita herway: Oh, I did talk to Matthew before and I have the entry of our conversation if that would help.

Currently experiencing network delays, one moment please....
Network connection re-established.
anita herway: 09/21 09/22 74332390265002396971991 RITZCAMERA.COM 877-6900099 CA $34.99- Here is the ONE refund I received. Does it help at all?
Currently experiencing network delays, one moment please....
Network connection re-established.
Currently experiencing network delays, one moment please....
Network connection re-established.
Currently experiencing network delays, one moment please....
Network connection re-established.
anita herway: Could you confirm that you are still there?
Stuart L: We request you to check with the bank.
Stuart L: Yes, Anita.
Stuart L: We have no authorization on the credit card.
anita herway: Oh man. This is unbelievable. I HAVE checked with the bank!!!! There is only ONE refund!!!! PLEASE do not tell me you will contact me later.
Stuart L: We request you to check with the bank.
anita herway: What do you mean, no authorization??? You can credit the account right?

So then I tried calling Billing. (866.760.4249) Tried again to get it straightened out. It seems it was too difficult for them to figure out as well. Really, $34.99 I shouldn't worry about, but it has almost become comical at how inept your company is to figure this out!
Do you want to try? I would also like your feedback on this case, if you would please be so kind.
May I also say that I did NOT even order these 2 items. I place a simple order for a camera, a lens, and a memory card. All of which I received but also received 2 memory cards that I didn't want, and was charged for. Sent them back, and the headaches begin!
Anita Herway

Just Fun

I had never eaten this fruit before. Don't even know the name of it. Do you Colie? Is it only in France??? I saw a couple of girls buy it and then bite into it. Bought one for myself and loved it. Very sweet and no pit in the middle! Sort of a cross between a nectarine and a mango.