April 2013

Taking the punt that Easter would bring some better weather - at least to more southern climes - we booked a week on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Lisa suggested that perhaps we could party on with the young 'uns at neighbouring Ibiza, but I knocked that one on the head after she took three days to recover from a 40th birthday party in London!

A straightforward Ryanair flight (100 mins give or take) plonked us down at Palma de Mallorca Airport, and when we emerged from gate 87 (of 99), it reinforced just how significant tourism is to this Balearic island. As a comparison, Bologna Airport - servicing a population of 400,000 - only has 19 boarding gates. Anyway, expat taxi driver Adrian shuttled us across to the east coast of the island (55 kms), and dropped us at our resort Club Pollentia. It turned out to be a really nice, well-run establishment with excellent staff, and predominantly German and British guests. It has also gained a positive reputation amongst the (amateur) cycling fraternity, so every morning after breakfast there was a sea of lycra out the front as group after group of pretty fit 25-55 year olds set off for some serious peddling (this was slightly disconcerting as we headed back to the breakfast buffet for our second serve of pancakes).

LPH out the front of Club Pollentia (sporting the new haircut)

the common sight of (pretty fit) cyclists whizzing past the resort - Port de Pollenca in the background

The resort had a lovely pool out the back (that was freezing), but thankfully also a spa pool which was heated that the kids loved. It was here that we met a family from Northern Ireland who turned out to be good fun, and all five girls got on famously. They were travelling on the 'all inclusive' package, so Anthony kindly shouted drinks on a couple of days from 11:30am onwards!

pool party - clockwise: Nat, Megan, Gabi, Mir (Anna out of picture)

Mir and Gabi became good mates

Irish eyes are smiling! Anthony and Ann were entertaining company

Club Pollentia was located a few kilometres from Port de Pollenca (to the west) and Alcudia (to the east). We ventured into Port de Pollenca one evening for a stroll and dinner, and enjoyed the laid-back vibe. An Englishwoman at the resort mentioned that (Sir) Bradley Wiggins has an apartment in town, and uses it as a training base; seems to be an effective strategy with victory in last year's Tour De France. The conversation was interesting because it transpired that she had won a silver medal behind Kathy Watt at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games.

Port de Pollenca ... pre-dinner play

Port de Pollenca ... La Balada del Agua del Mar - a mouthful but worth tracking down

We had all planned to make a day trip to the capital Palma de Mallorca, but Gabi was a bit off-colour, so Nat and I jumped on the local bus and headed back west to take a peek. Outside of the centre Palma is a bit of a sprawling mess - a great shame given the lovely bay - but the centro has plenty of treats including the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma. After a couple of hours spent wandering and having lunch, we then caught another bus just out of town to see the Palma Aquarium, then reversed the journey to arrive back at the resort in time for dinner.

street theatre in Palma - this time the guitar playing puppet

Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma

no seals in sight, so Nat was lucky to get Sammy face-painted

whoever coined the phrase 'toothy grin' was right on the money!

that glass thick enough Nat?

posted this for the delicious irony ... no doubt it is a thriving practice

The last couple of days were relaxing affairs, with an evening visit to delightful Alcudia (as opposed to the soulless Port de Alcudia), and an afternoon spent at Cala de Sant Vicenc. CdSV - around 15 mins from Pollenca - is one of those beautiful little coves you occasionally stumble across in the Mediterranean, and subsequently dream of buying a seaside apartment and opening a gelateria or taverna ...

Plaza de la Constitucion in the Roman town of Alcudia

paella at last! Bistro 1909 didn't disappoint

Cala de Sant Vicenc ... slice of aquatic heaven

Lisa Penelope with sun and caffe = contentment

little wonder Rafa Nadal still calls Mallorca home

Whilst under no illusion that Mallorca would be as feral as any other popular Mediterranean coastal destination in July and August, it was lovely to experience it at a quieter time with some pleasant weather to boot.
.