Beautiful Palma de Mallorca

We were here!

About six weeks before we left for our summer vacation, Jason and I were considering accommodation for the UK leg of our holiday.  We had contacted the lovely Alison just out of London and we were considering where to stay in Kent.

The view from our apartment.

We were planning with trepidation.  Of course we wanted to see London.  Of
course we wanted to visit Ramsgate and Margate, Surrey and Somerset.  Of course we wanted to go to the most amazing city in the world; London.  But we were going on the eve of the biggest sporting event the world has to offer; the Olympics.

With the tap of a mouse, the double click of a button we had parked the idea of the UK until next summer and decided instead to explore Spain.  Why Spain?  Not sure, but probably the idea of laying on a beach and relaxing next to the Meditarrean Sea comes to mind.  While scanning through Airbnb accommodation we came across the beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca.

Why not?

So on July 22 we headed out to Abu Dhabi Airport for the beginning of a near-month's long journey through Europe.

Totally exciting.

After three flights, two bus rides and nearly 16 hours of travel later, we reached the magnificent Port de Soller where we were staying.  Jason had many nervous minutes driving from the airport to the Port not only on the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of the car, but also using a manual rental car (stick shift for the Americans among us).  After accosting a lovely young couple who could speak English and who gave us directions to our accommodation we arrived.

Our accommodation for a week would set you back $1100 NZ and we couldn't believe what we got!  The picture above is a view from our balcony towards another apartment complex that looks just like ours did (the red one).  The street along which we lived sported a very narrow road to drive and we had much fun overlooking drivers trying to park, turn around and drive around the many obstacles!

We had two bedrooms, the one photo below shows our master bedroom.  It was huge with a wonderful view of the port.  With the terrace and barbecue, and French doors off the lounge and master bedroom we were set up for a wonderful holiday.


The balcony overlooked the port and every morning was spent eating breakfast with breathtaking views.  It was wonderful for the kids to be able to enjoy eating outside after leaving 50+ degree heat back in Al Ain.

  

The balcony for breakfast.

Standing below the apartment on the hill above the port, we let out a collective breath.  It was a world away from the desert we had just left behind and was beyond words.  After the kids had explored all the rooms, balcony and terrace we headed down to the port for a look.  Totally untouristy (is that a word?) and unpretentious, Port de Soller was the most beautiful and amazing place to begin our journey.  In fact, both Jason and I have agreed that the week we spent in this sun-soaked paradise was the highlight of the whole vacation.

The best parts of this week included the wooden train ride from the port to the little town of Soller, the walk through the little village of Valdemossa, the drive out to Westernpark Waterpark in Magaluf, the visits to Porto Cristo and Porto Colom, the scenic boat ride to a little island and swimming beach and the visit to the Cathedral in the city of Palma (Kathedrale la Seu).  Having said that, the absolute highlight for Jason and I was eating a barbecue dinner at night then settling the kids to bed and sitting on the balcony overlooking Port de Soller drinking 3Euro bottles of wine!

Valledemossa

The little villages of Deia and Valldemossa were gorgeous.  The kids enjoyed the wishing well and Ben especially enjoyed sitting on the motorbike of one of the local constabulary.  These villages felt like a step-back in time and real; a stark contrast to places like Dubai in which everything feels just a little unreal.

Ben posing outside the Cathedral

Kathedrale von Palma was magnificent.  Out of all of the castles, churches and cathedrals we visited during our time in Europe this had to be the most spectacular!  The photos simply cannot do this beautiful building justice.  It was an hour well-spent imagining just how long it took for those building to complete it.  Ben and Lily had an awesome time posing for dad's photos, and Ben and dad were treated to a military band parade on the outside, while Lily and mum searched for them on the inside!

Inside the Cathedral

We couldn't have asked for a better way to begin our trip around Europe.  People smiled and greeted us where-ever we went.  We got used to greeting with "Hola!" and showing our appreciation with "gracious".  The kids also enjoyed trying out this new language to whomever would listen.

Lily posing outside the cathedral.

We were sad to say goodbye to Spain
and thought that we would
have loved another week there.

A gorgeous day at Porto Cristo

   



                         Maybe another time...