Day 114 - Palma de Mallorca

Day 114 – Sunday 4^th May – Palma de Mallorca

Queen Elizabeth

Mallorca’s capital, Palma, lies on the south-west coast of the island.  Arriving by sea, the city is both beautiful and impressive with the grand limestone cathedral towering above the old town and the remnants of the medieval walls.  In these are encapsulated much of the history of both the city and the island.

We arrived alongside Palma at 08.00 and berthed at the end of the harbour.   Onto the shuttle bus at 10.15, the ten minute ride along the promenade, passing all of the yachts and motor cruisers.

Cathedral

The bus dropped us off very near to the biggest landmark in Palma, the magnificent Gothic Cathedral.  Founded in 1235, by the young King James 1 of Aragon, conqueror of Mallorca at the age of 21.  He vowed he would erect the finest Christian church, making a clear statement to the rest of the Mediterranean that Christianity had replaced Islam.

The exterior is best viewed from away, and its limestone changes in colour during the day; from pale beige in the morning, to creamy white at noon and to rich gold as the sun sets.

Avenue

Walking into town just past the cathedral along an avenue called Passeig des Bom, the cleanliness of the place is such a welcome, after the decay in Naples.

Not far from the top of the plaza, I wondered into the back streets, and it was still there, one of the small corner bars, we used to frequent, but unfortunately it was closed, we had arrived on a Sunday.

La Rambla

Undeterred I found my way back to another of the main streets, La Rambla which was filled with flower stalls with their wonderful displays, today was Mother’s Day on the island.  The fragrances, from the many boutiques were wonderful, and they were being eagerly bought, and moved off into the waiting cars.

Plaza Major

Another well-known visitor’s attraction is the Plaza Major, there are the street artists, mostly done up as statues, the one which intrigued me was the guy apparently sitting in mid-air, holding onto only a stick.

Back to the avenue, and after the third attempt found a café which had an internet connection which worked, and happily caught up with this site.

Returning back to the shuttle bus, they were having a beer festival in front on the cathedral’s fountain and as my usual bar was closed.  I thoroughly enjoyed joining in and enjoying the sunshine.

Farewell

Back on board for 15.30 and we sailed shortly afterwards.  The time here in this beautiful place was insufficient to do it justice.  I have always enjoyed the Balearic Islands, this wonderful city and one day I will return.

It is another formal night; an invitation to the Captain and his officers, world voyagers’ party, this was a very good occasion. I was in conversation with the ship’s air conditioning Engineer, and Jimah our Pilipino waiter, made sure I did not miss out on the champers.

Finished off the night in the Queen’ Room, putting into practice those dance lessons I have been doing, and thoroughly enjoyed the night.