From east to west, Chennai - Sri Lanka - Thailand - London - Madrid - Mallorca. 40 hours altogether. One of those marathon days of travel when the only thing you want in the world is a place to lay your head down, and a hot shower.
Finally arrived in Mallorca, the beautiful, lush island off the coast of Spain, the summer playground of the rich and famous, and the summer resident of the Spanish royals, however, quiet and peaceful in January, when only the locals are about. Arrived just in time to participate in the Festival of Sant Sebastian, the patron saint of Mallorca.
I'm in food heaven in Mallorca, Spanish olives, rich goat cheese, luscious fruit, excellent wine and beer, all served at sidewalk cafes under a cold, but sunny blue sky, the Spanish people walking by looking hip and put together in their European fashions. India and Europe, east and west, a study in contrasts.
The major city on Mallorca is La Palma. It is mostly old winding stone streets that twist like a maze, the city once protected by the immense cathedral along the waterfront.
History
Palma was founded as a Roman camp upon the remains of a Talaiodic settlement. The turbulent history of the city saw it the subject of several Vandal sackings during the fall of the Roman empire, then reconquered by the Byzantine, then colonised by the Moors (who called it Medina Mayurqa), and finally established by James I of Aragon.
Port de Soller
Just north and west of Palma, lies the town of Port de Soller, a sleepy seaside village at this time of year, charming and picturesque. I could live here.
Valldemossa
From Port de Soller, driving along a sheer cliff winding road, terrifyingly steep and narrow, but with spectacular views of the Mediterranean, lies another little town, best known for being a getaway for Chopin and George Sand, as well as one of the homes of Jorge Luis Borges. It looks almost too perfect, like a movie set or storybook town.
As the photos show, it was unusually warm and sunny in Mallorca during my stay. What great luck to have these blue skies and sunshine when normally it's raining and cold. Gracias a Dios.
