Majorca 2013 - part two, Bike ride, old Pollenca & Puig Maria

MALLORCA 2013 

PART TWO

BIKE RIDE, OLD POLLENCE

AND PUIG MARIA

The forecast today was a bit dull, with possible rain showers. Against even the advice of the hire man, we got a couple of bikes (note; raincoat in front basket) and set off to ride to Old Pollensa town, about an hour away by bike (taking your time). We didn’t go the direct route, having been given ‘the nod’ by the guy on our hotel reception that the small road was FAR better, view and traffic wise, than the main road. Although there are cycle tracks at the side of most of the main roads, his advice was top, and we rode along the route in almost solitary conditions.

You can read up on the old town here; http://www.seemallorca.com/mallorca/pollenca.html

When we got to Pollensa, we locked the bikes up on the outskirts and walked into town along the small streets. There was a little square, with lots of stone sculptures in it. Although having been to the town last year, this was a part we had never seen.

This was the first one that we saw – a stone & metal harp.

A bookcase, full of stone books!

A stone piano – only ONE type of music to play on this.....

ROCK music, of course! 

The organ, despite trying, I can’t get ANY information of what this is all about. Are the exhibits permanent, who is the artist, why are they here?? I emailed several local tourist places, to no avail. I even contacted the town hall, that was two weeks ago and still no reply?

Terrific statue of a gladiatorial nature.

A guitar? A lute?? 

If so, the neck is bent, is that right? 

A nice canon barrel behind.

The street cafes in old Pollenca are many and lovely. It truly is a cafe culture place.

All the side streets emanating from the centre are full of tables and chairs, all vying for your custom.

We were tempted, but managed to resist. Crepes are one of Sue’s FAVOURITE things.

A glance upwards saw this example of frightening wiring! 

Looking back from halfway up the 365 steps. The small building you can see on top of the hill opposite is the monastery on top of Puig de Maria.

We intend to visit that too today. For now though, we continued to explore the old town.

Looking up the 365 steps.

All along the way, lovely flowers decorated the path.

Looking out over Old Pollensa.

After reaching the top, we descended via another route as we wanted to see the Roman bridge.

Here it is. It was Built in 123BC. No water under it just now.

This super piece of wood was just presented in a small square. Was it natural, or art?

We really WERE ‘off plan’ now. Tourists rarely come to this part of the town, usually sticking to the centre, with all the main cafes. We decided to patronise this small cafe, which was full of locals, and their olives, bread and coffee were superb (AND inexpensive, 4 coffees, bread and olives just 8.30 Euros!).

After coffee, we went to the start of the track to the monastery. We locked the bikes up at the side of the road, and set off up the path to the top. It says one hour to walk it.

A lovely pair of rustic gates on the way up. The smooth track wound back and forth up the hill. There were a few houses up here, and we suspected this must be the high end, price wise, because of the incredible views.

The view of Pollensa from the road up to Puig de Maria.

We were WELL above the height of the 365 steps now.

(Click on the picture for a larger version).

Near the top, the houses petered out and the Tarmac track turns into this stony path, quite rough and uncomfortable to walk on.

 We reached the top, and we’d knocked at least fifteen minutes off the stated time!

Looking back over the old town, you can see the 365 steps, but here we are even more above their height.

A bit of a WOW! view for Sue from the top. Still a little cloudy, but nonetheless impressive.

A great place to have our picnic lunch, with the view looking over the bay towards Cap Formentor behind us.

The peeping sun catches the edge of the ridge and lights up a section of one of the peaks, making it look almost snow-capped.

Inside the monastery.
What struck me is they had to carry EVERY stick and brick up here to build this place.

Inside the chapel.

A small nativity.

The kitchen area, with stone sinks that would look at home in any top kitchen today. (Old is the new ‘new’).

You can book to stay here for the peace and solitude.

The simple fireplace, with grills for the food.

These foxed me at first, but I THINK they are the forerunners of gas rings!

A small fire is lit (or maybe transferred from the big fire) and placed in the hole below.....

Then, you put your pot on here, and hey presto!

Sue couldn’t resist tidying up.

Then, it was time to set off back along the quiet side roads. There were lots of sounds of people in the inland villas enjoying themselves with BBQ’s, pool parties etc. It was SO balmy and warm an evening, even if it was a bit cloudy. Mallorca attracts a lot of the cycling fraternity, and these back roads show why - hardly any traffic and a delight to ride.

The stiff hills also attract for their challenge - the road up to Cap Formentor is a favourite.

Later in the evening, we went to one of our favourite bars, (it would BE our very  favourite, if only Mariano Miranda played here), – bar Bony. The cocktails are huge, and the atmosphere buzzing! There are lots of little quirks about the place – note the backward sign behind us?

Majorca 2013 - part one, settling in & Cala Boquer.

MALLORCA 2013

BASED AT PUERTO POLLENCA.

SETTLING IN AND CALA BOQUER.

After having such a good holiday there last year, we decided to go back to Majorca again this year, as we had had a hard Summer working, and just wanted a 'no-brainer' where we could feel comfortable right away. We arrived early at Manchester airport. We managed to get a window seat on the plane (excited!), then once we’d boarded, realised it was over the wing (those ticket staff must really get a buzz out of disappointing people who ask for a window seat, but haven't paid to choose).

Anyway, as it transpired, it didn't really matter, as it was cloudy all the way, so no views to speak of.

You can see the previous blog by clicking;

HERE

It got a little better as we approached Majorca. Some very exciting views of the cliffs and this spit of land poking out into the sea.

 Looking out on our final approach.

 

Plenty of cruise ships in at Palma today.

Then, before we knew it, we were down and transferred to our hotel (Puerto Azul Aparthotel). We stayed here last year, and liked it so much, we decided to come again.

We weren’t disappointed, as it was as good as we remembered, but the stars of the show are their staff. Remarkably friendly, and yes, they remembered us :-)

The first couple of days were quite cloudy, still very warm though, so tee shirt and shorts were the order of the day.

Nothing we love better than a jug of sangria and a balmy evening.

Today, we had both.

It was good to re-acquaint ourselves with Puerto Pollensa, such pretty streets and cafes.

Later on, we walked along the pine walk to the Cafe Daina, where we were thrilled to see the guitarist Mariano Miranda.

He is skilled to say the LEAST! We only got to see him the once last year, but this time we made sure we saw him both times he was there.

You can see him performing on these YouTube links;

LINK ONE

LINK TWO

LINK THREE

LINK FOUR

LINK FIVE

The next day was again warm, mid upper twenties, and the sky less cloudy with lots of blue.

We decided to take a walk to Cala Boquer, where I fell in love with snorkelling last year.

It’s a very pleasant and easy walk (note; Sue is wearing sandals).

 In less than thirty minutes, we were in paradise!

The water was a little choppy, it’s usually like a mirror, but that didn’t put us off.

It was a beautiful azure blue, and Sue wasted NO time in getting in.

 Straight in, as the temperature was really nice. No shock as you walked in at all.

Small (and sometimes large) boats were often seen in this bay, as it’s a favourite of many for a stop-off to swim and picnic.

Now, I’m not sure if this little chap had a bite, and was in no hurry to find out!

Earlier in the year, we’d been to Fuerteventura, and noticed LOADS of this ‘rock balancing’. Now, here was an example that was definitely not here last year.

We were to see lots more of it on this visit to Majorca. I’ve no idea why it has become so popular, all of a sudden?

Nature has its own stab at being better than the balancers.

After a lovely time swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling, we made our way back in the early evening light, with the island of El Colomer glowing in the sun.

 Witchcraft?? This dried out goat kid was on a rock at the side of the path.

These eye-catching red and black berries were in abundance.

 

We spotted an adult goat above us on the rugged skyline. (Click on the picture for a larger version)

You can see the strong shadows, but the sky looks VERY angry this evening. We wondered if we’d get a storm later.

 The clouds were gathering over the bay too.

Even in October, the flowers here are lovely. these ones were everywhere.

It seems one colour isn’t enough – it HAS to be two!

Again, we decided to take in the evening with a stroll down the pine walk to the harbour.

The evening light was picking out boats in a very special way.

 

Some of the crepuscular rays were amazing.

Yachts as white dots.

We watched the last rays of the sun in the balmy evening before making our way to ‘Bar Bony’, one of our favourite bars.

The guy is an absolute eccentric, but HIS is the busiest bar in the port square, so he’s doing something right.

The cocktails are HUGE, and the place is filled with little jokes, like the toilets saying GENTS on the outside door, then LADIES on the inside one (and vice-versa in the ladies).

The bar clock goes BACKWARDS, and the hand towels in the toilets are about five feet up the wall :-)

The opening times are stated as 11:58AM to three minutes past midnight 🤔.

A couple of these cocktails made us sleepy, so we meandered slowly back to the hotel through the quiet, safe streets of Puerto Pollensa