Episode 2: Marmax Arrives in Mallorca!

Hola Everyone!

As previously posted, we finally left Port Forvm in Barcelona on Tuesday 26^th February. Not quite on time as Barcelona works on a time frame approximately half of the speed at which we work in New Zealand. It takes time to adapt to this work ethos, but one simply has to, go with the flow!

On the positive side of things, we got to spend an extra 4 days with the kids, they took us to the most glorious places imaginable, up into the hills, into gorgeous little restaurants, massive parks with every curiosity in architecture, food and people you can imagine. A family picnic in the park, a stunning Italian restaurant dinner, Barcelona City by night, yet another wonderful experience!

So we headed off to sea. We have been blessed with the best weather ever, the Mediterranean Sea is as emerald as tourism postcards, the sky a magnificent blue. A gentle 100 nm sail/part-motor across to the island of Mallorca. We left at 1100hrs, and motor-sailed through the night.  We sailed in the light of the evening star, the skies were amazing. No moon, but just beautiful.  We dutifully did our watches but overlapped as we were too excited to sleep and no one wanted to miss the sunrise or the view as Mallorca came into view in the early hours of the morning.  We passed several boats, mainly the big inter-island ferries.

Les's last ice-cream at sea! (He's addicted!)

Janelle settling in

 How do you begin to explain the beauty of this place? The mountainous cliffs were impressive to say the least, with deep drops offs and no reefs, rocks or navigation hazards to worry us at all.  We were on our way to the main port of Palma to pick up the new life-raft, so on the way, with very little wind at all, we motored close to the coast to check out the many little ports and towns along the way…the mansions dripped over the edge of the cliffs making us feel very, very small. The superyachts were…nope, no words for it. The wealth is pretty mind boggling and makes one wonder what it is all for.

Two standout ports were Port D’Andratx. Stunning! Check out the real estate clinging to the cliffs!

Port D'Andratx - check out the houses!

Still in Port D'Andratx

Port Adriano in El Toro. Super yacht heaven and it looks like a few houses may have slipped into the ocean recently, lots of new builds going on. Money, money, money. Because it is winter here, most of the houses are empty; an awesome time for us to be here! We can only imagine how busy it must all be everywhere when the European tourists arrive. Fabulous to be able to slide around these special places on our own, its another world from where we come from…

Port Adriano - El Toro

Glenys on watch

Into the Port of Palma, the largest town of Mallorca. We phoned ahead for a marina berth, one wanted 130 euro per night. Wow! That’s NZ$216/night! Glenys got on the blower, and we scored another home right outside the yacht club, the Real Nautico Club Palma for 60 euro a night, which is still NZ$100/night; but this is Mallorca! Our neighbours paid 600 Euros per night in the height of Summer for their 54 ft boat!  What a set up this yacht club is. So classy, so historic, welcoming, full of memorabilia and charm. My head is bursting with ideas for our little Sandspit Yacht Club 😊.

Entering Port Palma

Yes...they wrap boats for refits here!

Settled in on the marina - Palma

 Yesterday, we spent the entire day walking around this jaw-dropping city. If one was to ask, which one was the more beautiful, Barcelona or Palma? Equally stunning! Janelle is sick of seeing castles as she has been visiting them all around the world, all her short 14 year old life. Les and I, yep, the virgin European tourists, walk around with our jaws on the ground. If I say the word AMAZING once more, I’ll hit my head with a winch handle. No other words for it all and to see it all in such clear blue sunny skies, is such a privilege. The 12^th century gothic Palma Cathedral, the 10^th century Arab baths, monasteries, wonderful historic streets with stunning architecture, local markets bursting with the most incredible and colourful delights! 

The Milnes :)

Palma Catheral

These Mallorcans seem to have a much sweeter tooth than Barcelonians. Loads of lollies, sweet pastries, nuts and goodies. They love the sweet smell of candles and soaps too. Biggest donuts we have ever seen, loaded with gooey, decadent, rich chocolate. Mmmmm…The olive oils on freshly baked street-oven bread… don’t get me started.

The navigators!

10th century Arab baths

 We have the most delightful English neighbours alongside us on a Moody 54, Lorraine, Ian and their gorgeous dog, Oscar. We all got on the turps last night together, for those that know my sister Glenys, I could not resist posting a photo of her on her 3^rd, very large, glass of Spicy Captain Morgan Rum. No more said, we had an outrageously fun night. I am determined to corrupt my sister on this trip. Lorraine and Ian were wonderful hosts and we are hoping they will join us for a jaunt up the coast.  (The rum was delicious, but for the record, I am quite partial and accustomed to my rum and cokes.  The Captain Morgan spiced rum in particularly nice I must say. G.)

Our Glenys...Rumbo No.3

Oscar the dog

Plus the postcard writing duties!

Fogged in at the marina this morning

The neighbors arrived last night. A big, brand new Lagoon catamaran on delivery to the owner in Croatia.
 Missed the front harbour wall by this much at midnight.Paid crew will get their heads chopped off!

We were hoping to leave today however we awoke this morning to the sound of fog horns going off everywhere and we are now in almost a total white out. Bruce has just had to go to the marina office to book us in another night.

That’s our news for now…catch you on the next blog!

Adios from the very happy and relaxed Marmax crew!