Sorry I've been so spotty with the posting lately, it's a little bit challenging to find internet here (on Mallorca!) and I'll be the first to admit that I've been focusing a little more on vacationing than being a good blogger. We're in Mallorca! We're staying at Martin's family apartment here, which is really cool and right by the beach in a spot called Costa de la Calma. Right when we got here we went down to the beach for a swim in the amazingly warm water of the Mediterranean. I still can't believe that's where we are!
This is the beach by our apartment, we're right up the hill.
There are bigger sandy beaches (more on those later) but
these are small and secluded so there's hardly anyone else there.
We swam out a little ways, and saw a firefighting plane--one of the ones with the giant water bays on the bottom--touch down on the bay to scoop up water. We looked where it was going and part of the island was on fire! Not near any houses or anything, just a brush fire, but we got to watch them (quickly) put it out with the plane and a few water-carrying helicopters. It was pretty cool, especially since nothing was damaged and nobody was hurt.
So far we've done a few cool things. We spent a day at a nearby local beach called Paguera where we did some swimming and sunbathing (I got burned despite sunscreen. Better now!). We also hiked down there to see the European soccer championship semifinal game with Germany, since that area is typically full of German tourists. I had a pina colada that was absolutely excellent! Definitely made me feel like I was on vacation.
Paguera!
The next day Spain was playing in the soccer championships, so we went to Palma de Mallorca, the main city here, and explored before watching the game. So far Spain and Germany have advanced to the quarterfinals! I'm hoping they both make the final so we can watch it here with the respective crowds.
Palma is a harbor city with a cool mix of history and touristy attractions. There are lots of bars, clubs and shops along the main street, but there are also super old city walls, within which is an old-style city with narrow stone streets and a more Spanish feel. Still touristy, but more authentically so? I'm not sure if I can make that qualification. Either way, we found a bar full of Spanish fans in the old city and watched Spain make the semifinal, then went for tapas at a nearby restaurant. We wandered around and checked out the cathedral (holy cow) after that.
Part of the main street in Palma.
The coast runs to the right along the street, the city wall is visible on the left,
and the cathedral in the background.
Other than that, we've been doing a lot of swimming, exploring, tanning, and reading; with some bike riding and running thrown in there. It's been really fun so far, and I'll update again soon!
Love Katie
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