Well, we beat the winds with a few hours to spare. Safely tethered to the Palma marina dock, we are glad the day is behind us, now watching others struggling into port, perhaps for fuel, battling the ever-growing swells and increasing winds.
Then there was my mishap; I fell into a locker. We never leave hatches open for this reason alone. We were so busy moving fenders and securing lines that I just missed not closing it. Luckily, as I was sinking, I realized what was happening and braced myself to minimize my crash. All those “Yoga-Go” apps have worked to my advantage! (And Rich thought all along this would happen to him.) Being the attentive husband he is, Rich took pity on me, carefully escorting me to a restaurant for an excellent seafood/salad dinner.
Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is also considered an upscale resort city. Situated on the Bay of Palma, the impressive Santa Maria cathedral welcomes you to Palma; a massive sandstone Gothic landmark founded in the 13th century. Next to it is a Moorish-style Arab fortress, later converted into a royal residence. And, of course, there is another medieval fortress, the Bellver Castle, overlooking the entire landscape and bay area.
Oddly enough, Mallorca is known for pearl jewelry whereas Sardinia (Italy) is known for its red coral jewelry. The pearls in Mallorca are high quality, artificial pearls with manufacturing beginning in 1890, thanks to German engineer and entrepreneur Hugo Heusch. In Sardinia, the crystal clear waters and mild temperatures provide ideal conditions for the growth of the coral and its popular jewelry.
(10/20) Today we spent the day sightseeing. We began our adventure at the Santa Maria de Palma cathedral. The staggering structure is truly a work of art. Much of the inside reminded us of Barcelona’s “la Sagrada Familia” by famous artist Gaudi. Beginning construction in 1882, the cathedral is expected to be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudi’s death. The Santa Maria cathedral is not nearly as large as la Familia but remarkable in its own right. For instance, its organ was replaced in 1477, replacing the century older one, and has four 56 note keyboards and a 30 note pedal.
Like in France, Palma’s outdoor cafes monopolize the piazzas, their seating arrangements facing out towards the streets for optimal “people watching.” The touristy city is quite family friendly, attracts visitors from all countries (lots of Brits, Swedish, and Germans), with an abundance of places to explore. Mallorca, overall, can be considered a country of wealth based on the trendy boutiques, fancy hotels, breathtaking homes, upscale restaurants, and the large amount of sailing vessels and large ports.
By evening, after a delicious dinner, and 18,000 steps later, we called it a day. Perfect!
