After a much deserved rest day at sea, we pulled into Palma de Mallorca, an island off the coast of Spain known as a playground for the rich and famous (as well as the poor and unknown, like us). Its most notable inhabitants are Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones who count Mallorca as their second home. Must be nice. Unlike Mike and Cathy, a mere mortal like me will have settle for a single, treasured trip to this stunning island.
Trish and I decided to take care of the 'rents for the day, allowing Juan and Val a day to explore on their own. After beating down a few aggressive tour guides attempting to sell us personal tours of the island, we made our way out of the terminal and to the taxi stand. I did some research the day before and decided we'd cab up to Bellver Castle, overlooking the city and bay (above). It's one of the world's only circular fortresses.
We lucked out with an English-fluent cab driver (Juan and Val weren't so lucky and didn't get to the beach as they had hoped). Though the internet said the Castle was a short cab drive from the port, it didn't mention the lack of a taxi stand at the Castle. With mom's double-replaced knees, a walk down the mountain to catch another taxi or the bus was not an option. Fearing we'd be trapped in paradise for eternity, we made a deal with our driver to come back for us in half an hour. Fingers crossed that Mallorcans are honest.
Here I am with the 'rents standing outside the castle with a group of Disney cruisers. The Disney Magic was docked next to us in the port. I was only a little bit jealous.
Inside Bellver Castle
Trish admires the buff statues in the inner courtyard.
Just another shot showing some architectural detail of the open central courtyard.
Here I am relaxing on the second floor of the castle. I know what your thinking, "Damn, Fausto, that's a bright shirt." My dear blog minions, jealousy ill suits you. Is it my fault I have the personality to carry off a bright yellow and teal plaid shirt?
With only five minutes left before we were due to meet back with our cab, we raced up to the third and top floor of the castle for this incredible shot of the city and bay.
On our way out, Trish modeled in front of one of the curved outer walls of the castle. We were only slightly un-nerved by the sight of the deserted mountain road. Not a cab (nor any other wheeled vehicle) in sight. Oh shit. But a few restless moments later, our trusty cab rounded the bend.
The next stop on my self-planned itinerary? - The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, or Le Seu. Our trusty and well-tipped driver dropped us off on the back side of the cathedral so mom wouldn't have to climb all the steps by the front entrance. Money can't buy love, but it sure can buy loyalty.
Here's a view of the bay in Palma from the back of the cathedral. The Disney Magic (black hull) is blocking our ship from view.
Oh, those lovely buttresses.
Le Seu is a gothic cathedral, which I suspect explains all the freaky little gargoyles on its exterior.
The impressive front face of Le Seu.
Mom's dwarfed by the front door. Because the street was so narrow, I had to lay on my back in the middle of the road to get this shot - only for mom.
Some fancy-ass buttresses.
One of the side chapels in the main cathedral. So sparkly.
This mural is above one of the entrances to the main cathedral.
The morning sun streaming through the stained glass window above the Gaudi inspired altar. Pretty impressive.
I don't know exactly what this is, but it's pretty.
This is my favorite picture from the trip. It's the inside view of the front door to the cathedral. I didn't even have to photoshop it to make it look like that.
This Morning's Itinerary:
Dock in Palma
Cab to Castell Bellver
Cab to Le Seu
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