Palma de Mallorca - Cathedrals, butterfly tattoos and 2 nights!

I flew into Majorca or Mallora from Barcelona on Iberian airlines (45 minute flight). Doesnt it annoy you that you only fly 45 minutes but spend half your day at the airport. Before I forget, if you are in Barcelona airport, check out the music store and get your hands on Caribe 2006. For 19 Euro you get a double CD and DVD of the latest Spanish hits. I wanted something Spanish (culturally) to take back with me and the guy at the store recommended this to me. Keep an ear out for the track El Orgullo Y La Visa by David Civera. I love this song and the video too. Anyone Spanish out there, could you explain to me what it all means? J

Anyhooo, Mallorca, Palma! Again, here on business. The airport is boiling! Its so humid! The luggage took forever to come out. No immigration. Just walk out, sunny, warm, hot, beautiful. Grabbed a cab (whit cabs with Taxi on em) and gave the Hombre my hotel address. This amigo could speak limited English. The taxis run on a meter and its pretty economical. The public transport system in Palma is limited to buses and I didnt want to venture out in anything that is non ac. I got chatting to the cab driver. He asked me where I was from and I said London and Sri Lanka too.

- Arrrrrrrrrrrr Seee Reeee lanka! Beuuuuuuuuuteeeeefullll, si very naiice oer there
- You should come over mate!
- Si, it is near Thailand?
- No amigo, little tear drop shaped island in the Indian ocean next to Maldives
- Arrrrr si, Maaaldives.

I shook his hand when we got to the hotel. The Tryp Bellver hotel. Its a 4 star hotel and you could get a very good rate for it on www.FindSpainRooms.com. The hotel is beautiful, hosting the flight crews of German airlines I might add. Its located opposite a port that stretches for miles. The view is incredible. Loads and loads of beautiful yachts, fishing boats and I even found myself one of those ships that remind me of Pirates of the Caribbean. I always wanted to be a pirate! Try get a room on the very top floors overlooking the sea.

Before I forget, the most impressive structure that hit me on my way to the hotel is the beauty of the Palma Cathedral. It is phenomenal and probably the most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen. The full breath taking view must be made from afar and the concrete-like intricate structure will awe you. It was apparently built by Jaime I of Aragon who promised God if he were to be lead safely to Mallorca to conquer it, he would build a cathedral in His honor. Voila! Try have a look at this structure at night, the lights are phenomenal too.

Clothes! Very important. As a bloke, you would need shorts or ¾ trousers. Very light and white. A light top too and a cowboy hat wouldnt be too bad either. And flip flops. In the middle of summer there are two things you need to carry with you, one is a giant 2000ml bottle of water in one hand and in the other, your girl friend. The ladies in Mallorca are lovely needless to mention. From what Ive seen wear shorts, bikini underneath, flip flops, one of those revealing tops and a tattoo of a butterfly on your lower back.

Time was limited once again, business trip you know! So had to make the most of it. I finally understand the Spanish concept of Siesta. I walked out one day at noon and noticed the receptionist give me a smirk hell be back. I walked out, got toasted, walked in, air conditioner! Everything literally comes to a halt between 1 and 4pm in Spain. Its time to sleep and siesta. To my room cinqo doze doze! Air conditioned and bed! 6pm, time to head out.

Turn left at the Tryp Bellver and walk. Absorb the beauty of the water way and boats. The palm tree laden roads are beautiful. The tanned orange ladies are beautiful. There were many restaurants along the way, but too English for a trip to Spain. I needed something local. I was walking cathedral bound like Jaime I himself. Along the way I passed many little traditional Spanish restaurants. Perfect, tapas yet again. I love the chicken variety. I made it to the Cathedral. Was a bit touristy with horse carriage rides and actors. But nonetheless the sheer magnitude of the structure was incredible. From the Cathedral you get some incredible views of the Palau Reial de lAlmudaina, the gorgeous Parc de le Mar (beautiful water structure) and the Mediterranean sea. The Cathedral was incredible. Walk out via the gardens with the fountains. Its a shame the Cathedral wont let you go in. I wanted to check out Gaudis work on the inside. Hed been working on the Cathedral for over 10 years before leaving this world tragically. Lets hope he believed in Jesus, he could be redecorating a Cathedral in Heaven! J

I took a Sightseeing Bus tour of Palma. This is a good and economical way to see the whole of Palma. It makes stops at all attractions and every bus is just 20 minutes away. The first bus actually left me running after it! Amigo! What the *@!!!!!! Sit on the upper deck of the bus, work on your tan, absorb that view. The rides just over 10-12 Euro and valid for 24 hours. The bus ride takes you through the commercial streets of Palma as well as a longer journey to Castle Bellver. The entrance is 2 Euro but the breath taking view in that altitude of Palma is worth way more. The castle isnt too much to look at given I spent a lot of time in Hampton Court Palace, Leeds castle and the Tower of London in the UK but nonetheless, the view was worth while.

That sums up my 2 nights in Palma. Beautiful, Spanish, cultural and I will be back. Next time I m going to rent a car, take a more intimate journey. Take my girl up to the beaches. See that butterfly tattoo perhaps! Buenos Tardes amigos!


Walk by Faith! God bless you hombres and bonitas in Jesus name.