For years I’d heard about the Balearic Islands, Ibiza, Mallorca and Minorca, mostly from British television because Ibiza was such a U.K. holiday hot spot, and because the pearls Steve got me for my 50th birthday were from Mallorca. The islands were not in my headlights for an autumn vacation, as the draw seemed to be all sun and sand. So when the Azamara Club Cruise had Minorca and Mallorca on the itinerary I was not ecstatic, but intrigued, as we hadn’t planned for a “beach” holiday. As with most parts of Europe history abounds wherever you look, so we had plenty of interesting things to do, and very comfy pool chairs and adult beverages when we were done.

And we enjoyed a long, scenic ~2 mile walk back to the ship. And then a burger. And half of a hot dog. No bun.

Our first stop was Minorca, the approach a three-mile inlet into a protected port. And on Sunday we were limited in options. We hired a cab driver named Jose to take us to Mount Toro, where the legend says a bull led monks to a statue of the Blessed Virgin in the rocks and a monastery was built there. The sanctuary still exists along with a chapel that was jam packed on this particular Sunday morning. While we waited we took pictures of the statue of Jesus that reminds one of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio. And what’s a tourist attraction without a gift shop? While we looked around a Spanish woman shopping for her husband pointed Steve out, told the clerk he was about the same size, and asked she find out what size he’d need to wear. Steve now credits this as his first modeling job. Steve told her XL, but when they held up the XL both he and Mike thought the shirt looked short, but didn’t want to screw the salesperson out of the sale so they said nothing. The joke after that was they hoped the couple wasn’t on the cruise as there’d be a big guy walking around with his muffin top showing hunting for Steve to give him a black eye.

After Mass let out we were able to see the sanctuary’s chapel and the supposed place in the rocks that held the statue. The church again had smaller family chapels lining the sides. It was lovely and more rustic than what we’d seen previously. And the views from the hilltop were glorious.

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The ship is providing evening entertainment; their Broadway troop that includes singer/dancers and the Ukrainian Ballroom Dance Champions, and on one night Bruce Parker, a soul and Motown entertainer with a great voice. The Cruise Director, Eric de Gray is hysterical. Exceptionally tall, Peirce Brosnan-ish with spiky sandy hair and a velvet cloak, he has a running gag with the bald, diminutive Norwegian captain Johannes Tysse who calls him his twin brother. The captain is equally as funny in a dry, unexpected way. I’ve belly laughed several times at his comments. The food, as usual, has been plentiful and lovely. The Captain intimated that the average weight gain on these cruises is one pound. A day. I’ve been rising early to hit the gym, taking the stairs on the ship and doing a lot of walking. I’m hoping for the best.

We arrived in Mallorca’s cruise ship terminal, adjacent to the marina and again (as in Greece and Turkey) saw Mediterranean moored boats, known as med-moored. The technique is to drop anchor and then back into a spot, cheek by jowl with other boats barely a fender’s width away. I was hyperventilating just thinking about that maneuver. I had to back in between pilings on Martha’s Vineyard once, but was then able to tie to the pilings and the pier at the stern, and if I rubbed a piling, so what? Rubbing a 400,000 Euro boat? I don’t think so. I’d have a bloody heart attack. And so would our insurance guy.

On our way to breakfast we were running a bit late so to cover for this Steve said he ran into a guy who said, “Hey, la camisa es muy piquena! (My shirt is too small!),” and Steve had to fight him off.

Azamara provided shuttle busses to the Cathedral de Mallorca to get us into town. The busses were quite comfortable, and had seat belts. We wondered if that didn’t bode well for us. On this beautiful, cloudless day we visited the Cathedral, the Arab Baths, the Eglesia de Santa Eulalia, a Majorcan food shop, several jewelers selling Majorcan pearls and some souvenir shops. The Cathedral is impressive; Antoni Gaudi designed and oversaw the main altar project between 1904 and 1914 while he was a part of the over 300-year construction. The private chapels are all exquisite, the next more so than the last. Majorcan artist Miquel Barceló redesigned the chapel of the Holy Sacrament in 2007 in an ocean motif. While we were there the stained glass rose window was flooding the space with yellows, purples and fiery oranges. It was easy to while away the hours with all there was to see.

Our excursion through the old town offered me an opportunity to find a Majorcan cookbook and some herb seasoned and plain sea salts, all products of the island. Anita has new blue Majorcan pearl earrings, which she will commence wearing immediately and continue to wear until December 24th at which time Mike will then wrap them and put them under the Christmas tree.

The Arab Baths provided a glimpse into the Muslim influence on Mallorca, and for some pictures of a very handsome yellow tabby. And we enjoyed a long, scenic ~2 mile walk back to the ship. And then a burger. And half of a hot dog. No bun.

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Azamara Club Cruises offer an evening tour that is complimentary to all cruisers. In Greece last June we were able to visit Ephesus at sunset to hear a classical music concert. This time in Mallorca we were bussed to Castillo de Bellver to see the dancers and musicians from Escola de Musica perform the Danses de Mallorca dressed in 19th century costume. The castle, commissioned in 1300 by King James II of Mallorca, is on the hilltop above the city of Palma with commanding views of the cathedral, the city and the port. Over the centuries it has been used as a sanctuary from the plague that swept the mainland, the government seat, a political prison, and finally a museum. Our evening began with a welcome by our cruise director who was wearing a raw silk and linen white suit. All 6’6” of him. That’s a lot o’ silk. I asked, “No velvet tonight?” I guess things need to be changed up every now and then. Steve told him he was looking forward the bungee jumping as he pointed to the ramparts. No more Cachaça for Steve. Once though the gate and over the dry moat, they passed us Champagne as we walked around and atop the battlements while listening to a pianist and opera singer. We then went on a quick tour of the castle and took seats in the interior section, which was open to the air. The dancers entered from behind us to the period music of musicians playing stringed and woodwind instruments, and it was easy to become swept up in the twirling, jumping happiness that was their dance. Mike remarked that their faces must hurt from all the smiling.

Upon returning to the ship they had prepared, wait for it, more food! The ship’s musicians played us back on The Journey with jazz selections as we entered through two gangplanks, and we all made way to the Looking Glass lounge for entertainment as the boat headed out of port. I was surprised the ship wasn’t listing forward with all the folks in that one spot. We could see the cathedral in its beautifully lit glory as we departed the port.

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Deborah

Next up: A Day at Sea