Palma, Mallorca, Spain

 When I lived in the UK, I knew a lot of people who went to Mallorca for their holidays. It always sounded so exotic and beachy to me.  With so many amazing places to visit in this world, I wondered if I would ever get the chance to visit. Fast forward, 40 plus years, We took a transatlantic cruise not that long ago, and the last stop before Barcelona departure was Palma, Mallorca. 

We were a little "excursioned" out and wanted to have a low key day wandering Palma. We did take a taxi from the port docks to the city park below the Gaudi "Arc" cathedral. Let's be clear, the cathedral existed onsite for hundreds of years before Gaudi was commissioned to help with the restoration.  Having been to Sagruda Familia a couple of times, I expected so much.  It did not disappoint... but so very different from Sagruda Familia.  He wanted to infuse the worship space with light, and as you can see from the photo below, it was stunning in the early morning that we arrived.  I would recommend buying tickets in advance and getting there at opening.  You only need an hour or so to see the cathedral.  Be sure to check out the huge Gaudi chandelier, it was so unusual and beautiful.  

Photo tip, move way back from the altar and show someone holding the ball of light. See below... 

Next we walked through the city, looking for the Arab baths.  The old town is truly a labyrinth of crooked little streets. Go ahead!  Try to get lost... but it was easy enough to find it using your phone to walk you there.  We had the gardens to ourselves that morning, not bad for a town with a couple cruise ships in port that day.

Beautiful parks everywhere in the city!

Hard to see the beautiful mosaic details on the top floor, but it was amazing.

After two weeks on a cruise ship, you'd think you'd never be hungry again... haha, fat chance of that!  We stopped for a coffee and a pastry and sat outside watching the shoppers on the shopping street, and the pigeons at our feet looking for a handout. 

We continued to walk, running out of the fancy high street and into a more local neighborhood.  So many of the people on the street we're on their way to a low building that looked like some sort of shopping mall.  On a whim, I said "let's go over there"!  I am so glad that we did, it was a wonderful, unexpected surprise with shopping for fruits, veggies, meats, seafood, cheese- - you name it, if it was food, they were selling it!  They even had foods to go and an oyster bar!  Knowing my guy will always say yes to oysters, I suggested we stop and have some with a cold glass of white wine. 

It's not that I look happy, I AM happy!  These guys were so nice and took turns making little bites of goodness for us to try. It was so much fun. 

Paella to go, if you wanted it!

 

As we left the port, we scored the corner hot tub with views of the city.  Great shots of the Cathedral as we sailed away.  I would love to go back to Palma someday.