We originally planned for another long day but remembered we’re on our honeymoon! Laura and I hit the hotel gym since it may be our last opportunity and played some tennis before the heat got the best of us. We may not have another chance to work out so we wanted to make the most of it.
We went to Portopí, the town over, to do our laundry for similar reasons. We indulged in a lovely cafe and its beachfront access waiting for the washing and drying to be done, then headed back to the hotel for the 60th anniversary celebration (that we didn’t know about) before dinner pickup!
Gil and Sean took us to a restaurant known for its Mallorcan cuisine, Restaurante Ca na Joana, and it was absolutely delicious. We feasted on the vegetable dish tumbet mallorquin, and also frito mallorquin, a potato and liver dish similar to corned beef hash. Laura and I shared a delicious cod paella too. Absolutely recommend this restaurant, the service is exceptional and the food is even better.
Gil drove us back to the hotel and I went with him and Sean to Clems Windsor, a British-style pub back in Magaluf for a few beers, before calling it a night.
A lazy start to the morning led right into a wine tasting at Bodegas Angel, a notable winery in the heart of Mallorca specializing in red wine, though they also produce red and white.
Our very knowledgeable guide José showed us the vineyards, the processing and bottling facility, and the storage cellar, answering our questions about vine-tending, wax, cork, pollination, irrigation, wind, a seemingly endless stream of trivialities that struck Laura and I.
Then onto the good stuff, their wine was absolutely delicious. We particularly liked the Rosé and Gran Seleccíon. We left bellies full of wine and cheese, having enjoyed ourselves greatly, and headed finally into Palma for a visit to the city center and cathedral.
And Palma is indeed a beautiful little city. The tight roads are framed by picturesque buildings no more than a few stories tall, jutting apartment balconies and sconces tearing your eyes away from designer clothing stores on the ground floor.
The cathedral is magnificent. Cutting an imposing figure on a hill set against the city, The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma broke ground in 1299, and took almost 400 years to complete. If there’s one thing I’ve seen a lot of this year, it’s impressive churches. This one was no different, and in some ways still broke impressive new ground. The truly medieval background and feel, the colors and sunlight coming through the windows, and one interesting component drew my eye.
The right-hand side of the chapel is home to a permanent contemporary art installation by Miquel Barceló which represents the miracle of Jesus. Many fish adorn the walls in what is ultimately a prelude to an appreciation for the aquatic that the Spanish return to often.
We left Palma after some gelato and returned to the Daiquiri Palace to say our goodbyes to Sean and Gil. Sean joined us at recently reopened Pedro’s Steakhouse.
Pedro recognized Sean on sight as the son of Gil, island prince, and immediately took care of us. I opted for the madras chicken curry, which was immaculate. After a long dinner Laura and I said our goodbyes to Sean, and returned to the Hotel Caliu for bed and our next adventure, Barcelona.
