Espana, Iberia or Spain

Remember the saying: famous last words?  Yep, me too.  Two things happen to come together at the same time to make me eat my words - "I'm ready to stay in one place for a long time:"  Roy had a week of leave he had to take and we had some Timeshare points that were going to expire or forfeit them.  Well, no way were we not going to take Roy's leave or lose those those points so 5 days after my return (I think I slept 3 of those), we left for 9 days in Spain.

First stop: Majorca or Mallorca

Majorca is a small island off the Eastern coast of Spain.  Although not the best time to be on the island weatherwise, it wasn't too hot but neither too cold and almost zero tourists so we didn't complain! 

The first thing we noticed as we ventured around was the beautiful stone walls - everywhere!  Oopps, I mean the first thing we noticed was the nasty, horrible, awful, ghastly tasting water!! Beware.  

We made a day trip northwest to the coastal town of Port de Sóller.  We stopped in Santa Marie to see an outdoor air market which was very fun.  Hungry? 

Yes, those are snails

various pieces of a pig 

Driving around Santa Maria (we had rented a car) trying to find the market we quickly learned - in Spain, pedestrians have the right-a-way.  No matter what!!  Roy got yelled at by some angry people for not stopping.  Which took some getting used too, because in Turkey and Georgia, pedestrians have zero rights and the crazy drivers pretend they don't exist.  And I'm not kidding.   

Through some rough looking mountains - the Serra de Tramuntana (a surprise),  and a long tunnel that actually cost 5.05 Euros (about $6.50, each way) to traverse but saved us miles/kilometers as well as dozens of stomach churning switchbacks to the small town of Sóller.

Sóller tunnel, 3,000m (almost 2 miles)

Sant Bartomeu Church

Tapas - bottom plate

 Tapas are a wide variety of snacks or appetizers in the Spanish cuisine, and can be served hot or cold. Delicious!

Sóller tram

 On to Port de Sóller, (through yet more tunnels) a small town with a beautiful harbor.

Of course Roy was bird watching and saw a small group of mallards and a big bird in with them.  I said, that sure looks likes a goose and sure enough, it was a Canadian Goose.  Roy checked a birding website that night, and there are no reported sightings of CG in the Med.  Poor guy was really lost.

 Too bad we didn't get a picture.










Just off to the right of this harbor picture is the Far del Cap Gros lighthouse.

Everyone told us you have to see the cathedral in Palma, the capital city.  Ok, sure..... but when we saw it, it was LEAPING LIZARDS!!!

Le Seu, Palma Cathedral, built between 1229 and 1346

 As you can surmise, it was HUGE!!
The Royal Palace was right next door.

Spectacular at night

We had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe (it was handy) and our server was originally from Poland and the manager from Albania.  Both had immigrated to Spain to find work.  The server had just been hired on full-time and was excited for her 7 weeks of vacation.  Apparently the norm for Europe.  Roy almost lost his dinner.
On to Málaga.