TANIT THE CARTHAGINIAN GODDESS

TANIT GODDESS

GODDESS OF IBIZA

From the V century a.c. when the Carthaginians brought the cult of the goddess tanit to Ibiza, this image has become a symbol and icon of the island. Unfortunately during many years has been kept in a museum and bolted closed and now finally after many years has reopened the doors, so it can visited it again, in the Archaeological Museum des Puig des Molins in Ibiza Town . Ibiza is not the only place that worshiped this goddess but also in a wide area Mediterranean and North Africa, especially in Tunisia (from the then powerful Carthage came the Carthaginians to Ibiza), Lebanon, Sardinia, Sicily (which is where it´s believe this image came from) or even in the current Spanish east coast. Tanit was the goddess of love, fertility, death, prosperity, harvest and the moon, and she was the most important divinity for the Carthaginians. Also paid him bloody offerings as firstborn children when things were not going well, in rituals held in the cave is Cuieram (north of the island, where were found numerous representations of this goddess) when the ancient people believed that their goddess was angry. The cult became obsolete with time, but recovered when the hippies came to the island on the 50´s and 60´s. In fact this image has become an icon of the island.

DRAGON OF IBIZA

GECKKONIDAE IN IBIZA

Any visitor or inhabitant of a house in the countryside of Ibiza may be surprised to see how the inhabitants of the island, are living among these small animals a bit "weird" or "ugly" but very friendly, although very fearful . If you run into any of them, at first sight can cause rejection due the strange appearance, but they are completely harmless. In Ibiza the locals call them "dragons"

These are newts exemplars of the kind "Tarentola mauritanica" inhabiting the Mediterranean basin, where the original habitat is southern Europe and northern Africa. Ibiza is no exception and it is common to see many of them, especially at dusk when they hunt insects, and it is for this reason that locals appreciate much these animals. They´re also very often in the trunks of carob and olive trees, and of course on the white walls both outside and inside the houses of Ibiza. It´s said that´s bad luck harm them or kill them, as well like some animals like swallows or lizards. During winter it is quite difficult to spot them, due they usually hibernate, although on sunny days they can be seen some..

GOING DOWN SES BALANDRES

BAJANDO POR "SES BALANDRES"

It is certainly one of the most impressive sites of the island, though little known (thankfully). A place which is located almost 200 meters above sea level, you can go down the road, but be aware you´ll encounter difficulty, especially if you are not friend of heights.

This time, it was a day in early June with the place decorated by intense local flora unusual the rest of the year, but in winter is a place where there are many ferns, due the high humidity, though in summer is much drier. Thus, one of the best times to visit the place would be between March and July, although any time of year worth a visit.

The first difficulty is not really serious, and incorporates a wooden staircase that obviously if there were no access would not be possible. Although not seen in the images, we are between two huge walls of rock, which would delight for intrepid climbers.

Some minutes ago, the flora was invading the landscape, but the pines now are joining us at this site till almost the bottom of the precipice. Meanwhile if you look back we see the ladder by which we went down, far in the distance with the impressive background of rock wall.

Between the branches of the green pines, we can see the blue sea. The pines and sea views offer us delicious sites, as we approach the sea through the small path. On this tour the rush or short time, would be bad company...

The pines are disappearing when we go down to the sea that from half height appears to us in a turquoise color and so clear that we can see the bottom. Below are places that are suitable for swimming. Of course forget about beach bars, lifeguards or anything that usually exists in a conventional beach. Here nature and silence are the only fellow hikers.

This route is not suitable for everyone. If some people do not want to go down, should not be insisted, however if you have managed to get to a point and you want to wait for the rest of the people back, meanwhile you can be enjoying amazing views over the sea and the landscape over cliffs that offers this place until the others will come back.

At one point of the hike, a rope is a impressive help, maybe it's the most delicate moment of the route, and each one must decide whether to continue or stay up. In the picture you can see the verticality of the wall that has some holes to put the tip of your foot while people go down clutching the rope.

In any case always at this point before the rope, the landscape changes and a kind of horizontal rock drawing, is traced on the wall of the precipice, forming a curious line drawing.

Not much flora we find it here, and pines have vanished, they are left upstairs with the people who was not be able to come down here.

Once we arrived at this place for a swim (depending on the time or day chosen), we can have a break to enjoy the stunning cliffs from down here. It's time to rest and recuperate and also prepare to go up again. Here we can see the dock houses (see next entry) that are in this place and they are the reason for the ropes and ladders to facilitate the descent of the few fishermen that come here, from the small village of Santa Agnes de Corona.