ES NIU BLAU BEACH

PLAYA ES NIU BLAU

A little gem hidden between Santa Eulalia and Es Canar, a beach of the few ones where one can lie in the shade of the pines, swim in the crystal clear water and has a really clean sand. A beach that once I frequented small and this area left a mark on my memory, when I was playing down these pines (which were somewhat smaller than they are today).

Right next door is the only estuary that exists on the island (although very small indeed), and it seems to be the nature in this area has focused on waters, so not far away there is the mouth of the only river in the insular Spain. 

Of course nothing to do with the famous Galician tions (rías) which are obviously larger but this one leaves a picturesque corner next to the beach with their small boats moored in the lee of the wind, with the forest surrounding.

The best time to enjoy this beach is in the morning as it is located at the eastern side of the island. In that first hour sunlight, the sun plays with the sea, and reflects off the sea offering a silver white flashes, contrasting with the green of the many pines of the area.

The translation of "niu blau" would be "blue nest", although the predominant color of this beach is the green of the pine trees growing in the sand, but the green also contrasts with the blue sky and sea. A place to enjoy the sun and the shadow of the pines and of course without sunshades.

THE NEW WALK AREA IN SANTA EULALIA

NEW "PASEO" IN SANTA EULALIA

The village of Santa Eulalia inaugurated some weeks ago, the new town hall square next to the promenade of the sea, now seems much broader, taking advantage of the space and the great sea views; now it is possible to see the sea from the town hall due the architectonic change of its square. This place is now enjoyed it by its inhabitants and visitors. Santa Eulalia remains being the second largest population of the island, a place where the essence of the island is present. 

 
For this remodel, I'm sure it takes into account the relationship of this town (also known as Villa river) with the water and its river. The water was an abundant good in this area of ​​the island, so, here ends the only river of the spanish islands. Today dry unfortunately (except when it rains).

The traditional irrigation of arab origin, performed and as present in the rural countryside of this island, is represented here by these staggered channels that lead from the city hall to the sea, along the area.

These channels lead us to the sea from the Town Hall, and meanwhile we can begin to enjoy magnificent sea views as we approach the promenade of Santa Eulalia that merges with this new ride at one of its ends.
  
Another of his innovations are the new sources that although there were some sources before, just opposite the Town Hall, now they are much more impressive and have changing lights and can even dance onto the beat of music. Again thanks to the new design of these sources, this square has much more space now..

A classic of Santa Eulalia town is this ancient cistern that have been preserved with the remodeling of this ride and has been not touched, though now without the heavy traffic passing right in front has become a wider pedestrian zone..

They have incorporated some bronze sculptures of something as representative for the island such as the Ibizan hound breed that surely comes from Egypt and was brought to the island by the Phoenicians who had contact with the people of Egypt and they were the first inhabitants of the island . These dogs have become an attraction over this area and are one of the most photographed devices as well as the pixies that are playing near water (their habitat) they also are characters that are closely related to this Villa. The hounds and the elves can also enjoy the sea and the many tourists who walk through the area....
I believe that Santa Eulalia del Rio has become a prime tourist population in Ibiza, which has nothing to do with some bad reputation that sometimes has the island and is that who will visit this town, they will see how people enjoy without need of drinking alcohol all time or drugs, on the contrary, these are people of all ages who enjoy the shops, restaurants and all that this beautiful and unavoidable villa offers..

FAMELIARS (ELVES) OF IBIZA

ELVES IN IBIZA

Ibiza is mysterious and magical. Also superstitious, at least a few decades ago Ibiza folks were very surpersticiosos and if something is not lacking in the small island are numerous legends and characters that are real... or maybe not everyone can observe with the naked eye. Elves in Ibiza exist called "fameliars", at least in folklore, and in Santa Eulalia are the most famous ones, as they are a small and strange creatures who live in humid areas and especially under the stone bridge of Santa Eulalia River, is said was built by the devil in one night, in the night of San Juan (from 23 to 24 June) and where with much alacrity that night, when the sun, before rises, and for a few seconds grows an herb called "Grass des fameliar "that if someone catch it properly  and quickly gets inside a glass bottle of black color, in a short time one of these elves appear inside it, and so, we can have it in our home to our service.

To this fameliar or goblin we will must have to procure only two things ... entertain him giving a lot of work, or giving him food. He can eat huge amounts of food and can leave homes completely empty of food and can ruin the inhabitants; although one must be cautious with these creatures and learn to master them, otherwise they may give bad luck. The Fameliars although somewhat naughty,  do not have to be bads, but sometimes they have bad character. They're ugly, yes, with long arms and a big nose, in any case its size is small but with a huge, huge force and it must fit in a glass bottle, usually in a decanter. It's easy to pop it out but you must know to master, giving them work and enough food (but its hard to do it in proper balance) and to go back into the bottle, where there's no danger that run roughshod, we must do so through an olive branch, blessed on the Palm Sunday and say a prayer that over time has been lost, and few people (if any) knows. As an historical curiosity, It is said that in times of the Inquisition, some few people on the island were tried for possessing a fameliar in their home.

There are numerous legends about "fameliars", especially in homes, where when the man who used to be the master of fameliar was absent, the wife was trying to do abuse of the power of the fameliar in the absence of the husband but not knowing properly dominate the troll, also did not know then how to get him back into the bottle, creating chaotic situations that were resolved later when the husband as the owner of the troll, went back home, and had to scold the woman for daring to dominate the fameliar unknowing how to do so, compromising their own integrity and the house as well. There was also a fisherman who always carried the bottle with the troll inside when fishing, with him in his boat so that his wife did not have the temptation to open the bottle and use the fameliar in his absence. Arriving one day to port after fishing, he met two men who wanted to take away her fishing, and because not having much fish as they wanted,  forced the man to go back into the sea to bring more fish for them, so the fisherman opened the bottle and said to the elf  to throw them to the sea, which he did and never the fisherman left the bottle at home, when went to fishing.  Or a girl who had to marry one of her two suitors, one rich and the other poor, she told them that the first one of them to build a house, it would be her husband, and the next day, the poor one, who was owner of a fameliar in a bottle, ordered  the "fameliar" throughout the day  to build a house that ended on the afternoon, and of course the girl married him. When the couple was living there, start happening in it, strange things, and bad luck set the home, after was uninhabited since then, not again dwell never as it seems that misfortune had overtaken there.
The tradition of Fameliars or goblins is famous in many regions around the world. In Ibiza is believed that its origin comes from the Roman period, but perhaps came with those who colonized the island during the period that Ibiza belonged to the Kingdom of Aragon. But these characters not only exist in the Mediterranean, so exist the goblins of Asturias, the gobelins in Normandy, Leprechauns of Ireland, Hobgobins in Scotland, Kobolde in Germany ... etc. Actually they are very popular in Scandinavia and even recently in Iceland, they stopped the construction of a road, due to protests of Icelanders, they demanded to stop the roads due that the areas of the new road affect the place where many elves live. It is possible to read this, on the news by internet.

CALA MASTELLA

CALA MASTELLA AND THE POSIDONEA

A tiny beach in size but big on beauty. Lost, so it is a bit confusing the way to get to it. But definitely it´s worth it.

The tiny beach is surrounded by rocks and pine trees, which makes it very attractive. Also in the vicinity is a small harbor with small fishing boats, where we can arrive in a short but lovely walk.

The small beach is sandy, but mostly covered with posidonea. The posidonea due to ignorance is often synonymous with dirt, when in fact the opposite is true. For starters it's not an algae but a marine plant that is found only in the Mediterranean (also called Neptune grass). Ibiza and Formentera have on their seabed, the posidonea great prairies which contributes to the good color of sea water, since this plant oxygenates the seawater. Also on the beach (as we see in the picture above) the posidonea make barriers that prevents water drag the sand, therefore protects beaches and prevents run out of sand. In addition also have advantages, we can walk, jump or lie over it without any danger.

As we move to the small port, very close to the beach we see a landscape of sea, rocks and pine trees with a striking contrast of colors. It´s amazing how some pines arise directly from the rock. We can see here as the cove, almost looks like a estuary, due the incoming water that is surrounded of narrow sea shores. In the background we see an area of ​​reeds and rushes in the main beach, because that area is also the mouth of a small stream during the rainy season.

A small picturesque harbor is situated near the beach, with some local fishing boats. Small docks also harbor small boats waiting to be released out to sea by the owner, who often live nearby.

Fishing gear and proper maintenance of vessels, indicate that are used as fishing boats frequently. From this small port, we can enjoy the best views of the small cove that is opposite. Here the sea has a green or turquoise color that contrasts with the pines at the background. What is not lacking in this place is the incredible quietness all year round.

ORCHIDS IN IBIZA

 

WILD ORCHIDS OF IBIZA

Although the name of these beautiful flowers, reminds faraway tropical places such as Costa Rica or Thailand, Ibiza has more than 20 species of native orchids, which are not easy to find. These first three images in this entry, belong to the species of "ophrys fusca" and they found in Mediterranean areas and reaches places as Turkey, Sicily and southern of France. 

 They are wild and protected orchids, so it is totally forbidden to tear them, cut them or to take them,  anyway it's impossible that these beautiful plants can be planted at home because they need the land where they were born, which is almost always the island´s forests.

The kind of "Orphrys Balearica" (picture above and below) is a species found only (as the name suggests) on the Balearic Islands.
Colors vary but not the size, rarely are just over 20 inches high. Interestingly one of the petals resemble the wings of bees and find it much easier to be pollinated. They all bloom the first months of the year, one more reason for visiting Ibiza in winter. In addition to these green and white colors, exist others in yellow, pink, violet and different colors, but they are not easy to find.

HOLY WEEK IN IBIZA

CELEBRATIONS OF THE HOLY WEEK IN OLD TOWN (DALT VILA)

In processions and celebrations the Holy Week of Ibiza is not really popular if we compare with those of Sevilla or Zamora, Valladolid, Murcia or Cuenca, where they are really known. The Holy Week processions in Ibiza are much simpler and not so famous, but have not been few people from many different countries who have told me that they were pleasantly surprised at the beauty of this celebration in such a unique setting as the walled city of Dalt Vila, the ancient old town of Ibiza.

The narrow, winding streets help in this quiet and devotional celebration, and  makes it even more impressive the Good Friday procession in the late evening. Larger images barely fit through some of the narrow streets, so, in these streets, the procession proceeds much slower than in the downtown, newer area, where subsequently the streets become wider. Sometimes in some places the number of public is limited because there is very little place indeed.

In some parts of the procession, we can enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the ancient city walls. the bible story mix with the history of this city. These ancient walls once defended the walled area of the ancient city that were heavily protected from pirates attacks, and other threats. Perfect backdrop then, for the Good Friday traditional procession that is further enhanced by the beauty of these walls.

During the Holy Week that starts the previous friday  the Good Friday, the streets are the scene of various processions to be held for several specific days,  but the most important is the one which is held on Good Friday evening. The city illuminates their walls to the passage of the different images, ranging through the streets of the city. As I said before, is not the most popular procession of Spain, but may be the one with the most spectacular setting, with its city walls that are among the best preserved in the Mediterranean, and that in 1999 the UNESCO declared World Heritage Site.

SANTA EULARIA DES RIU

SANTA EULALIA DEL RÍO

Santa Eulalia is the second most important city after the capital of the island and where the main square is located the town hall, built in ibicencan style and very close to the promenade in front of the sea with their nice gardens. 

The promenade of this village, is one of the most joyful and beautiful of the island. And this could be also due the beaches that surround it, its marina and even the mouth of the river, the only one that exists off the mainland of Spain, all of this, makes this place something special..

Santa Eulalia was the first town on the island to dedicated a monument to the countryside women. Nowadays, still are some of them working at the countryside but some decades ago all of them were working the land, or others who were mending fish nets of their fisher husbands.

In the same square where is the monument to payesa, but on the other side we can see a curious barrel, that does not have any history link with the population, except a sinking in the seventeenth century of a boat carried it onboard and that sank in front of the town. This barrel was made in Naples in 1650 and is decorated with the arms of Philip IV of Spain.  

Other of the historic buildings of Santa Eulalia is your theater called Teatro España. There were only two theaters on the island, the Pereyra theater can still be seen the old façade today in the capital city of Ibiza, and this one at the above image, Teatro España.

We continue walking along the promenade of the town, where water sources are confused with the water of the Mediterranean Sea .... Not far from where the river has its mouth, so the water in this city is very important.

Walking through this ride can enjoy the buildings that exist right front of the sea, and the bars, restaurants, and entertainment places, that exist in the low of these buildings, we find here a pleasant surprise ...

...like this waterwheel in Ibiza, there were a lot in the island but nowadays are dwindling, and remind us of ancestral forms of irrigated fields of the island. Here still survives, pretty neat and contrasts with the modernity of the surrounding buildings.

But one of the most important and popular places of the Santa Eulalia Town is for its "Puig de Missa" (Mass Mount), and is crowned by the main church of the town. As we ascend some nice views of the river liven up the walk, watching irrigated fields near the old river.

In Ibiza there are two "Puig de Missa" the Santa Eulalia is perhaps the best known and the other is in the town of San Miguel. In both cases the temples were ancient fortifications to repel the dangers that lurked on the island from attacks by pirates or other criminals and that is easily visible by towers and defensive walls.

Before reaching the temple we went through a few narrow streets where today are what they were small white houses yesterday and were very old village houses next to the church.

Formerly the houses that were built in town, were made near churches by the need to take refuge in them, in case of invasion.

The tower behind the temple show the defensive nature that he had at other times the church of Santa Eulalia. The name Santa Eulalia is in relation to this population since 1276 although this temple was built in 1560, replacing an earlier temple destroyed by a Turkish attack was destroyed in the year 1543, which was also dedicated to Santa Eulalia a Saint who lived in Barcelona.

This temple was built on same time that the walls in the city of Ibiza, and artillery was ready to use in case of combat. The bastion at the back of the church is visible in the image below, this bastion was well equipped with guns and ready to defended the zone of the mouth of the river and some old mills that existed then. With the exception of this bastion the rest of the temple is in white lime following the precepts of the religious temples of the island.