EIVISSA - IBIZA

SA SITJA

2012-02-12T18:24:00.003+01:00

SA SITJA DE SA ROTA D´EN COCA

A sitja (now totally obsolete) was made to obtain coal in the island. It´s a complicated process that just 70 years was a daily method for which the coal was obteined after a long process. Nowadays you can see some old sitjas spread in some forests of the island, completely abandoned. The wood is placed with pine blogs with the heaviest and largest below, and filled all the interior with the rest of the tree logs. After all trunks, it is covered with dry pine needles and it´s surrounded by stones, all in a kind of an oval form oven as we see in the pictures. A sitja like this on the images, burns for about three days non stop. Once the coal is made, the coal is used in the area and the rest was carried to "Vila" (the name that is used to Ibiza town by the locals) to sell it. Annually in Santa Agnès (where these photos were taken) there is an exhibition about the sitjas and one is made and burned within the program of the village fiestas. It is one of Ibiza's traditions that have been recovered.

ES CALO (FORMENTERA)

2012-01-31T09:32:00.003+01:00

ES CALÓ

Just before starting the climbing way to La Mola, we find a small fishing village on the eastern side of the island, known as Es Calo of Formentera. Here we enjoy views with the backdrop of imposing cliffs of La Mola.

Here we can enjoy small beaches of white sand in an area mainly rocky. The turquoise waters itself worth the visit...

Here is where we can find those typical and very rustic wooden docks or boathouses for the small fishing boats of the inhabitants of this area of the island.

These wood buildings exists in Formentera in large numbers scattered around the coast, but perhaps here in this place is where we can find the greatest number of them. I must say that in this town we can see also some tourists and there are small family hotels, so in summer some of the tourists are mingled with locals.

It´s amazing how even after the worst windstorms these wooden dwellings have little damage, and those that exist after a major storm are rapidly repaired by the owner itself.

Here, in this place also we find the junipers that fill the island (sabinas). This tree native of the Pine Islands (Pitiusas) and that not exist in the rest of the Balearics.

The day I visited this place I found a plague of jellyfish, but these are not at all dangerous and also completely harmless to humans. always we find them in large colonies. They navigate a sailboat in fact have a sail of them on top that make navigating and sailing vessels. In Castilian sailing jellyfish are known in their scientific name of "Velella Velella. But in english the name of this jellyfish is very clear: By-the-wind-saylor

Es Calo is a place where crowds have not reached here yet that invade the island on summer. The beaches are still unknown to most of the visitors, their transparent and turquoise waters are unique on the island and also has the charm of its sandy beaches surrounded by rocks and docks where "rest" the small fishing vessels in the area . A place to relax and enjoy nature and landscape.

IBIZA´S SHEEP

2012-01-10T22:22:00.003+01:00

OVEJA IBICENCA (SHEEPS OF IBIZA)

Some time ago I took these pictures, I think they are quite appropriate to start the year. They are like a postcards that everytime is more difficult to find them on Ibiza, but if we going out to the countryside and their fields we have many chances to find them. I have found these photographs left in a corner and so I have now the chance to pass a small tribute to a girl of "vila" that enjoy a lot her visits to the countryside of the island.

When I visited other Mediterranean islands such as Malta, Sicily or Sardinia I realized that sheep are different from Ibiza. It turns out that the sheep is a breed native Ibiza in the Balearic Islands. It has several characteristics, but it strikes me that the forms of their wicks are called pyramid schemes. Often with small reddish or black. Although they are generally white wool. This breed was mixed with others from others areas and the peninsula, but thanks to the breeders and its commitment to this breed, this breed of the Ibiza´s sheep has been achieved.

SEASON GREETINGS

2011-12-21T20:02:00.006+01:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Its Christmas again. To all who follow this blog and who don´t, for those who have visited Ibiza and for those that will do so in the future, to those who like Christmas and to those who don´t and to those who are living near or the ones who are living far... to everyone my very best wishes for a MERRY CHRISTMAS.

BON NADAL

Just say that those pictures I chose for this entry to greet Christmas, belongs to some great pictures exposed in the Church of Santo Domingo at Dalt Vila.

ES CUBELLS DEL CARME

2011-12-15T20:50:00.003+01:00

ES CUBELLS

One of the most spectacular villages of the island is located atop a cliff in the south of the island in an impressive semi-enclosed bay where you can see the spectacular views of the south side of the island. The small town is about this little white church of the XIXth century on the edge of the cliff and where weddings of renowned celebrities and local people as well who choose this beautiful temple as well as its wonderful enviroment to celebrates here their special day.

The sea views are stunning and many of its inhabitants are fishermen who do not have easy access to their boats because they are located down the beach where there are several very simple piers, meanwhile fishers are living on the top around the village.

On the way to the beaches down there are wonderful views that will surprise us on the way down. If important are the neighbors who are engaged in fishing is also important those above and are engaged in farming.

But the area of the cliff and the beach is the most important for those who have their boats and therefore the central axis. Es Cubells and the sea have a special relationship but totally different from other coastal towns on the island and the sea is separated by the height of the coast.

Although its beaches have no sand, but small pebbles, there is always clean water that invite us to take a bath, preferably during summer months.
Es Cubells is also famous for its spectacular mansions that exist in the descent to the coast, stunning houses with swimming pools and all the luxuries needs and no mention to the privileged views of those houses.

Es Cubells has a strange harmony between the interior Ibiza fields on its highest point of the sea and the sea in its coasts, clay cliffs and large tracts of pine trees, docks simple fishing boats and big houses ... everything has its place in this village.

Celebrities have had or still have their houses here. Ursula Andress Among them was the most popular but many others as the composer Mike Oldfield who was inspired by this place to compose his music.

Es Cubells even has its mistical side and thus recalls a sculpture next to the church dedicated to Father Palau y Quer a monk that came from the mainland, who popularized the tradition of the Virgin of Carmen that is so entrenched in this town. This hermit monk lived two stages on the island in 1864 and another at the next year.Incluso

This monk became very popular throughout the island and in Formentera, but it was in the nearby islet of Es Vedra where he spent much of his time living as a hermit and drinking from a natural fountain that exists at the top of the islet and living in one of its caves.

Back in Es Cubells one drinking fountain reminds us of another of the episodes of Father Palau over the island. Very near here put a picture in a small chapel and part of the land in this place that was dry made it a small orchard.

Nowadays Es Cubells is not an isolated place as before, we can enjoy here an enviable peace and tranquility. There is also a Carmelite monastery where you can buy a palautiana route book which explains in detail the life of this religious monk. An interesting book edited by the Carmelite missionary group and I have had the pleasure to cooperate with some of the pictures that appear in the publication.

CHURCH OF SANT MATEU

2011-11-28T20:15:00.004+01:00

SANT MATEU D´AUBARCA CHURCH

Following the aesthetic canons regarding the rural Ibiza churches, this church Sant Mateu is the strictly enforced. White walls. Although being built in the eighteenth century its use was only religious and not defensive as those of Sant Antoni, Sant Miquel, Sant Jordi and Santa Eulalia that were built much earlier and its use was defensive. A sample of its white walls is the picture above, in which case, you can see that is one of the few churches that has retained its traditional pulpit (already disappeared in many others), and which is now fully disused.

At the center of the altar, the image of Saint Matthew which is held every September 21st. On either side an image of the Virgin Mary and St. Michael. The altar has blue and gold touches. The original was destroyed and probably burned in the civil war of 1936 like many others on the island.

At the back side of the church and contrasts with the pure white walls of this little temple is a small colorful stained glass of St. Matthew, who according to the tradition was evangelist and apostle and before that tax collector, a task that has little to do with the two others. Its iconography is represented by the figure of a winged man.En

Once back to outside we see again the importance of the whitewashed walls, contrasting with black crosses, the Way of the Cross (known as via crucis) and the Calvary (set of three crosses together that exists in all rural churches of Ibiza) which are located on the porch of this church. This porch already belongs to the nineteenth century, and was vital to guard visitors and mass assistants against the bad weather before and after church services, also was an important meeting point for the population as the houses were at very far distance from one each other. This church is a small temple not for its importance but for its simplicity and beauty it is worth pausing a moment and enjoy those whitewashed walls, that one day gave the island the nickname of White Island, in addition to being located surrounded by pine trees, vines, carob trees and a large area of crops typical of the island and of great natural beauty. Not forgetting the wine festival now held early in the month of December due San Mateo is one of the largest producers of both vine and wine of the island.

TWILIGHT IN SANT ANTONI

2011-11-17T03:39:00.002+01:00

AUTUMN TWILIGHT IN SANT ANTONI DE PORTMANY

This former fishing village has undergone a brutal metamorphosis in the last 40 years. But accustomed to extreme changes also, completely changes from summer to winter offering two completely different faces. Also its image, what was the big tourist attraction and the first arrival of a respectful and polite tourists to the island by Sant Antoni in the seventies, today is the shame in many aspects of the locals and in tourism since the model is actually the model not to follow for any destination wishing a good image for itself, and (that´s the worst) with the approval of some local politicians who look the other way this big problem.

Loud noises, screaming, and drunk tourists of a part of the visitors in this town in summer are now over, and give way to a complete calm in winter and now is hard to remember the bad image of this place (well deserved in other side) that has the people. And it's not for lack of means, as Sant Antoni could be (as it already was) the best destination in Ibiza. Proof of this is the bay that is by far the most beautiful on the island. Another is its port, which along with the town skyline as seen in these images could be an idyllic vacation spot for all audiences (as was, in the past). In any event, Sant Antoni´s sunsets are unique, perhaps even better in winter than in busy summer.

MILL IN PUIG DEN VALLS

2011-11-04T00:50:00.002+01:00

THE MILL OF PUIG D´EN VALLS

Simple architecture, as anything ancient on the island, whether churches, houses or these nice old windmills that allowed people to grind the wheat and eated bread, in times where there were more scarce goods than at present. This mill is located at the top of a "puig" (hill) just opposite the city of Ibiza which is also a hill and is the oldest part of town known as Dalt Vila.

Unlike the popular windmills of La Mancha (in the spanish mainland) these ones in Ibiza have two more poles, a total of six, like the rest of the neighboring islands, although I must say that both Ibiza and Formentera are the simplest of the Balearic Islands due the lack of housing as a larger square at its base as it happens in Mallorca and Menorca, making them much larger than these ones in Ibiza and Formentera. This discreet but beautiful mill is not used anymore from the civil war, but milling wheat from its construction even before the year 1800s.

END OF SUMMER IN CALA D´EN BASTER

2011-10-31T03:58:00.003+01:00

AWAITING THE GOOD WEATHER IN CALA DEN BASTER

Although seems that this year will cost much more to do so, but the winter season already is here. Now days are getting shorter and longer and cold at nights are more comun, although during the day temperatures are still quite warm. The beaches and coasts are increasingly showing up again deserted and the quiet winter is appearing along the coast.

In Formentera exists a small and charming cove called Cala En Baster or Cala den Baster, I prefer the second name. There is little sand, some rocks and when the waters are calm is a good place to take a dip.

The most significant of the this creek are caves made by the hand of man, especially by sailors to "park" their small fishing boats. During the summer are daily sailing the nearby waters, but when winter comes, then they hibernate in their caves, as well as those famous lizards hibernate in winter in Formentera.

The long timbers that are used to carry boats to the sea, now are falling apart with the force of the sea, the boats begin to rust, but in spring it will remove the rust that has produced winter inactivity, will be re-painting and getting ready to navigate again.

From their caves the lonely boats left here with the view of the small cliff that rises in front, which offers a unique view of the tiny bay.

A well-deserved winter break for these vessels, that will be there to save the raging sea that hits the rocks nearby, with perhaps only visit of a visitor to photograph the ocher-walled caves, carved out by wind or the owner of the boat to check that the small boat is still there awaiting for the weather to improve and again to go sailing.

A CHAPEL IN SA REVISTA (SALINAS)

2011-10-12T02:53:00.004+02:00

SA REVISTA CHAPEL
Immaculately white as all churches of Ibiza, this building was not a church but a chapel, but begun as an oratory in the eighteenth century for people working in tough conditions indeed, in the Salinas (salt flats). This chapel is very close to the beach of Es Cavallet and surrounded by nature and a few houses that form a graceful tiny village.

In the altar exists a religious image (even today when no longer is a religious building) of the Virgin of Fatima (do not know why), also ignored the curious fact that on the facade has a shield of Castile and Leon, as well as the nearby tiny church of Sant Francesc. Ibiza in the past belonged to the Kingdom of Aragon, but not to the Kingdom of Castile.

From its doors are easily visible the near salt ponds, with its distinctive flat landscape and square. The pristine white exterior of the chapel often contrasted with the deep blue Mediterranean sky and the gray trunks of the fig or prickly pear greens around the small building.

I take this entry to announce that this blog celebrates during this days the third anniversary since it was born in early October 2008. Thank you very much to all visitors, all who have commented both by mail or directly by the blog and I hope you´ll keep visiting this blog and will continue enjoying it. a big hug to all of you.

GREEN VINES

2011-09-29T03:24:00.004+02:00

GREEN VINES IN LA MOLA

Ibiza and Formentera are gradually popular due to wines made on both islands. Before that the locals inhabitants did their wines in relatively small amounts at own homes in a totally traditional ways. Ibiza wine is often referred as "Vino de la Tierra" (land´s wine). It has strong flavor and dark red color, while there is another variety of white wines. A long time ago the Phoenicians made wine, so it´s a long tradition. Currently there are four wineries that are responsible for making wine commercially in large quantities. Do not forget that in the northern town of Sant Mateu de Aubarca is celebrated during December annually a festival dedicated to the wine of Ibiza.

little by little are appearing more vineyards on the Pitiusan fields such as these photographed in the area of La Mola in Formentera in the highest part of the island of Formentera and where I walked for a few narrow dirt roads that made me discover some planted areas with vineyards.

These vines with green leaves and twisted stems, contrasting with the stone walls or the many junipers in the islands. The red soil where these plants grow very well resisting the great summer season with little rain and as it is known, when less rain, more fine wines.

It is a pleasure to stroll through the upper part of Formentera surrounded by vineyards and the background of the famous lighthouse of La Mola on the verge of some impressive cliffs.

REFLECTIONS ON THE SALTWORKS

2011-09-06T02:38:00.003+02:00

SALTWORKS REFLECTIONS

The Saltworks of Ibiza were the first industry on the island and it seems that the Phoenicians began to exploit themselves there around in 600 BC, later other cultures that inhabited the island temporarily continued with the production. The salary as such we know today were once paid in salt, and that was well knew by Romans who also settled the island and exploded the saltworks as well.

Their square shapes make their ponds retained water usually flat and that the landscape as well as the walls that divide the pond are reflexed, which is that being as they are a very interesting natural landscape also have their more abstract image.

During the sunsets, all is fully reflected, not only the landscape but also the multi-colored sky as the time pass, it changes making this place a very pleasant area. I have to mention too the declaration of Ibiza that the World Heritage Site by UNESCO includes both saline are in Ibiza and Formentera

WINDSURF IN FORMENTERA

2011-08-28T02:08:00.002+02:00

WINDSURF AT S´ESTANY DES PEIX IN FORMENTERA

Very near from where the boat in Formentera arrives, is one of the two small ponds of Formentera, the smallest is actually a bay, quite well protected from strong winds and has a small outlet to the open sea and makes it ideal for anchoring small boats that here are fully protected from strong winds. An afternoon I was going to take the ship to back me in to Ibiza, and I went to the pond and when the sun was falling on the horizon, I was offered this print backlit silver and windsurfers were flying inside this lake with a stage full of local small fishing boats.

Although other sports like kitesurf have moved a bit back to this classic sport sea, which still have many supporters, as we see in Formentera where still is very popular. Sails up to the wind and swell with strength and power are the ones who move must overcome all the obstacles in the form of small boats which they should avoid.

The Windsurf has its origins in the 30's when a man named Tom Blake tired of rowing thought a way to move through the water that would be with a single sail. In the 60's popularized the sport and yet much still remains their supporters.
Here the viewer will also enjoy watching the sails moving almost in unison, and occasionally sails on the horizon disappear and reappearing shortly afterwards and seeing how they go on and come from a comfortable terrace with a beer or sometimes from the beach or shore and going up, and surfers, enjoying being able to walk or sometimes fly over the sea.

BARBARIA´S CAPE LIGHTHOUSE IN FORMENTERA

2011-08-19T01:24:00.003+02:00

LIGHTHOUSE IN CAP DE BARBARIA

The Cape de Barbaria indicates the end of the island of Formentera on the west side, becomes the own Formentera´s Finisterrae. It is located there a lighthouse that is situated at an altitude of 78 meters above sea level and over a cliff. Barbaria's name seems to come from the nearby Barbary Coast from where the pirates and the consequent danger for the population came time ago.

This lighthouse became famous because when it was the image of a Spanish film that was shot a few years ago on the island, and appeared just behind the starring. To reach this lighthouse, a long narrow road takes a fairly desolate landscape and just sorrounded by savinas, (tree native of the island).

Perhaps this is one of the best places in Formentera to enjoy a nice sunset as it is situated on the west side of the island. There also exists lizards that live in this area with a distinctive and impressive blue color that only exist in the southwestern part of the island.

night falls the lighthouse´s light slowly begins to flash soft at first, then stronger, and is guiding home the boats that navigating in the dark of night are looking for their port, but at the same time give us a good show of light to those have come during this time of the day when the sky gradually darkens.

ES PAS DE S´ESPALMADOR

2011-08-12T01:07:00.002+02:00

BETWEEN FORMENTERA AND ESPALMADOR

Es pas de s'Espalmador (or Es Trucadors) is a water sea passage that separates the islands of Formentera to the north of this and the Espalmador in its southern side. The color of the water is turquoise which makes this area a place of great beauty and great ecological and landscape value. On clear days you can see the southern island of Espalmador, the lighthouse is at the other end of the island and even we can see perfectly the island of Ibiza and its mountains in the background.

Although the island of Espalmador is the largest of the uninhabited islands pitiusas, still has some old houses that were inhabited until the nineteenth century, there is also a chapel dedicated which is visible from Formentera and is under the name of San Bernardo. Espalmador word, comes from the word "espalme" a verb that refers to the cleaning of vessels that were formerly in this island.

Part of this amazing color of the sea is owed to strong currents in this location, but we must not forget that these currents are also very dangers, even this year have failed victims in this regard, so even relatively easy "walk" from one island to another in the sea must be very cautious as the danger is always lurking in this area.

There is also on the island of Espalmador an old maritime surveillance tower, called Tower s'Espalmador, which warned of the dangers of pirate raids, between the sixteenth and seventeenth. In Espalmador there were several episodes of war between pirates and "Ibicencos", and early twentieth century the island was used as an important smuggling center. Espalmador is also famous for its salt water lagoon that is inside the island and its famous mud baths of doubtful therapeutic benefits.

In fact the sea leg we see today between Formentera and Espalmador used to be communicated through sand as the inhabitants of both islands put branches savina (native shrub very common in both islands) and made the sand that formed in these branches by the action of the sea, forming a path between two islands, where even carts and mules passed between the two islands. Espalmador was planted decades ago by wheat, figs, grapes ... etc until it was vacated and left to grow in it, taking the place of ancient mediteranean the native crops and other vegetation.

Below we can see the wooden path that we had to reach the northern tip of Es trocadors of Formentera and from there we expect to enjoy these magnificent views this place offers.

SA FERRADURA ISLAND

2011-08-06T01:46:00.003+02:00

ILLA DE SA FERRADURA

Despite the name, it is not an island, but a sort of peninsula or isthmus, which is located on it a great mansion. One of the finest homes in which there has been speculation who would be the lucky owner of it with a pool of names and mysteries surrounding the possible ownership of that property.

This place is located in the port of San Miguel and is quite visible from within the port located just north of the island of Ibiza.

As we approach there, we see in more detail from the short distance of the mansion and surroundings, Ibiza certainly has a number of oddities large as housing is concerned, and this is a good example.

You can find some more information in the net, including fake pictures that looks like a real island due the isthmus is erased. the reality is that island is perfectly reachable by car.

We can see very well the gardens and that the white color predominates in the house, certainly a luxury available to few people.

The isthmus that separates the "island" of the island of Ibiza is an area that on one side is rocky and in the other is a beach called Playa des pas. On the other hand is a good view from the tower just above the cliffs and not just of this small island, but also all the view of around the port of San Miguel and as well as all this north of the island.

NEPTUNE GRASS IN MITJORN BEACH IN FORMENTERA

2011-07-22T03:50:00.002+02:00

COVERED ROCKS WITH NEPUTE GRASS

Mitjorn beach or Migjorn (Mitjorn or Migjorn means the south wind) the name of this beach exists on both islands, both on the south side of Ibiza and Formentera islands, in Ibiza is best known as Playa de Las Salinas and in Formentera preserves this name; Is a really long beach of nearly five miles long. In one place there are some rocks that after storms are covered with Neptune grass (Posidonea in spanish) The Posidonia is a sea plant not a seaweed as often is confused.

In this picture above we can see seagulls resting on rocks covered with Posidonia. Many people mistakenly think that the beach is dirty because the rest of Posidonia on the sand, but the reality is that thanks to this marine plant, sand is held in place in summer thanks to the action of this plant, and we must thank the posidonia also for the spectacular blue of the sea in some areas of the islands because the action and presence of this plant into the sea.

Posidonia meadows between Ibiza and Formentera, have the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site which was granted to Ibiza, biodiversity and culture, in 1999 and declared World Heritage property to the fortified town of Ibiza (Dalt Vila) the Punic necropolis of Puig des Molins, the Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta and seagrass meadows in the area of the saltworks of Ibiza and Formentera.

In any case the sight of these rocks completely covered of sea grass in the coast of Formentera is just amazing.

THE LITTLE BOAT THAT LINKS TALAMANCA AND IBIZA TOWN

2011-07-14T00:22:00.004+02:00

FROM TALAMANCA TO IBIZA CENTRO

In Ibiza there are things simply temporary, and some that are a classic and every year there are present season after season. In this case I want to dedicate a small tribute to this little mode of transport connecting the two opposite sides of the bay of Ibiza, transporting tourists and residents from the center of Ibiza Town (port of course) to the area more "chic" of Marina Botafoch at the other end just separate for mile and a half one to another.

Of Course I am talking about this small little boat, now known by several generations of Ibiza. A boat identical to that which today crosses the bay from the capital of the island began in 1932 cruising this little paths that linked the two areas (the tourist area of Talamanca and Ibiza Town) and currently still does so. So in this case the slab is fully guaranteed.

As a bonus should be added that the views of the old town of Ibiza from this boat is amazingly nice on each route that takes only about ten to fifteen minutes. Here we can also easily find large ships entering or leaving the port a few meters from us.

And among these great modern yachts, this one more modest but still experienced daily by joining the two points of the Bay of Ibiza in summer daily from late March to late October and from 09.00 Hours untill late midnight.

Aniano today is heir to his ancestors who created this company and today continues to carry out personally. In addition they also have a different boat, this one, daily links the port of Marina Botafoch directly to the port of La Savina in Formentera at very good prices and very convenient for all these tourists who stay in the area of Talamanca, where they can go on foot from their hotels to Marina Botafoch and then directly to the neighboring island.

PLAYA DE LLEVANT (FORMENTERA)

2011-06-28T01:12:00.003+02:00

EAST SIDE BEACHES IN Formentera

Although commonly known as Illetes are actually long beaches at the north side of the island of Formentera, the llevant means east side is referred to as "platges Llevant" and at the west side are located the famous "illetes" the name is because right in front are several small islands and so give the name.

Visit Formentera is always a great pleasure, but specially at down season as the beaches are empty but not that lonely neither as there is little human presence, as well as the colors of its waters along with the sand by step, without completely flat tracks and give an even is more wild on these shores over next days it will be packed.

But while these tourists arrive, the time can be taked to do with all the tranquility of a gentle walks along the shore or even venture to do some surfing. This beach is nearly two miles long, so it can not be considered small, if we cosider the island dimensions.

These very long sandy beaches are occasionally alternating with a more rocky area. Usually the lift area is where there exists more waves than in the west, although this depends on the wind direction and if there is a lot of waves in an area, we can very easily access the other where to find it completely quiet and calm sea.

the lucky first tourists of the season or the last ones, can go for long solitary walks (if desired) treading the fine white sand contrasting with the sea so transparent and clear. It is a pleasure to see these gorgeous beaches that other resorts of the world would like to have... Often is said that Formentera is the last Mediterranean paradise, and I hope it keeps that way, as it is now.

THE LIZARDS OF IBIZA AND FORMENTERA

2011-06-17T02:25:00.002+02:00

LIZARDS OF PITYUSAS

The "podarcis pityusensis" is the only species of lizard that inhabits the islands and is endemic to Ibiza, Formentera and the islets that surrounds the small archipelago. Although summer is very frequently observed species this lizard is threatened. Can be easily seen on sunny days and after an hour and a half after sunrise. In winter lethargy especially on cloudy or cold days as they are a kind solar thermal animals. These lyzards has also been introduced on the island of Mallorca.

It feeds on pollen, flowers, nectar, leaves, fruits and seeds but also eat some small insects occasionally. Their worst enemies are cats, the almost non-existent genets and some small birds such as owls. Its color varies depending on the geographic area of the islands, so for example the ones in this post are photographed in the south-west of Formentera and have a turquoise color. In the eastern part of Formentera and the island of Ibiza in general are green and in the north of the island of Formentera, and some areas of Ibiza predominantly brown. In some of the small islets they have a blackish color.

Ibiza and Formentera have their small but intense "Jurassic Park" in miniature of this species in the case of the island of Formentera has become a symbol, not in vain in the past Formentera was called by the Greeks as Ophiusa (as is told by the huge number of snakes that lived there) maybe they existed already at that time in large quantities (many more than at present) and are the same lizards that today still enjoy the sun of this island paradise and that surprised their first visitors.

SAINT GEORGE´S CHURCH - SANT JORDI

2011-05-09T01:39:00.004+02:00

PARISH CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE (SANT JORDI)

Small but strong, not in vain was one of the few that were built thinking about worship and the protection of the population in the past, where Berber incursions were abundant on the island, a dangerous place to frequent looting and kidnapping of people who were sent to other lands as slaves

Small but strong, not in vain was one of the few that were built thinking about worship and the protection of the population in the past, where Berber incursions were abundant on the island and so it was a dangerous place for living due to frequent looting and kidnapping of people who were sent to other lands as slaves.

But along the Christian faith that built this church is the important work of protecting that some churches performed in the past. Here in this church is quite clear, to see the crenellated roof, which made my delight imaginative picturing small battles between good ones(who were inside trying to defend themselves) and bad ones who were trying by all means go inside the small fortress

The roofs of some of its chapels contrasting with the bright white of the walls which in turn are contrasting with the blue sky, all in a very typical architectural vision in old buildings on the island. These chapels are from the eighteenth century when the church was not anymore a fortress and turned exclusively to worship.

Nowadays, as more peaceful time, this building is dedicated solely to the Christian worship. Its simplicity is its greatest feature like most churches on the island. Its three crosses (indispensable in the field churches) are located very close to the front door protected from strong midday sun by a magnificent and large porch that shelters and shade at the entrance of the temple, where voices echo of the assistants to the church service and after they greet and chat themself for a while.

In the western part this building can be seen in a less pleasant side, since instead of the calm white walls from the other side, so here we are aware of the more hard evidence of the previous stone fortress stage.

Below the image of St. George, a saint almost mythological faces a fierce dragon who kills in order to save a beautiful maiden (hence on the island to the inhabitants of Sant Jordi are known by the nickname of "matacucas" kills bugs ) And is venerated especially in former Soviet or Anglo-Saxon countries (eg the flag of England is simply the cross of St. George) that is repeated in countless flags of countries, including Georgia, Sardinia, and the former republic of Genoa among others, and is present in the coats of many places, including London, Milan, Aragon, Catalonia or Barcelona, Freiburg, Batalha in Portugal, Bologna, Montreal ... and even more places. The Moscow coat of arms bears the image of the saint.

CALA SAONA

2011-05-08T01:32:00.003+02:00

CALA SAONA - FORMENTERA -

The last paradise in the Mediterranean as it is called to Formentera is now gorgeous in the spring, but from now on the small number of visitors every day grows as season advances toward the middle of the hot summer months. But still they have not arrived yet (although they are about to do so) the masses of Italians who with their "motorinos" will change the face of this island.

The turquoise waters reveal that we are in Formentera, which enjoys a spectacular colors and worthy of the best images of the Caribbean, which together with the blue sky as a set of several shades of blue and turquoise that really impress a lot.

From the beach you can access several trails that lead us down the coast of the island and, close to the coast there are some interesting piers or docks houses made of wood and used to keep small boats from Formentera fishers keep them there while their boats are on standby awaiting the return to the sea.

This beach is the only one in the West side of this island, and there is no one around just rocky coast. Its white sands and calm waters make them highly recommended for families and people who love snorkel. Being situated on a bay waters are usually pretty quiet sea.

TYPICAL COSTUMES DETAILS IN IBIZA

2011-05-07T02:24:00.004+02:00

TYPICAL DETAILS

Ibiza was a great unknown place in the world few decades ago, and then was gradually discovering the world and the first tourists enjoyed an island where everything was virtually unchanged for centuries. Among other things the costumes of their inhabitants. The arrival of tourists made things become different for their people, maybe in forty years has been brought forward a few centuries on the island, but thanks to some people efforts in maintaining the traditions nowadays we can still see how our ancestors were dressed and how it was their life style.

Ibiza and Formentera in its folklore and costumes are unique, as the folklore of the rest of the Balearic Islands is totally different, like the architecture of Ibiza which is sober and simple, the folklore of this island remains at the same rate as architecture although perhaps with many colorful touches. For example, in their musical instruments (always played by men) we can see that in their hands they use large castanets made of juniper (some sources say are the biggest in the world) and elaborate for relief and different designs surfaces.

In the women's dresses we see that there are two types. That of "gonella" (a kind of long skirt pleated narrow) and usually wore headdress, or a hat or a long veil on her head with which covered the head to attend religious services. Women even in the twentieth century (at the end of this century began to disappear) always had covered the head with at least one tissue (picture below) and very rarely left her head uncovered. Hats (pictured above) but very sober always wore colorful ribbons as decoration, like those held the jewelry (on holidays) that carried the girls chest and marked their economical "status". The oldest were coral and silver jewelry and the most modern ones (XVIII century) were made by gold.

Usually these gold beads on the chest, they would inherit and enlarging over time from mother to daughter. Usually use at least two or more large beads in rhomboid shapes called "collarets" and then a finer accounts thick gold chains that used to take nine or thirteen strings (moon numbers), although for reasons of superstition they turned in twelve. They carry a large gold cross and sometimes below a jewel of gold with a religious image. Complete the collection of gold jewelry a large number of buttons and rings on every finger 3 (24 total) except on thumbs.

On the other hand, men of Ibiza in the folklore does not leave out the details. Curious the Phrygian cap (also called barretina) with curved top cap (the bottom black was the hallmark of the maritime areas) and has a curious history, as the origin of this piece would be in ancient Phrygia (now Turkey), in Roman times was the hallmark of the freedmen. In the nineteenth century, symbolizes freedom and the republic. In the shield and/or flags of several countries in Latin is present as a symbol of freedom such as Argentina or shield their former flag of 1,840 and shields that are on the flags of Haiti, Paraguay, and El Salvador, and in the shields of Bolivia, Cuba and the seals of the Senate and the U.S. Army among others. As a curious note regarding this cap is that only used in Pitiusas and is totally absent in the rest of the Balearic Islands, although used in several Mediterranean areas (sailors places), and is widely used in rural areas as Sicily, Sardinia, Catalonia, Valencia, Naples and even the Balkans.

SAN JOAN DE LABRITJA CHURCH

2011-04-23T13:42:00.002+02:00

CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN (Sant Joan de Labritja)

On hot summer afternoon the church square of San Joan is a cool and shaded place by leafy trees shadows. In my particulary case this church is where I have had more family events. Baptisms, communions, weddings and of course some funerals, a church that has marked many of my memories. So come back here (which I usually do not do much) is like coming back home. My mother was born in this town that also is said to be one of the villages where people have the greatest life expectancy in Spain. It is very common to see people who is over one hundred years in this municipality
En las calurosas tardes de verano la plaza de esta iglesia se encuentra fresca y con sombra gracias a los frondosos árboles que cobijan este lugar.

This church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and is curious how the bell is said (and totally true), which is equal to the towers that exist on the Asturian churches, and so, although reminds its neighboring town church of Sant Miquel Balançat. Anyway as a whole has an amazing aesthetic typically Ibicencan. whitewashed walls lend an air of white refreshingly its surroundings

Vicent Ferrer Guash was a beloved priest for 26 years and the nearby parishes of San Lorenzo and San Vicente and was also priest of distant churches as San Rafael and San Telmo this one in the city of Ibiza. Born in 1906 and died in 1,986

In 2,007 some neighboroughs and several institutions have dedicated this monument of modern styling but that is perfectly suited to the architecture and outline of this place. A plaque recalls as a memorial for this beloved priest.

In all churches of the rural Ibiza, there's something not missing. These three crosses together known as Calvary. In this case three large crosses with grand staircases access the form in this church, which like everything that surrounds this place have simple and sober lines.

As in most rural churches a small chapel forms outside a kind of little dome, in this case also rural style. Surrounded by white walls are the tiles covering the chapel and when it rains the water droplets leading to a nearby well.

The porch of the church of Sant Joan is placed in one side, like for example the church of Our Lady of Jesus or the nearby San Vicente (Sa Cala)or Sant Antoni de Portmany (although is not usual) from here it can be see the trees in the square and in summer they protect us from the heat and stays cool to the porch.

DAY OF DOGS

2011-03-26T16:13:00.004+01:00

IBIZA ON 4 LEGS

A happy idea someone had. About Ibiza excursions in the company of these friends. They also like to walk. And at all times behaved very good behavior. Everyone enjoyed a sunny day and a walk in the woods and shores of Ibiza.

To contact them here is their website:
http://www.ibiza4patas.com/

Nature in winter is at its zenith. Green forests, blue sea. Including carob (such as the image) and the pines were with us all around and all way.

The tour went through the north of Ibiza, the site chosen this time was the Port de Sant Miquel, and from there we went to the tower des Molar. A tower that I was lucky enough to visit for the first time and enjoy the fantastic view from there.
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A country can be judged by how it treats its animals. A wise words of Mahatma Gandhi which unfortunately if we apply to Spain, we would not be in very good place in view of the bloody bullfighting spectacle made up with people who claim that this is a national holiday par excellence ... But the thing does not end there, Spain traditions still pulling goats from bell towers in some parts of the national geography among other niceties. Recently however Catalonia banned bullfighting, which seemed a arrival to the third milenium times, although it is clear that it was for other reasons far to prevent animal suffering, and other traditions as cruel as the bulls were not banded, therefore it was just a very hypocritical attitude
Un país se puede juzgar por la forma en que trata a sus animales.

I must say that in Ibiza fortunately the bull fighting arena was demolished many years ago and it doesn´t exists anymore of this "fiesta".
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With all this national view of suffering animals abuse it is happy to see someone having this type of initiative for dogs and people where they both can enjoy together ...

Both, perhaps in this case people more than the animals enjoy the magnificent views over the Mediterranean which gave us the Torre des Molar ... Later in another further entry will enlarge the pictures from that place and the tower.

Cala Truja became a meeting place for pets and companions, a great day to enjoy the sand and some brave dogs went to into the cold sea water for having a nice bath...but chilly as well

Like the school childs when hiking, dogs were attentive to the games, and his own enjoyment including the bravest dogs with bathing in the sea, where the ball was pull out from someone. The way back was through a path beside the sea where the island's natural lush green colors mixed with pine trees and the blue Mediterranean sea.
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MILL IN SA PUNTA DES MOLI

2011-02-12T11:24:00.005+01:00

MILL IN SA PUNTA

It is believed that the Arabs were who introduced windmills and water wheels and other those days mechanics systemshere on the island. As a child I visited Formentera on a day where I saw that there was something in Ibiza had passed into history, were the mills with blades. Many years after, probably at the initiative of a political culture, became the restoring of few remained standing mills. As a curiosity always amazed me that Ibiza and Formentera´s mills had six blades, two more than those showing in the books from La Mancha (Castille), where Don Quixote attacked those giants. Also those nice ones on pictures surrounded by tulips. The famous Dutch windmills.

The beauty of Ibiza ones had a more primitive, but rough looking. The Ibiza and Formentera mills are similar but not identical to the rest of the Balearic Islands, although in Menorca and Majorca are very similar to each other and have a home below the mill itself.

To talk about these mills in Ibiza, we must refer to the Puig des Molins in Ibiza Town. There are most mills (although only one restored with the blades), there is also one in Puig den Valls, near the city, Puig means mountain and was above the mountains where the wind blew over. But today the mill I propose is the one located in Sa Punta in Sant Antoni de Portmany that unlike the previous ones is located at the coast at the edge of the sea, and when the west wind blows I guess I was rolling and rolling. When was made nothing was around but today is blended into a tourist coast full of hotels and tourist attractions.

They were used to grind wheat and then make a good bread, very important in the island long ago. It seems that some mills in the island date from the thirteenth century and therefore I consider it an asset to be protected ...

ES AMUNTS AND TORRES D´EN LLUC

2011-01-17T02:07:00.004+01:00

DEFENSIVE TOWERS LOST IN TIME AND NORTHERN CLIFFS

Further the previous entry (the next in this blog) regarding the tour on January 2 in the north of the island, we saw the rural Ibiza and the magnificent countryside of this island of Aubarca and Corona area. Today we look towards the sea and other impressive places we saw that day... the cliffs.

This area called "Es Amunts" (The highs) extends from Cala Salada at the west of the island to Cala de Sant Vicent at the northeast, provides a visual spectacle full of nature. Es Amunts area is not only limited to the coastal zone but also a very important part of the whole mountain area north of the island, where there are numerous valleys and streams.

One of the most characteristic sites in this area are the islets called Ses Margalides. Today we were further north and could only see one leg of those rocks with the fall of the cliff in front of us.Una de las estampas más características de esta zona es la de los islotes Ses Margalides.

SES TORRES D´EN LLUC

Although the name of "Torres d'en lluc" is concerning to some archeological remains that appears to be an ancient wall, among the fishermen is customary to refer with that name that peninsula towers rocks that abruptly appear in front of us and that can be mistaken as small islands, although its real name is Punta de ses torretes. The real Torres d'en lluc towers are other towers that are very different but very close...

The real towers d'en Lluc are lost back in time. So much that even the experts are unable to locate them back in the time. A former defensive fortification that today we can only see their remains and is considered the oldest existing building on the island. Its defensive function is also difficult to determine, although it must deal with the remnants of a larger construction including walls and towers. A historical mystery to solve and may never find the answers.

Should be note that all this entire area "Es Amunts" (The Highs) is located at least 100 meters high and in some areas reaches 400 meters, very important for this island.

The last image already belongs to another area of Es Amunts and belongs to the area of Aubarca (San Mateo d´Aubarca) viewed from the way to go to the torres den lluc. But that area is another story and another day we will talk about it...

TOUR AROUND "ES AMUNTS"

2011-01-04T00:12:00.004+01:00

ES AMUNTS THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ISLAND

Es Amunts is the most rugged mountainous area of the island of Ibiza, located at the north side of the island. And endless lush forest and spectacular cliffs above the sea are the best known landscapes of this place, mixed with sea views and the most rural area of the island.

So we organize an excursion around Es Amunts, so we were celebrating the starting of a new year.

A part of the landscapes were very rural and countryside, offering a spectacular green, full of vegetation.

We took chance to search mushrooms, during the walk, although not lack at all of good humor all day long prevailed during the first site of the day, because the second part of the day fatigue takes hold of some if not all on us.

While walking along the paths in the forest, we saw some old buildings that were used by shepherds to keep the herd at night in case they had to sleep out in this area. At least they could have a place to spend the night down a roof.

Although we are in the north of the island, if we look from the top of mountains, the view extends to the south, and we can even see the top of the famous island of "Es Vedra" due its 382 meters above sea level.

Such a large area of forest in summer requires constant vigilance to prevent forest fires or other natural misfortune. Unfortunately as we experienced during last summer we still have some of them, those awful events affects the flora and fauna of this island.

Despite the threatening weather of the previous day, it changed to cloudless skies and the day let us enjoy a magnificent sunny day that filled the landscape on green, very green, mainly because the big amount of mediterranean pine and the island's native flora.

Another thing we can observe, is the holes on to rocks, they were used as a place were animals and herds could drink. Here we call them "es cucons"

Thanks to the cooperation of this lovely lady, we kneew we were in the right direction of our walk. The people of "Es Amunts" is really nice. This lady called Antonia is a neighbor of this place.

And here comes some of the hikers. Loli from Cadiz and Toni from Ibiza.

Carlos from Colombia
and Christina she comes from Denmark.

José and Pedro both locals from Ibiza and here below Conchi show us the two other hikers Luna and Snowy.

The way was not much difficult... and let us enjoy the nature.

In some places the great green offers great views surrounded by olive trees, specially during the afternoon is ending..

The green turns up to yellow due the sunlight.

As we continue the landscape changed a bit, offering pale colour plants that made contrast with the green carob trees.

Just before sunset the vinyeards turn into a landscape with orange colours. These plants still have no leaves, but in future will be green again

The landscape in this area turns impressive with the olive trees with gnarled trunks.

The sunsets in Ibiza are famous, but onto the sea. Today we see a different one, between olive trees. Very nice also.

The part of the cliffs in this excursion will come in another entry very soon.

Below a picture with all the excursion members, except one... That´s me.

GREETINGS SEASONS

2010-12-22T03:46:00.008+01:00

Merry Christmas

Again Christmas... the winter is back and in the island the streets are getting emptier and the families more united.

In these dates of greetings the Christmas trees are all over, and also here are very often to see the Christian Nativity scenes.

In these case, I took the angel´s picture from the Nativity´s scene in Saint Elmo´s church in La Marina of Ibiza and the second one from the street market placed at Vara de Rey´s square where I could find this one that´s really original and costumed as the old local´s island people, and the scenary belongs to the Sant Mateu village.

I take chance to greet all the visitors of this blog during 2010, and wish you a very Happy Holidays and a great year 2011.

ES MERCAT VELL - OLD MARKET

2010-12-14T07:35:00.004+01:00

Es Mercat Vell - THE CITY´S OLD MARKET

The appearance reminds one of those roman temples surrounded by columns and gabled roofs.
There is still here, after all these years, the place where different generations have been doing their shopping there more natural products, especially fruit and vegetables

Here, time passes very slowly, no long lines of people to pay as in bid department stores or supermarkets. Also not long from this market, we find very close the most modern fashion stores waiting for us.

The flowers smell like flowers, but these do not come from the Netherlands, but from the sellers own houses to display their products, sometimes even from their own gardens, very fresh and they smell like freshly harvested fruit farm, nothing do with these fruits without taste of some big shopping malls.

Household containers, household products that coexist with others that are manufactured in factories, but the top products of this place are fruit and vegetables themselves. Ibiza homemade herbal oil, made here, olives on the island, biological products, natural flavored salt....

Just a few meters from the portal de ses taules, main entrance to the walled city of Dalt Vila, and while some tourists buy, others are visiting the city's Historical Heritage

Prices are reflected on the blackboards, making more real this place and avoiding plastic labels or tickets onto the regular grocery, and here in the city, we have an extremely natural and genuine trade ...

But the important thing is that we can buy here as we were in the country, and very close of the most historical place of the island outdoors of the walled city and also in neoclassical style building that seems eternal and will continue now and where future generations will continue buying here as time goes by...

S´ESTANYOL

2010-11-25T00:32:00.002+01:00

S´ESTANYOL BEACH

Again, when winter arrives, the island is embraced by a blanket of calm that surrounds leaves steeped in a deep sleep, where silence and solitude is the traveling companion for some months.

The visitor may well rediscover the places he knew from a summer, but without the pressure of time and now alone and meditate or simply enjoy a calm landscape where the silence and deep contact with nature is a constant thing in his visit to Ibiza.

The sun's reflection into the sea are just as spectacular now than in summer or perhaps more brilliant as the sun is closer to earth now. The sunsets more beautiful than in summer and the island is waiting to be rediscovered, but this time without the rush, few traffic and without the stress of summer.

In very specific cases this calm will be broken by something, this time by a boat coming from the neighboring Mallorca, an event that is repeated in summer at all times but now it is something to celebrate. The fishing boat is quiet for a moment the uproar by the pass of the giant ship, but within minutes the calm in which they were immersed will back again.

And while S'estanyol with sand covered by posidonea seaweed, sand will remain protected until next summer which will be held again elitist celebration place for weddings where the white clothes is mandatory and the calm will be over.

IBIZA FROM THE AIR

2010-11-06T12:24:00.005+01:00

A VIEW FROM ABOVE IBIZA

Few weeks ago I showed some images of the seabed of the island, now I can show some from another perspective, from above, from the air.
It is interesting to see how Ibiza as a really mountainous island, very green with many pine forests, and how combined the green pine trees with the stunning blue Mediterranean Sea

Ibiza from the air show many mountains. As the most mountainous island in the Balearics. While height is not much important, so highest point is only 475 meters high. It is also easy to see the steep costs as we see above are the beautiful forms of large cliffs and large islets.

Just after take off from the airport to the west, we are immediately over the sea and looking back we see the long pebble beach which is "is Codolar".

One of the most impressive sight is the islet of "Es Vedra" that highs climb untill 382 meters above sea level, and remains proud and vigilant at the southwest coast of the island. Magic point of the island which is famous for the alleged extraterrestrial contacts and bases in that area. It´s said that this is a point with mesmerizing to the island where a lot of energy flowing from there.

Another famous islet is located at the west is conejera (not be confused with the namesake island that is located near the island of Cabrera) and according to one legend attributes the birth of the conqueror Hannibal in it. Currently it is famous the silhouette of the islet in the magnificent sunsets looked from the San Antonio town.

Sant Antoni is a town that is visible from the air, where we have a small overview of the port and vessels.
From the air we can see also the island of Formentera converted into a full scale map but viewed from afar. Are visible the two ponds, the largest "S'Estany Pudent" belonging to their salt and the smallest is a large natural harbor for small boats called "S'Estany des Peix"

THE HIDDEN IBIZA

2010-10-15T17:31:00.006+02:00

UNDER THE SEA OF IBIZA

One of the greatest treasures of the island remains beneath the sea, the Mediterranean sea that surrounds the islands of Ibiza and Formentera. The meadows of oceanic posidonea are displayed in the World Heritage Site by Unesco for "Ibiza biodiversity and culture", where they appear as such: Dalt Vila, the necropolis of Puig des Molins, Ses feixes, the Phoenician site of Sa Caleta, the "salinas" of Ibiza and Formentera and the area of "Freus" (exactly where I took these pictures) and oceanic posidonea meadows and natural formations on the seabed.

These meadows of posidonea are certenly oxygen lungs for the Mediterranean around the islands and between them have held a variety of animal and plant life.
This marine plant is also responsible of the spectacular blue colors of the sea in some sea areas of the island.

Esta planta marina también es la responsable de los colores insultantemente azules del mar en algunas zonas de la ísla.

Where there is no posidonea, there are large sandy or rocky terraces covered with other marine vegetation. The fishes are swimming around, from one place to another and sometimes accompany us on our vistis underwater

Rocky reefs are home for a number of fish and other marine life. There are many around Ibiza, and colorful views of these areas make us spend time forgetting the everyday routine. There's nothing like being like a fish for a while.

A relative of the last character in the global media, octopus Paul did not hesitate to choose the Spanish team as a winner in the last footbal worldcup, is easy to found on the seabed, but amazed at the great facility with changing their color to camuflate itself.

Some of these octopuss like to play, this one played with my fins (of course, chose not know why the right wing, extending its tentacles in it, completely ignoring the left one). Once tired of playing with her flaps moved away quickly.
Anemones also exist in many parts of the coast of Ibiza. Some of them with spectacular colors and shapes that they move following the waves movements. To jump down the sea, is to go to other site of the island.

SANT CARLES DE PERALTA

2010-10-04T01:06:00.003+02:00

SANT CARLES DE PERALTA

One of the Secrets of the island is the small town of Sant Carles, a town with character. In summer is a cross of roads leading to the best beaches at the eastside of the island. Located just four miles north of the capital of the county (Santa Eulalia) council to which it belongs. As the small white villages of the island its center is the church and in this case we find one of the most beautiful white churches of the island. The church porch is one of the most beautiful and includes a well whitewashed at the entry area.

The church interior is marked under Ibicencan styles. White not only outside but inside, although in this case after the war and destruction of all their altars, part of the population were recycled timbers and built small but beautiful little altars in each chapels, making in this church something remarkable compared to the other but simply that characterizes religious temples on the island.

On the main altar the image of Saint Charles Borromeo, Milan Bishop stands majestically in a completely white background. Facing it many couples, some very famous who have chosen this sober setting to swear eternal love, even in some celebrations German´s punk singer Nina Hagen has dared to sing a religious piece

Beside its white church, at parish hall has served as a stage for classical music and piano, having been born here a strong tradition that has become an international event that has even come to be a spectator of such an event, the sister of the Queen of Spain

But if there is anything that characterizes the people is its bar, which, like his church have been the subject of films & T.V. serials that were set in the sixties.

A bar with great hearth, which holds an annual photo contest has become one of the most famous of the island. The bar retains the air of those sixties / seventies and where you can take herbs typical Ibizan made entirely by hand.

This site is the meeting point of the village. In the picture above the mailboxes are still in use, this bar where in addition to exercising the functions of makeshift post office.

DUSK IN CALA CONTA

2010-09-24T09:10:00.002+02:00

SUNSET IN CALA CONTA

One of the most famous attraction of the island are their magnificent sunsets. The colors, the silence and stillness that one can feel in this magic moment when the sun says goodbye to illuminate other areas of the planet is evident at this time.

Adding as well the sea and sky as background, we have in front of us a wonderful background unable to forget for long time. These ochres, oranges and purples colours that arise from the sunsets are colors that make the end of the day a great performance.

The sun is hiding between islets, playing with boats and the sea that is cutting it as it approaches to the horizon line making the sea a veil where hides the sun.

No doubt at all that Cala Compte is one of the best places to see that moment where the day changes to the night. To feel that magic moment that turns day to night.

YACHTS AT THE HARBOUR

2010-09-07T01:09:00.002+02:00

YACHTS IN IBIZA

The summer comes to the end, and the days get shorter and the nights longer... Still is possible to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea that still retains an excellent temperature for bathing and enjoying to swim, also is a good time for navigation.

Still the marinas on the island are at the top of yachts and sailing boats, luxury yachts are a major lure for people walking near them as there are some of them that are truly impressive. The best yachts in the world meet on the Island sometime in the summer. There are also sailing boats, some of them luxury. Where these sailing boats dock together there is a chaos of ropes, spars and sails. The navigation of these is more sport than luxury boats.

Which one most impressive, sheltered harbor. During the day time they are visiting the famous beaches of Ibiza.
At dusk, the golden sun stains the environment, making with reflections from the sea with gold, particularly gold, which makes it more impressive the ships and all over the port.

The parade of boats continues, new boats arriving each late afternoon to fill the port where a mooring is rarely empty. Boats of different countries and different colors, competing to see which arouses more admiration from passersby.

BURNED FOREST IN BENIRRAS

2010-09-02T11:27:00.003+02:00

FOREST FIRE IN THE NORTH OF IBIZA

The lush green forest that contrasted with the blue Mediterranean on the northern coast of Ibiza has become black, completely burnt and nearly 400 hectares of ecologically valuable forest burned. The area is called by locals "Es Amunts", a great green area full of pines and junipers.

Homes miraculously saved from the burned down, now those white walls are contrasting with the blackness of the destruction of this forest that turned black and will need up to 30 years to return to what it was.

One feels sad to see the desolate place that few days ago was a former lush and green forest, many animals have also perished in the flames. The causes I suppose are many, the important thing is that it could have been avoided.

Many cars completely burnt, were removed by trucks, I was struck by the sight of one of its truck drivers who came out smoking a cigarette. Sometimes for as little, it can be done a great destruction. People have to be care in these places...

CALA AUBARCA

2010-08-28T00:58:00.002+02:00

CALA AUBARCA IN SANT MATEU

Located on the cliffs of "Es Amunts" in the village of Sant Mateu d'Aubarca get the nickname of this spectacular bay, this bay (no beach) is an ideal place to pass the rigorous summer heat and down to the morning to enjoy the calm sea and its deafening silence.

The water here is just spectacularly clear and transparent, diving or snorkeling is ideal in these waters, and a spectacular background of rocks and stones in the form of spectacular cliffs that drop dramatically to the Mediterranean.

The area is not too difficult but not easy to access, not at all suitable for people who do not like to walk a big distance and are looking for a beach full of bars, music or shower services. There's nothing here of that.

This was my very first visit to this place, thanks to Jordi Gavalda he is a Catalonian blogger but with Ibicencan heart. I hope to repeat often the visit to this place so it is a place to forget the outside world. Now I only awaiting for the splash and when I'm about to throw myself into the sea...oh no!!!...

Not everything can be perfect, and this year so there was a proliferation of jellyfish few of them were waiting us.... but no matter, we must not get frightened, so jump into the water is a matter of not thinking a lot...

For Jordi (who knows what pain bites of these bugs) are another reason to be photographed. In the picture above we see him taking pictures underwater. Soon exclusive photos of these will be forthcoming in his blog "imatges d´Eivissa".

As he left me his underwater camera, I went swimming in that area, so I was also temptated to enjoy the water inside these transparent waters and I borrowed the camera. A truly amazing seascape.

Cala Aubarca has great ecological and marine value. Infinities of Pines surround the place and sometimes they appear in some strange places.

Some caves are visible from the water, and transparency of these waters are acquiring something unreal colors.

This cove is a symphony of stone rocks, which make this place unique.

Of course I can not stop talking about the terrible fire that was declared at Ibiza Benirrás Area, as also belonging to the area Cala Aubarca "Es Amunts. Many acres have been razed and changed the green forests of the northern island of twisted black wood trees.
For now we hope to continue enjoying the green pines give this place a long time.

PLAÇA DE VILA

2010-08-16T04:05:00.004+02:00

VILA´S SQUARE AT LATE AFTERNOON

Located within the walls, once passed the Portal de ses Taules and the main square, we get to what was the undisputed center point in the walled city now known as Dalt Vila and in 1999 was declared by UNESCO "World Heritage Site".

Sunset is a good time to get to the Plaza de Vila, where the hues of the walls take on a strange ocher color and contrasts of sun and shade are obvious.
In this gate called Portal de ses taules starts the "Dalt Vila" area and from here one can take several alleys that lead us to different areas of the upper area of Ibiza old town.

When sunlight goes down, the restaurants in this historic area, are decorated and in a few hours you will be able to dining by candlelight. With calm, the place will fill up with people from so many different countries as culinary offers exists in this area.

Despite the many restaurants in this area should be better to book a table in some of them, since there is large demand. Besides the restaurants are also plenty of trendy shops, art galleries and antiques. A place with character that could be defined as the "center" of Dalt Vila.

BALL PAGÉS, COUNTRYSIDE DANCES OF IBIZA.

2010-08-07T02:07:00.004+02:00

IBIZA´S TYPICAL DANCES

It is Fiesta in Ibiza, and therefore give the opportunity to witness the folklore of this island, we are lucky to have preserved and is not even similar to any other within the Balearic Islands. The folklore of Ibiza and Formentera is something unique and the origins are lost in time, probably keeping Punic and Arab periods or even more primitive.

It consists especially of three major dances. Sa Curta (The short one) slow moving and dancing people over age, then ends with Sa Llarga (the long one) and is the main dance.

Sa Llarga is a vigorous and joyful dance and rapid leaps by men about women. Perhaps she represents the moon, so the woman turns around the man, trying not to turn away.

The bridal dance was called "the thirteen turns" 13, is a number that refers to the moon. Over time was changed to 12 and in some versions is called "the nine turns", number nine which also has links with the satellite of the moon. Going from 13 to 12, was due to superstition and the bad reputation of number 13, for the twelve (apostles number and a very appreciated in the old Ibiza). Necklaces closer to the "emprendada" (set of necklaces, and religious images, buttons and rings of gold) will pass nine or twelve times (once thirteen).

On the dance the nine or twelve turns come with the main characters at a wedding, elbows touched first and then her hands with rings and castanets him, and while they play spinning. After ses nou rodades dance the music makes a crescendo and change to sa llarga frantically playing and all those attending the wedding were incorporated back into the dancing and dance making great leaps around the couple.

The way to call the girl by the male should not surprise or roughing the assumptions to do so by ringing the castanets with a bang. There is contempt by either the man or submission by women. Worse was to long ago where tradition marked the best compliment for the girls in Ibiza was the flash of gunpowder that the boy threw to the foot of the girl with his blunderbuss, leaving the mass, once outside the church shaking the foundations of the church and place but that was a great honor for the girl.
Throughout the dance, the woman has no expression in her face, not surprising, it may even appear submissive, going round and round the man, looking downcast and meditative as if oblivious to everything that happens. Ignore the man jumps and had only made a small bow to the man, when at the end of the dance the man kneels with a gesture of respect towards her, ending the dance for the couple.

HOLIDAYS BELLS

2010-08-02T04:00:00.005+02:00

CATHEDRAL BELL TOWER

It is the tallest tower in the city, thanks to a friend, one morning I could make reallity a wish that I had a long time ago.To go up for the second time in my life to this place. The first was loooooooots years ago when I was a child.

This time I was accompanied by the attractive blonde girl. Keep in mind that the potentially dangerous blondes (and this was). While she climbed difficulty the road by car with I had the nonsense idea to tell her how to do it and suddenly I was in the driver place, driving up the car to through the narrow roads of Dalt Vila. Anyway I did it OK.

It must be said that the girl of this story never got to this place before, but I must recognize that it did in excellent company (mine), with the typical complaints of a modern girl in heels and handbag, and a little frightened by the pigeons.But I must admit she enjoyed the "adventure." One of the things we see is the status of works in the hostel in future in Dalt Vila, the "parador" the very first "Parador" in the Balearic Islands.

There are five bells. The smallest of them is called dels "quarts Xica" and dates from 1680, one of them is called Sant Sagrat even older, dating from 1565, one third is called the Santa Creu and 1,583, another is called the Santa Barbara and dates from 1630 and the last is the Sanctus Major from 1680.

The next August 5th, these bells will touch as it is the feast day of the Patron Saint of Ibiza, Our Lady of the Snows, a curious name that evokes the cold but in a very hot month.
Undoubtedly the view is more impressive than the steeple of the Cathedral. Practically is visible most of the island.

Especially beautiful is the view of Talamanca, the port and other areas of Dalt Vila, including the former Dominican convent of Ibiza town, today´s Town Hall of the City.

It is always nice to see the roughness of the roofs of the main temple of the island, with its pigeons around.

Down we can see a image of the tower clock from inside. Not a very usual point of view.

AIGÜES BLANQUES BEACH

2010-07-28T00:48:00.002+02:00

S´AIGO BLANCA BEACH - (WHITE WATERS BEACH)

Located on the northeastern coast of the island between the towns of Sant Carles and Cala San Vicente, receives the first rays of sunlight. It's official nudist beach as Es Cavallet beach at the south of the island, and it has wild corners and also has a part with all facilities and services that you can find on any town beach.

In some parts of this narrow beach sand strip you can see giant cliffs that make this a spectacular site. Some places are like small caves, but beware of possible landslides.
On this beach you can find both fine white sand and rocky areas, although the bathroom is very safe. Large amounts of white foam that makes the waves hitting the reefs or rocks, are perhaps the reason of the name of the beach. Aigües blanques or S'Aigua blanca.
In the background we can see the island of Tagomago.

There are areas where there are plenty facilities, such as sunbeds and colorful umbrellas, and in other areas where the beach is almost wild.

The view from the caves that are formed due to the cliffs are seen as above, where the trees cling to any land, making real balances to avoid falling down.
A quiet beach and bustling at the same time, nudist and textile and where the waves hit the shore and rocks protruding from the sea a few meters from the sand are those huge amounts of white foam color that is the origin of the name of this beach, beach where you can walk pretty far from the shore. The problem for the lazy ones who do not like much walking is the access due need to walk enough to get there.

PROCESSION IN TO THE SEA

2010-07-18T05:57:00.002+02:00

our lady of Carmen on Ibiza streets

On July the 16th is celebrated Our Lady of Carmen patroness of seafarers. Ibiza is like a beautiful coastal city, is no stranger to this celebration as the whole island the sea is around and each year as the image of Our Lady of Carmen wandering around the narrow streets of the district of La Marina in the lower part of the city on her way to the port.

The image passes between the balconies and the street called of the Virgin, where the whole street is decorated with many flowers. Every year the image leaves his house, the Carmelite convent church of San Telmo.

One of the most beautiful moments when they have to go down some steep stairs into the final stretch leading up to the image to a boat. This image is preceded by their banner and some monks of the Carmelite monastery in Ibiza that just have this image as their saint patron.
Many people accompany the image. Ibiza town is not living back to the sea, but the contrary. Whenever both the dangers and the various forms of subsistence were always by sea. So not only Ibiza town is very important the harbour but also in the whole island.

Sant Antoni de Portmany, Es Cana, Portinatx, Es Cubells, Formentera ... and some populations also maintain its traditional maritime procession, although in some localities are held next Sunday 16th.

The image arrives at the ship that will take her to sea. This time it is a tug named with a beautiful town of Gran Canaria. "Arucas." This tug in red, this year will be in charge of carrying the image to his walk through the waters of the Ibiza´s bay. In his way a laurel wreath will be thrown into the sea, as a tribute to all those who lost their lives at sea, as an example let me say my own grandfather and paternal great-grandfather, fishermen and sailors who found their death in the Mediterranean as them so many men who left their lives in to the sea.

2010-07-11T01:53:00.004+02:00

AWAITING THE SPANISH VICTORY

During these days plenty Spanish flags are located on to the balconys of the island supporting this way the Spanish Team in Sudafrica to win the World cup. Even Paul the English octopuss living now in Germany has decided that the victory of the world cup belongs to Spain.

Its simple, just go around the city, watch up and you´ll see a lot of flags in yellow and red of the Spanish Kingdom.

Hope that bull soon will be free. All countrys have good and bad things, and I am not proud at all of the famous bullfighting. Hope soon we will enjoy into this country to not have them anymore and that it will be definitely history.

Hope the Spanish team will be luck this time.

If we can not win, we will be in second place, which is no bad at all, but we must try to win.

As we can see below, in Spain there are supporters of both sides, so is not unusual to see diferent flags of another countrys, including Holland our rivals. So that´s mean that if Holland wins the game not everybody will be sad on the island. But hope to see a lot of happy people and Spain gets the cup.

IBIZA´S NEW HARBOUR, BOTAFOC LIGHTHOUSE AND CRUISE

2010-07-07T15:18:00.004+02:00

IBIZA´S NEW HARBOUR

LIGHTHOUSE OF BOTAFOCH

CRUISE IN IBIZA

Although the construction of new port of Ibiza was controversial, at the end was not so bad. I must say it has much more charm before anyway. As a large payment to all this cement one of the well know Ibiza beach disappeared, A very lovely place for the inhabitants of which was the famous Ibiza Playa D'es duros, replaced today by a section of the promenade.

The advantage was obtained from the construction of a dam than a kilometer long was that people could go for long and pleasant walks or do "jogging" but one day for unknown reasons an institution of those who command and "cut the cod"(as we say in Ibiza) decided close to the public. I am sharing some time if something has hurt (much) this island are its political leaders deserve no doubt regarded as enemies of the earth and its inhabitants.
Anyway the city views from here are great and you can see the east side of the Renaissance walls.

Overlooking this point is the outline of the guard, the lighthouse Botafoc, formerly located in the small namesake island. Without doubt the most beautiful on the island.

Although its function is as sea signals, it is curious that also the planes flying overhead in its short end before landing on the island.

One of the reasons for building this such big harbour, was undoubtedly the possibility to enter into the port the large vessels that were previously outside as the large cruises so common on the island, especially in summer.

Cruises are common in this city, as part of their Mediterranean routes. Ibiza as World heritage Site by the UNESCO and has very attractive for this type of crafts.

And while the port day and night will be monitoring the entrances and exits of the ships the lighthouse Botafoc (named for the cannons on board of the boats that greet in the past an image of a nearby church when entering or leaving the port) greeting the boats all night with his winks in the form of light.

This entry is dedicated to two bloggers. Both blogs are relating with shipspotters: Sebastián Petroantoni & Alberto from Mallorca.

HIGHEST POINT OF THE ISLAND

2010-06-28T01:58:00.002+02:00

S´ATALAIA DE SANT JOSEP (ATALAIASSA)

I must admit that today I am quite happy regarding the visitors of this blog which has being visited more than 75.000 times, (of course, I am talking about the spanish edition), for this reason I have created a Power point with some of the pictures of this island. If you wish to have a copy of it, please don´t hesitate to send me a mail to me and I will send it to you. Thanks very much to all the visitors.

From the top of Atalaya of Sant Josep (also called Atalaiassa) we can enjoy beautiful views, bird's eye view of much (not all as erroneously says) of the island. for instance, such beautiful views of the Bay of Portmany and background the imposing Cap Nono mountain.

In the south and just before the sun sets at the west side of the island we can see the areas of Cala Jondal, salinas, and the southern tip of the island is the "cap falcó and background the island of Formentera.

Looking at the west side we see a series of islets. These above are the island called "del bosc" and "conejera" where the mythical legend located hutch where Hannibal was born.

I think that day I was not alone in having the idea of going to take some photos. Competition is increasingly fierce .... The site is well worth it.

With the soft light of the sun, when it is dull colors are blurring and becoming magical. The pine forests of the area form a nice carpet full of yellow and green colours, that is wrapped with the last light rays of sun.

The other islets of the west which are those that are visible from Cala Compte, waiting to be wrapped in the darkness of the night and prepared to sleep. The island Sparta, and the Archipelago of "illes Bledes" are other islands that we can see from this point at 475 meters high wich made the highest point of the island.

SUNSET AT PORTMANY´S BAY

2010-06-06T00:28:00.005+02:00

SUNSET IN SANT ANTONI DE PORTMANY

Sant Antoni de Portmany has become the mecca of the worshipers of decadent artificial sunsets. Maybe it's not the one I recommend to my friends, but must recognize that global impact has been following a number of renowned establishments that made them famous.
Due the big amount of emails I received asking to see these sunsets into my blog, here it comes....

Therefore an hour before the sun disappears into the horizon, people start to flutter in the area of these famous bars, and one can see sunlight as loose and as the breeze is becoming dormant. As background to the lengthy islet Conejera show the profile on the horizon.

Some of the spectators go directly to the terraces on the promenade along the bars where throught speakers it is possible to hear the chill out music, and that one with another attempt to attract the largest concentration of people possible, but there is another "alternative" in front terraces, those with plastic bags full of alcohol that will prefer to show the sunset from the rocks, few meters in front the terraces.... bottles, plastic bags of stores open 24 hours, and papers scattered on the rocks give way to the spectacle of hiding the greater light.

If we walk a bit further, we can find much quieter places where there are many fewer people, and where there is also a kind of photographic competition, as the sun goes down slowly.

Another high-flying alternative is to look more closely at the sun, pretending to do as Icarus. A very fresh way to enjoy the sunset.

At last the sun touched the Mediterranean, leaving a beautiful appearance on the horizon, just before disappear until the next morning.

And another not so beautiful image on the rocks where the daily ritual based on bottle or terrace with chill out is what prevails. Saying bye to the sun with a resounding applause.

For the most romantic, or those enemies of marketings, you know that I advise you to see a more peaceful sunset in many places along the west coast of Ibiza, with a silence and tranquility far removed from these shows that also (as seen in the images) have their public.

Furthermore, as a culmination to the hide of sunlight, a fire show starts. It's time to alternative performances, some very impressive and left more than a gasp from the tourists. Depends on the day and place some really worth to wait and see them.

PORTINATX TOWER

2010-05-29T04:06:00.004+02:00

TORRE DE DEFENSA DE PORTINATX

Ibiza is an island, being situated at the crossroads of continents, near the coast of Africa and Europe and is a strategic crossroads of civilizations, an ideal location for the raids of pirates and other elements needed for the protection of its people in some ways self-defense to avoid these most dangerous attacks from outside and both instilled panic to its peaceful inhabitants. Many romances and legends mention some of these terrible attacks and abductions of its peaceful inhabitants were uprooted and were treated as slaves to the Berbers, Turks and Africans.

For that reason, built along the coast of Ibiza, some watchtowers to alert the public as soon as they could see an enemy ship approaching to the coast of the island. Specifically this tower is the northernmost of the island. It is located in the port of Portinatx, XVIII century and curiously, it's the least known of them all. It is located on a share of 45 meters and there is a nice view over the coast of Na Xamena. Unfortunately it is in an area urbanized wildly, but it is particularly interesting visit. Their features are similar to the Torre des Cap des des Sabinar or des Joeu in Cala D'hort. The original Carlton we have anything left on the tower. Never had artillery and was used only as a watchtower .

MEDIEVAL IBIZA

2010-05-11T12:09:00.003+02:00

IBIZA - WORLD HERITAGE

During three days Ibiza City returns to its medieval past and prepares special decoration streets and an awesome medieval market all over.

UNESCO in 1999 declared "World Heritage" the Old Town of Ibiza (Dalt Vila), and because it was decided since then to a medieval festival in this frame every second weekend in May, creating the Medieval Market.

Three days of intense activity in this city and where both locals and visitors can enjoy so many activities. One way to return to the past times ...

Troubadours, musicians, mystics, soldiers, Carthaginians, peasants, witches .... for everyone there is a place in this megafestival.

Also there are a big offer of classical concerts in which mainly dominates the Baroque classical pieces. This concerts are performed with the silent enviroment of the Church in Santo Domingo´s church (former dominican convent) or at the cathedral.

Adlib fashion boutiques, share these three days with other clothes and fashion, such as dresses and suits a little "retro" and even habits of the Templars.

Falconry also have their place here, where you can see the flights of domesticated falcons, eagles, owls, or some foreing variation from out the island as this vulture which shares its curiosity with the many visitors who camped around him.

We can observe from ancient writing methods, useful at the time, tools, etc...

The spinning wheels of the ancient tales are also present in the streets of the city. With an ideal presentation with the latest medieval fashion.

Soldiers, guards, minstrels, jesters, knights, Templars, monks .... all visitors are walking through them ...

The mythological Fates these days become reality in this city. They weave the thread of life, the products that visitors can purchase.

Crafts, and products that can not usually find in the stores can be buyed in here, and for that many visitors are taking advantage of these three days to buy things they can only do so at this time.

The city and the walls are decorated to receive the flood of visitors who can barely move in some of these narrow streets of Dalt Vila.

The medieval girls smile at visitors to the third millennium and share their everyday medieval to contemporary XXI.

Women who strive and work as they were at that time. Some of these works a few decades ago is still performed with some frequency in the island.

Or men with their hands make big baskets or anything that can make with "esparto" or similar ......

Peasants gather to work and sell what they do during those days in this strange market.

Delicious meat also in avalaible in this great medieval market. Made on the grill and where the smell of meat is distributed through the streets, stimulating the appetite of the tired visitors.

Three days that are already part of many visitors dates in their diaries.

The second weekend of May.

ES FREUS

2010-04-30T01:17:00.002+02:00

ES FREUS

Es Freus is the name that is known the narrow area between the island of Ibiza and Formentera and is made up of many Iroquois and islets, among them highlighted the Illa dels Penjats and S 'Espalmador. Some much smaller the rock d'es Daus (pictured above) was the cause of the collision and sinking of the ship "Don Pedro", outside the port of Ibiza in the summer of 2007.

These 6.3 km between the two islands of Ibiza and Formentera, consisting of a series of islets and islands of remarkable beauty, ideal for a leisurely day sail, but there is not always good weather in this area, which is also an area with frequent and strong currents.
Therefore is essential the aid to navigation installed there as lighthouses in this area as well as an additional aid in the form of numerous bright beacons to perform maritime maneuvers safely. Although this area is unfortunately a very common marine casualties and incidents.

Two of the most spectacular lighthouses onto the Balearic Islands are these ones in this area, the lighthouse called d´en Pou at the north of Espalmador but located on a separate islet and the island des Penjats (hangings island, from the pirates era). The whole area has great ecological value and is located within the Natural Park of Ses Salines.

Es Freus comes from the Latin "fretus" (narrow), The resident people closest to the area was formerly called "Ses Portes (doors) as it is called the guard tower south of Ibiza close to this area .

Arriving or departing to or from Formentera is special when mixed scenically beautiful area of sand dunes north of Formentera with dunes South Island Espalmador with crystalline turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.

CALA ESPART

2010-04-22T02:21:00.002+02:00

CALA ESPART

I must admitted that I did not know this cove that kept it as a secret, I discovered in some corner of my island.

Surrounded by pine trees and crystal clear water. It reminds me of some of these beaches not crowded at all in Menorca.

A kind of small river of sea water takes us on a rocky stretch to the beach and assures us that most of the year has very calm waters. Depends on the time it will be embellished with flowers or simply by the awesome blue Mediterranean Sea.

The pines gives a green touch to this cove that contrast with the color of the rocks and blue sea. A few yards from the cove there are some caves where some fishermen leave their boats refugees, until the return to the sea.

SANT RAFEL DE SA CREU

2010-04-15T07:07:00.004+02:00

SANT RAFAEL DE FORCA

One of the most beautiful white churches that locates at the center on this small but beautiful village, with the peculiarity that is the only town in Ibiza with two etymological names. Sant Rafel de Sa Creu (possibly cross reference to the crossroads that took place previously in this place) & Sant Rafel de Forca. This town is located in the center of the island, while competing with Santa Gertrudis on this subject.

The main square is dedicated to Joan Cardona Marí and is the heart place of this quiet village. In this square there are superb views to the city of Ibiza. The square is dominated by a monument to one of the most illustrious men of the island he was born here in Sant Rafel and is a sculpture signed by Hormigo as well as others r scattered around the island. Joan Cardona Marí followed the steps of Isidor Macabich and agreed in many aspects since both were priests and historians in addition to canons of the Ibiza´s Cathedral.

Joan Marí Cardona was the founder of Radio Popular de Ibiza, which was the first radio network on the island. It also has an extensive bibliography of written works. la isla.

Not far from the "center" of this small town can enjoy the Ibizan countryside and there are many almond trees, carob trees and some olive trees surrounding this small town.

Also, many fruit trees that stand close to the typical Ibizan buildings so common in this place.

Ibizan architecture is present in the heart of this place. Therefore there is no shortage houses with big walls whitewashed.

In Sant Rafel anything is possible. The absolute tranquility, the best restaurants and even the biggest club in the world, which is relatively close to this town, but far enough away to ensure the ease with which this town has.

This place is where many couples decide to get marry. Many of the most famous wedding between famous people have taken place in this town, even the very Princep and princess of Spain attended a wedding here few years ago.

The porch of the church is a meeting place that is surrounded by restaurants and where you have a beautiful view of the surrounding places.

In his church there are two large painting pictures which are very curious, since one is the representation of a Nativity where shepherds use the costumes festooned with Ibiza and another by the same author just off the main entrance where you can see some New Testament passages, with landscapes of the island, and Christ walking in Punta Galera, the Cap Nono become a kind of Mount Golgotha or Jesus carrying the cross and passing in front of the Cathedral of Ibiza.

ROCA LLISA

2010-04-10T02:28:00.004+02:00

VILLAS BESIDE THE GOLF COURSE

The golf course and urbanization Roca llisa is located between Ibiza Town and Santa Eulalia. Built in the early '70s, is considered one of the most luxurious residential areas on the island.

The golf course is the only one on the island. but by road is never more than thirty-five minute away by car from any point of the island. The golf course is actually two golf courses in one. One 18-hole course and a nine the second one.

There are some spectacular villas within the place. Some others are a bit more simple but completely detached and independent.

Some houses or mansions with sumptuous gardens are spread around the resort.

Some celebrities have their residence in this area. A site can qualify as "high standing".

Other villas are more "modest" but they are not affordable to any pocket. For some sites, this development is completely surrounded by pine trees.

BLOGGERS IN IBIZA

2010-04-07T14:47:00.008+02:00

BLOGGERS OF IBIZA

Who has the biggest one?, I have declined my self to compare my camera against those big cameras from the other bloggers. Mine is very little and simple but for me is quite enough...

I must say that I have two appointments with other Ibicencans bloggers, and have been a very enjoyable experience. I would like to thank to all of them for that.

The second appointment, Javier Marí, the biggest chief Spotters of Ibiza came, and of course I took the opportunity to immortalize him on a picture (beard and all) with the bell tower of the beautiful church of Sant Rafel, in the heart of the island.

Here Jordi Gavaldá shows Javi the last results of the pictures at that moment. That day we were in middle of a little village as well as at the center of the countryside near that nice village.

Here Joan Costa taken pictures to the hundred of flowers that thanks to the many rains on the island during last winter the countryside show us during this spring.

In our first appointment, we were at the East coast side of the island. The sea was the center of the pictures during that day. Up here we can see Jordi Gavaldá the famous blogger taken pictures with his camera.

That day Javier Marí could not share the day with us, but at the second chance in San Rafael he meet us.
But we are missing someone, and Jordi tries to convince him... by the phone.

Joan Costa taking pictures at the sea shore, we must wait for someone who felt asleep.

The question is.... who´s that...?
Meanwhile waiting Joan & Jordi, are comparing their cameras for the next photo season...

At last!!! Here he comes....!!! Oh Pepe, Shame on you!!!. Always arriving late at all places... this is familiar to me...!! Is Pepe, !!! The great Pepe.

Here we are all four, so time to take pictures... Pepe Roselló doesn´t waste time and he prepares camera and start doing pictures like no tomorrow....
Pepe smiling, great pictures took Pepe during that day....!!!

Jordi taking pictures with his camera?....

.......o even better his cameras????.

Here are the three of them taking pictures. S´estanyol, Cala Espart, Roca Llisa & Sant Rafel are the places that will be shown in this blog soon.

Time for pictures came to the end and Joan is getting ready the camera to take the last pictures of the day with the four of us.

Advise: If you are interested to see the Blogs of them, please click at the name of them, in some there is a link straight to their blogs....

HOLY WEEK IN IBIZA

2010-03-31T03:41:00.002+02:00

HOLY WEEK IN IBIZA CITY WITH PROCESSIONS

Last year I went to the city on the good Friday to take some pictures for my blog about the Holy week celebrations into the city of Ibiza, after about at least fifteen years without having seen again. What was my surprise to discover that not only the devotion of these things had not going down as I imagined, but I saw myself difficulties for a place to take some pictures in a place where not crowed. I got it but in fits and starts and in a place where all the fraternities did not went through. Later I knew that from some years ago that not only on Good Friday there is a porcession but each "Cofradía" (brotherhood) makes an own procession before Good Friday.

Although I can not go to them all, this year I decided to see some and can say that they are even better than the own Good Friday´s one. So the first two images in this entry belong to the brotherhood of "Cofradia" of El Cristo del Cementerio (Christ Cemetery), a highly venerated image in the island. This year also was played out in magnificent "portal de ses taules" main entrance to the walled city. The next image (top of these images) of the Virgin de los Dolores and stroll through the narrow streets of Dalt Vila, and the fourth image (bottom of these lines) the procession of "La Piedad" in the neighborhood of La Marina, in the heart of the city. Ibiza is not Andalusia and Castille, but also a spectacular Easter and Holly Week to celebrate. Some people who I showed the pictures of last year asked if I this was in Ibiza, they couldn´t believe it and some of them already lives for more than twenty years on the island.

If you are interested to view more of these pictures please check at the follow link:

http://semanasantaibiza.blogspot.com/

Only available in Spanish version.

TOMB OF GUILLEM DE MONTGRÍ IN GIRONA & REPLICA IN IBIZA

2010-03-25T01:53:00.005+01:00

Both cities Girona and Ibiza have something in common and is one of the most historic character of the island. Guillem de Montgrí. Born around 1200 in Torroella de Montgrí, arrived on August the 8th 1,235 under the command of James I the Conqueror to Ibiza. Since then Ibiza and Formentera became territories belonging to the Kingdom of Aragon. Into the images on both sides of these lines we see the tomb of this character that is located inside the Cathedral of Girona.

Guillem de Montgrí died in 1273 and the sculpture is his tomb was completed on life of Guillem and created by master Bartomeu of Girona. Guillem de Montgrí was sacristan (sexton) of Girona Cathedral and Archbishop-elect of Tarragona. Guillem de Montgrí had already been involved in the reconquest of the island of Majorca with his brother Bernat

Between these lines two images of Guillem de Montgrí´s statue in the city of Ibiza near the town hall of the City in Dalt Vila, which is a replica of the tomb of the Cathedral in Girona and that the City of Girona gift to Ibiza in 1970.Of the four "cuartons", which divided the island Guillem de Montgrí took both the Ses Salines and the Balançat on the island of Ibiza and La Mola and Carnatge in Formentera. The rest was divided between Pere de Portugal and Nuno Sanç. The land of Guillem would become to the Diocese of Tarragona when he died as he wished.
The reclining statue is situated in what could be called "the balcony of the Mediterranean" in the east side of the city hall of Ibiza. Surrounded by gardens and above the cliffs. After a redesign of this area it is possible to visit again.

A BLOGGER TAKEN PICTURES OF "ES VEDRÁ"

2010-03-15T23:35:00.003+01:00

PEPE THE BIG BLOGGER OF SUNRISES AND SUNSETS OF IBIZA

At request of Pepe Roselló (blog islaibiza.blogspot.com), we meet a day to take him to witness the spectacular sunsets in the area of the Cala d hort. At the appointed time and with the smiling face hi appeared with great stamina to go and pictured the sunset as only Pepe knows how to do so. The jacket in his hand was a sign that despite the sunny day there was in Ibiza, in winter the temperatures can drop down much when the sun decides to leave us a few hours to heat other areas of the planet.

I must admit that this place has a unique magic to watch the spectacular sunsets and with the added attraction that are not overcrowded, which are even more beautiful.

And there´s Pepe, this work mates and friend, waiting for the right moment that is craved, that magical moment that it is day or night ... the time that it sunny day and temperatures dipped to the effect of wind and jackets were absolutely essential...

He is now in his own little but spectacular world. He ignores everything except the camera and the sun... He´s just aware of anything that can call his attention for taken the best of the pictures...

arriving to the place that would impress Pepe, we pass through a way where we can enjoy the silhouettes of the pines and the top of the big rock island with the cloud on the top, we were involved with that beautiful mountain and seascape scenary that offered us the place...

I wish to remain the link for visit the Pepe´s blog and you´ll see these pictures and others from Pepe: http://islaibiza.blogspot.com/

No matter for Pepe the wind and I was freezing cold, Pepe with his fleece jacket keeps taking photos. He´s enjoying the moment while I yearn to get him tired and stop taking photos. But that moment does not exist for Pepe that goes on and on taking pictures despite the wind, cold and anything that might prevent him from trying to take pictures.

And while Pepe still engrossed in her trance watching the scenery through the camera I keep turning to try to get a little warmer ... and I decided then to take some pictures as well...

And there are people who were impassive when we saw the sunset, enjoying the natural spectacle silently this spectacle that takes place every evening in the same place and almost at the same time .... Nothing that I also encourage me to take a photograph like the one below because the place and the natural show really invites to take a picture, like that one bellow...

PARISH OF SANTA AGNÈS

2010-03-06T07:45:00.003+01:00

CHURCH OF SANTA AGNÈS

Undoubtedly one of the most rural temples of the island. The Church is of a very simple trace, with typical walls, immaculately white and architectonically very simple, as the most of temples in the island. In the image of above that belongs to the south front, it´s possible to see the former entry, where there was time ago a fight among two men that concluded with the death of one of them, since then, this door remain closed, and it was builded another one at the west side of the temple.

Inside the church, that it´s like a hermitage and not a church itself, the architectural evident beauty features. It is the lowest temple that exists in the island, that is the reason why the choir (which it is located on a second floor at the churches of Ibiza)it doesn´t exists at this parish.

The saint holder of this church is Santa Agnès. It exists a lamb always with this image at the side of it. That demonstrates the origin of the Latin name "Agnus" - Lamb (Agnès). The palm in her hand means that it is a martyr. It was one of first martyrs of the christian church. Anyway her history is redressed in many legends and possibly as invented by the church of then, though there exists information that would affirm that her history was written three hundred years after her death and that they would confirm her existence, with an excessively distorted history. In any case the tradition says that she died to a nearby age of fourteen.

The image of Our Lady of the "Rosario" is one of the most ancient of this church, it belongs to the XIXth century. it was one of those that were not destroyed in the spanish civil war. At the beginning of the decade of the ´30th s a teacher was destined to this locality from Valencia. He could verify personally the damages that the war caused in the church, images and altarpieces and due the lack of resources, he decided to restore them himself, and when ended every little restoration, the pupils and him were celebrating it singing with all together. The same altarpieces today at the lateral chapels, are the same that he painted and restored, and today as well we can continue admiring the images as this one of Our Lady,and some others like the one of San Roque which he restored the eyes of the dog and of the image of the saint. Another story that belongs to this image is from when the church was building and a ship sinks due to a windystorm in Sant Antoni's surroundings. The boat was loaded by chariots of savina from the zone of Cala Bassa and were destined to cover the porch of this church. Two of five persons who were going on board were saved, one the priest and another nicknamed Lluc Costa "maimó" that while he was fighting against the waves, promised that if he was managing to be saved would buy a "emprendada" (set of typical local jewels of gold) for this image. On every January 21th the festivity of Saint Agnès, this image is decorated since then by the jewels that the survivor gave to Our Lady as a gratitude.

This one is another image that we owe to that teacher who restored them,as he could, when he came to this locality. This image is very curious. It is says that belongs to San Vicente Ferrer but he has beard. Very onlooker so in all the churches of Ibiza there is an image of this saint and in none of them he has beard. Maybe is a kind of misrepresentation. probably this image belongs to another Saint?.
In one of the images we see some damages in the image, due to all the violent acts committed during the sad spanish civil war.

During the first two months of the year, this church remains surrounded with almond-trees in flower. Undoubtedly one of the most important natural attractions of this village, where many people from the island and foreings are going in peregrination to enjoy the floral spectacle that is attended in this valley.

In this church, as in all of the island, exists at the exterior a Calvary (composed by three crosses). This one is very curious since that is not placed in the same building of the temple, but in the exterior wall of one of the houses in front of the church.

A few years ago in the white front of the wall placed at the West side of the temple, there were placed these blue rollers that commemorate the symbols of the Patron Saint of the village with the words in Latin of Agnus Dei " God's lamb ".

A legend tells that this church was constructed simultaneously of the neighbor Sant Mateu, and that both were competing in which one was finishing it before. The Bishop had promised to give them as a present the bell of the parish. The people in Santa Agnes were almost finished, a few walls fell down and it was necessary to start it again. They had to go very quickly because the people in Sant Mateu where almost finished. At the end both of them practically finished simultaneously, but the church of Santa Agnès was much more smaller than the one in Sant Mateo..., this may be the reason why this church is the lowest of the island. The bishop gave as a prize the bell to both parishes... In any case the dates at the real history are different in both temples, but anyway is a nice story.

PORTINATX

2010-02-26T17:20:00.005+01:00

PORTINATX

Placed in the very north of the island, the etymology of the word gives us a track. It is a question of a natural port, and simultaneously a tourist resort but not a crowded one, perfect spot for families. In winter as the rest of the island it is plunged in a lethargy that does the delights for the people who looks for quietness.

Althought is located at the north of the island, the sunsets have a special sheen. The small fishing crafts placed at the coast or those anchored moving with the soft waves inside the port have their beautiness scenary.

Cove Xarraca (above and below pictures) is one of several beaches that we can find in the zone. This one even with a little isle in the middle of the cove, that it is possible to reached easily.

both summer or winter the colour of the sea is just incredible.

Another cove that exist in Portinatx's zone, and below(down) the sight from Portinatx's port, where it is possible to see in the distance the silhouette of Cap des moscater lighthouse. In this point the beaches come to the end, and begin the cliffs of the natural zone wherefrom we are, it calls of Es Amunts.

CARNIVAL IN SANTA AGNÈS DE CORONA

2010-02-22T00:56:00.003+01:00

CARNIVAL IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

In the small and cozy locality of santa Agnès de Corona was not absent the carnival this weekend. A carnival with enough expectation and accompanied of the almond-trees in flower.
From spectacular dresses of Venetian style, or the coal sellers in bicycle, the above mentioned influenced maybe for the famous "sitga" that is in the habit of doing in this village on their "fiesta" of the town at the end of January.

Fiction features are mixed with the numerous walkers that on weekend invaded the small village.

But those who really made the big performance were the adorers of the god Baco, who is in turn the god of the wine, and therefore the one who had major followers, interpreting at all time frenetic dances of all his followers, undoubtedly they were those who came without discretion....!!!

choreographic dancers and many animation they brought in this parade this numerous group. A horse, the god baco and even a Greek temple that they made parade to the whole village...

The party ended by night, and then it was moved to the social lounge of the village.... One more excuse to visit this lovely village, this time with insured animation.
Now we must wait until next year....

DUSK IN CALA D´HORT

2010-02-16T00:52:00.002+01:00

TWILIGHT IN CALA D´HORT

The winter time offers great tranquility that everyone call feel in the whole island. This silence here comes with this rhythmic noise of the sea almost in calmness moving onto the shore. And this sensation of loneliness despite that in beaches like here during the twilight persons are coming with their tripods cameras to catch this magic moment. The "Sol post", it is a local word that only is in use in this island and indicates this moment in which the Sun already has disappeared from the horizon.

Magic as well as the images during this moment which turne into profiles. These profiles of people of all the ages seeing as the Sun falls down, and once the Sun is gone the persons and the colors are playing at transforming little by little in the horizon. In this horizon we can see the great and giant watchtower of the island, the island Es Vedrà. As a curious note, indicate that the name of this beach D'Hort (Cove of the garden) shoul be the same as Cala D'or of Majorca had to take the same name since it is an urbanization resort with names of this island, but for some reason the Cala D'Hort there it was distorted and changed to Cala D'or (Cove of the gold) ... curiosities that have some names.

ALMOND TREES FLOWERS 2010

2010-02-09T02:34:00.002+01:00

WHITE ALMOND TREES IN SANTA AGNÈS VALLEY

Undoubtedly the most impressive natural winter spectacle is the flowering of the almond-trees of the island of Ibiza. This year maybe has not the showiness of other years, rains and overcoat winds have been part of the reasons, but anyway is enjoyable to walk around them again. In Ibiza we have no snow at all, but this white landscape remains us a bit the white element.

Besides the flower, we still have it´s nice smell, very estimated in the industry of the perfumes. The flower color is white or pink depending on the type of almond. Again the fields of the north of the island are the most spectacular, and there many persons peregrinate every day to walk between these trees that give a romantic touch to our fields. Maybe the favorite and already most famous site for this, is the rural little village of santa Agnès de Corona.

CAROB TREES ON GREEN GRASS

2010-02-05T07:35:00.002+01:00

GREEN COUNTRYSIDE

How nice is to see the green fields at the countryside of the island. Green as the carob trees as the pine trees they keep their green colour during all year.

The field has turned into a green great carpet that floods all over, splashed with lots of yellow little flowers.

HAPPY BIRHTDAY

2010-01-23T19:48:00.003+01:00

In few days she will celebrate her birtday. Eight decades of live, are many years, but she is a very healthy Lady as we can see in these images.

We just need to see the facility that she is dooing the hard work as a very easy thing for her... How she gather the locust-beans in the basket for later on throw tem to a much bigger sacks, and with the devote company of her cat which stands next to her.

Seeing these images to me it is turning onto my roots, my origin ... my grandmothers were dressing equally during all their whole lives, also they several of my aunts, but with the time they desisted, due it was a slightly inconvinient and uncomfortable.

my question is how many twenty-year-old girls or young people would be capable of doing the lwork that this woman does daily? It seems that no backache at all to her...

Slowly but without pauses, calm in occasions, but steadily, little by little she is filling the sacks... This happens one day that I stay with another blogger, and we decide to approach and asking for the corresponding permission, she allows us to approach, we start talking, and with courtesy she allows us to photograph her, she continues doing the withdrawal the fruits simultaneously that attends to us very spirited and charming.

From here I want to wish her a nice HAPPY BIRTHDAY, she celebrate it at the end of January.

or as we say here MOLTS ANYS I BONS and I hope She will could for a long time be still so animated and with plenty health.

ES PUJOLS (FORMENTERA)

2010-01-11T02:35:00.003+01:00

ES PUJOLS

I must have summer nostalgia, now in the middle of winter the cold have arrived to the Pitiuses Islands. Yesterday it was snowing (though without becoming set). So this evening I am remmembering the days I spend in Formentera last summer. These images have come to me as " memory flashes", and therefore I have decided to find those photos that I had somewhere and finally I found them.

So with almost three months of delay and expecting not to pass cold seeing them now, here I hang them, and this way to see and to remember again that special light of Formentera.

Es Pujols is the most tourist zone of this small island. It fills with bicycles and "motorinos". But also the little houses - shipyards of the fishermen coexist with the tourism where they guard their small boats "llauts" creating a place where old ways of life coexists with another most modern side that is the tourism.

The tourism leaves not so charming pictures, but it is necessary to admit that they have their merit. They are able to improvises a street market in his promenade walk or put modern art in the decoration of certain tourist business.

In the early morning or the last hours of the evening the streets fill with people. During the central hours the heat days, the people disappear either to the paradisiac beaches or to sleeping a bit and this way to bear a bit better the heat of the central hours of the day.

Es Pujols offers the best choice in hotels and restaurants of the island, bars, shops, rent of cars, motorcycles, buses with diverse destinations to other points of the island, and even Es Pujols offer a nice white sandy beach may be more crowed than others but very nice anyway with amazing blue sea colours. Also Es Pujols can be a site to isolate a bit in winter where the tranquility in the island is general.

JANUARY 38 YEARS AGO. AIRPLANE ACCIDENT

2010-01-06T23:15:00.004+01:00

JANUARY, 7 th, 1972. 38 YEARS AGO

Here where this chapel was build, 104 persons died in Ses Roques Altes, in this point is where the plane SE-210 (Caravelle) of Iberia, EC-ATV named as" Tomás Luís de Victoria " on January 7 th of 1.972 around midday, hitted against one of the tallest mountain of the island (called " ses roques altes ") the aircraft came from Valencia. Most of the passengers were from the mainland and came for back to work after the Christmas Holiday. 104 names are distributed in four different tablets resembling each of them. there are a big quantity of equal surnames, because entire families, or part of them they remained in this accident where there was no survivors. At that moment it was the biggest plane crash for a spanish airline. Unfortunately this "record" was improved in less than one year time, since on December of the same year in another Spanish island (Tenerife) another plane was smashing overcoming the number of victims of this one (155) and only it would be overcome again by other one in the same airport five years after, in 1.977 staying as absolute world record when two Jumbo jets crashed (583 fatalities).

It is incredible as in a site with such a cruel event, just behind the Chapel, exists a beautiful views of the island, maybe some passengers were look at them from their windows, when they were thinking that they were just almost arriving to their destination. But sometimes unfortunately the destiny is very capricious and cruel....

ISLANDS FROM THE HEIGHTS

2010-01-02T02:45:00.002+01:00

ISLANDS FROM THE TOPS OF THE ISLAND

Raising s'Talaia ó S'Atalaiassa of Sant Josep that is the highest point of Ibiza with 475 meters of altitude there can see this image of the islands of the West area of the island. The giant Vedrà with his impressive silhouette at the zone South, and in the north zone, not such a high but equally big called island " s'espartà ó espartar " (for the quantity of "esparto" that exists in it) and behind this great island a series of smaller so called islands of "Ses Bledes" (the spinach beets, will it be for that these vegetables exist in these islands?). Views seasoned with the branches of the pines in these heights and in the whole island.

CHURCH AND ALTARPIECE OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE JESÚS

2009-12-23T01:32:00.008+01:00

CHURCH OF NTRA. SRA. DE JESÚS

A few weeks ago I had the chance to pay a visit to the Church of Jesús, very near of Ibiza City and then, i could enjoy the magnificent of the altarpiece, a unic and most appreciate art piece in the island. It´s considered " the jewel of the crown " in art.

the Annunciation, Birth and Adoration of the three Kings, I want to take them as my personal Christmas Card and with them to wish you a Merry Christmas and to wish you the best for the new year 2010.

It seems to be that is not known certainty who is the author of this altarpiece but "is suspected" that it was realized by Osona in Valencia. It is not known neither when, but it is believed that between the XV and XVI century.

The style is indeed a mixture of styles, predominating over the Flemish style and the Renaissance, but with Gothic clear shades that also are present in the altarpiece.

The central body as we see below it is centralized in the figure known as Ntra. Sra. de la Llet, that is the Virgin feeding the child.

This temple was raised as Convent by the Franciscans in the 15th century, though today it belongs to the municipality of Santa Eulalia, this church in her origins was using as a religious temple for the people specially fishermen and familys living out of the walls of Ibiza, since this zone belongs to the called " pla of Vila ". The convent in 1.580 passed to the Dominicans, who founded a confraternity in honor to The Virgin Mary. This Order (Dominicans) went due to the insecurity of the frequent assaults to the Pirates' island indoors part of the walled zone of Ibiza City, in the Building that today is the church of Santo Domingo, and that still people knows popularly as "the Convent" (today the cloister belongs to the City hall).

The interest of this church in art continues with an interesting linen of Saint Clara that is dated on the XVIth century.

Also the image of the Virgin Mary is a work of Antonio Saura realized in the XVIth Century (image down).

This church, totally in white front as a rural church from Ibiza´s architecture, it was raised to the degree of parish by the first Bishop of Ibiza in 1.785.

Detail of the Calvary (up) and of the porch or "porxo" in the image of below that as in some of the churches in Ibiza it is not at the main entry but aside. It consists of four round arches and is a construction of the XIXth century.

CLIMBING ON THE MYTHICAL ATLANTIS

2009-12-20T06:24:00.003+01:00

CLIMBING IN SA PEDRERA D´ES SAVINAR

The impressive descent that leads us to Atlantis's lost City, or to what is the same thing but quarry sounds a bit less mythological to "Sa pedrera des Savinar", when we can looked backward we see a great rocky vertically clump, there it is a great place where people can practise (specially on weekends) the climbing. In the picture above we can see (but really small) the tower of sabinar, where from there are extraordinarys sights to the famous islands Vedrà and Vedranell.

Of course the first quality of the climbers is not to have dizziness and then to be acquainted with all kinds of devices, strings etc, that it is necessary to go with it in order for the success of the climbing, specially the raise.

For those as me who not dare to rise, also inducement is to see all this from below, suffering with any incident that they can have in the heights for those who practise it.

Certainly after the difficult raise, the descent comes and this one is much simpler and certainly much more fast. For those who don´t practise climbing, our descent does not stay here, we lack much for going down up to the mythical Atlantis, also for us the way down will be faster. The raise on our way back and way up will be much harder.

ATLANTIS´s LEGEND

2009-12-19T04:38:00.004+01:00

ATLANTIS: The lost City

Thousands of years ago, here in this place a grand and prosperous City existed, with big buildings that still today we can see though demolished due to a great cataclysm that finished with this mass of land. For then the famous princess adored by her people was called Tanit, and later the history turned her into goddess, her father was the King of this place. The big marine monsters coexisted together with these people since they were never approaching excessively to the coast. But one day two enormous marine monsters came together with a smaller one. The big monster fell in love rapidly with the Princess Tanit and remained totally still in front of the City to be able to contemplate her to daily. The small monster remained slept to the feet of this one, and the third monster that was the mother of the small one, moved back very sadly up to the other side of this small sea, today it is possible to see as a rock in Calpe's locality, and it´s called "peñón de ifach ", and the other two, are there just infront here, the big one still looking where the Princess was strolling, and the small one rolled and still sleeping from then next to his father, they call " Es Vedrá and Es Vedrané " the time have converted them in to rocks, and the lost city little is under the sea except a small side where we can still see the remains of that great and prosperous former City.

Dad: tell it to me again. My son since we went down there many years ago, repeats incessantly the same thing whenever we go. Tell me again the history of the monsters and the lost City.

Each time we go, I can see him looking out and remain doubtful... It will be that true???

The certain thing is that a place with a lot of energy and inspiration for artists, good ones and not so much others. A few decades ago there were a few sculptures that were just amazing. By the time this place is more an acquaintance and therefore a bit less magic than some years ago, but due to the difficult access, this place still has relative quitness.

Symbols all over, and a comfortable way to go down but very tired to go back. The dunes of sand are the ones that makes that possible, and from these dunes almost as miraculously autochthonous trees arise in a dramatic way that seems that their roots want to turn into legs to walk to a more comfortable site.

These big temples, did they exist indeed?, and these beautiful natural swimming pools?, actually they are there, and maybe the best thing it´s to remain with the magic of those legends...
The certain thing is that this place "atlantis" which is called "Sa Pedrera" (the real name) is a former quarry that the Romans were exploiting it already. Anyhow it seems that decades ago stone was extracted to do big blocks for some of the island´s harbours and marinas.

But still the certain thing is that there they are both crags, the two guardians of the Island. Es vedrá and es Vedrané observing this place. A place where we can disconnect of "our routine and stressing world ".

BUDDHA IN IBIZA

2009-12-12T07:19:00.004+01:00

THE BUDDHA OF ATLANTIS

A place wrapped in legends and energies, with difficult access. There he is a Buda or Buddha that for years is looking at the south of the island of Ibiza and enjoying of beautiful view of the Mediterranean sea. I am glad that the one who was saying to myself had been wrong. But he said to me that the Buddha of Atlantis had disappeared. Of course there are plenty people without scruples or respect that can eliminate it as the Talibans did with the giant Budas, and that´s why before it happens at least I wanted to immortalize it closely with my camera.

It is said that it was painted by a Japanese, and certainly the skill was very good and very lasting since for years I contemplate the same Buda in the same place. there is a signature with Japanese characters at the right side under the painting that maybe was that of the author.

It is said that it was in the sixties and that the Japanese remained there during a time, taking advantage that there were caves where he could stay. As he says it could only to ponder in loneliness and to do a stop for meditation in his life, they say that he was coming from Vietnam. Maybe like him all of us we should do a break of meditation during a time of our stressed lives.
Undoubtedly this place that actually indeed is called Sa Pedrera of Savinar, has many mysteries and one of them is this Buda or Buddha, but it is a luck to have it still here, hope will last for long time.

KITESURF IN IBIZA

2009-12-05T01:51:00.004+01:00

KITESURF- A winter in the island? why not?

Winter in Ibiza? Of Course!!!. Who says that Ibiza is boring during winter???, This is one of the Sports you can try in Ibiza during winter. When the strong winds arrive to the island, generally they come from the west, so This do that Sant Antoni´s Bay as perfect site to practice this sport.

So here you are this kiters, going so fast and enjoying themself with this activity. To start practice this sport, it´s recommended to do a course, due the dangerous situations that can be envolved, and is hardly necessary to know what to do just in case.

In this case, the wind came from the right end, it´s called "on shore" if the wind comes from off shore it can be dangerous to get out, so, the kiter can not easily come back to the shore.

This sport in Europe is quite new, but there´s acknowledgment that in China and Indonesia they practice something like this from many centuries ago.

So you know now. If you stay in Ibiza during a windy day, don´t doubt to go to the Sant Antoni´s harbour, you´ll enjoy flying on the sea, or at least to see it.

NOCTURNE IN G MINOR - WINTER COMES (Cala Conta)

2009-12-02T04:00:00.005+01:00

TWILIGHT IN CALA CONTA

Time of summer nostalgia, the days are getting shorter and nights are getting longer, damp and cold. The summer already gone away and the happy images of crowded beachs have remained with these crowdless images, but beautiful. This twilight dusk invites us to the meditation which always is also nice. In the first picture we can see the silhouette of the island S'espartar and the second one with an golden image of the island of el bosque (the forest).

I must say that I hate the graffittis, but i must admit that there are some of them that improve things. In a side of the wall of little houses shipyards, there has been replaced a vulgar and ugly wall of blocks, in the whole work of art of a graffitti. This goddess who has been admired queen during the last summer in this point, prepares herself to hibernate untill next summer comes and I hope that she will still there then. At the moment she takes the stars as a roof, tha sand is her floor, and the western wind as her walls. But anyways it seems that she doesn´t care at all. Angie tell me, where you will be now?

SES FEIXES

2009-11-22T04:04:00.002+01:00

SES FEIXES & THE "PORTALS DE FEIXES "

This is the second most important humedal of the island (after las salinas) called "Ses Feixes" that translated would be something like " bench-covers ". A variety of flora and fauna very typical of this zone that is in full process of conservation. The location is closely together of the Beach of Talamanca and of the Avenue on August 8, just behind that we might name the "mile of gold" of the City of Ibiza.

Ses Feixes was a former marsh that was occupying great part of the acquaintance as "Plà de Vila", which was formed by marine alluviums, with a level of very equal water to that of the level of the sea, where for this motive were a great level of sedimentation. It was an area gained the sea, to dedicate it almost exclusively to the agriculture devices.
Though it is not this the Ses Feixes's unique zone since there is one in the zone West that today it is named " Is Pratet " (though practically eliminated as humid zone), near to the Ibiza Harbour.

This zone of ses feixes with enough humid zones is in the zone of "plá of Vila" named as "Prat de ses Monges" (Nun´s Meadow). A curious system of the unique irrigation was in use in these lands, taking advantage of the great quantity of not salty water. When strong rains, and there was threatened of floods, a kind of hatches of wood (generally pine) they were opened to regulate the whole water towards the nearby sea.
The canes are one of the most numerous shrubs plants in this place. Their golden tonalities in the early morning it gives us a few golden almost surrealistic and even romantic sights.

The "portal de feixa" was a distinctive entry to these gardens. There became so popular that the first airport that was done in Ibiza, was constructed imitating these portals and still today At the Airport d'Es Codolar can meet perfectly preserved in the old terminal today´s general aviation little terminal building of the Airport. I remember in my childhood when departures or arrivals to or from the planes it was necessary for all passangers to pass through them.

Today already neither the level nor quantity of agriculture on those days exists anymore, but still some of them can be seen. And though the zone as already I have said it seems a bit abandoned, still there are people who lives in ses feixes and this way it is testified by the numerous houses that exist in the zone and that are inhabited.

A relaxing walk along this zone is advisable, to see this site that has turned into a kind of natural reserve, closely together of the City of Ibiza.

SANTA GERTRUDI´S CHURCH

2009-11-16T01:18:00.002+01:00

CHURCH OF SANTA GERTRUDIS DE FRUITERA

As every November 16th Santa Gertrudis at the center of the Island celebrates its festivity, therefore today not only it will be the geographical center of the island but also the place to go for festivity. The image of the major altar of this church (picture above), that though externally it is not the typical white building, the certain thing is that indoors it has the typical style of the Ibicencan churches.

The Holder of this church is Saint Gertrudis Magna, a Holy German writer and Benedictine mysticism that was born in 1256. Many of her writings have disappeared (as her body since it is not known where her tomb is, though it is known that she died near Eisleben in Germany), but there exists an important legacy of her writings all of them written in Latin. During her life she lived in a monastery, where she devoted herself to the prayer and contemplation.

As a good rural from Ibiza church has not lack the "indispensable" details that are habitual in these churches. The Calvary (image of above) that is next to the entry, and the crosses that they indicate in the proximity of the temple and distributed by the whole village where there are located the points of the Vía Crucis. In the image it corresponds to the point XI.

One of the things that one find in these churches are the simplicity and the white walls of lime. This image of below is more evident due the simplicity of a small opened window where it entersa bit of light to illuminate one of the lateral chapels adorned with the sole image of a Saint (in this case mine, Saint Vicente Ferrer) that I believe is the most present of all the Saints in the churches of the island.

ES CORRALS DEN GUILLEM

2009-11-12T01:49:00.004+01:00

CORRALS DEN GUILLEM

SANTA AGNÈS DE CORONA

In this zone exists big precipices known as " Es Amunts " (the high places). It seems that decades ago in this place seems was more crowded that now, but anyway not much more in any case, but specially for domestic animals as ships and goats. Still we can see the corrals that were used in those days. In the image of above we can cleary distinguish the silhouette of the Cap Nonó or Nunó, that can be considered one of the borders of this zone of " Es Amunts " and in the distance the Conejera island.

Due the big level of sea salt enviroment and the strenght of north and west winds the dry "sabinas" are twisted and dramatically dry. This one is a place where the nature is all the year round in its maximum height, owed principally to the existence of the "safareix" or water ponds, that some of them like balconies on the Mediterranean.

Sabinas (some of great size), pines and canes on the one hand, and an extensive vegetation that makes us forget the urban world in which we live every day. To come to this place is to come to a place of peace.

Some plants and trees do their balances in the very same edge of the abyss.

The walls of the ponds, which are normaly filed with water, do that the nature overflow, and from this walls it is possible to observe the blue of the sea.

Some of the corrals that stay we can see (today in disuse) were refuge for domestic animals as sheeps or goats.

Some lime ovens demonstrate that there was permanency in humanizes previously though was not permanent.

The wild ferns are not very typical in the island. But in some very concrete zones of " Es Amunts " they are important in number. This one is the case of the path to which we go down of this area of " Es Corrals den Guillem ".

For the way we meet autochthonous flora of the island. And mixed with this flora (case of the photography of below) we can find beautiful landscapes as the distant islands of Conejera that are perfectly visible from this zone.

The wild Orchids also are present in this zone, to half a way among the landscape of mountain and the spectacular ravines falling to the sea.

SANTA AGNE´S CAVE

2009-11-01T01:31:00.004+01:00

EARLY CHRISTIAN CHAPEL OF SANTA AGNES

Located at 59 meters on the level of the sea, it is a place where the history and the legend intermingle.

A wide gallery intermingles with others narrow galleries. It seems that the first Christians in the Roman epoch, when the Christian worship was prosecuted, it was here where they meet to practising their cults.

During the 19th century, the Archduke Luís Salvador of Austria already was speaking in his chronicles of Balearics of this place. He was doing allusion to the most ample gallery with a great spring of crystalline waters and where every August 24th the peoples of the island were meeting. It seems to be that a precipice finished with the gallery and the spring, which certainly other historical sources also mention.

It is not known by accuracy when, but also one speaks of that a statue of wood of the Virgin who takes the name of the cave, which from here moved to the church always was returning to appear in the cave. Of here maybe it avenges the tradition of the famous picture (according to a few versions) or famous statue of wood (according to others) of venerated Saint Agnes, that on board of a ship in danger due to a heavy storm, the crew members promised to deliver in the port where they were coming healthy and safe and this it was precisely the Port of Portmany's Sant Antoni on August 24th, and that was this precisely the motive of San Bartolome's current festivity.

THE SALT MEN

2009-10-23T03:01:00.003+02:00

MONUMENT TO THE SALT MEN

In April 2.007 there was inaugurated this statue of bronze of the sculptor Pedro Hormigo in the same reservoirs of the salt mines of Ibiza recalling and honouring all the workers of Ses Salines that with their hard work were extracting the salt course to the ships or the trains (yes, trains still today can see the rails) where they were loading the salt, with destination on the tables of many families. Never rather that these men were earning their "salary".

The statue measures 1,85 meters high which is what would be a model to natural scale.

The monument is placed rightly next to the church of Ses Saline´s Sant Francesc, and sight of distant view makes us recall these past times where men's big rows with their basket on the head full of salt, were parading these places, today already replaced with machinery that does the same work for fewer "salary".

PAS DE S´ESPALMADOR (Formentera)

2009-10-10T01:22:00.002+02:00

Punta des Trucadors y Pas de S´Espalmador

Is located at the very Northern point of Formentera or the Southern point of Espalmador and is no much more than 300 meters. So we can say it´s possible to walk from one island to the other when the water is calm. But the frequent currents in this area can be very dangerous.

The area of "Es Trucadors" is rocky place but surrounded of a lot of sand. Also is very interesting the dunar system at both areas, at the south of the island of Espalmador and the North area of Formentera.

As sample here we see some sand coast of Formentera and at the back the dunes of Espalmador. Nothing to envy to the best Caribbean pictures.

During summer Es Trucadors is the favourite place to anchor the numerous yachts that come neighboring Ibiza.

The seagulls take advantage of the draughts of this maritime strait to fly fast around this area.

ONE DAY IN CATAMARAN

2009-10-08T01:41:00.003+02:00

DESTINATION ILLETES - FORMENTERA

Some days ago an agency invited us to do an excursion in a catamaran. On my way to the ship... SURPRISE....!!!!!!!! Six tourist guides of a French TT OO, which they are every Saturday at the airport while I check in the flight to Marseille (always someone assign this flight to me), but today they were going to this sailing tour.

Leaving the port of Ibiza

The whole group full of energy and vitality

As they never stop, in the return this ball of colors that is placed in the right side, it finished in the Mediterranean. This is what can happen when you play onboard a ship, things can end on the sea... as my bonnie lies over the ocean....!!!! remember???

the catamaran anchoraged in the Illetes beach of Formentera.

Renée dancing on board at the left Josepha

Estelle looking the maritime landscape and Habib always in good humour

Nadyne in a very seaworthy image and Tony looking far away to the horizon

During the journey, we can see the Espalmador Island.

Some dramatic images at the return to Ibiza. The weather changed and some big clouds appeared.

Never ending energy, even in sunbathe they continue with activities. At the back we can see the catamaran waiting for us.

Looking this picture we may think is a swimming pool. But is not, it is the sea of Formentera. So with this water, who wants to remain on board??????

HASTA LA VISTA AMIGOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STORM

2009-10-01T03:14:00.002+02:00

Some time ago since I want to take some photo of beams, but no way ... Finally I made the dream reality, and one night ago with the storms that lately are so frequent, finally I plundered them... Storm, beams, suitable distance, ideal frame (Talamanca's bay), and certainly camera in hand. This is the way I can celebrate the first year of this blog (spanish version), and by the way to illustrate a bit my state of mind ....: (

CHURCH OF SAN MIGUEL

2009-09-28T01:53:00.007+02:00

SANT MIQUEL DE BALANÇAT´s CHURCH

The September 29th the little village of Sant Miquel is celebrating their Saint patron day.

It seems that this year the weather will be not the best due a threat of storm and raining.

The white shape church of Saint Miquel is the oldest church in Ibiza after the Cathedral and in it´s origin was as well a fortress, the church dates from the XIV century.

Indoors shows a beautiness and white temple.

This three crosses, which are usually in each church in Ibiza, were very famous at the beginning of the 70´s decade due a famous turistic picture that with the name of Ibiza promote the Island all over Europe. In the picture appeared also a Ibicencan old lady entrying to the church.

In the XVII century were added two chapels on both sides of the main altar. The north chappel was called d´en rubiò and the South one was called "de Mitgorn" or "de Benirras", is also knowed as the painted chapel due the interesting paintings on their walls. The words JHS are the main motive of the paintings.

This cross is outside of the church. As all the churches in Ibiza the Via Crucis sign are located with fourteen different crosses around the church. This one surrounded by nature remains that this church is also from the country side of the Island.

This is a very curious image. Saint Vincent in this image seem a very modern image and also with great movement in opposition to the others images of the church which are quite serious.
On the main Altar of the church we can see Saint Miquel in the middle and Saint Rafael at one side and the other one is for a image of Maria Goretti a young Italian saint. Sant Miquel and Saint Rafael fest day is the same day 29th september, but for any reason the village of Saint Rafael in Ibiza celebrates it on October 24th.

There exist 7 Archangels, though in the Bible they appear three, one of them Michael. The church puts Michael first. he is represented in the art as a warlike and conquering angel of Lucifer to the one that puts the heel in the head of the wicked one. It is the angel that defeated Satan and his followers and threw them of the sky with his sword.

ES CASTELLAR - SES MARGALIDES ISLANDS

2009-09-22T01:40:00.002+02:00

SES BALANDRES (CORONA)

Es Castellar is a breathtaking zone of precipices, at the northeast coast of the island and very near of the small village of Santa Agnès de Corona. Precipices that fall down dramatically on the sea. As may be seen in the picture above the name of "Castellar" derives from the Castle and is that in this zone one finds a few high places of precipices that are very similar to the walls of a Castle.

From this zone can be observed the islands of "Ses Margalides" that the legend says that Christopher Colón (who according to Nito Verdera's thesis was From Ibiza) put to the Island Margarita of Venezuela this name in honor to these islands.

An excursion downwards is not a bad idea, but is necessary to go well prepared. " Es Amunts " is a northern island area that starts for the west with the Cap Nonó of Sant Antoni, and ends to near San Vicente at the east side.

The colors of the water of the sea contrasts with the green colour of vegetation of the nearby precipices.

It is possible to come down the precipices of this zone, using some paths and these when they do not exist, only there are some slightly risky options... as you can see at this picture.
Ses Margalides is composed by several small rock islands. This island has the endemic lizard which has a black colour. In addition it possesses a natural arch of great size that up to small pleasure boats can pass across.

I anarem a Sant Miquel

2009-09-18T00:24:00.002+02:00

SANT MIQUEL DE BALANÇAT

Some decades ago, the music group UC, released the song "anarem a Sant Miquel" "We went to Sant Miquel" it´s a funny song that get really popular all over the island. The song was converted in a kind of Ibiza´s hymn. But the little village became even more popular.

It seems the origin of this song, was nothing to do with this village, but in the origin was a house called "Can Miquel des Canal des Tumei" at the very other side of the island near Sant Josep de S´atalaya in the south side of the island. In that house lived a lady with two small and very entertaining girls. So when people where visiting the house in "colla" (group) they were singing this song that in future became the song we know now.

This song as the years went by, was distorted changing the original - Can Miquel (Miquel´s home)- into Sant Miquel and creating great reputation like that to the village. Undoubtedly it is a song of the most popular and more famous in the island. And in addition in this epoch in which the major amusement of weekends was to be going to take something to some village of the island, Sant Miquel took the best fame to be often visited by the island´s inhabitants and this way the streets and the bars were filling with people that went to the village of Saint Miquel due the so many reputation created by the song.

The village does not lack motives for being visited. Since it is a village with very much captivation and from Ibiza flavor. It has been a village that has could make last traditions as the dance payés that for many decades have been celebrated every Thursday of summer in the court of the church. The houses near the church have an unequivocally from Ibiza and like that architecture we see it easily across their thick, bulky and white walls.

SANT MIQUEL TO THE DUSK

Some years ago the schedule that had assigned for the religious office was " to the dusk " as it was saying an advise paper in the entry of the temple. And always I still had the doubt ... that exact moment was the dusk? Was it before putting on the Sun?, was it after putting on the Sun?, when the lampposts were ignited? After having ignited them?, and still today I continue with the doubt how residents knew the exact moment to start the mass office?. In the picture above is possible to see that still it exists the same tabacco shop that existed does more than half a century behind and a bar that little has changed since then. They are placed close to the church and what before they were shaping the center of the village now already it has grown even down of the small mount.

Es puig (the mount) of Sant Miquel is crowned by a church that is of the simplest, white, ancient and beautiful from Ibiza. But on the part of behind shows us his origin apart from religious purposes. It was a strength fortress where the inhabitants were going to shelter of the Berber assaults and all the dangers that Ibiza had to confront in those times.

Opposite the church years ago there was installed a sculpture of Marià Villangomez i Llobet. The Sculpture is built in bronze , a celebrated poet from Ibiza who deceased in 2002. Although he was born and dying in Eivissa's City, he was a teacher in Sant Miquel. Since here we can watch him reading a book and looking at the village from the very top.

Below we see a sight of " puig of missa "(mass mount) of Sant Miquel. Two famous ones exist " puig of missa " or mount of mass in Ibiza. In Santa Eulalia and this one of Sant Miquel both offer a few beautiful views whom they raise up.

HECTOR ROSELLO

2009-09-14T00:10:00.002+02:00

I was talking about a Julius Verne´s novel on the previous entry and exactly about his novel Hector Servadac. And I received the good new about the birth of another Hector who in fact is the son of another Ibiza´s blogger. The proud father is Pepe Roselló which is my mate work and he is the one that create the blog http://islaibiza.blogspot.com . So this new Hector will leave in a beautiful island called Ibiza and may be in a future will be able to travel around the space as Hector Servadac did in the novel. At the moment Hector Roselló is doing what he has to do, get feed, and dont let the parents sleep too much. So from this blog I want to share such a wonderful new and send my CONGRATULATIONS to Pepe and Norma for such a nice baby.

Photos courtesy of Pepe Roselló.

FARO DE LA MOLA - LIGHTHOUSE OF LA MOLA

2009-09-02T03:33:00.002+02:00

THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE END OF THE WORLD

The Queen Isabel II of Spain gave order to build this lighthouse. On September 13th 1861 the lighthouse starts operations for the boat´s safety. Still nowadays it´s known as "Far de Formentera" (Lighthouse of Formentera) because during lot´s of years was the only one lighthouse on the whole island. Just two times in the live of this lighthouse the light of it lamps turned off. During the Philippines war and during the Spanish Civil war.

This lighthouse is on an impressive cliff of 192 meters on the sea level. Julio Verne never visited Formentera, but it immortalized the island in his novel "Héctor Servadac" they say that inspired by this lihgthouse, though other sources indicate to this lighthouse as the inspirator of the writer´s novel " the lighthouse at the end of the world". Nowadays a monolith exists in honor of the writer. In these cliffs there are lots of the endemic small lizard (called sargantana in Ibicenco) and a numerous colony of gulls that flutter constantly the surroundings of the lighthouse.

The light of this lighthouse reaches a distance of 23 miles, it was electrified in 1.973. The square plant floor is of 300 square meters. In this lighthouse lived at the same time till three families of "fareros" or tower guards.

During the years between 1860 and 1880 there were about thirty maritime accidents in the surrounding areas of Formentera. Apparently the inhabitants certain know-how in attracting to the ships in nights of storm, with luminous equivocal signs, up to the coast where they were running aground, to plunder it later.

In 1.923 a road was constructed linking the Port of The Savina and La Mola. It was finished in 1.925.

CHURCH OF SAN ANTONIO ABAD

2009-08-28T03:29:00.002+02:00

PARISH OF SANT ANTONI DE PORTMANY

Last August 24th , San Bartolome's festivity, copatrón of Portmany's Sant Antoni, inaugurated the new major altar of the church. It is not an inauguration anyone, but a restoration of the same altar that was at the beginning of 20th century in this church and that thanks to a linen of the year 1913 it could have recovered as is it was. This major altar stayed with free chunks distributed in the whole church maybe immediately after that in 1.936 in the civil war, some tried to burn the church sew that was avoided by the intervention of the mayor of this epoch. Today thanks to the current parson we have recovered a part of history of this locality. At the new altar near to San Antonio titular of the parish, we find Saint Vincents Ferrer´s image, at one side Saint Joseph and Maria Magdalena (The Magdalena is an image that repeats itself very much in this church and it was a festivity that was celebrated in a solemn way in this locality) and to another side Saint John and Saint Peters are (who into this altar changes the keys into the cross).

The church of San Antonio constructed itself in the 14th century as church and fortress. It was a refuge of all the inhabitants in the cases of pirate attacks and other threats. Sample of this is the attached tower, which is the only one tower of defense squared in the island and the lack of windows in the former fortress. In the tower two cannons existed to muffle the foreign threats, the doors of the fortress were of iron in order that they could not burn and if the enemy was approaching very much the inhabitants were throwing boiling oil to the enemy from the belfry.

Today already calmer than those days, the use of this building is of religious worship. Proof of it is that as any good from Ibiza church it has a Calvary, set of three crosses that exists in all the churches of the island.

As all the churches from Ibiza it has it´s "porxo" or porch, though not in the principal entry but in the one that leads to the sacristy.

The church of San Antonio is an authentic museum. Of incalculable value it is this angel of white marble that holds a washbowl where the holy water is, and that curiously also appears in the before mentioned linen of 1.913.

The most ancient image is this of Saint Agnes. An image worth being in any museum of ancient works. I ask myself if it will not be the famous image of the ship in danger that arrived at Sant Antoni's port on August 24th and that they made like the crew members promised during the danger that in the church of the port where they should come healthy and safe, and that it gave place to the origin of San Bartolomé's festivity.

This altarpiece was in the major altar before the "new" recently inaugurated altar. A great linen with the figures of Saint John, Saint Anthony and Maria Magdalena (as i said before an image that repeats herself very much in this church).

A great picture of San Francisco Javier is placed in the back part of the temple. Close to the windows that represent the patrons of the villa. A picture of big dimensions and with very much historical value. This church is like a museum of big pictures and some sculptures.

The Patron is the hermit San Antonio Abad, who was a hermit in Egypt. He is represented by a pork on his feet and in this image (we do not see it for being on his feet) the pork is black. A curiosity since in Ibiza and specially in Formentera some decades ago the porks that were growing up were black. Below we see a window in the backside part of the temple.

SANT BARTOMEU 2009

2009-08-26T03:41:00.002+02:00

HOLIDAY IN HONOUR TO SANTA AGNES IN SANT ANTONI DE

PORTMANY ON SAINT BARTHOLOME´S DAY

This way it would be the name of these holidays(parties) that according to the tradition maaany years ago, maybe hundreds of them a ship in a strong tempest was furrowing for the Mediterranean. On board of this ship the sailors had a picture (other sources talk about an image) of Saint Agnes on board and they promised that they would deliver it in the port where they were arriving safe. On August 24 (I do not know if anyone knows the year) they came to Portmany's Port, where they did delivery the picture (or image) of Saint Agnes. From this date and reminding this event on this day the holidays were celebrated in honor to Saint Agnes (not to confuse with the neighboringvillage of Santa Agnés that though it would treat itself of same Saint, the date of celebration in the neighboring village is the January 21th). There are historical chronicles that talks about holiday(party) to which meet people of the whole island, were celebrated in the " Santa Agne´s Cave" at few kilometres of the town, there there was a great lake where it was the point of meeting. The part of the cave with the lake seems to be that was ruined and the holiday stayed a bit in the oblivion. Nowadays they are known popularly like festes of Sant Bartomeu, not knowing the origin as why of the holiday. It seems that thanks to a very famous Priest in the Town called Bartomeu, the "fiesta" re-threw again this festivity.
Nowadays the biggest point of this festivity are the spectaculars fireworks at midnight of the August 24th. People all over the island are concentrated here to see them.

Here you are some views of this fireworks this year.
The bay was under the fireworks colours from the performance. And now we must wait untill next year to see the next ones.

SA FIGUERA BORDA

2009-08-21T02:32:00.003+02:00

SA FIGUERA BORDA

Sa figuera borda is the name of a bush and also is the name of this such especial place at the Ibiza coast. It´s like a big cave where it´s opened at the east and the west side. Looking to the east we can enjoy a big hill infront of us, and at the west the magnificent rock of s´espartar island.

Taking advantage of this "cave" the former fishermen installed here some fishermen's sheds, some of them looking in the eastern part as we see below and others as above look directly at the island that is located in the west side.

In both side sheds have a very simple access to the sea, maybe to arrive here is not so simple and let's have to do it for stairs slightly difficult to find and of going down

This is also a good place to have a bath, may be the access to the sea is a bit complicate. Some boats like to anchorage around this place.
Also there exists some walk paths but it´s not recommended for people who have no experience.

This is a beautiful place to see nice sunsets.

SANTA GERTRUDIS DE FRUITERA - THE ISLAND´S CENTER

2009-08-17T01:59:00.007+02:00

THE MIDDLE AND CENTER OF THE ISLAND

SANTA GERTRUDIS

Santa Gertrudis is a Village that could create a very special atmosphere between the new things and the real Ibiza. It´s like a own style to do things. Althought Sant Rafel unhabitants says that they are the real center of the island, it is sure that is Santa Gertrudis where we can say that is the center of the island.
The "cool" atmosphere and the quiteness of the streets with a lot of restaurants and bars offering the famous "bocatas" (sandwiches and rolls) are making of this place the real meeting point for the local people and as well for tourists.
Some of the stores in this place has no changed for a long time.

Some of the most famous bars of the village are a real picture gallery and thus they are full of big pictures on their walls that we can enjoy meanwhile eating our rolls.

Some stores are decorated with an Asian atmosphere, casual style.

Art galerys are around in big number, as well as the good restaurants and also the room auctions are very popular in this village.

Althought exists modern houses, there are a big number of old houses with their own details, as for instance the windows.

Gatzara's well is to few distance of Santa Gertrudis, it is said that this one is the real point that marks the real center of the island.

WALKING AROUND "CORONA"

2009-08-12T02:14:00.014+02:00

Walking around SANTA AGNÈS

During these hot days, another way to relax is walking around the countryside of Ibiza. Santa gnés de Corona is a really small village at the northwest side of Ibiza. The grasshoppers will entertain our way with their hissed(creaked) singings, and will accompany us while we enjoy the beauty and sobriety of the nature.

This well (over) is a specimen that the Arabs constructed during their on the island. The form is very curious, very near of it we can see as the snails "hibernan" up to the following rains.

The houses whitewashed on the one hand and others of stone accompany us in the way, some of these small houses of stone are nowadays corrals.

In some houses they inhabit at liberty the doves that are in the habit of remaining about their houses. Although they are often flying around the house always they back again to the house.

Centenary olive trees with involved trunks are another of the attraction of the way.

The grapevines also adorn the typical walls of Ibiza with their greenery offering an authentic contrast. And if we get tired for the way always there is some fig tree offering shade.

At the end we are comming back to the same initial departure point. The white church of Santa Agnès de Corona.

FESTES DE LA TERRA - CATEDRAL DE IBIZA

2009-08-04T02:58:00.003+02:00

IBIZA´S CATHEDRAL

The Cathedral of Ibiza is under the advocation of Our Lady of Snows (which is difficult to understad due the few times that snows in the Island) but we can find an explanation with the history. the August 8th of 1235 the troops of Guillem de Montgrí, arrived to Ibiza with an expedition of behalf Jaime I the Conqueror. With them they brought a new religion to this Island, the Cristianity. They want to have the Virgin as the Patroness of Ibiza, but they had to find the nearest advocation by the calendar so that was the 5th of august with Our Lady of Snows.

The Cathedral is located at the very top of the dalt vila´s hill. From there we can enjoy a awesome view of the city and a part of the Island.

At the beggining the Cathedral was built in gothic style, but after many reforms the style is a bit difficult to say. Anyway and still today we can see some details of the old gothic as the one in the picture below.
Inside the temple we can see white walls as near all churches in Ibiza.
In the picture below we can see an image of Saint Ciriaco, which it doen´t exist to much devotion. He is in fact the Saint Patron of Ibiza. The festivity of this Saint coincides with the big fiesta day of the "Festes de la terra" which is the 8th of August. This is really the historical day of the Reconquest of the Island by the Aragon kingdom. Every August 8th a Te Deum is celebrating in to the Cathedral.

DALT VILA - IBIZA´S OLD TOWN

2009-07-31T03:40:00.002+02:00

DALT VILA

In few days Ibiza will celebrate de date of Our Lady of Snows, Saint Patroness of Ibiza and Formentera august 5th and Saint Ciriaco august 8th. These celebrations are known as "Festes de sa Terra" (land´s celebrations).

The ones who will go to this celebration may walk throughout the narrow and old streets of Dalt Vila. This nice old Town City surrounded by the most well conservated walls of the Mediterranean after (of course) Malta.

The "Portal de Ses Taules" (Top Picture) is the main entrance door to the city walls, and the way to get the nice "patio de armas" and Dalt Vila. This entrance is just a revival of the old years.

In Dalt Vila streets, the most of the narrow streets are linked by steps, also narrows and very pictoric ones. One has the sense to be lost.

Ibiza´s Castle at the top, from where are I can remember never has been finished. It´s seem that this time they´re getting seriously and in few years we will be able to see it finish.

The other entrance to "Dalt Vila" is known as "Portal Nou" (new door), it´s not so spectacular as the "Portal de ses taules" but throughout a tunnel where we must to walk we will be able to be "in" the walls and see how thick these walls are. We will arrive to a big group of steps and from there we can go on to the very top surrounded for a nice group of white houses.

ILLETES - FORMENTERA

2009-07-28T01:28:00.002+02:00

I L L E T E S

It´s one of the Top three beaches on the Balearics. Also exists one "illetes" in Mallorca, but the Illetes in Formentera on difference with the one in Mallorca has no buildings around, the colour of the sea is just georgeous, and it has been declared Natural Park.
Some of the boats and yatchs that anchorage in front of the beach are just spectaculars. Some of them are the most luxurious on the world. A lot of celebrities are comming here for a nice relax day and for a bath in these waters.

Although is a very busy beach, there are also places where you can find a lot of privacy. There a lot of kilometres of golden dunes and sand.

All this area belongs to the north of Formentera island. Illetes name means little islands, and in fact there are little rock islands around.

In some places you can easily choose wether you want to have a bath on the east side or the west side. Illetes belongs to the west side, and the east is called "platja de Llevant" Llevant means East side in "Ibicenco". On breeze days you can choose if you want to bath between waves or you prefer calm waters.

On this beach you can practise any water sport also around the beaches of Formentera.

I hope from now on, Formentera will be much more on my blog.

MITJORN BEACH - LAS SALINAS BEACH

2009-07-22T07:40:00.003+02:00

The Mitjorn beach (mitjorn is the name of a local South wind) is the real name of this famous beach more named as Ses Salines Beach. During the summer is the meeting point of the famous and the "beautiful" people and the most "on fashion" celebrities. It´s surrounded by pines and dunes. The waters of this beach as we can see in the pictures have a clean deep blue colour.

On this beach you can practice a lot of water sports, the beach has one and a half kilometer long and may be is the most tropical looking of the beaches in Ibiza due the colour waters. From this beach we can enjoy a wonderful view to the little islands placed between Ibiza and Formentera.

This is one of the few beaches (not cove at all) on the island. To arrive here we have to go throughout the natural Park of the Salinas.

Convent´s Church - Santo Domingo´s Church

2009-07-16T03:55:00.004+02:00

Church of Santo Domingo

Saint Peter´s Parrish

This church was originally a convent. In 1.835 the last monks left the Convent. Nowadays the old Convent building belongs to the City´s Town Hall. Originally the Convent´s was the today´s Jesús Church, but due the dangerous berberisch pirate´s attacks the monks went in to the more safe old town inside of the defense city walls.

Some interesting pictures were found some years ago.

This Church is located in Dalt Vila the old part of Ibiza City declared in 1.999 by Unesco World Heritage.

This is the Chapel of Our lady of Roser. Somedays mass is celebrating in this Chapel instad the main altar of the Church.

CRISTO DEL CEMENTERIO - Cemetery´s Christ

The Christ of the Cemetery is the image with major popular fervor of the island. The name comes from the place where it was (that maybe coincides with the one that is nowadays), and that was the cemetery of the friars of the convent. This image dates back of at least the year 1.625 that is when they place this image in the choir of the church. In 1.730 a beam makes exploit nearby the polvorín of Saint Lucia. 15 dead people and big damage in the temple. Miraculously the image remains totally unharmed. At the end of the XVIIIth century the Archduke Luis Salvador is a witness of as any ship on having gone out or to enter of the port hoists the flag or greets with a cannon-shot to the image that was as today looking at the sea, though apparently it was in a chapel outdoors of the temple and in view of the crafts. In 1.864 a terrible and great epidemic destroyed the island of Ibiza decimating and very much the population of the island. The survivors come to pray in front of the image of the Christ to implore the protection. The epidemic for on the verge of the City, motive by what the devotion is so extended in this image.

The image was burned during the civil war in 1.936 and thrown the remains for the neighboring cliffs. In 1.938 was blessed the new image.

FLORS DE BALADRE / ROSEBAY´S FLOWERS

2009-07-03T02:41:00.002+02:00

Flors de Baladre

Once we have finished the spring the flowers are normally dissapering. But the Rosebay flowers are starting now the rose colours to envolve our forests, and gardens. The Ibicencan musician group UC dedicated a lovely song to these nice flowers. Isidor Mari was written for the group the lyrics.

Flors de baladre en un torrent, per on no passa mai sa gent,
amb poca cosa en tenen prou,
per treure un altre color nou.

Flors de baladre en un torrent tenen el cor de sol i vent,
viuen només d'alò que cau: aigua de núvol i cel blau.

Flors de baladre en un torrent no es venen per deu ni per cent.

Creuen que tenen un gran riu, quan fa un ruixim de mig estiu,
i es deixen dur torrent avall com ses al·lotes cap a un ball.
I ses que queden, quan no plou, obrin els ulls per veure el sol,
i dos teulats que tenen set en es cocons fan un glopet.

Mind with these plants and flowers so they can be really dangerous if you eat them. The lyrics of the song above talks about the few cuantity of water they need to keep them happy. If you want to hear the song go to this blog onto Spanish version.

SANT VICENT DE SA CALA

2009-06-27T01:53:00.003+02:00

The Saint Vicent´s church is located at the northeast of the Island. I must admit that has been the very last church of the island that I have visited. This time I want to tell a little history (may be a leyend) about this little church. A blogger called Alfonso Naharro wrote it in one of the local newspapers.

The history talk about a pirate’s boat that arrived to Ibiza due a big storm. All died except one of the crew. A neighbourr went to help him but sending away for something to eat, may be to es canar or whatever... The neighbour was rich thanks to all the gold on board of the boat, and wanted thanks god for that, so he brought the treasure to home, and paid a piece of land where a church had to be built. He also requested to someone on the mainland to due a bell, that is the one today we can see on the church. This should happen at the beginning of the XIX ´s century. On those days the people from here had to go to the San Juan´s Church for the mass. The new church of San Vicente was start building in 1827 and meanwhile the church was built the Priest of San Juan had to go every Sunday to do the mass under a big tree. For advising the neighbourhood that service the bell of the Pirate´s boat was the one in use for that, and the assistants went each one with one stone to built the new church. The new church of Sant Vicente was finish in 1838 and on the new bell can read "snta Maria ora pro nobis".