ES CORRALS DEN GUILLEM

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

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

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)

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

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

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 ....: (