SUNSET AT PORTMANY´S BAY

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

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

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

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

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

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.