IBIZA´S NEW HARBOUR, BOTAFOC LIGHTHOUSE AND CRUISE

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

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

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.