11/6 - Ibiza, part 2

Cubells is a little outpost of a town on the rocky cliffs looking out over the ocean.  We’re here to see the Carmelite church, which is very pretty and plain with wood beams that appear to hold the church up from the exterior.  We spend a little bit of time walking around the grounds here, looking at the great views up and down the rocky coast, and a few more hardy souls climb down steep steps to a garden below the church to explore a cave and the plants there. Because it is the end of the season, both cafes here are closed.  Jose had thought one would be open, so we could use the facilities and maybe have a coffee, but nothing is open except a little convenience store without restrooms.  We decide to buy a beer at the store (heck it’s almost noon!) and share it on the bus as we munch on a croissant I snagged from the breakfast tray this morning.

Retracing our steps back through the salt ponds, we drive further west, through gorgeous green coniferous forests and rolling hills until we reach the nature park where all the houses are styled off of landscape, using the colors of the ground (mostly sand/beige color) and cube shaped with windows high up on the walls to conserve energy.  A little way further along, we pull off into this gravel parking area at the edge of a cliff.  The views from here are fantastic – beautiful white sand beaches looking north, and craggy coastline to the south.  Its such a clear day, we can see the Spanish mainland – Valencia and  Alicante - about 60 miles away.  Plus lying just off the coast is Es Vedra, a 382 meter rock that is considered a “magic island.”  Apparently the hippies came here to watch the sunset and claimed there were magical properties.  Also, FYI, Bob Dylan celebrated his 26th birthday in front of rock, having arrived on the island with the very first hippies.

Continuing our circuit around the island we reach Sant Antoni de Portmany, the 2nd largest city on the island and the biggest city for partying and clubbing.  There is a huge egg sculpture with the Santa Maria sailing ship inside in the middle of a roundabout, that we circle around twice for a good look.  The sculpture is dedicated to Christopher Columbus, who was rumored to be born on Ibiza.  Even though not a confirmed fact, the local government liked the idea that he may have been born there and had the monument commissioned.  Leaving the circle, we park at the bus station with 20 minutes to hit the restroom and walk back to the egg and the harbor front for some photos.

Then we’re off again, this time heading across the middle of the island, through lots of green, between trees and lush fields.  We cross a dry river bed that looks more like a botanical garden than a river bed, and also pass all the wineries on the island before arriving in Santa Eularia, our lunch stop.  This city is wrapped around a lovely beach (that is a non-smoking beach with adorable signs showing a crab cutting a cigarette in two) with a wide promenade running the entire length of the waterfront.  There are some great dog statues – representing a native animal that people train to hunt – where Sunny gets to play, then its off to find a tapas restaurant for lunch.

We end up at Can Cosmi, where we are joined by two of our fellow travelers, and commence to order far too much food (as always). We start with Albondigas for Ed, which I pick on as well, then we move to Pollo croquettes (really excellent and creamy).  Ed wanted Pulpo (octopus) that he saw on the tapas menu, but the waiter said it was done, and said he had Pulpo Gallego, Ed clarified it was a tapas portion, not a whole ration (which costs far more), and the waiter said yes, so he ordered it.  And I had a bocadillo of pork cutlet, cheese and bacon.  Normally a bocadillo is pretty small, but this one was absolutely mammoth!  It was also excellent, but there was no way I was finishing it!  I managed to eat half, then apologized to the table as I tucked the remaining half of the sandwich into a ziplock back to save for later.  When the bill came, as we feared, the stupid Pulpo was not tapas, but full meal price.  Sigh.  Oh well – at least it was really good according to Ed.

We still had about half an hour before re-boarding the van, so we wandered down the seafront promenade, and landed at a nice little cafe for one more beer and wine, then made our way back to the van to return to the ship – with one quick stop at Cala Llonga (cala meaning cove) to walk on a wide beach down to the water.  It’s beautiful and obvious why it’s called the long cove! We supposedly have one more beach stop before returning to the ship, but some of the other passengers are freaking out about getting back to the ship on time (we’ve got plenty of time, but they persist in their worry), so Jose smartly skips the last beach and delivers us safely to the ship with plenty of time to spare!

Nice day, and a great way to explore Ibiza without just focusing on all the ritz and glitz and partying!
Back on board, it’s the normal routine, gym, lounge, dinner, show.  Tomorrow – Cartegena.