I'm frequently asked if I get 'Island Fever'. It's the sense of feeling like you're on a small island with nowhere to go for variation or change of scenery.
The answer is 'No'.
Yes, Mallorca is only 60 miles (100 km) wide and 40 miles top to bottom, and you can get from one end to the other in a little over an hour. But, Mallorca has a lot of variety to keep things interesting, such as more than 4 dozen villages/towns, the mountains, beaches, coves, cliffs, vineyards, farms, castles, fortresses, ruins, outdoor markets, fiestas, and on and on. Plus, it's not like being in Hawaii where you have to fly for hours to reach the mainland. Barcelona, for example, is only a 40 minute flight away.
All that said, sometimes you do find yourself thinking 'I'm bored, what's there to do?' Maybe you don't have a car or motorcycle to go out and explore with. Well, I have an answer for that conumdrum.
Head for the bus station.
I have a motorcycle, but sometimes I'd rather have someone else do the driving. The TIB bus system can take you pretty much anywhere you want to go on the island. Just pick your destination and head out for an afternoon getaway.
Today, I chose Puerto Pollensa. Or, is it Puerto Pollenca? Both are correct. BUT, what is different and most IMPORTANT is whether you're talking about the TOWN of Pollensa or the PORT of Pollensa. As I've stated in prior blogs, many towns on Mallorca have both. The Port of <insert name> is, obviously, the seaside port. However, back in the days of pirates, it was common to build the TOWN inland (many times on a mound or hill) to protect themselves from being immediately ambushed at the port.
Anyhoo, the TOWN of Pollensa is about 4 miles inland (8 minute bus ride) from Puerto (port) Pollensa.
Ok, enough with the education.
I boarded a bus in Palma at 12:45pm and arrived in PP an hour and 15 minutes later after stopping maybe 4 times along the way. The fare for Pensionados (those 65 and over) is 3.25. Standard fare is double that. I'm not telling you which one I qualified/didn't qualify for.....hrrrmmpphh!!!!
I walked about 4 blocks to PP's seaside promenade....a 98% car-free, wide boulevard along the waterfront, lined with cafes, small hotels, shops, benches, bike lane, and pine trees. It was a nice sunny day in late October and VERY quiet primarily due to it being off-season and amid the Covid pandemic.
Unlike the inland TOWN of Pollenca, there aren't many full-time residents in PP. It's primarily a summer getaway for European tourists. And, unlike some other resort towns on Mallorca, it's more family-oriented versus the party-hardy, boozie, rowdy bar scene. Because it's located on a bay, the water is smooth and quiet with very little wind. PP is also well-located for a variety of other activities such as hiking in the Tramuntana mountains (right in its back yard), visiting Cala Sant Vicent just a few miles away, or going across the bay (via miles of bike paths) to the walled old town of Alcudia or Port of Alcudia and its beaches. PP is also the starting point for exploring the jaw-dropping vistas along the peninsula Formentor. Not to be outdone, on the flip side of the bay is the equally stunning Victoria peninsula.
Ok, you can't do all those things in an afternoon trip Dano!!! Yeah, yeah, but you CAN just saunder about, take in the gorgeous views, walk the 'Pine Walk', admire the boats in the marinas, and relax at a seaside cafe with a beer/wine (after all, you're not driving, right?).
After I saundered, I grabbed an outdoor table at a cafe on the promenade and ordered a preset meal which included a spring roll, almond chicken and fried rice with egg, a beer, and ice cream for a total of 9.95. Pssssst...just in case you don't know, everything here (Spain) includes tax...it's not added on after the fact. And, tipping is not a requirement unlike the US of A where you'd be frowned upon if you didn't leave at least 20%!!!!! As a result, 9.95 doesn't become 14.00!!!
My stomach full, I headed back to the bus station and hopped on the 4pm back to Palma. Home by 5:30pm. Nice day. Nice getaway.
But that's not the end of the story.
I asked the bus driver if we were allowed to take bicycles or electric kick scooters (called Patinetes) on the bus. Answer: Yes, they're placed in the storage areas along with luggage in the bottom of the bus. GREAT!!!
A few days later, I took the same trip but brought along my Patinete so I could broaden the scope of my exploration. The first trip I only had my cell phone with me to shoot video, so the quality is not so great. This time, I brought my GoPro camera and mounted it to the front stem of my Patinete so I could bring you along to see the sights of Puerto Pollensa.
I heard the term 'Pine Walk' before but had no clue what, or where, it was. After following the promenade along the bay, I suddenly realized I found the Pine Walk! It's a lovely flagstone path lined with old pine trees and follows the shoreline in a non-commercial area and ends at a military aerodrom installation.
If you visit Puerto Pollensa and look across at a peninsula down the bay, you'll see what looks like a large fortress. That's Villa Sa Fortalesa a 232 estate originally built as a fortress in 1628. It's almost stealth-like as many people don't even know how to get to it and it's not open to the public. Only the rich and exclusive (elusive?) set foot there. In fact, you won't even find much on the internet about it. There's a few days out of the year when the public is allowed on the property but no press and photos are not allowed. That said, it can be seen by BBC viewers as it's been used extensively in films/television. It was also the location of Rafal Nadal's recent wedding.
I ended my afternoon getaway like I did on my previous visit...a late lunch at the same cafe fronting the promenade, consisting of a big burger, heap of fries, and an Americano coffee for 8.00. Quite reasonable for a waterfront cafe and drop-dead gorgeous view!!
I was back home in Palma by 5pm!
Watch the video I took during both of my visits to see what a few hours, afternoon getaway can be for you!! There's snippets along the way on the bus, still photos, moving shots from my GoPro as well as musical background. How fancy!!! LOL
Don't forget to turn your speakers 'on' and adjust the volume!!
Or click this link: https://youtu.be/dCOQ6GSCa0k
Be sure to watch the video in full-screen mode and something large than a dinky cell phone!!
Villa Sa Fortalesa
Aerial View
