The sun, the sea and clear blue skies!

It's nearly seven in the evening and I am on the bus going back to Manacor, from where I will take the train back to Sineu. As I contemplate the turnout of my day, I realize how brilliantly amusing life can be! The sun is shining on my face now and I take a deep breath as my lips curl up into a big smile. What a beautiful day I had...

As it was my day off from working on the farm, I decided to set out to the east coast of Mallorca. Pat, my host was driving that way to do some errands and so she offered to give me a ride in the car, which saved me a train journey to Manacor. Unfortunately, the buses were not in my favor today as I was waiting at the bus stop for over an hour. I wasn't the only one waiting as a crowd of people was getting bigger with anticipation of the bus finally arriving. Although there were many people waiting, I definitely was the only one who made everyone at the bus stop make a face and wince as I decided to ram myself into a pole. How and why did I do that?! Well, since the bus was late and I wasn't really sure on which side of the street the bus would come (serious lack of signs) I was checking bus signs as they were approaching on both sides of the street. One of those buses came at a stop across the street and I missed the sign on it so I was walking fast along the street, straining to see what it said. All of a sudden, a poll came out of nowhere and hit me full force... Ok so I was an idiot and walked into it :) but ohhhhh did it hurt. The worst thing was that I had to come right back to the bus stop where I was standing before, to all of those people politely looking away but also making apologetic sad faces at the same time. Needless to say, I had a bit of a headache after that. And that was the second time I walked into a poll... First time was in Paris when I saw the Eiffel Tower and started literally running towards it. Certainly not the brightest moments of my life! 

But I am alive and well as always, just with one more bruise on me. Nothing new there. As balanced as I am in yoga, I definitely make up for that in my repetitive clumsiness. Oh well, could be worse! :)

So once I finally managed to get myself on the bus, after an hour or so down a scenic coastal road, I found myself in Port Vell, a northeastern coast port town. Magnificent views of tall rock formations and crystal clear blue water and old Spanish architecture. Little did I know, I had a long way ahead of me because my plan was to go back to Porto Cristo, which the bus passed on the way from Manacor to Port Vell. I didn't want to just go to one place and plop down down on the beach all day so that's why I planned this trip. On the map, the two places didn't look like too long of a walk but as it turned out, my feet had approximately 13 miles to walk, up and down rocky hills and sand beaches. 

The beginning of the walk was quite unsatisfying as I kept passing by these typical package holiday places full of German and British tourists, mostly in their golden retirement years or families with small children. Not exactly my kind of crowd. So I pushed forward through those areas as fast as I could in order to get myself to a more secluded and less noisy area. In the distance I could see tall cliffs jutting out into the crystal blue Mediterranean Sea, only that I wasn't sure if I could walk over them without too much trouble. But as I was feeling adventurous today, I got myself to those cliffs after crossing a sea of bodies lined up next to one another, on identical beach chairs trying to desperately catch each burning ray of the Mallorcan sun. The cliff paths turned out to be quite easy and the paths were already there, I just had to follow them. Armed with plenty of water and a mindset of a warrior, I continued on in the blazing hot sun. 

It felt so good to walk away from all the noise and bustle of the previous busy beaches of Cala Bona and Cala Millor and walk with only the sound of the sea waves crashing against the rocks, birds singing and only a couple people passing by about every twenty minutes. It was paradise. It definitely took me back to the days of Koh Rong island, where hiking through the beautiful lush jungle you would only meet lizards and snakes and the nature was always playing its full orchestra. 

This landscape was quite different of course. Full of pines and dry desert-like flowers and bushes. Even some wild horses seen in the distance. Ok so later on I found out that they were not wild horses as there was a farm nearby which I passed later but still, it was very nice to see such beautiful creatures roaming gracefully in such breathtaking surroundings. 

When I came out to another beach looped inland, Sa Coma, I was greeted by a similar style of a crowd. I made my way down towards the city so I could walk under the shady protection of the tree lined streets for a while and to avoid another run in with the super tourists. As I wandered down and through the streets, I was greeted with silence and only the sounds of birds and a hot sunny day. You know that sound of the street when no one is really outside, you're in a residential area so there is a slight echo of people doing their daily things inside but it's all so fluid and quiet. 

I sat down on a next cliff edge to have an orange and to gaze at the views. The further I walked on, the less people I started seeing until eventually I walked up to an amazing little place which had long peninsulas, tall rock formations, crystal blue water and the most beautiful silence, only disturbed by the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. I could also see some caves in the distance which I was excited to get close to and see. That place was like a scene out of a romantic French film. Besides the sea, the sun and colours, there was a middle aged man with a white Panama hat sitting under a curved tree full of leaves in the shade. He had his canvas up on an easel and was painting the panorama in front of him, seemingly unaware of anything or anyone around him, except for what he was doing. There was also a young woman down by the sea at a little spot under the rocks, sunbathing topless without a care in the world. Such a beautiful moment with all of it combined, all I could do was smile.

I continued on the path towards where the caves were in hopes of finding a little beach area where I could lay down and rest my feet. The place where the young woman was sunbathing was nice but I didn't want to spoil her privacy and I was also determined to find a spot of my own. Hoping up and about a few rocky paths I found some cliffs with a flat area which would be perfect to lay down on, right next to a cave (only accessible by small boat) and the sea water splashing against the rock wall below. I found my spot! I carefully climbed down and to my pleasant surprise, found a beach mat hidden away inside the rocks which was only visible from down there. I happily claimed my spot and laid down with the sun high above and only the sound of waves playing around in the cave and the rock edge next to me. I had all the privacy in the world and it felt so good I lay down and relax. After a short snooze, I woke up feeling happy, relaxed and so alive! I had my lunch there, a sandwich which I packed with me and got down to the cave to cool off a bit. The cave wasn't deep at all but it was perfect and provided just enough space for a quick splash. I would've liked to jump off into the water but the water with its currents and splashing against the rocks was a bit too much of a risk to take with no one else being around. Sometimes I do wish I was still a kid , when taking risks wasn't a premeditated move but just a moment of adrenaline and adventure. I still have those moments, a lot but now I think of the consequences more. Still, I think I'm doing alright as far as getting out there and adventuring goes so nothing to complain about here.

After that little break down by the cave I continued my odyssey to Porto Cristo. At this point, I wasn't sure which way to go because the path had disappeared and there was sort of a path to follow but then it split in three different directions. It was too late in the late and also didn't have enough energy to get lost and have to backtrack. As always though, I just followed my instinct. After about twenty minutes of walking, passing a little inlet with six or seven completely nude people swimming and snorkeling, I was on a  dusty road which seemed to lead to someone's home. I continued walking as turning back would mean, going back about an hour's worth of journey. After continuing down that road I passed what seemed to be an abandoned entrance to a piece of land. I followed that as it appeared to lead to the sea again which was sort of the direction I needed to head to. About a fifteen minutes later I found myself walking along the edge of absolutely beautiful rock formations and the vibrant blue sea was just underneath me. I could see Porto Cristo, my destination, far ahead in the distance and I wanted to see where these little paths would take me. After a bit of a struggle to get though the thick bushes and sharp greenery, I found myself above a secret little cove with a tiny bit of sand and the bluest of blue colored water just in front. With a few people, a small boat and a dog happily swimming around, I climbed down to have a quick dip before heading back. This water and place was absolutely glorious! As I was swimming around and looking back and around to where I was, I couldn't have been happier. It was perfect.

Eventually I found my way to the city where I had a nice little cup of coffee by the marina and reflected back on my day, again, with a big smile. A few days after this adventure I decided to come back to Porto Cristo and have that as my base for ten days. Plenty of time to hike, explore and enjoy the beautiful nature around. Away from the super tourists and in complete beauty. 

And back on the farm my days were spent doing various things around the house as well as outside. Part of my "duties" were to play with the dogs here, although yesterday all four of them got a bath and one more was finished today on Saturday. I have done some painting, cleaning, organizing, washing, demolishing a rock patio with one of those big drill things that vibrates up and down (super heavy duty!!). I have also made some lemon curd and lemon pie from fresh lemons right off the tree. It's certainly been a treat living here. Although I have certainly worked hard, it's all been more than rewarded back to me through the beautiful and funny love and attention from the animals as well as the great interactions with Pat and Bob who are such lovely people. 

 I will certainly miss them and the farm when I have to go. The only thing I will not miss is the numerous bites that I have all over which are so ridiculously itchy and lady forever. Other than that though, it's been amazing and I still have time here until Friday!