Palma de Mallorca

Saturday 19^th October

The clocks went forward an hour, which gave me more time to sleep! I was woken by the Captain’s announcement at 9am when we arrived in Palma and got up shortly after 10.

The day was slightly overcast but warm and humid. I had chosen to wear a skirt and blouse, and I was sweating by the early afternoon. This is why so many Brits choose to visit Mallorca for holidays.

A shuttle bus took us from the port to a parking bay close to the cathedral. It was also close to where people were signing up for the marathon that was taking place the next day. From there I wandered. Having been to Palma before, I chose not to go to the Cathedral or the main sites. People talk about finding wonderful clothes when they are on holiday and I decided it was my turn to go looking for a bargain. Big mistake! I wandered along main streets and I wandered though less major areas. I avoided the big-name stores and all I found in the smaller stores was cheap junk. Eventually I decided to turn around and go back. At least, that’s what I thought I was doing. After some endless wandering I could see I was getting more and more into the business section and was going uphill, whereas I knew the port was downhill. I had to ask quite a few people for directions, and was very glad I could ask for a landmark such as the Cathedral. I felt as though it took twice as long to get back as it had to get to my first point of asking for help! At one point I even wondered if I was being sent to the old church instead of to the Cathedral. I was so pleased when I finally saw a shop I recognised.

One advantage of getting lost was that I found a rather interesting building. I wondered if it had been designed by Gaudi. Other photographers near me wondered the same thing.