From googling about the island , to some very useful and sound advice from Narayan Moorthy ( buddy of Subhro , a Dalian ! ) , on ,where to stay , where to go and what to do , we were all geared for a week of quiescence. As per Narayan's advice , Fenu's hit in the dark for a self catering apartment complex at south Menorca ,meant bookings at Apartmentos Siesta Playa at the southern western tip of the island. South is ideal with its soft sandy beaches vis a vis the cooler rugged beaches of North , windy and ideal for wind surfing & sailing.
Three musketeers aka Fenu, Mom & I , on skedaddle from the hubbub of London. Through the most impressive drive from Mao/ Mahon, eastern end of the island to the southern most, we reach Seista Playa and are pleasantly relieved to find this property right on one of the islands small beach front, the man made marina less than a stone's throw away, and the bus stop, a well stocked supermarket, bang opposite. This place was as ideal as it can get with one walking out of the pool and into the salty crystal clear water of the Mediterranean sea .... stupendous .
This 60km x 15 km approx ,varied in its terrain island can be driven around in a day. However , we take it at a very lazed pace. One has to love walking to appreciate the diversity that each town has to offer. A delight of walking along the shoreline ( all of 216 kms!! ) , the bylanes of every town, of discovering secluded cove's. Picnic basket always ready, a book, and music...... there is no telling where you will want to stop.
If the mornings were dedicated to swimming and walking on the beach , the evenings were zealously meant for the hot spots of the marina. Every town we visited was the same, marina would come alive with stalls selling locally made craft, people who were ready to do Tattoos, hair braiding and what not ......... and the small bars and restaurants dotted all across the marina.
Our first experience on the pristine , turquoise untouched coastline and beaches of Menorca was on Amigo's boat ride, who showed us the entire southern stretch. Then it was for us to drive , take a boat, walk or canoe( which we didn't!! ) to the stunning beauties of Son Saura, Cala en Turgueta, Cala Macarella, Cala Macarelleta, Cala Galdanda,Cala Mitjana, Trebaluger and Cala Fustam. If we hadn't stayed at Cala en Bosch , we would have stayed at Cala Galdana, with accessibility to so many more beaches and the option of staying in the bustling beach / harbour or as Narayan had stayed , away from the maddening crowd at the towns higher grounds! Most of these beaches have no facilities , go prepared. You want to stay in the South , then its either Cala en Bosch or Cala Galdana.
Its two days of adventure for us. First being our trip from Cala en Bosch to the two main towns of Ciutadella & Mao by Bus, being a part of the locals! What an enchanting day it was ! Ciutadella with its quaint historic and artistic charm. We made sure there wasn't an inch that we haven't missed , which included peeping into some windows and nearly walking into someones home and asking them if we could join them for a meal. The lanes are so narrow , that one can very easily exchange stuff from opposite homes! The Cathedrals , the Main square, harbour ... a complete delight. On the other hand , Mao has this lovely balance of the old colonial charm with the modernization of today's times. A quick stop at the information office and we take the Yellow catamaran tour , and then get onto this really cute caterpillar like Mao express train , hopping on & off from its various stops , which helps us see this entire city fairly comprehensively!
We also want to drive , so, next day, hire a car it is for a day. Take off for the most spectacular drive from south to north. Our first stop is Alaior, since we do not want to miss the Menorcan purebreed, Horse Fiesta ( highly recommended by the information office at Ciutadella). And we are so glad we didn't, this is one fiesta i would have hated to miss. While the horse riders and the horses are all in finery, showing off their skills , and the village band belting out music, the main attraction is to make sure that the rider manages to balance his/her horse on the hinds for the longest time , with the children giving a helping hand by supporting the horse to hold as long as possible. The rider and horse who accomplishes this is declared the winner, and the smiler being ... the best riders that day were girls!!!!! Very very exciting this was. From there we go on a wild drive through some really bad patches to Cala Coves. The drive and then the long walk , we could have well given this a miss! Tired and not in the best of spirits we take off to Cova den Xorio nightclub. One look around this place, a drink and all our tiredness evaporates , if only we had planned better we would have been able to spend an evening here! Energies back , we hit the winding road towards Menorca's highest point El Toro( Monte Toro) at Es Mercadal, where the statue of Jesus showers blessings on the entire island! Its towards our last stop , Fornells, that we drive to. This tiny northern most fishing village, with the best sea food, that this entire island can offer! This is the paradisiacal stop before we head back to Cala en Bosch!
A week at Menorca has been all about doing nothing and some! J
Highlights
Missed out on having a cuppa coffee at Cap d'Artrutx, the light house converted to a Cafe at Cala en Bosch .... hummmm ... kuch toh next time ke liye I have to keep!
Swimming with the tiny fish as companions, or snorkelling to give them a name was not Fenu's scene who can eat anything that lives underwater , but will absolutely not swim with these creepy crawlies!!!! Ha ha ha
Walking on the rocks and suddenly having a lizard slide past, ewwwwww , was not something that we enjoyed .... they sure camouflage themselves well , these symbols of Menorca , managing to capture the imagination through logos, souvenirs and amazing variety of gift articles with them taking the centre stage! With wee bit place for the Menorcan leather shoes, for which this island is famous!
Scuba diving went kaput for me , all coz I had to train in the resort swimming pool .... next time , its will be a Villa that I stay at , and learn to scuba in the privacy of my own pool!
Pigged out on icecreams, cheese n wine, Paella, caldeseta da langosta ( lobster stew), sea food platter at El Pascador & Piccola, and the most amazing Italian fare with a view of the harbour to boot at Capriccio Italiano, drowning it with pitchers of Sangria and after dinner shots of Hierbas, the local liquer! Ummmmm ... happinessssssssangriaaaaaa!! ;-)
To be mistaken for a local by a tourist , asking me for direction in broken Spanish , sure gave me a kick!
Took me a day to realize that the hedges around most properties and homes were Olive bushes and so many of these tree's were also laden with olives, I thought they were some kind of local wild berries ... am i blind or wot?! ... ooooook , don't answer that!
Gosh, what a fright we got when this enna rascalla horse, at the Horse Fiesta, decided to run amok and head straight for the onlookers , and very nearly trampled me ! phewwww ..... i still live to tell this tale!!! J
And some .......
No can drink tap water , as one would in other European countries, the water is salty ( unless you want nimbu paani by adding some lemon juice!ahem), one has no choice but to buy mineral water..... and then again , one can survive on wines and pitchers of Sangria!
This entire island is asleep by 11 pm , amazing !
First visit should be the information office at Ciutadella or Mao, and gather as much information and booklets on what festivals are on , where to go and what to see , pick up as many brochures and then decide for yourself , kaise kya karna hai! Coz thts exactly what we did!
Google time maybe!!
http://www.menorca-tourism.net/map.htm
http://www.menorca-tourism.net/beaches.htm
http://www.holidaylinesmenorca.com/en/route-01/
http://www.yellowcatamarans.com/en/home/
http://menorca-live.com/nightlife-in-menorca/cova-den-xoroi-night-club
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