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Post by lugg on Aug 27, 2013 20:42:00 GMT
I recently visited Palma for a day, whilst staying elsewhere in Mallorca. Considering the number of times I have been to Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands it is perhaps inconceivable that I had not visited the capital previously. In short – I absolutely loved it and plan to go back for a long weekend next spring when the temperatures will be more conducive to wandering aimlessly, so that I can sample more of the city’s attractions. Public transport from the east coast where I was staying (Cala Egos) to the capital was efficient, the bus ride about took an hour and a quarter on a clean and efficiently air conditioned bus. At times it was a hairy ride as the long bus (in fact 2 buses connected) negotiated some of the narrow streets in the villages we passed through. On the road, ....(I was quite pleased with the results of the “through glass” option on my new Panasonic)Mallorca is famous for its many windmills, now becoming popular again with many being refurbished for use. The city is immensely walkable, many of the areas are pedestrianised and it is relatively small and compact (but not too small.) My guidebook informed me that the origins of the city go back to the Bronze Age followed by periods of rule by Romans, Byzantines and then Moors until they were overthrown by the Spanish in the 13th century. There is still evidence of Arab occupation mixed in with many of the medieval buildings and a few examples of “ Modernista “ (Art Nouveau) architecture; influenced by Gaudi in other parts of the city. Exiting the bus station, the first main square reached is the Placa de Espana. Here is a statue of King Jaume 1 who overthrew the Moors on behalf of the Spanish in the 1200’s. He and his sons built the cathedral on the site of a former mosque. It felt much warmer than the 25C this thermometer was showing. lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j_u53egmgLM/Uhr_SNyVwTI/AAAAAAAATOw/4uT8pkN8lkA/s400/P1000455.JPG [/img]
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Post by lugg on Aug 27, 2013 20:57:49 GMT
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Post by lugg on Aug 27, 2013 21:13:47 GMT
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Post by lugg on Aug 27, 2013 21:19:39 GMT
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Post by lugg on Aug 27, 2013 21:47:31 GMT
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Post by htmb on Aug 27, 2013 23:42:25 GMT
I loved having the opportunity to stroll around Palma with you, Lugg! The shape of the windmill at the beginning of the thread is really interesting and I especially enjoyed seeing some of the other buildings such as those just before the fish market pictures.
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Post by mossie on Aug 28, 2013 6:45:47 GMT
Many thanks for this walk round Palma. Street art seems universal, I had to stop at one because I thought there was a fox doing his ablutions in front of it. Then I realised it was an old ginger cat ;D The architectural styles on the cathedral seem to range from the 11th to the 15th C with modern thrown in. A real dog's breakfast Thanks again
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2013 13:17:08 GMT
For some reason, I have not yet made it to the Balearics, but you have certainly motivated me to go there, lugg. Palma is clearly a much bigger city than I imagined. The central market looks superb.
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Post by bjd on Aug 28, 2013 14:09:55 GMT
Those of us who like Art Nouveau/Modernista are being spoiled these days! Lovely pictures of Palma, lugg. I have never been there either. I didn't realize it was so nice.
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Post by nycgirl on Aug 28, 2013 22:56:05 GMT
Mallorca looks like a beautiful place. I love the architecture and the market photos. Oh my god, those fish heads are huge!
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Post by mossie on Aug 29, 2013 7:06:07 GMT
Re the huge mushrooms. I was reminded of the first porno film I saw. A man was lying naked in a wood sunbathing . Two girls just chanced to walk by and one said to the other "Quelle belle champignon" ;D
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2013 16:57:58 GMT
Every time I come back to this thread, I admire the fish at the market more and more.
Mossie, that would have been 'quel beau champignon'.
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Post by mossie on Aug 29, 2013 18:31:35 GMT
Thanks for correcting my French, I never did understand the rules for male and female, although on reflection the girls would have been quite justified in using the male form
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Post by lugg on Aug 30, 2013 6:01:15 GMT
Thank you guys Mossie The fish does look good I agree K2 . I ate lots of fish whilst in Mallorca from simple sardines at the beach to the more complex. I also had a traditional Mallorcan salt cod dish which is cooked with pine nuts, raisins and spinach - tasted much better that it might sound.
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Post by htmb on Aug 30, 2013 22:57:19 GMT
This is a wonderful report, Lugg. My paternal grandmother's family is from Minorca - the came to Florida in the 18th century as indentured servants - and I've always assumed the two islands were similar.
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Post by lugg on Aug 31, 2013 8:19:54 GMT
How interesting Htmb. Menorca is probably my favourite out of the Balearics. I think I have said elsewhere on AP Menorca is where my passion for marine life began many years ago. Sadly the huge fish I use to see there in the deep inlets close to shore are sadly depleted now. ( There was an exhibition at Palma aquarium highlighting the real danger of that Blue Fin Tuna will be extinct in a few years)
Of course there are some similarities to Mallorca but it is different in many ways. It does not have the mountain ranges and is actually relatively flat. It is also less commercialised generally and generally escaped the high rise building that happened in some parts of Mallorca. Also of course it's British heritage is still apparent.
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Post by lugg on Aug 31, 2013 8:25:03 GMT
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Post by Henblas on Aug 31, 2013 23:27:41 GMT
I recently visited Palma for a day, whilst staying elsewhere in Mallorca. Considering the number of times I have been to Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands it is perhaps inconceivable that I had not visited the capital previously. In short – I absolutely loved it and plan to go back for a long weekend next spring when the temperatures will be more conducive to wandering aimlessly, so that I can sample more of the city’s attractions. Public transport from the east coast where I was staying (Cala Egos) to the capital was efficient, the bus ride about took an hour and a quarter on a clean and efficiently air conditioned bus. At times it was a hairy ride as the long bus (in fact 2 buses connected) negotiated some of the narrow streets in the villages we passed through. On the road, ....(I was quite pleased with the results of the “through glass” option on my new Panasonic)Mallorca is famous for its many windmills, now becoming popular again with many being refurbished for use. The city is immensely walkable, many of the areas are pedestrianised and it is relatively small and compact (but not too small.) My guidebook informed me that the origins of the city go back to the Bronze Age followed by periods of rule by Romans, Byzantines and then Moors until they were overthrown by the Spanish in the 13th century. There is still evidence of Arab occupation mixed in with many of the medieval buildings and a few examples of “ Modernista “ (Art Nouveau) architecture; influenced by Gaudi in other parts of the city. Exiting the bus station, the first main square reached is the Placa de Espana. Here is a statue of King Jaume 1 who overthrew the Moors on behalf of the Spanish in the 1200’s. He and his sons built the cathedral on the site of a former mosque. It felt much warmer than the 25C this thermometer was showing.
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Post by nycgirl on Sept 5, 2013 1:02:26 GMT
Gorgeous photos. That big octopus is an impressive creature.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 5, 2013 16:03:52 GMT
Coming in late to say what an enjoyable & beautifully photographed thread this is. The place seems to exude a relaxed sense of self, with no sign of relentless touristic promotion. Your text and pictures certainly make it clear why people go there. That market! Were you tempted to rent a place in order to have an excuse for food shopping? The variety of mushrooms alone is amazing (& with those perfect figs in front ~ sigh). I will not bore you all (again) with any more fish shots. Oh, please! I know I'm not alone in loving your fish shots, both the quick & the perfectly prepared dead. At times it was a hairy ride as the long bus (in fact 2 buses connected) negotiated some of the narrow streets Seriously? Why are they connected? (I was quite pleased with the results of the “through glass” option on my new Panasonic) I think you would take good photos with a homemade cardboard camera, but which Panasonic, please? I am not sure what these presumably tropical plants are ? The two pictures you show after that sentence are both gingers. Wonderful report!
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Post by lugg on Sept 7, 2013 6:55:24 GMT
Thank you Bixa and NYCgirl.
Of course - gingers , I now remember seeing some that Casi posted a while ago.
Re buses Yes seriously - it was a kind of carriage extension , a little like a train carriage. I guess it is a busy and not too frequent route, also a lot of people had suitcases etc as they used it to travel back to the city to get a connection to the airport.
Although I am happy with my Panasonic bridge camera, it does not fit into a handbag or pocket and sometimes particularly when travelling it is so much easier with a compact. I decided that I would like a better compact and my old FT2 is showing the signs of having been immersed in salt water for many hours. Eventually after some deliberation I bought a Lumix DMC-TZ40 (also known as the DMC-ZS30 in the USA) Although I often think about buying another make I always seem to opt for a Panasonic in the end
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